Alexandria Highlights Tour: Amphitheatre, Citadel & Catacombs

Four major sites tour: Citadel fortress, Catacombs, Roman theater, largest modern library, full day guide

A private guided tour of Alexandria covers the Citadel of Qaitbay, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Roman Amphitheatre and the modern library of Alexandria on a full-day route with hotel pickup and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or Arabic. The itinerary runs seven hours starting at 9am, and you choose at checkout whether to add entry fees and lunch at local restaurants. The library is closed Fridays, so you'll photograph it from outside on those days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa1h
2. Citadel of Qaitbay1h
3. Roman Amphitheatre1h

Explore Alexandria's historic landmarks

• Pickup from hotel at 9:00 am
• Visit New Library of Alexandria
• Visit the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay
• Visit the Roman Theater
• Explore El Mursi Abu Elabas legacy
• Transfer back to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Alexandria hotel at 9am and moves through the city's layered history. You begin at the modern library of Alexandria, the world's largest today with eight million books, built on the site of the ancient lighthouse that was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. From there the guide takes you to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which date to the 3rd century and blend Greek, Roman and Egyptian art in a single underground space.

The Citadel of Qaitbay comes next: a 15th-century defensive fortress built in 1477 on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour. Then you visit the Roman Amphitheatre, constructed from marble with a large section of mosaic flooring. The guide moves you between sites in a private air-conditioned vehicle, and the day ends with transfer back to your hotel. A bottle of water is included throughout.

You pick your option at checkout: car with driver and audio guide only; car with a live tour guide; or car, guide, entry fees and lunch combined. Entry fees cover basic access to each site. If you choose the lunch option, the guide takes you to a local restaurant serving Egyptian food. The guide reserves the right to adjust the route based on traffic or other conditions, though your return time stays fixed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide in your chosen language or audio guide.
• a bottle of water.
• entry fees to the Catacombs, Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre if you select that option.
• lunch at a local Egyptian restaurant if included in your chosen package.

Options for this experience

4 options

Car with driver and an audio guideGuide in 5 languages · 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Car with driver only, pickup is included

Car and tour guide onlyGuide in 5 languages · 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Car and tour guide only, pickup is included

Car+Guide+Entry feesGuide in 5 languages · 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Car, guide and entry fees, with pickup included

Car+Guide+Entry fees+LunchGuide in 5 languages · 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Car, guide, entry fees and lunch, with pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 7h, runs every day at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00, from US$ 35 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Russian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Emo Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want the major sites covered in a single day without arranging transport between them: the private vehicle and fixed seven-hour schedule mean you move through Alexandria's history without navigating the city yourself or waiting for group departures.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Citadel of Qaitbay and why is it on this tour?

The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century fortress built in 1477 on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour in Alexandria. It's included because it's one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and represents the later Islamic period of Alexandria's history, balancing the Roman and Greek sites also on the route.

Can I visit the Alexandria Library on a Friday?

The library is closed on Fridays, so you'll be able to take photos from outside the building on those days instead of entering. If you want to go inside, choose a tour on any other day of the week.

What's included in the different tour options?

You can book car with driver and audio guide; car with a live tour guide; car, guide and entry fees; or car, guide, entry fees and lunch at a local restaurant. Hotel pickup and a bottle of water are included in all options.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs seven hours starting at 9am, with pickup from your hotel and return at the end of the day. The guide may adjust stops based on traffic, but your return time stays the same.

What does the entry fee option cover?

Entry fees cover basic access to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay and the Roman Amphitheatre. The modern library is viewed from outside.