Alexandria Private Day Trip from Cairo: Catacombs and Citadel

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa blend Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles in chambers used for burial since the 2nd century AD.

A private day trip from Cairo to Alexandria with a live Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to major sites, lunch and hotel pickup included. You descend into the subterranean Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa to see intricate carvings and multi-level burial chambers, explore the Roman Amphitheatre with its white marble tiers and mosaic remnants, visit the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay overlooking the Mediterranean, and tour the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The flexible pace and personalized attention set this apart from larger group tours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa1h · entry included
2. Roman Amphitheatre1h · entry included

Explore Alexandria's historic landmarks

• Descend into Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
• Visit the Roman Amphitheatre
• Explore the Citadel of Qaitbay
• Tour the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The experience

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa anchor this day trip: a rare fusion of three ancient cultures carved into the bedrock. You descend into the subterranean chambers that served as burial sites since the 2nd century AD, moving through multi-level passages to examine the statues and carvings that reveal how Alexandria's residents blended Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistic traditions. The site offers a direct window into ancient burial practices that no surface landmark can match.

The Roman Amphitheatre comes next, a 2nd-century theater with seating for up to 800 spectators. White marble tiers still stand, and the acoustics remain intact enough that you can feel how sound once carried across the stage. Mosaic and statue fragments scattered throughout the site ground the history in physical detail. From there, the Citadel of Qaitbay rises on the Mediterranean shore: a 15th-century fortress built directly on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders. The citadel's walls and towers overlook the sea, and the guide explains its role defending the harbor against naval attack. The day closes at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern building that houses millions of books and manuscripts alongside museums and galleries, a deliberate echo of the ancient library that once made Alexandria the intellectual center of the Mediterranean world.

A private Egyptologist guide leads the entire day, speaking English, and the pace stays flexible. You linger where questions arise and move at your own rhythm. Hotel pickup and return are included, as is lunch at a local restaurant and one bottled water during the drive. The tour runs nine to eleven hours depending on how long you spend at each site. Entrance fees to all four attractions are covered in most options, though the specific package you choose at checkout determines whether the guide and lunch are part of your booking.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Roman Amphitheatre, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• private English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• one bottled water during the tour.
• hotel pickup and return.
• all transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• all taxes and service charges.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private car with driver onlyGuide in English or Arabic · 07:00 and 08:00Lasts 10 hours in a private vehicle; pickup is included

Private car and guide, with lunchGuide in English or Arabic · 07:00 and 08:00Lasts 10 hours, with lunch at Quality Restaurant in a private vehicle; pickup is included

Car, guide, lunch and entry fees includedGuide in English or Arabic · 07:00 and 08:00Lasts 10 hours, with lunch at the Quality restaurant. Covers Cairo to Alexandria City in a private vehicle; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Ibis Travel

Is this one for you?Pick the Egyptologist option if you want expert historical context at each site. Choose driver-only if you prefer to explore at your own pace and decide your own lunch timing.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly is inside the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs are a multi-level underground burial complex dating to the 2nd century AD, carved into bedrock and decorated with statues and intricate carvings that blend Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistic styles. You descend into the chambers to see how ancient Alexandrians combined their cultural traditions in the spaces where they buried their dead.

How long does the Roman Amphitheatre visit take, and what can you see there?

The Roman Amphitheatre is a 2nd-century theater with white marble tiers, intact acoustics, and scattered mosaic and statue remnants throughout the site. It once held up to 800 spectators for theatrical performances and gladiatorial games, and standing in the center of the stage gives you a sense of how the space functioned in Alexandria's Roman past.

Why was the Citadel of Qaitbay built where it is?

The Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress, was built directly on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria: one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its location on the Mediterranean shore gave it strategic importance for defending Alexandria against naval threats, and today it offers panoramic views of the sea and well-preserved walls and towers to explore.

Is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina worth the time on a day trip?

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a modern architectural landmark that deliberately honors the ancient Library of Alexandria. It houses millions of books and manuscripts, plus museums, art galleries, and a planetarium, making it a testament to Alexandria's enduring legacy as a center of knowledge and learning.

What meals and refreshments are provided during the day?

Lunch is served at a quality local restaurant and is included in most booking options. One bottled water is provided on board the private air-conditioned vehicle during the tour. If you require a vegetarian meal, notify the operator at the time of booking.