Alexandria Tour: Citadel of Qaitbay, Catacombs & Roman Theater

Descend into a Roman necropolis, then stand where the Lighthouse of Alexandria once commanded the harbor

A private, full-day tour of Alexandria with an Egyptologist guide, starting at 9 am from your hotel or the port. You visit six major sites: the Citadel of Qaitbay (built on the exact site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral (the first Christian church in Africa), the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa (a sprawling Roman necropolis with pharaonic and classical imagery), Pompey's Pillar (a 25-meter red granite column from the Serapeum temple complex), the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the modern rebirth of the ancient library, with entry to two museums), and the Roman Amphitheater (a 4th-century theater discovered in 1960). Air-conditioned vehicle, guide, water, snacks, and all site entries are included. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day Alexandria historical tour

• Pickup from hotel or port at 9:00 am
• Visit Citadel of Qaitbay fortress
• Drive through old downtown to St. Mark's Church
• Explore Bibliotheca Alexandrina and museums
• Descend into Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• See Pompey's Pillar monument
• View Alexandria Unknown Naval Soldier Memorial
• Walk through Roman Amphitheatre of Kom El Dekka

The Experience

Your guide meets you at 9 am and drives you first to the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress that stands on the exact site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The citadel's formidable walls and towers overlook the Mediterranean from a narrow peninsula at the entrance to Alexandria's Eastern Harbor. From there, you move through the old downtown (a visual journey through Baroque and Italianate facades and French design) to Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the first Christian church established on the African continent.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina comes next, a modern center of culture on the Mediterranean that resurrects the ancient library. You'll see statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I Soter in the open court, then enter to explore two museums: the Sadat Museum, dedicated to the former Egyptian president, and the Impressions of Alexandria Museum, which traces the city's history through maps, artworks, and artifacts. The library closes at 2 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, so timing matters if you're visiting those days. Below ground, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa reveal a hauntingly preserved Roman necropolis, the largest in the country, where pharaonic imagery is carved in classical Roman style. The catacombs were discovered by accident in 1900 when the ground gave way beneath a donkey, plunging it into a hidden shaft and revealing burial chambers, statues, and spiral staircases that have survived for centuries.

Your final stops are Pompey's Pillar, a monumental 25-meter red granite column from the Serapeum temple complex, and the Roman Amphitheater of Kom el Dekka, a 4th-century theater that served communities through the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods. The amphitheater itself was unearthed in 1960 when workers preparing a government building site uncovered a solid column, leading to one of the 20th century's most important archaeological discoveries in Egypt. Throughout the day, you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with your Egyptologist guide, who speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French, or another language depending on your choice at checkout.

What’s included

• Entry to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Roman Amphitheater, and Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral.
• an Egyptologist guide in your choice of language.
• an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel or Alexandria port.
• a bottle of water and snacks.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hyatt Tours Egypt day tours

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure at 9 am if you want to reach the Bibliotheca Alexandrina before its 2 pm closing on weekdays, ensuring you see both the museums and the underground catacombs in a single day. The private format means your guide adjusts the pace to your interests, whether you linger at the Citadel's harbor views or spend extra time deciphering the catacombs' syncretic art.

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Top questions

What is the Citadel of Qaitbay and why does it matter?

The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 15th-century fortress built by Sultan Qaitbey on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It stands at the entrance to Alexandria's Eastern Harbor and was originally constructed to defend the city from the Ottoman Empire. Today you can walk its walls and towers and see views of the Mediterranean.

Can I visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on any day of the week?

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is closed on Fridays and Saturdays until 2 pm, so if you're booking a tour on those days, the library visit may be shortened or rescheduled depending on your guide's itinerary adjustments.

What will I see inside the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are a sprawling Roman necropolis, the largest in Egypt, where you'll descend into multi-level burial chambers carved with a blend of pharaonic and classical Roman imagery. You'll see statues, spiral staircases, and hieroglyphic inscriptions that have survived for centuries since the site's accidental discovery in 1900.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours, beginning at 9 am with pickup from your hotel lobby or Alexandria port and covering six major sites across the city and underground.

Is the Roman Amphitheater in good condition?

The Roman Amphitheater of Kom el Dekka is well-preserved. It was built in the 4th century A.D. and remained in use for over 300 years through the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods. It was discovered in 1960 during construction work and is now one of the most important archaeological sites from 20th-century Egypt.