Alexandria tour from port or hotel: Six ancient sites in one day

Six centuries of Alexandria in one morning or afternoon: fort, catacombs, library and theatre

A full-day guided tour of Alexandria visiting Fort Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Roman Amphitheatre, St. Mark Cathedral and the Naval Monument, with private transport, an Egyptologist guide and hotel or port pickup. The guide speaks English, French, Spanish, German or Italian, and the itinerary fits six to eight hours depending on how long you spend at each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Alexandria city tour highlights

• Meet guide at Alexandria Port or hotel
• Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina and museums
• See statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I
• Explore Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa
• Pass by Pompey Pillar
• Visit Fort Qaitbay
• Visit St. Mark Cathedral
• Visit Ancient Roman Amphitheatre
• Pass by Naval Unknown Soldier memorial
• Return to drop off location

The Experience

Your guide meets you at your hotel or inside Alexandria Port holding a sign with your name, then drives you in an air-conditioned vehicle to Fort Qaitbay first. The fort sits on the eastern point of Pharos Island at the entrance to the eastern harbor, built in the 15th century on the exact site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From there you move to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt, where you see carved tombs and burial chambers that were discovered by accident in 1900 when a donkey fell through the ground. The site holds artifacts from Egyptian and Roman times, all preserved in the underground chambers.

Next is Bibliotheca Alexandrina, where you walk the open court to see the statue of Alexander the Great and the statue of Ptolemy the First, then enter the museums inside the library complex. The library has become one of Egypt's major cultural venues and houses collections including the President Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria Museum. You pass by Pompey's Pillar on the way, built by the Italian community in Alexandria as a tribute to Khedive Ismail and designed after the Unknown Soldier memorial in Rome. Then you visit St. Mark Cathedral, the oldest church in Africa, driving through the old downtown to see the baroque-style architecture and Italian and French colonial buildings.

The Roman Amphitheatre comes next, discovered by accident in 1960 when workers preparing a building site found a solid column buried in the sand. Excavation revealed a theatre built in the 4th century AD and used through the 7th century across the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic eras. Before returning to your hotel or port, you stop at the Naval Unknown Soldier monument for photos. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the tour works for all fitness levels and ages from one year old.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from your hotel or Alexandria Port.
• an Egyptologist guide in your chosen language.
• entry to Fort Qaitbay, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Bibliotheca Alexandrina and its museums, St. Mark Cathedral and the Roman Amphitheatre.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mirette Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving at Alexandria Port and need to return by ship departure. A private guide and vehicle lets you see the Bibliotheca, catacombs, Fort Qaitbay, and St. Mark Cathedral with flexible timing at each stop.

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Top questions

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving at Alexandria Port and need to be back by a certain time?

Yes, pickup happens inside Alexandria Port with your guide holding a sign showing your name, and the tour lasts six to eight hours depending on how long you spend at each site. You tell the operator your ship departure time at checkout and the itinerary is timed to get you back to the port in time.

What exactly is inside the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa?

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are the largest Roman cemetery in Egypt, with carved tombs and burial chambers underground. You see artifacts from both ancient Egyptian and Roman times, all preserved in their original state since the site's accidental discovery in 1900.

Does the tour include entry to all the museums at Bibliotheca Alexandrina?

Yes, all fees and taxes are included in the price. You visit the open court with the statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy the First, then enter the museums inside the library complex, including the President Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria Museum. The library is closed on Fridays.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, French, Spanish, German or Italian depending on which option you choose at checkout. You pick your language when you book.

Is the Roman Amphitheatre still used, or is it just ruins?

The Roman Amphitheatre is an archaeological site you visit and walk through. It was built in the 4th century AD and used until the 7th century, then buried under sand until its accidental discovery in 1960 during construction work. Today it stands as an open-air excavation where you can see the structure and imagine how it functioned across the Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods.