- Alexandria was once home to the Great Library of Alexandria, the ancient world's most significant repository of knowledge.
- The city's coastline is home to extensive underwater archaeological sites, including the sunken ruins of the royal quarter of the Ptolemaic kings.
- The Alexandria tram system, established in 1863, is one of the oldest in the world and continues to serve as a primary transit mode.
- Unlike the rest of Egypt, Alexandria features a Mediterranean climate characterized by significantly higher rainfall during winter months.
- The city acts as the primary maritime gateway for Egypt, handling over 80 percent of the country's imports and exports.
About Alexandria
Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, serves as Egypt’s primary Mediterranean port and cultural hub. The city synthesizes ancient Greco-Roman history with Islamic architecture, seen in structures like the Qaitbay Citadel and the Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas Mosque. Visitors explore remnants of its intellectual past at sites such as the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa and the Alexandria Ancient Roman Theater. Its distinct identity is defined by a blend of Mediterranean climate, historic maritime influence, and the opulent displays found within the Royal Jewelry Museum Alexandria.
Highlights of Alexandria
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
This fortress was built on the exact site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria using stone blocks from the original structure.
Historical places
These catacombs feature a unique synthesis of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architectural styles across three underground levels.
Historical places
This site contains the only known Roman theater in Egypt, featuring well-preserved marble seating for up to 800 spectators.
Museums
The museum displays a vast collection of jewelry and gold belonging to the Muhammad Ali dynasty within the former Fatma Al-Zahra Palace.
Temples
This iconic mosque is known for its four large domes and a high minaret that dominates the city’s skyline.
Historical places
Visitors can view the site of a once-grand temple complex dedicated to the syncretic deity Serapis.
Historical places
The statue commemorates the founder of modern Egypt, located in a significant central plaza near the coast.
Temples
This cathedral serves as the seat of the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church and features significant stained-glass architecture.
Top things to do in Alexandria
The 1,292 highest-rated places in Alexandria, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Montaza Palace is a sprawling royal complex located on the eastern edge of Alexandria, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea...
2
Historical places
The Alexandria Naval Unknown Soldier Memorial is a prominent landmark located in Mansheya Square, dedicated to honoring...
3
Museums
The Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria preserves the opulence of the Muhammad Ali dynasty within the former 1919 palace...
4
Temples
The Monastery of Saint Mina is a sprawling Coptic Orthodox monastic complex located in the Maryout desert region near Al...
5
Historical places
The Serapeum of Alexandria is an archaeological site defined by Pompey's Pillar, a monolithic granite column standing ov...
6
Zoos
Alexandria Zoo, located within the historic gardens of the Antoniadis Palace, is the second-largest zoo in Egypt. It ser...
7
Historical places
The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa represent the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, dating primarily to the 2nd cent...
8
Venues
Alexandria International Stadium, also known as Alexandria Stadium, is the oldest stadium in Egypt and the African conti...
9
Historical places
The Alexandria Roman Theater is the only site of its kind in Egypt, featuring a well-preserved semi-circular auditorium...
10
Venues
Borg El Arab Stadium is Egypt's largest stadium and the second-largest on the African continent, with a seating capacity...
11
Places of interest
Qaitbay Citadel is a 15th-century defensive fortress situated on the eastern promontory of the Pharos Island in Alexandr...
12
Temples
Al Qaaed Ibrahim Basha Mosque is a prominent Islamic architectural landmark located in the heart of Alexandria at Mahta...
13
Temples
The Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas Mosque is the largest and most significant mosque in Alexandria, dedicated to a 13th-century...
14
Amusement parks
Kouta Park is a prominent amusement park located in the El Mamoura district of Alexandria, Egypt. The park features a va...
15
Temples
St. Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria serves as the historic seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria and is widely c...
16
Historical places
The Mohamed Ali Pasha Statue is an equestrian monument located in the center of Mansheya Square in Alexandria, Egypt. It...
17
Parks
El Montaza Gardens is a historic royal parkland spanning approximately 360 acres along the Mediterranean coastline of Al...
18
Museums
The Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria houses one of the world's most significant collections of artifacts from the Ptolem...
19
Parks
Hannoville Square serves as a primary commercial and social hub for the Al Agamy district in western Alexandria. The squ...
20
Museums
The Alexandria National Museum is housed in the restored Al-Saad Bassili Pasha Palace, a historic Italianate mansion con...
21
Parks
Al Shalalat Park, also known as Shallalat Gardens, is built within the remnants of the ancient fortifications of Alexand...
22
Temples
El Emary Mosque is a prominent religious site situated in the historic Al Labban district of Alexandria, Egypt. It is bu...
23
Places of interest
Mandara Bridge is a prominent coastal landmark in the Al Mandarah Bahri district of Alexandria, Egypt. It serves as an e...
24
Temples
Saint George Coptic Orthodox Church in the Sporting district is a significant religious landmark in Alexandria, Egypt. T...
25
Historical places
Ahmed Oraby Square, widely known as Mansheya Square, serves as a central commercial and historical hub in Alexandria, Eg...
26
Places of interest
Stanley Bridge is a 400-meter-long concrete pedestrian and vehicular bridge crossing the Stanley Bay in Alexandria, Egyp...
27
Temples
El Mowasah Mosque is a prominent architectural landmark in Alexandria, characterized by its distinctive Neo-Islamic and...
28
Temples
Masjid Al-Hadid wa Al-Solb is a significant community mosque situated in the Dekhela district of Alexandria, Egypt. The...
29
Temples
Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque is a prominent local religious center located in the Ezbet Saad area of Sidi Gaber, Alexandria....
30
Temples
El Nabi Daniel Mosque is a prominent Islamic landmark in Alexandria, famously associated with the tomb of the prophet Da...
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Alexandria on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Alexandria
March to May or September to November, when Mediterranean temperatures are mild and the intense summer heat is absent.
2-3 days to explore the major historical sites and the Mediterranean waterfront.
Visitors typically use taxis, ride-sharing apps, or the historic tram network that spans the city's coastal stretch.
Stay in the El Raml or Stanley areas for proximity to the coast, or choose downtown near the Corniche for central access to historical sites.
Mid-range; the city offers a wide variety of accommodation and dining options suitable for various spending levels.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 1,292 curated attractions in and around Alexandria, ranked by traveller ratings.
Montaza Palace is the highest-rated place to visit in Alexandria right now.
The largest category is temples, with 1,101 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Giza, Shubra El Kheima, Mansoura, Egypt.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.