Day Tour

Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on a relaxed Mediterranean day trip.

12 hoursAlexandria4.8 (198 reviews)

Overview

Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on a relaxed Mediterranean day trip.

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria is Egypt's window onto the Mediterranean — a sea-facing city of Greco-Roman ruins, Ottoman citadels and grand 20th-century cafés along the breezy corniche.

On this experience you'll trace 2,300 years of layered history: the Roman catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, the fortress of Qaitbay built on the ruins of the lost Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the striking modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina that reimagines the ancient library.

Add a leisurely seafood lunch on the corniche and you have one of the most rewarding day-trips in Egypt — completely different in mood from Cairo, just three hours away by road or train.

Highlights

Private licensed Egyptologist guide
Hotel pick-up & drop-off included
Modern air-conditioned vehicle
All entrance fees & taxes included
Bottled water on board

Why you'll love this tour

A side of Egypt most visitors miss — Mediterranean, layered and quietly stylish.
100% private — your guide, your car, your pace, your interests.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off, so you never have to worry about logistics.
Hand-picked licensed Egyptologists with years of experience and excellent English.
Free cancellation and 24/7 WhatsApp support before, during and after your visit.

Itinerary

1
Start
Hotel pick-up
Our representative meets you in your hotel lobby for a comfortable transfer.
2
Tour
Guided sightseeing
Full programme with your private Egyptologist guide and dedicated driver.
3
Lunch
Local restaurant
Set-menu lunch at a hand-picked restaurant (vegetarian options on request).
4
Return
Drop-off
Comfortable air-conditioned transfer back to your hotel.

Attractions you'll visit

A closer look at the highlights of this experience — what to see, why it matters and how long to expect at each stop.

Citadel of Saladin & Mosque of Mohammed Ali

The 12th-century hilltop fortress crowned by the alabaster Ottoman-style Mosque of Mohammed Ali (built 1830–48), offering Cairo's finest panoramic view. Visit time: 1 hour.

Khan El Khalili bazaar

Cairo's 14th-century medieval souk — copper, perfume, spices, lanterns and traditional cafés like El Fishawy, open since 1797. Visit time: 1–1.5 hours.

Coptic Cairo

Egypt's oldest Christian quarter — the Hanging Church (4th century), Ben Ezra Synagogue and the Church of St Sergius, said to shelter the Holy Family. Visit time: 1.5 hours.

The Great Pyramids of Giza

Built around 2,560 BC for pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the Giza pyramids are the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. Up close, the scale is staggering — Khufu's pyramid alone contains over 2.3 million limestone blocks. Visit time: 1.5–2 hours.

The Great Sphinx of Giza

Carved from a single limestone outcrop around 2,500 BC, the Sphinx guards the Giza necropolis with the body of a lion and the face — most Egyptologists believe — of pharaoh Khafre. Visit time: 30–45 minutes.

What's included

Private Egyptologist guide
Modern air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pick-up & drop-off
All entrance fees
Bottled water

What's not included

Personal expenses
Tips (optional)
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary

Tour information

Duration	12 hours
Departure city	Alexandria
Destination	Alexandria
Availability	Daily, year-round
Group size	Private tour (1–8 guests)
Languages	English, Bulgarian, Russian, German, Polish, Romanian
Cancellation policy	Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts.

What to bring

Passport / ID
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat & sunscreen
Camera

Travel tips

Best as a long day-trip from Cairo by fast train (2.5 h each way) — book first-class tickets in advance.
Mediterranean weather can surprise you: pack a light jacket between November and March.
Seafood lunch on the corniche is a highlight — Kadoura and Fish Market are reliable favourites.

Good to know

Day-trip pacing assumes a Cairo-based start; ask us about overnight options for a slower visit.
Friday is the official day of rest — some sites have shorter hours.

What to expect

Atmosphere

Mediterranean, layered and quietly elegant — sea breeze on the corniche, Greco-Roman ruins beneath modern streets and the Bibliotheca's dramatic disc.

Activity level

Moderate walking inside the catacombs, citadel and library. Long drive or fast-train ride from Cairo.

Physical effort

Easy. Stairs at the catacombs and citadel; otherwise gentle pacing throughout the day.

Best time to visit

April to June and September to November — warm Mediterranean days without the summer crowds. Winter can be rainy but the city is atmospheric and uncrowded.

Photo opportunities

Qaitbay Citadel from the corniche at golden hour.
Tilted granite disc of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina across its reflecting pool.
Spiral staircase inside the Roman catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
Pompey's Pillar with its guarding sphinxes.

Suitability

Families	Suitable as a long day-trip from Cairo; best for ages 8+.
Children	Welcome; catacombs and citadel involve stairs.
Seniors	Suitable; modern transport door-to-door, pacing flexible.
Limited mobility	Limited at the catacombs (deep spiral staircase); accessible alternatives possible on request.