Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt: The Complete Guide

By the Misk Tours Team | Egypt-based travel specialists | Published: August 2026

Looking for the best things to do in Alexandria, Egypt? Egypt’s Mediterranean capital packs 2,300 years of history into a laid-back coastal city — Graeco-Roman ruins sit two streets from seafood restaurants, and a glass library pays tribute to the ancient one that made Alexandria famous. Most travelers see it as a day trip from Cairo or a stop on a Mediterranean cruise, and with the right plan, you can cover the landmarks, catacombs, and waterfront comfortably in a single day.

Below are the top 10 things to do in Alexandria, Egypt, plus unique things to do in Alexandria, Egypt away from the tour-bus stops, what to do in Alexandria in one day, and where the city goes after dark. If you’d rather skip the planning, our Full Day Alexandria City Tour from Alexandria Port covers every highlight below with a private Egyptologist guide.
Arriving by ship instead? Our Alexandria Shore Excursions are timed around exactly this itinerary, so you’re back at the port with time to spare.

Top 10 Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt

If you only have time for the essentials, this is the top 10 things to do in Alexandria, Egypt — the sites every first-time visitor should prioritize, roughly in the order you’d sensibly visit them across the city.

• Qaitbay Citadel — a 15th-century fortress built on the ruins of the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Walk the ramparts for the best Mediterranean views in the city.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — the modern reimagining of the ancient Library of Alexandria. The reading hall alone is worth the visit, and the complex also houses a planetarium and several small museums.
• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — a UNESCO-recognized underground necropolis carved three levels into the bedrock, blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman funerary styles in one tomb.
• Roman Amphitheater (Kom el Dikka) — Egypt’s only surviving Roman amphitheater, set inside what was once a wealthy Graeco-Roman residential quarter — uncrowded and easy to explore at your own pace.
• The Corniche — Alexandria’s 3km harborfront promenade, lined with cafés and fishing boats — is the best place to feel the city’s rhythm, especially at sunset.
• Montaza Palace Gardens — the former summer residence of King Farouk, with sprawling royal gardens that open onto a public beach.
• Graeco-Roman Museum — a compact, well-labeled collection covering Alexandria’s Ptolemaic and Roman periods — a good primer before visiting the ruins themselves.
• Royal Jewelry Museum — a former royal villa with ceiling murals and stained glass, now displaying the jewels, clocks, and coins of Egypt’s royal family.
• El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque — Alexandria’s most photographed mosque, with four domes and Ottoman-style minarets, standing right beside the Eastern Harbor.
• Stanley Bridge — a suspension bridge over the water that’s become the city’s most recognizable modern landmark, especially once it lights up in the evening.

Taken together, these are consistently ranked among the top things to do in Alexandria, Egypt, by both guidebooks and locals — and nearly all of them sit along or near the Corniche, which makes route planning straightforward.

Unique Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt

Past the landmark list, there are unique things to do in Alexandria, Egypt that most visitors skip entirely — worth building in if you have a second day or simply want a more local pace.

• Dive the sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s Palace — an earthquake pulled columns, sphinxes, and roadways from the Ptolemaic royal quarter into the Eastern Harbor roughly 1,400 years ago. Certified divers can explore them at around 10 meters; several local dive centers run half-day trips.
• Ride the century-old yellow tram — Alexandria’s tram network dates to 1902 and still runs along the Corniche — a slow, cheap way to see the city the way residents do.
• Browse Attarine’s antique district — narrow streets packed with furniture and curio dealers, many selling pieces from Alexandria’s cosmopolitan, pre-1950s heyday.
• Sit in a century-old coffeehouse — Délices and Trianon have been serving the city’s writers and merchants since the early 20th century; both retain their original decor.
• Walk the San Stefano promenade — a quieter, more residential stretch of waterfront east of downtown, popular with locals rather than tour groups.

None of these require a guide, but a local driver saves real time — Alexandria’s one-way street system and traffic patterns are not intuitive for first-time visitors.

What to Do in Alexandria in One Day

Most visitors — especially those coming from Cairo or a cruise ship — only get one day in Alexandria. Here’s what to do in Alexandria in one day if you’re working roughly 8 hours on the ground.

• Morning (9:00–11:30): Qaitbay Citadel first, then a five-minute walk to El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque.
• Midday (11:30–13:30): Bibliotheca Alexandrina, followed by the Roman Amphitheater at Kom el Dikka, a short drive away.
• Early afternoon (13:30–15:00): lunch of fresh-caught fish near Anfushi, then the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa.
• Late afternoon (15:00–17:00): Graeco-Roman Museum or Royal Jewelry Museum, depending on interest.
• Evening (17:00 onward): a Corniche walk at sunset before heading back to Cairo or your ship.

This order minimizes backtracking, since almost every stop lies along or just off the Corniche. It’s also the exact route our private drivers and Egyptologist guides run on request — worth booking rather than self-driving if your window is tight, since Alexandria’s traffic can eat into sightseeing time fast.

Things to Do in Alexandria at Night

Alexandria’s pace shifts noticeably after sunset. Here are the best things to do in Alexandria at night, when the heat drops and the Corniche fills up with families and couples.

• Walk the Corniche after dark — the promenade is genuinely at its best in the evening, once the sea breeze picks up and the mosque and citadel are lit.
• Seafood dinner in Anfushi — pick your fish by weight at a harborside restaurant and have it grilled to order — a classic Alexandria evening.
• See Stanley Bridge lit up — the bridge and surrounding beach come alive with photographers and evening strollers once the lights come on.
• Rooftop shisha cafés — several waterfront cafés along the Corniche have rooftop or sea-facing seating that’s popular well past 10pm.
• San Stefano Grand Plaza — if you want air conditioning, shopping, or a cinema screening, this mall complex on the eastern Corniche stays open late.

Alexandria is generally comfortable to walk after dark along the main Corniche stretch, though as anywhere, stick to well-lit, populated areas and avoid unfamiliar side streets late at night.

Places to Go in Alexandria with Friends

Traveling as a group changes the priority list. These are the best places to go in Alexandria with friends — spots built around sharing a meal, a view, or an activity rather than a solo museum visit.

• A fish restaurant in Anfushi — large shared platters and an open harbor view make this a natural group meal.
• A harbor boat ride — small motorboats run short loops around the Eastern Harbor past Qaitbay Citadel — an easy, photogenic 30-minute activity for a group.
• Miami or Maamoura beach — Alexandria’s eastern beaches get busy with groups of friends on weekends and through the summer months.
• San Stefano’s entertainment floor — bowling, an arcade, and a cinema, all under one roof if the weather turns.
• Shisha and backgammon on the Corniche — one of the most authentically Alexandrian ways to spend a few hours with a group, and inexpensive by any standard.

Things to Do in Alexandria, Egypt with Kids

Alexandria is one of the more manageable Egyptian cities for families — flatter, cooler, and less intense than Cairo. Here are the best things to do in Alexandria, Egypt with kids.

• Montaza Palace Gardens — open lawns, palm-lined paths, and a beach at the end — plenty of room for kids to run.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Planetarium — a science-museum wing with hands-on exhibits that hold kids’ attention far longer than a standard museum visit.
• The Corniche tram — a genuinely fun ride for younger children, and a good way to cover ground without a long walk.
• Qaitbay Citadel’s open ramparts — wide, safe walking space with sea views that keep kids engaged without much history explanation needed.
• A horse-drawn carriage (hantour) — a slower, kid-friendly way to see the Corniche and downtown streets, widely available near the waterfront.

Keep the pace loose — Alexandria doesn’t require the same early starts as Luxor or Aswan, so families can build in downtime at the beach or gardens between sights.

Getting to Alexandria & Best Time to Visit

Alexandria sits about 225km northwest of Cairo — roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by car or a similar duration on the intercity train, which runs frequently throughout the day and is a comfortable option even for families. Most visitors do it as a long day trip; travelers wanting a slower pace sometimes stay overnight instead.

If Alexandria is part of a wider Egypt trip, it pairs naturally with Cairo — our Cairo Tours Packages include multi-day itineraries that combine the Pyramids of Giza with an Alexandria day trip, so you’re not choosing between the two.

The best months to visit are October through April, when temperatures stay mild and comfortable for walking the Corniche. Summer (June–August) is hot and busy with domestic beach tourism, though evenings remain pleasant. For general trip-planning peace of mind, see our Egypt Travel Safety Tips guide.

Frequently Asked Questions for things to do in Alexandria

What are the top things to do in Alexandria, Egypt?

The top things to do in Alexandria, Egypt include Qaitbay Citadel, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman Amphitheater, and a sunset walk along the Corniche. Most of these sit within a short drive of one another, making a single-day visit realistic for most travelers.

What are unique things to do in Alexandria, Egypt?

Beyond the main landmarks, unique things to do in Alexandria, Egypt include diving the sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s Palace in the Eastern Harbor, riding the city’s century-old yellow tram, and browsing the antique dealers of the Attarine district.

What to do in Alexandria in one day?

With one day, prioritize Qaitbay Citadel and El-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque in the morning, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Roman Amphitheater at midday, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa in the afternoon, and a Corniche walk at sunset. This route avoids backtracking and fits comfortably into an 8-hour visit.

What are good things to do in Alexandria at night?

At night, walk the Corniche once it’s lit up, have a seafood dinner in the Anfushi district, or see Stanley Bridge illuminated. Several waterfront cafés stay open late for shisha and tea, and San Stefano Grand Plaza offers shopping and cinema if you want air conditioning.

What are good places to go in Alexandria with friends?

Good places to go in Alexandria with friends include the seafood restaurants of Anfushi, a short boat ride around the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria’s eastern beaches in summer, and the shisha cafés along the Corniche.

Is Alexandria a good destination for things to do in Alexandria, Egypt with kids?

Yes — Montaza Palace Gardens, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s planetarium, the Corniche tram, and Qaitbay Citadel’s open ramparts are all well-suited to families, and Alexandria’s flatter, cooler layout makes it easier on kids than Cairo or Luxor.

Conclusion

Alexandria rewards even a single well-planned day — Graeco-Roman ruins, a modern library, and a Mediterranean waterfront all within a compact, walkable stretch of city.

Whether you’re after the essential top 10, a few unique things to do in Alexandria, Egypt off the main route, or a family-friendly afternoon, the itinerary above covers it. If you’d rather have a private Egyptologist guide handle the route, timing, and tickets, explore Alexandria as part of a longer trip with our Egypt Classic Tours.