By Air

Situated 7 km / 4 miles from Alexandria, El Nouzha Airport (ALY) is the most convenient air gateway to the city. The airport has two runways and limited facilities. Airlines serving the airport include EgyptAir, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa. There are direct flights to the following international cities: Vienna, London, Dubai and Frankfurt, while regular domestic flights serve Cairo. Taxis are available for transfers into the city.

Alternatively, visitors can arrive at Borg El Arab Airport (HBE), 25 km / 16 miles from Alexandria. This is a smaller airport serving British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa. Flights connect the city with London, Addis Ababa, Dubai and Frankfurt. Transport into the city is limited to taxis, which are readily available and travel to most areas for a reasonable price, although you should always be clear about how much you are prepared to pay.

By Bus

The city can be accessed by bus from a number of neighbouring countries, including Jordan and Israel. Journeys can be long and uncomfortable, but tickets are generally very cheap. Inner-city bus transport is not very tourist friendly, with most people preferring to use taxis.

By Train

Egyptian National Railways operates all trains in Egypt. Trains can be caught from Ramses Station in Cairo and travel to the main train station in Alexandria. Tickets can be bought on the day of departure from the railway station. Some first-class or sleeper trains must be paid for in foreign currency. For a small commission, local travel agents can also arrange your tickets for you. Visitors are recommended to travel first or second-class.

Qaitbey Fort

Qaitbey Fort  Set on an island that was connected to the mainland by Alexander the Great, the Qaitbey Fort is said to sit on the site of Ptolemy II's legendary lighthouse, built in 238 BC and one of the Seven Ancient Wonder of the World. The lighthouse fell in a 14th century earthquake, making way for the rather bleak, grey-stone fort, which was built using what remained of the lighthouse. The views over Alexandria from the fort are impressive.

Beaches

Aside from the historical riches of Alexandria, most people come here to enjoy the stunning Mediterranean beaches, which line the coast. With beaches stretching in either direction from downtown, visitors can choose to explore the coast at their leisure. Popular places to bathe and enjoy water sports include the exclusive eastern resorts of Agami or Hannoville, the upmarket Montazah Beach and the western vacation resorts of Ras el-Hikma, Sidi Barram and Sallum.

Corniche

One of the best places to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea, the Corniche is a seaside promenade that stretches the length of the city and is constantly bustling with activity. The distinctly European feel and cosmopolitan character of the seafront allows visitors to feel at ease here. Attractions and sights that you can expect to encounter in this part of Alexandria include food and flower vendors, families strolling and couples simply enjoying the sunset and views. The fit can walk the 25-km / 16-mile length of the Corniche, while the less willing can take in as much or as little as they want.

Kom el Shokafa Catacombs

Fascinating 2nd-century AD funeral sculptures and friezes can be seen here in the eerie Kom el Shokafa Catacombs. Only discovered in 1900, the catacombs are the largest known Roman burial grounds in Egypt and three floors deep. With hundreds of chambers, this is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Alexandria and visitors can walk around the tombs unsupervised.

Pompey's Pillar

In the southwest of the city, near the large Arab cemetery, is a hill littered with the remains of ancient walls, architectural fragments and rubble on which stands Alexandria's largest ancient monument, Pompey's Pillar, rising from the ruins of the ancient and famous Serapeion (Temple of Serapis). This column of red Aswan granite with a Corinthian capital, standing on a badly ruined substructure and rising to a height of almost 90ft/27m, is traditionally believed to have been erected by the Emperor Theodosius to commemorate the victory of Christianity over paganism and the destruction of the Serapeion in 391. More probably, however, it was set up in 292 in honor of Diocletian, who supplied food for the starving population after the siege of the city.

March - June
September - November

July - September -> 30(°C) - Summer
January - February -> 11(°C) - Spring

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