Alexandria Private Day Trip from Cairo: Catacombs, Qaitbay & Library
Duration
daily
Max Group Size
12
Departure Type
Guaranteed
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
moderate
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
5 - 85 Ages
About this tour
Explore Egypt's historic Mediterranean capital on a full-day private excursion from Cairo to Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria blends Greco-Roman subterranean monuments, Mamluk coastal fortresses, and modern architectural landmarks along the Corniche, all visited in comfort with a private air-conditioned vehicle and licensed Egyptologist guide.
Depart your Cairo or Giza hotel at 07:00 for a 2.5-hour drive to Alexandria. Begin underground at the rock-cut Roman Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, then visit the towering red-granite Roman column of Pompey's Pillar (erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian c. 298–302 AD) and the Ruins of the Serapeum. Continue to the Mediterranean harbor to tour the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay, constructed in 1477 AD on the historic coastal site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria.
After a freshly prepared lunch at a local sea-view restaurant, enjoy a guided visit inside the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Reading Room, exhibitions, and antiquities museum) before returning comfortably to your Cairo hotel by 18:30.
Route
- 1CairoAfricaEgyptStart
- 2AlexandriaAfricaEgyptEnd
What makes this tour special
Itinerary
07:00 – Hotel Pickup & Drive to Alexandria: Meet your private Egyptologist guide and driver at your hotel in Cairo or Giza and travel north in a modern air-conditioned vehicle along the Cairo–Alexandria highway (approx. 2.5 hours).
09:30 – Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend the spiral staircase into the three-tiered 2nd-century AD Roman subterranean necropolis blending Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman reliefs (1.5 hours; entrance ticket included).
11:15 – Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum Ruins: Visit the 25-meter monolithic red-granite Roman column erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian (c. 298–302 AD) and the surrounding Serapeum temple ruins (1 hour; entrance ticket included).
12:30 – Citadel of Qaitbay on the Mediterranean Harbor: Explore the 15th-century Mamluk coastal fortress built on the historic site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, with panoramic views of the Corniche (1 hour; entrance ticket included).
13:45 – Mediterranean Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the sea in Alexandria.
15:00 – Bibliotheca Alexandrina (New Library of Alexandria): Take a guided tour of the striking modern Library of Alexandria complex and its archaeological museum galleries (1 hour; entrance ticket included).
16:00 – Return Drive to Cairo: Depart Alexandria and arrive back at your Cairo or Giza hotel by approximately 18:30.
Meals Included: Lunch
Trip includes
Included
Private licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the day
Guiding Method
Fully guided
English1 lunch at a local Mediterranean restaurant in Alexandria
Complimentary bottled mineral water in the vehicle
Private modern air-conditioned vehicle for round-trip transfers between Cairo/Giza and Alexandria and all city sightseeing stops
Entrance tickets to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina
All highway tolls, parking fees, and local taxes
Excluded
No overnight accommodation is included on this 1-day excursion.
No flights are required or included on this overland day trip.
Personal travel and medical insurance is not included.
Beverages during lunch and personal expenses
Gratuities for your guide and driver
Availability
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Make this journey exclusively yours
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
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