Alexandria’s Best Things to Do: History, Seafood & Mediterranean Charm
Alexandria is unlike anywhere else in Egypt. Where Cairo overwhelms with scale and energy, Alexandria seduces with a quieter, coastal confidence — a city layered with Greco-Roman ruins, medieval fortresses, and a Mediterranean waterfront that locals have claimed as their own for centuries. This guide to Alexandria’s best things to do cuts through the noise and tells you exactly where to spend your time.
The Three Historical Sites You Cannot Skip
If your time is limited, focus on what locals call the “Big Three” — three monuments that map the city’s entire timeline from ancient to medieval to modern.
1. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa The finest example of Roman-Egyptian cultural fusion you’ll find anywhere underground. The carvings here blend two civilizations in a way that feels genuinely disorienting — and genuinely extraordinary.
2. The Citadel of Qaitbay A 15th-century fortress built directly on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The view of the Mediterranean from its walls alone justifies the visit.
3. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina A striking piece of modern architecture built to honor the ancient Library of Alexandria, once the greatest center of learning in the world. It still functions as a working library, museum, and cultural center today.
For a fuller breakdown that includes secondary stops like the Royal Jewelry Museum and Montaza Gardens, explore the complete list of the best things to do in Alexandria.
Where Locals Actually Spend Their Time
The Corniche is the soul of Alexandria. This waterfront promenade stretches for kilometers along the Mediterranean, and in the evening it belongs entirely to the city’s residents — families, couples, and fishermen all sharing the same sea wall at sunset.
The standout landmark along this stretch is Stanley Bridge — the first bridge in Egypt built over open sea. Walking across it after dark, with the Mediterranean spread out on both sides and the city lights reflecting on the water, is one of those experiences that doesn’t appear on standard tourist itineraries but stays with you long after you leave.
The Food Scene: Egypt’s Seafood Capital
Alexandria’s food culture is its own reward. While Cairo is a city of grilled meats and street food, Alexandria runs entirely on what comes out of the sea each morning.
The experience works like this: you walk into a harbor-side restaurant, choose your fish by weight — Sea Bass, Bouri, and Denim are the local staples — and select your cooking method. Grilled with oil and lemon is what locals order. It arrives with sayadia rice and a spread of simple salads, and it is consistently excellent.
The most authentic restaurants in Alexandria are clustered near the harbor or tucked into the narrow alleys of the Bahary district — away from the tourist-facing waterfront and priced for the people who actually live here.
Day Trip or Overnight: Which Is Right for You?
Both options work — but they deliver different experiences.
Day trip: Efficient and intense. You cover the main monuments, eat well, and return to Cairo the same evening. The driving time from Cairo is real, so an early start is essential.
Overnight stay: The better choice if you want to experience what makes Alexandria genuinely different. A relaxed evening on the Corniche, a morning coffee by the sea, and the city’s slower pace reveal a character that a rushed day trip simply cannot.
Travelers who want to properly experience both cities without the exhaustion of a same-day return often opt for a dedicated Cairo and Alexandria tour — a structured way to feel the full contrast between Egypt’s two great cities.
Local Tips Worth Knowing
- Taxis: Alexandria’s cabs are black and yellow. Always agree on a fare before getting in — or use Uber for full price transparency.
- The Tram: Alexandria operates the oldest tram system in Africa. It’s slow and wonderfully creaky, but riding the yellow “cafeteria tram” through the city streets is a cheap, memorable detour from the monument circuit.
- Coffee Culture: The city has a deep café tradition stretching back to the 19th century. Trianon and the Brazilian Coffee Stores are the two classic stops — order something, sit down, and watch the city move at its own pace.
Alexandria’s best things to do aren’t just a checklist of monuments — they’re a mood. Come for the history, stay for the seafood, and leave time for the kind of slow waterfront evening that Cairo simply cannot offer.
