Toghi: Alexandria

Alexandria Egypt

Alexandria is Egypt’s second-largest city, its largest seaport, and the country’s window onto the Mediterranean Sea. Though it’s a faded version of its once-glorious cosmopolitan past, it’s still worth a visit for its many cultural attractions and the still-palpable echoes of its history. The most important sites to see in Alexandria include: • Qaitbay Citadel, Ras el-Tin: One of the city’s icons, this fortress overlooks both the Mediterranean Sea and Alexandria itself. Built in 1480 by Sultan Qaitbay on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, it was intended to protect the city from sea-borne Crusader attacks. It stands on the exact location of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria. • Mostafa Kamel Cemetery: This cemetery contains four tombs dating from the 2nd century BC, in excellent condition and richly decorated. • Kom el-Shouqafa, Karmou: “Kom el-Shouqafa” is the Arabic rendering of the ancient Greek name “Lofus Kiramaikos,” meaning “mound of fragments” or “pots.” • Pompey’s Pillar, Karmouz: An ancient monument, this 25-meter granite column was erected in honor of Emperor Diocletian in 297 AD. The enclosed area around the column also contains other ruins and sculptures, including remains of the Serapeum oracle. • Roman Theatre, Kom El-Dikka: Built in the 2nd century AD. In Ptolemaic times, this area was the Park of Pan, a pleasure garden surrounded by Roman villas and baths. • Montazah Palace: Built in 1892 by Abbas II of Egypt (Abbas Hilmi Pasha), the last Khedive of Egypt. One of the palace buildings, the Haramlek, now houses a casino on the ground floor and a museum of royal relics on the upper floors. • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Mansheya: Egypt’s memorial dedicated to an unknown soldier. • Presidential Palace, Montazah. • Alexandria National Museum: A historical museum featuring more than 1,800 archaeological pieces. • Greco-Roman Museum: A history museum with a vast collection mostly dating from the 3rd century BC, covering the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.

Recommended airport

Alexandria Intl (ALY)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations

Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria Egypt