Alexandria Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Alexandria

Alexandria is a major Egyptian city situated on the western edge of the Nile River Delta, stretching around 40 kilometers along the country's northern Mediterranean coastline. Recognized as Egypt's second-largest city and its principal seaport, it serves as the capital of the Alexandria Governorate and stands as the largest urban center on the Mediterranean coast.

Established in 331 BC by Alexander the Great near an existing Egyptian settlement called Rhacotis, the city grew into one of the ancient world's foremost centers of scholarship, science, and commerce. It served as the capital of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and was widely known for historic structures including the Lighthouse of Alexandria on Pharos, the Great Library, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. Over the centuries, Alexandria retained a central position in Mediterranean trade and played a key role in early Christian theological development, leaving a spiritual heritage claimed by both the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria.

Visitors to Alexandria can experience a diverse array of cultural venues and historic sites. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina serves as a focal point for cultural events, including the annual Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival. Other prominent cultural destinations within the city include the Alexandria Opera House, the Alexandria Museum of Fine Arts, and the Alexandria National Museum. The city also hosts various sporting events and is home to the association football team Al Ittihad.

In addition to its historic and cultural significance, Alexandria remains an important commercial and industrial hub. Its ancient harbor continues to operate as one of the nation's busiest ports, serving a robust financial sector, a major shipping industry, and manufacturing facilities such as the Alexandria Shipyard. Historically serving as a strategic trade outlet for goods from Arabia, India, Southeast Asia, and mainland Africa, the city today spans an area of 1,661 square kilometers, extending past its administrative municipal boundaries as a major center of modern Egypt.