Alexandria Waterfront
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and it became the capital of Graco-Roman Egypt. It is the second largest city in Egypt and it takes pride in having the largest seaport. It’s called the Pearl of the Mediterranean, and not without a reason. The Pharos, the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, symbolizes its status as a beacon of culture.
Even though Alexandria is only 225 km from Cairo, its ambiance and cultural heritage distances it from the rest of the country.
The city has a Mediterranean climate with warm, humid summers and mild rainy winters.
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound.
A Little Bit of History
Alexandria was named after its founder, Alexander the Great, and the city was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates on the site of an old village called Rhakotis.
It was the seat of the Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt and one of the greatest cities in the Hellenistic world.
Bibliotheca Alexandria was the learning center in the ancient world that housed the biggest collection of books, and it was the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
However, the ancient Alexandria declined and it was a sparsely populated fishing village when Napoleon landed here.
The Typical Cityscape
The city regained its status and became a popular vacation spot for wealthy Europeans, during the 20th century.
Today, this city is Egypt’s primary port, and a thriving commercial and industrial center.
The modern part of the city is varied and it stretches along the Mediterranean.
The city has many festivals and celebrations that exhibit their beliefs and customs, their colorful culture and traditions.
Alexandrias of the World Festival is a unique celebration when all the places in the world with the same name join the event in the middle of October (there are more than 40 such cities).
A Street in Alexandria
Alexandria Film Festival is the most popular festival here and has attracted international audience since 1979.
Where is Alexandria?
- 136.7 miles/ 220 km from Cairo, Egypt
- 136 miles/ 219 km from Giza, Egypt
- 663 miles/ 1,067 km from Aswan, Egypt
- 532.5 miles/ 857 km from Luxor, Egypt
- 603.3 miles/ 971 km from Jerusalem, Israel
- 4.7 miles/ 7.7 km from Alexandria Airport, Egypt
- 158.4 miles/ 255 km from Cairo International Airport, Egypt
What to See
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Citadel of Qaitbay
- Roman Amphitheater
- Stanley Bridge
- Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
- Royal Jewelry Museum
- The Montazah Palace
- Pompey’s Pillar
- Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Beaches
- El-Montaza Palace Beaches
- Mersa Matrouth
- Abu Qir
Excursions
- Luxor and Valley of the Kings
- Landmarks of Alexandria
- El Alamein
- Caravans in the Sands
Alexandria has a distinctly Mediterranean feel and the charming seaside promenade, the colonial buildings and wide avenues make it an exotic, romantic destination.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!