Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo: Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel & Catacombs
Step into Egypt's legendary Mediterranean city and trace three millennia of history in a single day.
This Alexandria day tour from Cairo takes you along Egypt's northern coast to discover one of the ancient world's most storied cities, from towering Roman monuments to a fortress that guards the memory of the lost Lighthouse of Alexandria. A professional guide leads the way in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle throughout the full journey.
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE and quickly became the intellectual capital of the ancient Mediterranean world. Today, the city's layered heritage is visible at every turn, where Roman engineering stands alongside Ptolemaic catacombs and Ottoman-era fortifications.
The tour covers the city's most significant landmarks at a relaxed pace suited to all fitness levels. Each site is presented in historical context, offering a coherent picture of how Alexandria evolved from a Hellenistic powerhouse into a cosmopolitan Egyptian city.
Round-trip transportation from Cairo is included, making this a practical and rewarding way to explore a destination that many visitors overlook in favor of Luxor or Aswan.
Tour Highlights
Stand beside Pompey's Pillar, a 25-meter red granite column and one of the last remains of the ancient Temple of Serapis.
See Qaitbay Citadel from outside, built directly on the legendary site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Descend into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria, carved from solid rock.
Visit Montazah Palace and its sweeping Mediterranean gardens, a former royal retreat on the city's eastern edge.
Travel with a qualified Egyptologist guide who provides historical context at every stop throughout the day.
Enjoy comfortable round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Cairo hotel or airport.
Itinerary
1
Hotel Pickup in Cairo
Your guide collects you from your Cairo hotel or airport in an air-conditioned vehicle. The drive to Alexandria follows the desert highway and typically takes approximately two to two and a half hours.
2
Pompey's Pillar and Temple of Serapis Area
Your first stop is the iconic Pompey's Pillar, a single red granite column standing 25 meters tall and dating to the 3rd century CE. It remains one of the most significant surviving remnants of the once-grand Temple of Serapis complex.
3
Qaitbay Citadel
The tour continues to Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th-century fortress positioned at the mouth of Alexandria's eastern harbor. The structure was built on the precise site where the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria once stood, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
4
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Explore the remarkable underground burial complex known as the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, dating to the 2nd century CE. The chambers combine Roman architectural forms with Egyptian decorative motifs, reflecting the multicultural character of ancient Alexandria.
5
Montazah Palace
The final stop is Montazah Palace, a late 19th-century royal residence set within extensive landscaped gardens overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The grounds offer a calm and scenic close to the day's explorations.
6
Return to Cairo
After the final visit, your driver takes you back along the highway to Cairo. You will be dropped off at your hotel upon arrival.
What's Included and Excluded
Included
Round-trip transportation from Cairo hotel or airport
Professional licensed Egyptologist tour guide
Air-conditioned private vehicle
Visits to Pompey's Pillar area, Qaitbay Citadel, Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and Montazah Palace
Excluded
Entry tickets to monuments and sites
Meals and beverages
Gratuities for guide and driver
Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Please read the details below before booking to ensure this tour is the right fit for your travel plans and physical needs.
Duration
The full tour lasts approximately 10 hours, including travel time between Cairo and Alexandria in both directions.
Meeting Point
Pickup is arranged directly from your Cairo hotel lobby or Cairo airport. Exact pickup time will be confirmed after booking.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, a refillable water bottle, and cash for entry tickets and meals. Modest clothing is recommended when visiting heritage sites.
Cancellation
Cancellation policies vary by operator. Please review the specific terms provided at the time of booking before confirming your reservation.
Accessibility
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa involve descending underground via stairs and may not be suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The overall difficulty rating is Easy.
Age Range
This tour is suitable for all ages. Children should be supervised closely at the catacombs and citadel areas.
Reserve Your Spot Today
Secure your place on this guided day tour and explore the ancient Mediterranean heritage of Alexandria with an expert at your side.
The drive typically takes approximately two to two and a half hours each way, depending on traffic conditions along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
Are entrance fees to the sites included in the tour price? ▼
No, entrance fees to monuments and sites are not included. Visitors should bring cash in Egyptian pounds to cover admission costs at each stop.
Is Qaitbay Citadel visited from the inside? ▼
The itinerary includes a visit to Qaitbay Citadel from outside. If you wish to enter, please confirm with your guide whether an interior visit can be arranged on the day.
What is the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa? ▼
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa is a multi-tiered archaeological site dating to the 2nd century CE and considered the largest Roman burial site in Alexandria. The chambers display a unique fusion of Roman and ancient Egyptian artistic traditions.
Is this tour suitable for people with mobility limitations? ▼
The catacombs require descending stairs underground, which may present difficulty for visitors with limited mobility. The rest of the tour involves light walking on relatively flat surfaces and is rated Easy overall.
Can I be picked up from Cairo Airport instead of a hotel? ▼
Yes, pickup from Cairo Airport is available. Confirm your flight details and arrival terminal when booking so the guide can coordinate your collection point.
Alexandria Day TourCairo to AlexandriaPompey's PillarQaitbay CitadelCatacombs of Kom El ShoqafaMontazah PalaceEgypt Historical ToursMediterranean EgyptAncient AlexandriaGuided Egypt ToursTemple of SerapisLighthouse of Alexandria Site
This tour operates between Cairo, the Egyptian capital, and Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city situated on the Mediterranean coast approximately 220 kilometers northwest of Cairo. Alexandria was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great and served as the capital of Ptolemaic Egypt and a major center of Hellenistic culture. Key landmarks visited include Pompey's Pillar in the Karmouz district, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa also located in western Alexandria, Qaitbay Citadel at the tip of the eastern harbor peninsula, and Montazah Palace on the eastern edge of the city. The tour is accessible from all major Cairo hotels and from Cairo International Airport, making it suitable for both multi-day visitors to Egypt and travelers with a single free day during a transit stay.
Type: Guided Day Tour | Departure City: Cairo, Egypt | Destination: Alexandria, Egypt | Region: North Africa, Mediterranean Coast | Duration: 10 Hours | Difficulty: Easy | Theme: Ancient History, Archaeology, Cultural Heritage | Sites: Pompey's Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel, Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Montazah Palace | Era: Hellenistic, Roman, Ottoman | Suitable For: All Ages, Families, History Enthusiasts, First-Time Visitors to Egypt
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