Discover the Ancient City of Egypt

Overview

Founded in 331 BC by 25-year-old Alexander the Great, Alexandria (Al Iskendariyya in Arabic) is the stuff of legend. Its towering Pharos lighthouse, marking the ancient harbour’s entrance, was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and its Great Library was considered the archive of ancient knowledge. Alas, fate dealt the city a spate of cruel blows. The Pharos collapsed and the Great Library was torched. Part of the ancient city disappeared under the sea and part under the modern city. Today we will take you to discover the glory of the ancient remains in this beautiful city.

9 am - 11 am :

Catacombs

Your Journey in Alexandria will start by the Catacombs, the largest known Roman burial site in Egypt, consisting of three tiers of tombs and chambers cut into the rock to a depth of about 35 meters. Constructed in the 2nd century AD, probably as a family crypt, they were later expanded to hold more than 300 individual tombs. There is even a banquet hall where grieving relatives paid their last respects with a funeral feast.

11 am - 1 pm :

Bibliotheca Alexandria

Alexandria’s ancient library was one of the greatest of all classical institutions, and while replacing it might seem a Herculean task, the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina manages this with aplomb.

1 pm - 3 pm :

Roman Amphitheater

This is the only Roman amphitheater in Egypt, discovered quite recently, when the foundations for a new apartment building were being dug. The terraces, arranged in a semicircle around the arena, are extremely well preserved.

3 pm - 4 pm :

Lunch

Lunch today is at a traditional restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean.

5 pm - 6 pm :

Qait bay Citadel

This 15th century Mamluk fort overlooks the entrance to the Eastern Harbour in Alexandria. It is built on the foundations of the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and incorporates both a castle and a mosque within its walls.