Alexandria Day Trip From Cairo

Take a fascinating private tour to Alexandria from Cairo in the company of your own Egyptologist guide. You will be picked up by your Egyptologist guide from your hotel and drive to Alexandria (a 3-hour drive). As this is a private tour, you can determine the amount of time you will spend at each of the sites you visit.

The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern and is famous for its Roman remains. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in 312 B.C., and was the capital of Greco-Roman Egypt. Your first stop in this historic city is the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, which is a Roman burial site that reveals the merging of Egyptian and Roman art and architecture. Descend below ground to visit the tomb and Caracalla Hall. Back above ground, continue to Pompey's Pillar, an 82-foot (25-meter) granite column built to honor Emperor Diocletian who freed the besieged city and brought food to its starving people. Continuing the Roman theme, the next site your guide will show you is the Roman amphitheater, possibly the best preserved Roman site in Egypt. The site also includes the remains of a Roman street and homes. After lunch (for an additional cost), you will visit the famous Alexandria Library. In contrast to the ancient architecture found throughout Egypt, this Norwegian-designed building is a striking piece of modern design. A copy of every book published in the world is kept in the library, making it one of the great literary sites in the world. The library also houses several exhibitions relating to the history of Egypt and a display of rare antique books (for an additional cost). After the conclusion of your tour, you will return to Cairo.