Things to Do in Alexandria

What Alexandria’s Roman Amphitheatre lacks in size, it makes up for with its impressive state of preservation, and as the only known Roman amphitheatre in Egypt, it’s a historic sight right in the middle of the city. Discovered by accident in 1960, the small amphitheatre is still largely intact, with its lower-level stage surrounded by 13 marble terraces, which once provided seating for up to 800 people. The structure is estimated to date back to the fourth century, and original features like seat numbers are still visible to travelers who stop by while exploring Alexandria. Around the amphitheatre, other Roman ruins such as baths, villas and floor mosaics can also be seen, along with a small collection of artifacts excavated from the area.

Built by Khedive Abbas II in 1900, the grand Moorish-style palace of Montazah is one of Alexandria’s most striking landmarks and the vast estate stretches along the seafront north of the city. The palace remains a summer residence of the Egyptian royal family and is off-limits to the public, but visitors can still walk the grounds and experience the adjoining Salamlek annex, which has now been transformed into a luxury hotel. 

For most visitors, the highlight is the lavish Montazah Palace Gardens, a pocket of greenery fringed by sandy beaches and romantic promenades. As well as strolling the palm-lined walkways and picnicking on the lawns, visitors can explore several greenhouses, home to an impressive variety of tropical plants.

Famously one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the world’s first ever lighthouse, constructed in the 3rd century BC by Ptolemy I. An incredible architectural achievement of its time, the lighthouse took over two decades to complete and, at 450 feet (137 meters) tall, ranked among the world’s tallest structures for centuries after. It stood as a commanding force in Alexandria’s harbor for hundreds of years before being destroyed by a series of earthquakes that sent huge stones into the bay.

Today, almost nothing remains of the former world wonder, although the seaside Citadel of Qaitbay was built in its place using lighthouse ruins in 1480. The well-preserved medieval fortress offers visitors great views of Alexandria’s skyline and out to sea, plus the knowledge of its location’s historical significance. Travelers can walk the ramparts and wander the staircases while keeping an eye out for granite details that may have come from the lighthouse. In addition, Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities has recently approved plans to reconstruct the ancient landmark, but details of the project are yet to be released.

With three floors of exhibitions and some 1,800 artifacts on display, the Alexandria National Museum offers a fascinating introduction to the city's rich history. Housed in the impressively restored Al-Saad Bassili Pasha Palace, the exhibitions present a chronological journey through time, with artifacts from Egypt's four ages: Ancient, Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic.

Highlights include a sphinx found at Aboukir, a large collection of antique coins, a dazzling array of royal jewels, and portraits of pharaohs Menkaure, Akhenaten, and Hatshepsut. In addition, another section is devoted to artifacts found underwater along Alexandria's coast, including statues of Venus and a Roman replica of the head of Alexander the Great.