Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour from Cairo

Schedule: Daily Departures

Duration: Approximately 7 to 8 Hours (In-city touring time; approx. 10–12 hours for round-trip Cairo departures)

Pickup Time: 09:00 AM (Customizable upon request)

Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo/Giza Hotels, Alexandria Hotels, or Alexandria Port Cruise Terminal

Tour Type: Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Archaeological Day Excursion

Tour Highlights

Journey to Egypt’s legendary Mediterranean coastline to discover where pharaonic traditions, classical Hellenistic culture, and imperial Roman architecture converged. Led by a private licensed Egyptologist, this comprehensive day excursion reveals Alexandria’s subterranean burial vaults, classical performance arenas, and royal seaside estates.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend into the largest known Roman funerary complex in Egypt—hewn across three subterranean rock tiers and celebrated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
• Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka: Walk among 13 tiers of white marble seating, ancient lecture auditoriums, and open-air displays of sunken pharaonic statuary raised from the Eastern Harbor.
• Pompey’s Pillar & Ancient Serapeum: Stand before the towering 27-meter monolithic column carved from red Aswan granite, erected in AD 297 to honor Emperor Diocletian.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Sunken Statuary): Explore the exterior granite plaza inscribed with world scripts and view submerged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I.
• Old Town & Historical Architecture: Stroll through historic downtown quarters to admire distinctive blends of Italian neo-Renaissance, French baroque, and Mediterranean facades.
• Citadel of Qaitbay: Stop outside the 15th-century maritime fortress built atop the exact foundations of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Montaza Palace Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of coastal royal grounds once favored by King Farouk, crossing the bridge to Tea Island.
• Stanley Bridge Drive: Conclude with a scenic drive along the Mediterranean Corniche, pausing at Stanley Bridge before your return transfer.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

09:00 AM: Hotel or Cruise Port Pickup

• Your private Ramasside Tours Egyptologist guide and chauffeur greet you in your hotel lobby or at the port passenger terminal holding a personalized name sign.
• Settle into your modern, air-conditioned executive vehicle as your guide introduces Alexandria's foundation by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and its golden age as the Mediterranean’s intellectual capital.

Stop 1: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

• Begin at the subterranean Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, an ancient necropolis discovered accidentally in 1900.
• Descend the circular stone stairwell into three distinct underground levels:
• The Rotunda & Triclinium: Walk through the circular chamber and banquet hall where relatives gathered for commemorative funerary feasts.
• The Principal Tomb Chamber: Inspect burial reliefs depicting Egyptian deities (including Anubis and Sobek) dressed in Roman legionary armor, illustrating the fusion of Greco-Roman and pharaonic art.
• The Loculi: Explore rock-cut chambers containing hundreds of burial niches carved directly into the limestone bedrock.

Stop 2: Kom El Dikka Roman Amphitheatre & Sunken Antiquities

• Drive into central Alexandria to explore Kom El Dikka, home to Egypt’s only preserved Roman amphitheatre.
• Examine the 13 U-shaped tiers of white marble seating, Roman bathhouse brickwork, and the mosaic floors of the "Villa of the Birds."
• Walk through the outdoor courtyard displaying colossal pharaonic sphinxes, column bases, and inscribed granite blocks salvaged by marine archaeologists from the seabed of the Eastern Harbor.

Stop 3: Pompey’s Pillar (Photo Stop)

• Pause at the elevated archaeological mound of the ancient Serapeum to photograph Pompey's Pillar, a monolithic Corinthian column towering nearly 27 meters high, flanked by two intact granite sphinxes.

Stop 4: Bibliotheca Alexandrina & Cultural Museums

• Drive to the coastal Corniche to view the iconic disc design of Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• Walk the open granite plaza to view monumental submerged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I.
• Visit the on-site Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria cultural exhibit.
• (Note: Library reading halls are closed on Fridays and public holidays; reading hall access requires a separate interior ticket).

Stop 5: Saint Mark's Cathedral & Historic Old Town Walk

• Visit Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, the historical seat of the Coptic Pope and the oldest established church foundation in Africa (founded in AD 68).
• Enjoy an architectural orientation through Alexandria’s old center, admiring European colonial facades showcasing French baroque, Italian neo-Renaissance, and classical Mediterranean styles.

Optional Lunch: Local Seafood or Mohamed Ahmed

• Savor an optional lunch at a waterfront seafood restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, or visit the historic Mohamed Ahmed restaurant to sample authentic Alexandrian falafel (Ta'ameya), ful mudammas, and local dips.
• (Optional 2-minute quick stop): Stop at "Mango King" to sample freshly squeezed seasonal mango or sugarcane juice, served roadside in local Alexandrian style.

Stop 6: Abbo Elabbas Mosque, Old Harbor & Citadel of Qaitbay

• Pass the grand white-domed Mosque of Abu El Abbas El Mursi, noting the vintage fairground in the outer square.
• Stop along the ancient Eastern Harbor to photograph wooden fishing vessels and fishermen mending nets along the seawalls.
• Continue to the Citadel of Qaitbay, the 15th-century coastal fortress erected on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse. Capture photos of the fortress against the sea.

Stop 7: Montaza Palace Royal Gardens & Stanley Bridge

• Drive 25 kilometers east along the Mediterranean coastline past the Unknown Soldier Memorial to Montaza Palace.
• Explore the lush 150-acre royal gardens, admire the Moorish and Florentine towers of the Salamlek and Haramlek palaces, and walk across the bridge to Tea Island.
• On the return drive, stop atop Stanley Bridge for photographs of the bay before transferring comfortably back to your hotel or cruise ship.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

• Private round-trip transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
• All entrance tickets to scheduled archaeological attractions (Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, and Montaza Palace Gardens)
• Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
• All road tolls, parking fees, service charges, and municipal taxes

Exclusions

• Entry visa to Egypt
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina main reading hall interior ticket
• Meals and beverages (Optional seafood lunch available for $15 per person)
• Professional vacation photographer add-on
• Personal shopping, souvenirs, and discretionary tipping

Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes

Executive Luxury Van Upgrade

Upgrade your city road transit to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining leather captain chairs, dual-zone climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and cold refreshments.

Professional Vacation Photographer

Hire a dedicated vacation photographer to capture your visit across the Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, Fort Qaitbay, and Montaza Gardens for $50 per day.

Footwear & Accessibility Advice

Comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended, as navigating the Catacombs involves descending circular stairs and walking over damp, uneven subterranean surfaces.

Shore Excursion Assurance

For cruise ship passengers docking at Alexandria Port, this tour features guaranteed terminal gate pickup and return timed safely ahead of your vessel's departure.

Child Policy

• 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge
• 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
• 12+ years: Full adult rate

For bookings, customized departure schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]