Alexandria Greco-Roman Archaeological Day Tour

Schedule: Daily Departures

Duration: Approximately 7 to 8 Hours

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

Pickup & Drop-off: Alexandria Hotels, Alexandria Port Cruise Terminal, or Cairo Hotels (Round-Trip Chauffeured Transfer)

Tour Type: Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Archaeological Excursion

Tour Highlights

Unearth the classical roots of Egypt’s ancient Mediterranean capital on a comprehensive full-day archaeological expedition through Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city preserves monumental subterranean necropolises, Roman civic arenas, and submerged harbors that showcase the fusion of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistic traditions.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend a spiral staircase into the largest known Roman funerary complex in Egypt—hewn across three subterranean rock-cut tiers and recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
• Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka: Tour the only preserved Roman amphitheatre in Egypt, featuring 13 U-shaped white marble tiers, an ancient lecture hall complex, and an open-air display yard of sunken artifacts salvaged from the Eastern Harbor.
• Pompey's Pillar & Serapeum Site: Stop for photos at the monolithic 27-meter red Aswan granite column erected in AD 297 in honor of Emperor Diocletian.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Sunken Antiquities): Walk the granite outdoor plaza of the modern library, viewing submerged monumental statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I.
• Citadel of Qaitbay: Explore the outer ramparts of the 15th-century Mamluk maritime fortress erected over the exact foundation blocks of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
• Montaza Palace Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of coastal royal grounds once favored by King Farouk, crossing the bridge to Tea Island and taking in Mediterranean sea views.
• Stanley Bridge & Seaside Drive: Conclude with a scenic drive along the coastal Corniche, stopping at Stanley Bridge before returning comfortably to your hotel.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

09:00 AM: Hotel or Port Pickup

• Your private Ramasside Tours Egyptologist guide and driver greet you in your hotel lobby or at the Alexandria Port passenger terminal holding a personalized name sign.
• Travel in a modern, climate-controlled executive vehicle as your guide introduces the classical era of Alexandria, where Ptolemaic kings and Roman emperors reigned.

Stop 1: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

• Arrive at the southern district of ancient Alexandria to explore the subterranean Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, accidental discoveries dating back to 1900.
• Descend the circular stone stairwell into three distinct underground levels:
• The Rotunda & Triclinium: Walk through the central circular shaft and banquet dining hall where grieving relatives gathered for commemorative funerary feasts.
• The Main Tomb Chamber: Examine burial reliefs showing Egyptian gods (such as Anubis and Sobek) dressed in Roman legionary armor, reflecting the unique blend of Hellenistic and pharaonic art.
• The Loculi & Caracalla Hall: View the chambers containing dozens of burial niches carved directly into the bedrock.

Stop 2: Kom El Dikka Roman Amphitheatre & Sunken Salvage Yard

• Continue to the downtown excavation site of Kom El Dikka to discover Egypt's only discovered Roman theatre.
• Walk among the 13 tiers of white marble seating, ancient acoustic mosaics, and Roman bathhouse remains.
• Inspect the outdoor archaeological courtyard, displaying colossal pharaonic sphinxes, column capitals, and inscribed statues recovered by maritime archaeologists from the seabed of the Eastern Harbor.

Stop 3: Pompey’s Pillar (Photo Stop)

• Stop at the archaeological mound of the ancient Serapeum to photograph Pompey's Pillar, a towering 27-meter monolithic column carved from a single piece of red Aswan granite, flanked by ancient sphinxes.

Stop 4: Bibliotheca Alexandrina & Cultural Museums

• Drive to the Mediterranean Corniche to visit the world-renowned Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
• Walk through the expansive open plaza to view submerged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I.
• Visit the on-site Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria cultural exhibit.
• (Note: The 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 oldest church seat in Africa, founded by Mark the Evangelist in AD 68.
• Enjoy a driving and walking orientation through Alexandria’s old center, admiring European colonial facades showcasing French baroque, Italian neo-Renaissance, and Mediterranean architecture.

Optional Lunch: Mediterranean Seafood or Mohamed Ahmed

• Take an optional dining break at a coastal 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, enjoyed roadside in local Alexandrian style.

Stop 6: Abbo Elabbas Mosque, Eastern 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—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 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]