Day Tour from Cairo to Ancient Alexandria

Schedule: Daily Departures

Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 Hours

Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Customizable based on your preference)

Pickup & Drop-off: Cairo or Giza Hotels (Private Round-Trip Transfer)

Tour Highlights

Journey north from Cairo to Egypt’s Mediterranean capital on a dedicated full-day private archaeological tour of Alexandria. Led by an expert licensed Egyptologist in a modern, climate-controlled executive vehicle, this overland excursion explores multi-level Roman rock-cut tombs, classical amphitheaters, monumental victory columns, modern intellectual complexes, and royal coastal estates.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend three subterranean levels carved into bedrock to explore Egypt’s largest Roman necropolis, famous for its rare blend of pharaonic funerary motifs, Greco-Roman architecture, and sculpted mythological reliefs.
• Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El Dikka): Walk through the marble-tiered 4th-century auditorium and view the outdoor archaeological park displaying pharaonic monuments and Greco-Roman columns raised from Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor.
• Pompey’s Pillar: Stop at the ancient site of the Serapeum to stand before the towering 27-meter red-Aswan-granite triumphal column honoring Roman Emperor Diocletian.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Explore the expansive open plaza displaying salvaged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, and visit the Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria Museum.
• Montaza Palace & Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of historic royal grounds, admire the exterior of the Florentine-Ottoman styled Haramlek and Salamlek palaces, and cross the bridge to the Tea Island before returning via Stanley Bridge.

Detailed Day Tour Itinerary

Morning Departure from Cairo to Alexandria

• Your dedicated Ramasside Tours Egyptologist guide and driver greet you directly in your Cairo or Giza hotel lobby at 07:00 AM holding a personalized sign.
• Depart Cairo via the modern Desert Highway in a private, air-conditioned vehicle (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours drive with a comfortable rest stop).
• As you travel northward toward the Mediterranean coast, your guide introduces the founding of Alexandria by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and its evolution as the center of Hellenistic culture.

Subterranean Tombs & Classical Greco-Roman Monuments

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Begin your sightseeing at Egypt's largest Roman burial site. Walk down the central spiral staircase into rock-hewn chambers dating from the 2nd century AD. Tour the rotunda, the funerary banquet hall (triclinium), and the principal burial chamber adorned with sculpted reliefs depicting Anubis dressed in Roman armor alongside ancient winged sun disks.
• Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El Dikka): Explore the 13 semicircular tiers of white marble seating, remnants of mosaic-tiled Roman domestic villas, and the open-air underwater archaeological exhibit displaying sunken architectural capitals and granite sphinxes recovered from the Mediterranean seabed.
• Pompey’s Pillar (Photo Stop): View the monolithic red-granite column standing atop the ruins of the ancient Serapeum acropolis, flanked by two carved sphinxes.

Intellectual Heritage & Old Town Quarters

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Arrive at the modern library complex overlooking the coast. Walk through the granite open plaza to inspect the salvaged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I. Tour the Sadat Museum and the Impressions of Alexandria Museum.
• (Note: The library is closed on Fridays and public holidays; main reading hall access requires an additional ticket).
• Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: Visit the historical foundation see of African Christianity, established in the 1st century AD by Saint Mark the Apostle.
• Historic Downtown Architecture: Drive through Alexandria’s vintage downtown districts, admiring Italianate and French baroque facades lining the main avenues.
• Lunch Break (Optional): Savor fresh Mediterranean seafood overlooking the sea or dine at Alexandria’s culinary landmark Mohamed Ahmed, renowned for authentic Egyptian specialties and frequented by foreign royalty.
• Mosque of Abu El Abbas El Mursi (Photo Stop): Stop outside the city's grandest mosque to admire its intricate Andalusian-style domes and minaret. View the neighboring traditional fishing port with wooden boats and fishermen mending nets.
• Citadel of Qaitbay: Stop outside the 15th-century maritime fortress built directly upon the foundation of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—for spectacular photographs along the Eastern Harbor.

Afternoon: Royal Montaza Grounds & Return to Cairo

• Drive eastward along the 30-kilometer Corniche, stopping briefly at The King of Mango for a glass of fresh local fruit juice and a photo stop at the Unknown Soldier Memorial.
• Montaza Palace Gardens: Explore the seaside estate of King Farouk, the last reigning monarch of Egypt. Walk through palm-shaded walkways, view the Haramlek and Salamlek palaces, and cross the historic bridge to the Tea Island facing the Mediterranean Sea.
• Stanley Bridge: Drive across Alexandria's modern coastal suspension bridge, capturing panoramic views of the water.
• Settle back into your private vehicle for a comfortable return drive to Cairo, arriving back at your hotel in the evening.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

• Round-trip private transfers between Cairo/Giza and Alexandria in modern, air-conditioned vehicles
• Professional licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the tour
• Entrance tickets to all itinerary sites (Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs, Roman Amphitheatre, Pompey's Pillar, and Montaza Gardens)
• Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle
• All highway road tolls, parking fees, service charges, and municipal taxes

Exclusions

• Entry visa to Egypt
• Optional lunch and beverages
• Reading hall ticket inside the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Professional vacation photographer add-on
• Gratuities / Tipping

Tour Add-ons & Travel Notes

Executive Luxury Van Upgrade

Upgrade your overland transit between Cairo and Alexandria to an executive luxury van featuring extra legroom, plush reclining captain seats, dual-zone climate control, and onboard Wi-Fi.

Professional Vacation Photographer

Hire a dedicated photographer to accompany your excursion from Cairo and capture high-resolution portraits across Alexandria’s classical monuments and coastal gardens for $50 per day.

Footwear Recommendation

Flat, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended for climbing down into the catacombs and walking over ancient stone grounds.

Child Policy

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

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