Day Trip to Alexandria from Cairo (Archaeological)

Schedule: Daily Departures

Duration: Approximately 12 to 14 Hours

Pickup Time: 07:00 AM (Customizable upon request)

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

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

Tour Highlights

Leave the capital behind and journey across the desert highway to the Mediterranean coast, where Alexander the Great established antiquity's most celebrated center of learning and trade. Designed specifically for history enthusiasts, this full-day private archaeological excursion from Cairo covers the catacombs of the classical world, the remnants of Roman civil life, submerged harbor treasures, and historic royal palaces overlooking the sea.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend a spiral stone staircase into Egypt's largest Roman subterranean burial necropolis—hewn through three levels of bedrock 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 halls, and open-air courtyards displaying submerged pharaonic sphinxes raised from the Eastern Harbor.
• Pompey's Pillar & Ancient Serapeum: Pause for photography before the towering 27-meter monolithic column carved from red Aswan granite, erected in AD 297 to honor Roman Emperor Diocletian.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Museums): View the iconic granite disc architecture of the modern library, open-air sunken statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, the Sadat Museum, and the Impressions of Alexandria cultural exhibit.
• Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral & Old Town: Visit the historic seat of the Coptic Pope—the oldest Christian church foundation in Africa—and admire downtown European colonial, baroque, and Italian facades.
• Citadel of Qaitbay: Photograph the imposing 15th-century Mamluk maritime fortress built on the exact site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Montaza Palace Royal Gardens: Stroll through 150 acres of coastal pine groves once favored by King Farouk, walking across the bridge to Tea Island.
• Stanley Bridge Drive: Enjoy a scenic drive along the Mediterranean Corniche, pausing atop Stanley Bridge before your return highway transfer to Cairo.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

07:00 AM: Cairo or Giza Hotel Pickup

• Your private Ramasside Tours licensed Egyptologist guide and chauffeur meet you directly in your Cairo or Giza hotel lobby holding a personalized name sign.
• Settle into your modern, air-conditioned executive vehicle for a comfortable 2.5 to 3-hour journey north along the multi-lane Cairo–Alexandria Desert Highway.
• Along the way, your guide introduces the chronology of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the Roman conquest of Egypt, and the day's itinerary.

Stop 1: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa

• Arrive in southern Alexandria to explore the subterranean Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey slipped through the ground.
• Descend the circular staircase into three distinct underground tiers:
• The Rotunda & Triclinium: Walk through the central shaft and funeral dining hall where relatives of the deceased held ceremonial banquets.
• The Main Tomb Chamber: Examine 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 Salvage Yard

• Drive to the central downtown excavation of Kom El Dikka to discover Egypt's only discovered Roman theatre.
• Walk among the 13 U-shaped tiers of white marble seating, ancient acoustic mosaics, and Roman bathhouse brickwork.
• Inspect 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, founded by the Apostle Mark in AD 68, representing the foundational root of Christianity in Africa.
• 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: Mediterranean 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 starting the return drive.

05:30 PM – 07:30 PM: Return Drive to Cairo

• Rejoin your private vehicle for a relaxing drive south along the desert highway back to Cairo.
• Arrive comfortably at your Cairo or Giza hotel in the evening.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

• Private round-trip transportation from Cairo/Giza 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, highway checkpoint fees, parking 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 intercity highway journey 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 day trip 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.

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]