Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Approximately 7 to 8 Hours
Pickup Time: 09:00 AM (Customizable upon request)
Pickup & Drop-off: Alexandria Hotels, Alexandria Port Passenger Cruise Terminal, or Cairo Hotels (Round-Trip Transfer)
Tour Type: Private Chauffeured & Egyptologist-Guided Archaeological Excursion
Tour Highlights
Unearth the classical heritage of Egypt’s ancient Mediterranean capital on a full-day private archaeological expedition through Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city preserves subterranean Roman necropolises, classical performance arenas, and submerged harbors that showcase the architectural union of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman traditions.
- Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Descend a spiral staircase into Egypt’s largest Roman subterranean burial complex, carved 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 auditoriums, and open-air courtyards displaying submerged pharaonic artifacts raised from the Eastern Harbor.
- Pompey's Pillar & The Serapeum: Pause for photography at 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 design 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: Stop outside the 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 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 atop Stanley Bridge before your return transfer.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
09:00 AM: Hotel or Port Pickup
- Your private Ramasside Tours licensed Egyptologist guide and chauffeur meet you directly in your hotel lobby or at the Alexandria Port passenger terminal gate holding a personalized name sign.
- Settle into your modern, air-conditioned 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 in southern Alexandria to explore the subterranean Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, discovered accidentally in 1900.
- Descend the circular stone stairwell into three distinct underground levels:
- The Rotunda & Triclinium: Walk through the central shaft and funeral banquet hall where relatives gathered for commemorative feasts.
- The Main Tomb Chamber: Examine burial reliefs depicting Egyptian deities (including Anubis and Sobek) dressed in Roman legionary armor, reflecting the unique blend of Hellenistic 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 returning comfortably to your hotel.
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 charges, 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 beverages.
Luxury Restaurant with Pyramids View
If booking onward excursions in Cairo, lunch can be arranged at the renowned 9 Pyramids Lounge inside the Giza Plateau complex, offering an upscale dining experience paired with panoramic views of the pyramids for $30 per person (advance booking required).
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.
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
Recommended Alexandria & Egypt Day Tours
- Alexandria Day Tour from Cairo: Discover the classical Mediterranean capital on a full-day private journey from Cairo covering the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, and Fort Qaitbay.
- Cairo to Alexandria Archaeological Day Tour: A dedicated historical expedition from Cairo covering the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar, and sunken Roman ruins.
- Alexandria City Highlights Day Tour: A classic 5–6 hour guided orientation exploring the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, historic downtown quarters, and the royal gardens of Montaza Palace.
- Alexandria Historical Tour with the Graeco-Roman Museum: Explore over 40 renovated galleries of classical antiquity masterworks alongside major coastal landmarks.
- Alexandria Scuba Diving Adventure: Explore submerged ruins beneath the Eastern Harbor, including Cleopatra’s sunken palace and the ancient Pharos Lighthouse blocks.
- Alexandria Ghosts & Mysteries Tour: An evening storytelling walk exploring illuminated coastal citadels, royal garden lore at Montaza, and the infamous alleys of Raya and Sakina.
- Day Tour to Cairo from Alexandria: Travel from the Mediterranean coast to the Giza Plateau to marvel at the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.
- Alexandria Shopping Tour: Combine modern retail therapy at the seaside San Stefano Grand Plaza with traditional craft bargaining in historic Mansheya souks.
- Alexandria Food Tour: Taste authentic Egyptian coastal flavors, street snacks, freshly fried Ta'ameya, Kebda Iskandarani, and Mediterranean seafood.
- Alexandria Airport Layover Tour: Maximize transit waiting times at Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) with a chauffeured private city excursion.
- Alexandria by Night Tour: Experience evening coastal charm with a traditional horse carriage (Hantour) ride along the Corniche and Stanley Bridge.
- Cairo Tour from Borg El Arab Airport: A same-day private express tour from Alexandria's airport directly to Cairo's Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum.
- Overnight Cairo Tour from Alexandria: A 2-day private excursion covering Saqqara, Memphis, the Giza Plateau, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Egyptian Museum.
- Wadi El Natrun Monasteries Tour: Journey south into the sacred desert depression to explore the four active 4th-century Coptic Christian desert monasteries.
- Overnight Desert Safari to Siwa Oasis: A 2-day desert expedition from Alexandria visiting El Alamein, Marsa Matrouh, the Shali Fortress, and the Great Sand Sea.
- Rosetta (Rashid) Cultural Day Tour: Visit the Nile delta port where the Rosetta Stone was unearthed, complete with an estuary boat ride and Ottoman brick mansions.
- El Alamein World War II Battlefield Tour: Pay tribute at the WWII Military Museum, Commonwealth War Cemetery, and German and Italian coastal memorials.
For bookings, customized departure schedules, and private VIP upgrades, contact us at: [email protected]
