Schedule: Daily Departures
Duration: Approximately 10 to 12 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 Cultural Day Excursion
Tour Highlights
Trade the vibrant streets of Cairo for the Mediterranean sea breeze on a full-day private journey to Alexandria. Founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great, this ancient intellectual hub showcases Hellenistic culture, Roman engineering, historic Coptic roots, and royal seaside palaces.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Architecture): Discover the architectural disc design of the modern library, viewing submerged open-air statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I recovered from the Eastern Harbor.
- Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka: Walk among 13 tiers of white marble seating, ancient acoustic mosaics, and an open-air display yard of sunken monuments salvaged by marine archaeologists.
- Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: Visit the foundational seat of the Coptic Pope—recognized as the oldest established Christian church community in Africa.
- Historic Old Town & Mansheya Bazaars: Stroll through narrow alleys to explore Zan'et El Setat (the Women's Market) and the gold souk, framed by 19th-century French baroque and Italian neo-Renaissance facades.
- Citadel of Qaitbay (Exterior): Stand before the 15th-century defensive sea 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 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 drive to Cairo.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
07:00 AM: Cairo or Giza Hotel Pickup
- Your private Ramasside Tours licensed Egyptologist guide and chauffeur greet you in your Cairo or Giza hotel lobby holding a personalized name sign.
- Settle into your modern, air-conditioned vehicle for a smooth 2.5 to 3-hour journey northwest along the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Highway.
- Along the way, your guide introduces the chronology of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the Roman era, and the day's itinerary.
Stop 1: Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Outer Plaza & Architecture)
- Arrive at the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, designed to commemorate the legendary ancient library of antiquity.
- Walk the open granite plaza to view colossal statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I, salvaged from the seabed of the Eastern Harbor.
- Inspect the external granite wall carved with characters from 120 global scripts.
- (Note: Bibliotheca Alexandrina is closed on Fridays and public holidays; reading hall access requires a separate interior ticket).
Stop 2: Kom El Dikka Roman Amphitheatre
- Drive into central Alexandria to explore Egypt’s sole surviving Roman theatre.
- Walk among the 13 U-shaped tiers of white marble seating, ancient acoustic mosaics, and Roman bathhouse brickwork.
- Explore the open-air courtyard displaying colossal pharaonic sphinxes, column bases, and inscribed granite blocks raised from the Eastern Harbor.
Stop 3: 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.
- Walk through the historic lanes of Zan'et El Setat and the gold souk in Mansheya.
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 4: 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 5: 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.
05:00 PM – 07:00 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 attractions (Roman Amphitheatre and Montaza Palace Gardens)
- Chilled bottled mineral water inside the vehicle throughout the day
- All highway 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 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 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 Roman Amphitheatre, Fort Qaitbay, and Montaza Gardens for $50 per day.
Footwear & Mobility Advice
Comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended, as navigating the sites involves walking over stone steps, historic street cobblestones, and garden gravel.
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
- 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 Archaeological Day Tour: An in-depth Greco-Roman circuit within Alexandria covering the underground tombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Kom El Dikka, and the coastal citadel.
- 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]
