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
Escape Cairo for the refreshing Mediterranean breeze on an exclusive private day trip to Alexandria. Tracing the legacy of Alexander the Great across 2,300 years of coastal civilization, this curated itinerary blends Greco-Roman engineering, early Christian foundations, vibrant historic market districts, and royal waterfront palaces.
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Plaza & Architecture): Marvel at the iconic tilted disc architecture, world scripts carved into Aswan granite walls, and colossal submerged statues of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I recovered from the seabed.
- Roman Amphitheatre at Kom El Dikka: Walk among 13 tiers of white marble seating, ancient lecture auditoriums, acoustic mosaics, and an open-air display yard of sunken pharaonic monuments.
- Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: Visit the historic seat of the Coptic Pope—celebrated as the oldest established Christian church foundation 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 Mamluk defensive sea fortress constructed atop the fallen foundations 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 highway journey back to Cairo.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
07:00 AM: Cairo or Giza Hotel Pickup
- Your private Ramasside Tours 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 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.
Visa Upon Arrival Service
Skip airport queues with our expedited meet-and-assist entry visa processing for $35 per person. Simply send your passport copy prior to arrival.
Footwear & Attire Advice
Comfortable, flat-soled, closed-toe walking shoes are required for stone steps, historic street cobblestones, and garden gravel. Modest attire covering shoulders and knees is recommended when visiting historic religious sites.
Child Policy
- 0 – 1.99 years: Free of charge
- 2 – 11.99 years: 50% of adult tour rate
- 12+ years: Full adult rate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does the day trip to Alexandria from Cairo take?
A: The tour typically lasts between 10 and 12 hours. This includes the approximately 2.5 to 3-hour drive each way along the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Highway, leaving ample time to explore the city's highlights.
Q: What vehicle is used for transportation?
A: All transfers are conducted in modern, private, air-conditioned executive vehicles (sedans, minivans, or luxury vans depending on your party size) driven by experienced professional chauffeurs.
Q: Are meals included in the itinerary?
A: Standard packages do not include meals, allowing you full flexibility to choose between authentic local street food at Mohamed Ahmed or an oceanfront seafood feast. An optional lunch add-on is available for $15 per person.
Q: Should I carry local currency (Egyptian Pounds)?
A: While major credit cards are accepted in shopping malls and established restaurants, carrying some cash in Egyptian Pounds (EGP) is recommended for small purchases, street snacks, and driver/guide tips.
Q: Can this tour itinerary be customized?
A: Yes, all our private tours offer complete itinerary flexibility. You can adjust departure times or substitute sites (such as adding the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa or Pompey's Pillar) at cost price.
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]
