7 min read | Published: Sep 29, 2018 | Updated: May 24, 2026 | TRIPS IN EGYPT

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt with a population of 5.172 million people. It is the major center of the international shipping industry because it is an easy connection between the mediterranean sea and the red sea. Here all information you need to know about Alexandria city:

Alexandria History

Roman Theater of Alexandria - Alexandria Egypt - Trips in Egypt — Roman Theater of Alexandria

Alexander the Great is the one who founded Alexandria in 331 B.C. After conquering Syria, he swept down into Egypt with his army and founded Alexandria in a small port town. Today, this historic harbor remains the starting point for travelers who embark on an alexandria city tour from alexandria port to witness how Alexander’s plan turned into a great capital. Alexander turned it to be a great capital as he is the one who has designed the plan for the city."

The city grew to be the largest cities in the world, attracting scholars, scientists, tourists, philosophers, artists, and historians. Many genius scientists appeared from Egypt just like Archimedes (287-212 BCE) and Eratosthenes (c.276-194 BCE).

Alexandria Location

It is located about 32 km along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Egypt. The latitude of Alexandria is 31.205753 and the longitude is 29.924526. This northern coastal position marks the ideal starting or ending point of a full cultural loop through the country, which is perfectly arranged in our comprehensive 10 days Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Alexandria tour to seamlessly link the Mediterranean heritage with the pharaonic grandeur of Cairo and Upper Egypt.

Alexandria Climate

The best time to go to Alexandria is in spring or in autumn as summer in Alexandria can be somehow hot and winter becomes chilly. Spring is the busiest season with tourists. June, July, August, and September are the hottest seasons in Alexandria and January is the coldest season. August and January are the coolest seasons. The average temperature is 20°C in the daytime. To flawlessly synchronize this coastal weather planning into a complete holiday, following a well-structured 9 day egypt itinerary is highly recommended, as it expertly pairs your Mediterranean escape with premium Cairo hotel stays and a deluxe 5-star Nile cruise voyage through Upper Egypt during the most favorable times of the year. Here are the average temperatures of Aelxandria along the year:

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. Temperature (°C)	13.8	14.4	16.1	18.7	21.7	24.7	25.9	26.8	25.7	23.5	20.1	15.9
Min. Temperature (°C)	9.8	10.4	11.6	13.8	16.9	20.5	22.3	22.8	21.7	18.8	15.6	11.7
Max. Temperature (°C)	17.9	18.5	20.7	23.7	26.5	29	29.6	30.8	29.8	28.2	24.6	20.2

Note: All the degrees are up for a slight chance due to sudden unexpected changes in the climate.

What is Alexandria Famous For?

Alexandria Lighthouse - Alexandria Egypt - Trips in Egypt — Alexandria Lighthouse Illustration

It is a very famous city because of the amazing Lighthouse, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world, the Temple of serapis, the citadel of Qaitbey, Pompey’s Pillar, and the magnificent Alexandria Library. Today, this Mediterranean port serves as the northern starting point for the ultimate 13 Days Egypt Tour Cairo, Alexandria & Hurghada, an itinerary designed to flawlessly bridge Greco-Roman coastal history with Cairo’s pyramids, a classic Nile cruise in Upper Egypt, and beach leisure along the Red Sea.

Historical Sites and Landmarks in Alexandria

Qaitbay Citadel - Alexandria Egypt - Trips in Egypt — Qaitbay Citadel

Pompey’s Pillar: is the best known ancient monument in Alexandria today. This column of red Aswan Granite rises to the height of 27 m.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: they date back to the second century A.D. They are gorgeous examples for the Greco-Roman styles. Inside you can see the main burial chamber and the Sepulchral chapel.
Temple of Taposiris Magna: it was dedicated to Osiris in the Ptolemy era. This temple is located in Abusir. It is evidence that sacred animals were worshiped in Alexandria.
The Library of Alexandrina: it is the most impressive library all over the world as it contains a copy from each written book all over the world. It also includes a giant sun disk, a huge reading room, and a host of gorgeously well-designed museums.
The Citadel of Qaitbey: It was once the site of the Pharos Lighthouse, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This fort was established by Mamluke Sultan Qaitbey.
Alexandria National Museum: it is the best place if you want to know everything about the Pharaonic era to the Hellenistic heyday.
Corniche: it is just like any other monument in Alexandria that stands for all that’s elegant and decadent that marked the city in the late of the 19th and the early of the 20th
Kom El-Dikka: it reveals the ancient ruins including a great Roman theatre and the Ptolemaic Temple.
Montazak Gardens: it is like heavens on earth with its palm trees and blossoming flowers. At the end of this magical garden, there is a small beach so that you enjoy the most.
Ras El-Tin Palace: it was one a summer escape for the Egyptians sultans when the heat of the desert was unbearable. Today the Egyptian navy uses the palace.
Abu Al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque: it is dedicated to the 13th-century saint Abu Al-Abbas Al-Mursi that is located in the Anfoushi and was highly influenced by Egypt’s buildings and architecture.
The Roman Theater: it is located at Kom El-Deika that dates back to the second century A.D.

Islamic Landmarks in Alexandria

Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque - Alexandria Egypt - Trips in Egypt — Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque

El-Mursi Abul Abbas mosque in Bahary is the most famous mosque in Alexandria. There are other remarkable mosques in Alexandria such as Bilal mosque, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb mosque, Sidi Gaber mosque, and sultan mosque.

Christian Monuments in Alexandria

Orthodox Church of Alexandria - Trips in Egypt — Orthodox Church of Alexandria

Alexandria was considered the third most important feature of Christianity. The Church of Alexandria had legal authority over the whole African continent. Pope Cyril, I Church in Cleopatra, Saint Georges Church in Sporting, Saint Mark & Pope Peter I Church in Sidi Bishr, Saint Mary Church in Assafra and Saint Mina Church in Mandara are considered to be the most important Coptic Orthodox churches in Alexandria.

Best Activities to Do in Alexandria

There are many interesting things to do in Alexandria just like visiting its superb Alexandria Library, the exquisite catacombs to see the iconic mummies of Egypt, the beautiful Mamoura beach, and the Alexandria Opera House. For those who appreciate the performing arts, extending your cultural journey with a professional Cairo Opera House Tour is a must-do when you head to the capital. For a more immersive experience, many travelers prefer a 2 Days Cairo Trip From Alexandria Port to explore the wonders of the capital in depth. You can also visit Deir Mar Mina, the stunning Pompey’s Pillar, and experience the royal life by visiting the Montazah Palace Gardens, and definitely the recherché Citadel of Qaitbey. For those who wish to extend their adventure to the treasures of Giza, joining a tour to Saqqara and Memphis from Alexandria Port is an ideal way to see the Step Pyramid and the first capital of Egypt before departing. There are many more that you can do during your Egypt tour packages.