Egypt is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, and for good reason. The country is rich with fascinating and unique history and cultures, and makes a great trip idea for both people looking to learn something new, and for those who just want to enjoy some sun.
Despite the popularity of this country, not many people venture outside of Cairo, Giza, and Luxor, which is why we’re sharing 7 places you can visit in the coastal city of Alexandria.
1. Bibliotheca Alexandrina
We couldn’t write about Alexandria without mentioning the city’s most famous attraction, the Library of Alexandria. Beautifully rebuilt in recent years, the library is now home to a variety of Ancient Egyptian artifacts and artworks in addition to the actual library. Even if the books don’t interest you, it’s worth strolling through the museum portions to learn about Egyptian history, or watching one of the various themed shows they display in their theater.
2. Cleopatra’s Palace
This is definitely one of the more underrated attractions in Alexandria, though that may be due to the fact that the entire palace is submerged underwater. Fear not, though, because the attraction can still be appreciated by anyone willing to take a dive. We highly recommend searching for diving tours so you can experience the beauty of this amazing underwater historical site.
Even if diving isn’t your style, this attraction is worth stepping out of your comfort zone for. It’s a truly unique experience you won’t get in most other places, as it’s both entertaining and educational.
3. The Corniche
The Corniche is the perfect location for a relaxing night-time stroll, as it surrounds the coast of the Mediterranean sea while still having a wide variety of nearby cafes, restaurants, and dessert places nearby.
The whole corniche is an incredibly long trek, but should you get tired of walking it won’t be difficult to find a horse and carriage to take you for a ride. However, the best way to enjoy the corniche is to grab a snack or drink from one of the nearby shops and walk along a small stretch, so that you can enjoy the walk without venturing too far into the high-traffic areas.
4. Montaza Palace
A visit to the Montaza Palace is the perfect evening for any aesthetically inclined tourists or lovers of historical architecture. Not only is the building itself beautifully built, but the gardens that surround it are just as famous for their wide variety of stunning flora. The palace overlooks a Mediterranean Sea beach, with a view just as amazing as the building itself.
Within the palace is a museum perfect for visitors with a keenness to learn about Egypt’s history. With both the museum and the stunning gardens open to the public, this place has something for everyone.
5. The Citadel of Qaitbay
At the far end of the corniche stands the majestic 15th century fortress known as The Citadel of Qaitbay. Built in the 15th Century, this was considered one of the strongest defensive strongholds along the Mediterranean Coast, which now serves as a fascinating tourist attraction for those looking to learn about Egypt’s medieval history.
What's really interesting about this historical attraction is that it was built right ont he ruins of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Just outside the fortress is a stretch of coast dedicated to an outdoor market, which is the perfect place to stop while walking along the beach and look for fun souvenirs to bring home to your friends.
6. Catacombs of the Kom Al-Shoqafa
Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, these catacombs are a fascinating Ancient Egyptian archaeological site, making them the perfect tourist attraction for those interested in Egypt’s history and want to explore more than the typical pyramids.
What’s really unique about this site is that it shows off not only Ancient Egyptian culture, but also how that culture was combined with the Roman and Greek cultures that had become an integral part of Ancient Egyptian history.
7. Stanley Bridge
This is more of a landmark than an attraction, but it’s so iconic to Alexandrians that we couldn’t exclude it from this list. This bridge was the first in Egypt to be built over the sea, so it’s an important part of Egypt’s much more recent history. Not only does this bridge have some interesting architecture, it overlooks the water and is known as the “Lovers Bridge” of Alexandria.
This bridge is one of the most recognizable modern landmarks in Alexandria, and since it’s along the corniche, you don’t even have to go out of your way to see it if you include a walk along it in your itinerary.
Conclusion
Alexandria is a truly underrated city in Egypt, and we hope this list of amazing attractions in the city convinced you to give it a shot the next time you plan a trip to the highly-coveted tourist country.
Be sure to comment other Alexandrian attractions, or other underrated Egyptian cities you think people should check out!
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