Booking A Guided Alexandria Tour: Catacombs, Citadel And Library In One Plan

The easiest Alexandria day plan runs from south to north: start at the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar when they open at 09:00, move to the city centre for the Roman Amphitheatre and the Graeco-Roman Museum, visit the Library of Alexandria in the afternoon, and finish at the Citadel of Qaitbay on the sea front, which takes its last entry latest.

Key Takeaways

• The Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and the Roman Amphitheatre all open at 09:00 with last entry at 16:00, so plan them for the morning.
• The Graeco-Roman Museum's last entry is 15:00, earlier than most Alexandria sites.
• The Citadel of Qaitbay takes its last entry at 19:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter, which makes it the natural last stop.
• A foreign adult ticket costs EGP 200 each at the Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre and Qaitbay, and EGP 400 at the Graeco-Roman Museum.
• During Ramadan, last entry at most of these sites moves to 15:00, so start earlier.

Why a guided plan helps in Alexandria

Alexandria's sites are spread along a long coastal city, from the catacombs in the south to the fortress on the harbour. Each site sells its own ticket, and closing times differ by more than three hours, so the order you visit them in decides how much you can see. A guide also explains how the Greek, Roman and Egyptian layers of the city fit together, which is the real story of Alexandria.

Opening hours and tickets at a glance

Site	Foreign adult	Foreign student	Opens	Last entry
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa	EGP 200	EGP 100	09:00	16:00
Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum	EGP 200	EGP 100	09:00	16:00
Roman Amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)	EGP 200	EGP 100	09:00	16:00
Graeco-Roman Museum	EGP 400	EGP 200	09:00	15:00
Alexandria National Museum	EGP 220	EGP 110	09:00	16:00
Royal Jewellery Museum	EGP 220	EGP 110	09:00	16:00
Citadel of Qaitbay	EGP 200	EGP 100	09:00	19:00 summer, 17:00 winter

Prices and hours are from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' ticketing portal. During Ramadan, last entry is 15:00 at most of these sites and 14:00 at the Royal Jewellery Museum.

Morning: the catacombs and Pompey's Pillar

The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are a multi-level underground burial complex that mixes Egyptian, Greek and Roman art. Nearby, Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum mark the site of the city's ancient temple of Serapis. Both open at 09:00, so they make a natural pair to start the day.

Midday: the Roman city and the Graeco-Roman Museum

In the city centre, the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka shows the remains of Roman Alexandria. The Graeco-Roman Museum holds the city's classical collections; its last entry is at 15:00, so visit it before mid-afternoon.

Afternoon: the Library of Alexandria

The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, built near the site of the ancient library, is a cultural centre with museums and exhibitions as well as reading rooms. It is not a Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities site, so its hours and tickets are not on the Ministry's portal; check them on the library's official website before you go.

Late afternoon: the Citadel of Qaitbay

The Citadel of Qaitbay stands at the entrance to the Eastern Harbour, on the spot traditionally linked to the ancient Pharos lighthouse. With last entry at 19:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter, it is the best place to end the day, with views over the sea front.

Choosing a guided tour

If you are already in Alexandria, the classic Alexandria day tour covers the main sites in one day. From Cairo, an Alexandria day tour from Cairo starts and ends in Cairo, so an early departure gets you to the catacombs near opening time.

Best time of year

Alexandria is milder than Cairo. Average highs are 18.3 °C in January and 29.9 °C in July, with lows of 9.3 °C and 23.4 °C. Spring and autumn are comfortable for walking between sites; in winter, bring a light jacket for the sea breeze at Qaitbay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see Alexandria in one day?

Yes, if you follow the opening times: the catacombs and Pompey's Pillar from 09:00, the Graeco-Roman Museum before its 15:00 last entry, and the Citadel of Qaitbay last.

How much are tickets in Alexandria?

For a foreign adult, EGP 200 each at the Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre and Qaitbay; EGP 220 at the National and Royal Jewellery Museums; EGP 400 at the Graeco-Roman Museum.

Is the Library of Alexandria on the same ticket?

No. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is run separately from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; check its official website for hours and tickets.

What time does the Citadel of Qaitbay close?

Last entry is at 19:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter, and 15:00 during Ramadan.