What To Do on A Solo Day Trip to Alexandria, Egypt!
A Day Trip to Alexandria is always a great idea. This port city is unlike any other cities in Egypt.
In fact, it has traces of the Roman Empire, which once ruled this part of Egypt via Alexander the Great.
If you’re a history geek, you can’t finish your Egypt trip without visiting this port city!
Here is a list of Muslim-friendly activities that will make your Day Trip to Alexandria memorable; and various ways to go there!
Disclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. I receive a small commission AT NO EXTRA cost to you if you use the links. Hope you find this guide helpful!
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Solo Day Trip to Alexandria — Is it Worth it?
Is Alexandria worth a day trip?
If you have one more day to spare in your itinerary, then a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo is worth it.
Alexandria is a beautiful city sitting on the coast of the Mediterranean sea. You’ll find historical relics — particularly from the Greco-Roman era.
13 Things To Do on Your Solo Day Trip to Alexandria
If you’re thinking, “How do I spend a day in Alexandria?”…
Here are some must-see highlights and options for Muslim Solo Travelers going on a self-guided day trip.
Check Out Pompey’s Pillar
One of the city’s famous sights sitting on top of a hill in the middle of Alexandria is Pompey’s Pillar.
This column is the remaining structure ruins of the Temple of Serapeum, which once stood at the site in ancient times. Plus, it is also the only free-standing column in Roman Egypt!
Tip: this place is also known as Amoud Al Sawari in Arabic — a handy piece of advice when taking public transport! Come early in the morning, before the afternoon heat comes!
Visit Citadel of Qaitbay
If Cairo had Bab al Futuh and Cairo Citadel as its defensive forthold, Alexandria had the Citadel of Qaitbay.
Built in the 14th century by Sultan Qaitbay as a fortress to defend Alexandria from the Ottoman Empire, this is a crucial fortification system located along the Mediterranean sea coast.
Also known as Qaitbay Fort, this fort is located on a narrow land at the end of Alexandria’s cornice from the harbor.
What’s also interesting here is the legendary Pharos Lighthouse, which The Citadel was built together with!
Stroll Around the Corniche during Sunset
After a visit to the citadel, check out the panoramic sea views, restaurants, souvenirs, and ice cream shops that line up the street outside the fortress!
Corniche of Alexandria is the street that extends all the way along the Eastern Harbor.
As Alexandria is a port city, the waterfront promenade Corniche is a famous place for locals and visitors alike to stroll on their Day trip to Alexandria, especially during the golden hours!
A stroll here will justify your initial question of “Is Alexandria worth visiting”!
See All Kinds of Jewelries at Royal Jewelry Museum
You must know by now that Egypt is full of historical monuments, structures, and artifacts dating back to the prehistoric era.
One place to see amazing possession of jewelry ranging from gold, diamond, and emerald, that once belonged to the Egyptian Royal Family is in the Royal Jewelry Museum in Alexandria!
This museum, which Muhammad Ali Pasha founded in 1805, features a unique mix of Islamic and European styles
- Operating hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (last entry is at 4:15 pm)
- Click here to see the latest ticket prices
Have Lunch at a Local Seafood Restaurant
Your Day trip to Alexandria is incomplete without….. eating seafood!
You’ll find lots of seafood restaurants in Alexandria. The ones inside Fish Market Marina can be on the more expensive end, but that depends on the type of fish you choose to have.
And a meal here with the Mediterranean sea view, and breeze, it’s worth it!
Besides, there are other restaurant options you can check out by the Souk! The fresh catches here will be cheaper than the ones sold in restaurants at the Marina.
Go Underground in the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
This place is one of the representations of Egypt’s complex history, highlighting the times of the Ptolemaic dynasties (under the rule of Alexander the Great with his army of Macedonian and Greek military).
Built in the 2nd Century AD, the Catacombs have a depth of 100 feet underground and hold the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages.
What makes this historical site famous is not only Roman civilization inscribed on the walls but also traces of the Greek and Egyptian influence!
Did you know? Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is also referred to as the Mount of Shards, referencing the leftover mudstone and clay objects!
Pro-tip: Walk to the catacombs from Pompey’s pillar (from the ticketing office, narrow street to the right, go uphill and away from tram tracks, follow for several hundred meters past a mini mosque on your left; and you’ll find the Catacombs on your left!
Operating hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa is usually included in any Cairo to Alexandria tour with a private guide
Visit Biliotheca Alexandrina
Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a must-visit for the book worm on your Day trip to Alexandria!
This spectacular, cylindrical, state-of-the-art facility is an 11-story library revival of what once was the ancient library founded by Alexander the Great some 2300 years ago.
Inside the library, you’ll find books, well-curated exhibitions, and mini-museums (individual tickets separate from entrance tickets required)!
These exhibitions showcase gorgeous folk art and contemporary work of Arab artists.
The Antiquities Museum holds mummy cases and artifacts of various civilizations from the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.
Meanwhile, the Manuscript Museum showcase a small collection of ancient text — look out for the surviving scroll from Alexandria’s ancient library!
Pro-tip: Come by before 3 pm! The library has a strict maximum capacity rate of about 300 ticket holders, and the museums are located inside close by 4:00 pm.
- Operating hours: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Sunday-Thursday)
- Click here for the latest ticketing prices
- Guided tours require advanced reservation.
Explore the Souk District & El-Attarine Souq
Alexandria’s souk (market) district is located in the back narrow alleys from El-Tahrir Square.
Here, you’ll see the authentic Egyptian souk bustling with fresh fruit and vegetable produce, meat and fish stalls, spices, and various kinds of shops selling all the household items you can think of.
Souk is a term for the traditional outdoor marketplace in most Middle Eastern and North African countries.
A great place to meander around to have a feel of the Alexandrian spirit!
Another souk that’s famous for traditional Egyptian antiques and souvenirs is the Souk El-Attarine (a few meters to the east of the Roman Amphitheatre).
Pro-tip: Come by in the morning for the best experience!
Visit Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Built in 1775 is Alexandria’s largest mosque.
This cream-colored mosque with an elaborate Arabesque design was built by an Andalusian Sheikh.
Muslim Travel tip: For muslimah coming to pray, make sure you bring your own prayer clothes.
Whether you’re here for prayers or just a visit on your Alexandria Day Trip, do explore what’s around Midan al Massaged (Mosque Square, where the mosque is located).
More about other mosques, and halal food in Alexandria in this guide.
Admire Montaza Palace & Gardens
This beautiful palace is situated within the well-landscaped, tranquil gardens with groomed palm trees and rare plants bordered by sand beaches.
While the Palace is off-limits to the public and was once the sanctuary for the Royal Family, the lush gardens surrounding it are open to the public!
The palace’s architecture combines Turkish and Florentine influences, and Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio inspired its central tower.
Try Ancient Ruin Diving
The diving excursion in Alexandria differs from the Red Sea Diving in Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh.
Divers come here to check out the ancient underwater ruins from the Greco-Romans and Pharaohs eras!
A popular dive site here is Cleopatra’s Underwater City (also known as Cleopatra’s Palace) by the Eastern Harbor, which some tumbled Roman columns and sphinxes statues are still left in their original places here!
If you plan on doing some water sports on your one-day trip to Alexandria from Cairo, do know that it can take up to one full day!
Other diving sites:
- Pharos Lighthouse
- WWII Wreck
Take a Horse Carriage Ride
This is only if you are pressed for time and want to see all the best monuments in Alexandria.
There’s a caveat, though. The horse ride may be rushed, leaving you little time to enjoy each attraction.
Indulge in Sahlab by the Corniche
Sahlab (or Salep) is a Middle Eastern Milk pudding that will warm you during winter!
But really, this drink is known as the official winter drink in the Middle East and Mediterranean Countries!
Usually, it is served with toppings of crushed nuts like pistachio and sprinkles of cinnamon.
The best place to indulge in a warm cup of Sahlab is by the Corniche in Alexandria. You can find them pretty much in every cafe or ahwa in the city.
Ahwa is an open-air, informal coffee establishment found in alleyways.
Muslim Solo Travel Tips For Your Day Trip to Alexandria
Halal Food is widely available in Alexandria. It is advisable to ask about the Halal status before dining if you feel uneasy or unsure.
If you would like to save time on your Alexandria Day Trip, but would love to see all the major attractions, a 45-minute horse carriage ride or going with a certified tour guide is to be considered.
Here are some options for different Alexandria Day Tours from Cairo. Booking via Viator also lets you cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
This private Alexandria Day Trip from Cairo lets you choose four main attractions you’d like to see for a customized tour. Includes pick up, drop off, and seafood lunch by the sea! Great for those who do not have time to arrange for every little thing!
Alexandria is not a complex city for one to go off the beaten path. Who knows, you might find some hidden gems in Alexandria, Egypt! They may be lurking around in between the alleyways or just by the side of the street.
If you’re going to Alexandria on public transport from Cairo, be sure to board the earliest ride so you can make the most of your time in Alexandria!
Getting To and Around Alexandria
Here are some ways you can get to, and around Alexandria for your Day Trip.
Transportations from Cairo to Alexandria
The distance between Cairo to Alexandria is 218.4km. Hence, many types of transportation run between these two cities.
1- By Train
Cairo to Alexandria train schedule is operated on an hourly basis by Egyptian Railways. Vice versa too.
You can get train tickets from Cairo to Alexandria (and vice versa) at the respective counters at the train station or online.
Do keep this in mind: In Egypt, it is normal for the first-class and second-class (Air-cond, Reserved Seats, Non-stop) ticketing booth to be located inside, past the security checks. Some are located on the upper floor. Meanwhile, the ticketing booth for the normal class coaches (no air-cond, no reserved seats and full of in-between stops) are usually located outside the train station's entry (before the security checks). 
The best train is VIP special trains with 1st and 2nd class coaches. These are fully air-conditioned trains with reserved seats. It has an indication of “Special” on your ticket.
Ordinary trains have no reserved seating and are slower in service (can go up to 6 hours with pit stops in between) compared to 1st and 2nd class trains.
Depending on your comfortability, double-check with the officers to which train your train belongs.
Click here for the latest Cairo to Alexandria train schedule
2 – By Bus
Some buses offer services between Cairo and Alexandria (vice versa).
Check out the best rates for Cairo to Alexandria bus schedule online below
3 – By Mini Vans & Microbuses
There are also minivans that offer quick service between Cairo (outside Ramses Station) and Alexandria. But they can be noisy, packed and dangerous–in terms of driving.
4- By Flight
Cairo to Alexandria flights take about 45 minutes, non-stop. That makes it the shortest duration
5- By Tour Guides
For peace of mind and a stress-free day trip from Cairo to Alexandria, going with a tour guide would be best! This private full-day Alexandria tour from Cairo comes with hotel pick-up and drop-off and a tour guide fluent in Egyptologist on your visit to Alexandria’s best sights.
Click here for the best Alexandria Day Tours from Cairo.
Getting Around on Your Alexandria Day Trip
When it comes to getting around Alexandria, you can either:
- Opt for walking (most attractions are closeby to one another);
- Take the local tram. It costs as little at 1EGP (0.05 USD). But you may have to squeeze yourself in between tram riders, so be careful of your belongings.
- Careem, Uber, and Taxi as car transportation options
- Horse Carriage Ride to most tourist attractions.
- By Private Tour Guides
Alexandria Solo Day Trip Takeaway
We hope this Cairo to Alexandria Day Trip was beneficial! While one day is enough for you to explore the beautiful port city of Alexandria, on your own as a self-guided tour, or via a private tour guide.
You can also extend the trip to a 2D1N excursion if going back to Cairo is too late. Check out this Muslim Solo Travel guide to Alexandria for ideas on hotel stays, and Alexandria in general.
Otherwise, how about a Red Sea Scuba Diving excursion to Hurghada, camping in the remote White Desert as your extension in beautiful Egypt?
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- Your Muslim Solo Travel Guide to Alexandria, Egypt!
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