Alexandria Egypt Travel, Hotels, Library

At a glance

Alexandria at a glance

Best months: April to June and September to November; summer is beach season for Egyptians
From the US: Nonstop to Cairo (about 10.5 hours from New York), then about 2.5 to 3 hours by road
Time difference: 7 hours ahead of US Eastern most of the year
Visa (US passport): E-visa or visa on arrival, about $30
Airport: Borg El Arab International (HBE), about 45 minutes from the center
Stay: Two to three nights

From the United States

Alexandria for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports: EVisa or visa on arrival; 30 days; about US$30. Visa details
Getting there: Nonstop to Cairo from New York, Washington, Chicago and Los Angeles on EgyptAir (about 10 hr 30 min from New York). All nonstops
Time difference: 7 hours ahead of New York most of the year
Money: Egyptian pound (floating; check the rate before you go). Cards in hotels and malls; cash for tips and markets.
Power plugs: Types C and F (European two-pin), 220 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend: Friday and Saturday

Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.

Why go

Why go to Alexandria

Founded by Alexander the Great and ruled by the Ptolemies, Alexandria was once the brightest city of the ancient world, home to the Lighthouse of Pharos and the Great Library. Today it is a breezy, cosmopolitan port that curves for miles along the sea, with grand belle-epoque buildings, old cafés and a pace gentler than Cairo.

It pairs well with a few days in the capital, or with the new resorts of the North Coast at El Alamein. For the wider country, see our guide to luxury vacations in Egypt.

The lighthouse and arched bridge at Montaza on the Alexandria seafront, boats moored in the bay. — Photo: علاء · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Best hotels

Best hotels in Alexandria

The city's finest stays line the Corniche, from the historic center east to the royal gardens of Montaza.

Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano

★★★★★ San Stefano, on the Corniche

The city's most luxurious hotel, with a private beach and marina, sea views from every room and a calm spa. Its restaurants are among the best in Alexandria.

Official site ↗

Hilton Alexandria Corniche

★★★★★ Sidi Bishr, on the Corniche

A modern seafront hotel with wide Mediterranean views and a rooftop terrace, well placed between the center and Montaza.

Sheraton Montazah

★★★★★ Montaza, by the royal gardens

A seafront hotel facing the gardens of Montaza Palace, convenient for strolls along the palm-lined palace grounds and beaches.

Official site ↗

Helnan Palestine Hotel

★★★★★ Inside the Montaza Palace gardens

A rare setting within the former royal estate, on a quiet bay with views of the palace. Ask for a sea-view room.

Tolip Hotel Alexandria

★★★★★ Sidi Gaber

A contemporary tower hotel close to the Corniche, with generous rooms and a rooftop pool.

Steigenberger Cecil Hotel

★★★★ Saad Zaghloul Square, Eastern Harbor

A legendary 1929 hotel on the harbor, once a meeting place for writers and royalty. Rooms facing the sea and the old cafés below are full of atmosphere.

Le Metropole

★★★★ Raml Station, city center

A beautifully preserved belle-epoque hotel in the heart of the old city, with period details and views over the Eastern Harbor.

Things to do

Things to do in Alexandria

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The striking modern library, its tilted disc facing the sea, holds museums of antiquities and manuscripts, a planetarium and changing exhibitions. Check the official site for hours.

Citadel of Qaitbay

A 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Pharos, at the tip of the Eastern Harbor.

Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa

A remarkable underground tomb complex blending Egyptian, Greek and Roman styles.

Graeco-Roman Museum

Reopened after a long restoration, it tells the story of the city from Alexander to the Romans.

Roman Theater of Kom el-Dikka

A small, elegant marble theater with nearby mosaics and the remains of ancient lecture halls.

Montaza Palace Gardens

Wide gardens and beaches around the former royal palace, perfect for a late-afternoon walk.

Where to dine

Alexandria is Egypt's seafood capital. At the city's classic fish restaurants you choose the day's catch from ice, then have it grilled, baked in clay or fried, served with salads and bread. Many are on the Corniche with harbor views. For breakfast, try a traditional ful and falafel stop; for afternoon tea, the old Greek-founded patisseries along the Corniche and in Raml Station keep a century of tradition alive.

For a polished evening, the restaurants of the Four Seasons offer the finest dining in town. See also our regional guide to the best restaurants.

Getting there, including private

From the US, fly nonstop to Cairo with EgyptAir from New York JFK, Newark, Washington Dulles, Chicago or Los Angeles, then drive about 2.5 to 3 hours on the desert road. Borg El Arab International Airport receives regional and Gulf flights and private aircraft. Trains also link Cairo and Alexandria. For transfers, see chauffeurs and luxury car hire and private jet charter.

Alexandria is also a Mediterranean cruise call; see our guide to cruise ports and terminals.

Good to know for US travelers

Americans can buy an e-visa online or a visa on arrival (each about $30), each for up to 30 days, with a passport valid for at least six months. Alexandria is more conservative than the resorts, so modest dress is best in the city. Alcohol is served in the main hotels and a few long-established bars. Summer brings crowds of Egyptian holidaymakers; spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit.

Property on the Mediterranean

Living in Alexandria: property on the Mediterranean

Alexandria is Egypt's second city and a gateway to the fast-growing North Coast, where gated beach communities and branded residences are drawing buyers from Egypt, the Gulf and beyond. Read our guide to Egypt Luxury Real Estate investment.

Questions travelers ask

Questions travelers ask about Alexandria

Is Alexandria worth a visit?

Yes. Its library, catacombs, harbor and seafood make a rewarding two- or three-day contrast to Cairo.

Can I visit Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo?

It is possible with a private driver, but an overnight stay is far more relaxed.

Can you see the Great Library and the Lighthouse?

Neither survives, but the Bibliotheca Alexandrina honors the library and the Citadel of Qaitbay stands on the site of the Lighthouse.

When is the best time to go?

April to June and September to November, when it is warm, sunny and less crowded.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for Egypt. See the advice ↗

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Alexandria

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Generally up to two homes for personal use, outside restricted areas.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Alexandria Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Alexandria, side by side.Egypt Luxury Real EstateWho can buy, the best areas, fees and how to buy.Buy from abroadVisit first, buy without boarding a plane, or invest as an institution.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Luxury Real Estate

Staying longer? Own a home in Alexandria

See the homes, the communities and how buyers from abroad can own in Alexandria, on its Luxury Real Estate page, where its Founding Partners, chosen by TheMiddleEast.com, are presented.

Alexandria Luxury Real Estate ›

Places for Alexandria’s Founding Partners are open. For agencies and developers ›

Weather

Alexandria weather by month

Average day highs, night lows, sea temperature and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.

Alexandria weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
Month	Day high		Night low		Sea		Rainy days
Month	°F	°C	°F	°C	°F	°C	Rainy days
Jan	64°	18°	51°	11°	67°	20°	9
Feb	65°	18°	51°	11°	64°	18°	5
Mar	69°	21°	54°	12°	66°	19°	4
Apr	75°	24°	58°	14°	67°	20°	2
May	81°	27°	64°	18°	70°	21°	1
Jun	85°	29°	70°	21°	76°	25°	0
Jul	87°	31°	74°	24°	83°	28°	0
Aug	89°	31°	75°	24°	85°	29°	0
Sep	87°	31°	74°	23°	84°	29°	0
Oct	82°	28°	68°	20°	80°	27°	2
Nov	75°	24°	62°	16°	75°	24°	4
Dec	68°	20°	56°	13°	71°	22°	8

Averages for 2015–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Sea temperatures: 2023–2024. Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Keep exploring

Egypt

Plan Egypt luxury vacations: the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, a luxury Nile cruise, Red Sea resorts and the best hotels, with tips for Americans.

Cairo

Cairo luxury hotels, the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum: where to stay, how to fly nonstop from the US, and what to see in Egypt's capital.

El Alamein and Ras El Hekma

El Alamein and Ras El Hekma North Coast resorts: Egypt's Mediterranean summer, the best beach hotels, New Alamein City and luxury property on the coast.

Egypt: History and Culture

Egypt history and culture made clear: pharaohs, pyramids, Coptic and Islamic Cairo, Egyptian food, great museums and Arabic phrases for your Egypt vacation.

Egypt Luxury Real Estate

Egypt Luxury Real Estate investment guide: North Coast, Red Sea and New Cairo homes, top developers, indicative prices, fees, residency and citizenship options.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.

Alexandria Egypt: Travel, Hotels and the Great Library