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Alexandria
Egypt's Mediterranean city
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Currency
- EGP
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Country
- Egypt
Founded by Alexander the Great, Egypt's second city curves along the Mediterranean, with a modern great library, a harbour fort and fresh seafood.
- Cairo
- Alexandria
- Giza
- Luxor
- Aswan
Quick facts
- Country
- Egypt
- Capital
- Cairo
- Province population
- 5.6M
- Population of Egypt
- 107M
- Country area
- 1,001,450 km²
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Egyptian Pound (EGP) · 1 USD ≈ 52.38 EGP
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Calling code
- +20
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 5 m
- Plugs
- C / F · 220V
- Emergency numbers
- 122 · 123
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 18° | 19° | 21° | 24° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 24° | 20° |
| Low | 10° | 10° | 12° | 14° | 17° | 21° | 23° | 23° | 22° | 18° | 15° | 11° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$32
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$85
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$240
Top things to do
- ≈ $5
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The modern library on the site of the ancient one, with museums, a planetarium and a giant reading hall; closed on Fridays.
- Half day
- The Corniche
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Closed: Friday
- ≈ $4
Citadel of Qaitbay
A 15th-century fort at the tip of the harbour, on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse.
- Half day
- The Corniche
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $5
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa and Pompey's Pillar
Roman-era tombs mixing Egyptian and Greek styles, and a giant granite column nearby.
- Half day
- Downtown
- Indoors
- ≈ $15
Corniche walk and a seafood dinner
The long seafront curve of the Eastern Harbour, then fresh fish chosen by weight at a local restaurant.
- Half day
- The Corniche
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $3
Montaza Palace gardens
Royal gardens and beaches around a former palace at the city's eastern end.
- Half day
- Montaza
- Good for kids
Before you go
Entry and visas
Most visitors need a visa for Egypt. You can apply in advance for an e-visa on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a physical visa on arrival at approved airports for 30 US dollars (cash only), valid for up to 30 days. Since 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival for 36 US dollars (card payment only) using self-service machines or the Visa on Arrival portal. Some nationalities and some arrivals, such as British passport holders flying into Sharm El-Sheikh for short resort stays, do not need a visa, so check the rules for your nationality and route before you book.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Most visitors come from Cairo by train (2.5 to 3 hours) or by road; Borg El Arab Airport has some flights from the Gulf.
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy; the historic tram is slow but fun.
Local tips
- Summer weekends are packed with visitors from Cairo.
- Winter can be rainy and windy by the sea.
- Try fish chosen from the ice and grilled or fried to order.
- Dress modestly on public beaches; private beach clubs are more relaxed.
Areas worth knowing
- Montaza
- Downtown
- The Corniche
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Egypt
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Sources: Egypt e-Visa portal (official) · Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: tickets · Bibliotheca Alexandrina