City Description
Named after Alexander the Great, this city is the second-largest city in Egypt and is the gateway to the Mediterranean.
Alexandria is one of those cities still reliving the past as evidenced by the numerous ruins that can be found in this historically-rich city which for a time stood as the center of the world. Once it was home to one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, Pharaohs, the Alexandrian lighthouse. Much of its Greek influence can still be noticed up until today like the great Library of Alexandria, which has been recently restored, and the Roman Theater.
Being a gateway to the Mediterranean, Alexandria attracted quite a lot of wealthy foreign settlers in the 19th century including Armenians, Greeks, and Italians. The city lies along the coast of the Mediterranean and is recognizable by the iconic 15-kilometer length seafront Corniche. Restaurants, cafes, and other well-known business establishments pepper the Corniche. Among the notable places to visit are the historic Cecil Hotel, the Greek Club, and the El Montazah Palace.
The climate, of course, would follow the renowned Mediterranean climate, being on the Mediterranean Sea where summers are warm and quite humid while winters are just a touch of cold with a moderate amount of rain. The city’s attraction factor is famously bolstered too by the fact that it is where the best seafood restaurants are in the country.
Notable places:
- Abu Abbas el-Mursi Mosque (Alexandria National Museum)
- Biblioteca Alexandrina
- Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
- Cavafy Museum
- Cecil Hotel
- Citadel of Qaitbey
- Cleopatra’s Palace
- Corniche
- El Montazah Palace and Gardens
- Greco-Roman Museum
- Greek Club
- Kom el-Dikka (Roman Theatre)
- Main Souk
- Pompey’s Pillar
- Ras el-Tin Palace
- Royal Jewellery Museum
- Saint Catherine’s Cathedral
