Alexandria overview
This ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’ where the Nile meets the Mediterranean is a delightfully understated resort with fine white sandy beaches. Cooled by the sea, Alexandria boasts perfect summer temperatures, hoards of antiquities in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and a superb history including that of Alexander the Great, and Anthony and Cleopatra.
An understated beach resort with fine white sandy beaches, Egypt’s second city, Alexandria, boasts a fascinating history and rich culture as well as being an important industrial centre. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332BC, and famed as the setting for Anthony and Cleopatra’s passionate love affair, Alexandria is located in the north of Egypt where the Nile meets the Mediterranean Sea. In antiquity, Alexandria, home to Pharos Lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was a hugely influential city, and it still houses the Alexandria Library, one of the largest of the ancient world. Downtown, there’s a good selection of restaurants and shops, and the Corniche boasts numerous sheesha cafés and coffee houses.
Map
Climate
With Lake Mariut located on the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the typical climate of Alexandria can be defined very desert like. Alexandria features fairly little seasonal variation with warm and often exceptionally hot, sunny climates by day and placid but cooler climates by night.
Did you know?
Alexandria was the home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world The Lighthouse of Alexandria. With a height estimated at between 380 and 440 ft it was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It may have been the third tallest building after the two Great Pyramids.
Alexandria hotels
Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano
In an impressive Mediterranean location on the Alexandria Riviera with its beautiful sandy beaches
Maritim Jolie Ville Hotel Alexandria
Situated on Alexandria's Corniche with its plethora of restaurants, cafes and markets, and enjoying stunning views
-
Map
Climate
With Lake Mariut located on the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the typical climate of Alexandria can be defined very desert like. Alexandria features fairly little seasonal variation with warm and often exceptionally hot, sunny climates by day and placid but cooler climates by night.
Did you know?
Alexandria was the home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world The Lighthouse of Alexandria. With a height estimated at between 380 and 440 ft it was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It may have been the third tallest building after the two Great Pyramids.
Alexandria sightseeing
In ancient times Alexandria’s most famous landmarks were Pharos Lighthouse and the Library of Alexandria. Since 1990 a team of researchers have been busy excavating the city and not surprisingly, the greatest discovery so far has been the remains of the Pharos Lighthouse. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, this was the first lighthouse ever constructed and was one of the tallest buildings of its time, only surpassed in height by the Pyramids of Giza. Equally impressive was the Library of Alexandria, the largest in the ancient world. The new library, supported by Alexandria University and UNESCO, stands close to the original site between the University and the seafront. Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inaugurated in 2002, now includes a museum and planetarium, an exhibition and research complex, and the library itself boasts almost 8,000 ancient manuscripts and rare books.
Additional places of interest in Alexandria include the Graeco-Roman Museum housing the remains of the Pompeii Column,
300 tombs at Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs, the Roman theatre Kom el Dikka with its museum of mosaics, and the 15th century Qaitbay Fort. Built on the original site of Pharos Lighthouse, the fort guards the bay at the far end of the Corniche.
Beaches & San Stefano
The Pearl of the Mediterranean, Alexandria, famed during the 60’s and 70’s as a playground for the rich and famous, boasts 20km of fine white sandy beaches and cooling sea breezes, and is considered to be one of the Middle East’s most fashionable resorts.
It’s worth visiting the beach of Montazah, located at the foot of the Palace of Khedive Abbas, and, just 9km from downtown Alexandria, is the legendary San Stefano, also known as The Alexandria Riviera.
Located amidst some of the finest districts, the impressive San Stefano Grand Plaza is a prestigious residential and shopping complex which was opened in 2006 on the original site of Ramleh Casino and Hotel, itself dating back to the late 19th century. The 30,000m2 complex boasts a 170m frontage running along the beach, and the crescent shaped building boasts breathtaking views over the Mediterranean.
The Grand Plaza houses the luxurious Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano plus a fantastic shopping mall on four levels offering trendy, chic boutiques, ten cinema screens, and an enviable selection of restaurants. A wide range of facilities include a private beach and marina featuring an outdoor swimming pool and tennis, plus a children’s area and pool.
Map
Climate
With Lake Mariut located on the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the typical climate of Alexandria can be defined very desert like. Alexandria features fairly little seasonal variation with warm and often exceptionally hot, sunny climates by day and placid but cooler climates by night.
Did you know?
Alexandria was the home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world The Lighthouse of Alexandria. With a height estimated at between 380 and 440 ft it was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It may have been the third tallest building after the two Great Pyramids.
Alexandria offers
Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano
In an impressive Mediterranean location on the Alexandria Riviera with its beautiful sandy beaches
2 offers
-
-
Map
Climate
With Lake Mariut located on the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the typical climate of Alexandria can be defined very desert like. Alexandria features fairly little seasonal variation with warm and often exceptionally hot, sunny climates by day and placid but cooler climates by night.
Did you know?
Alexandria was the home to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world The Lighthouse of Alexandria. With a height estimated at between 380 and 440 ft it was identified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It may have been the third tallest building after the two Great Pyramids.