Alexandria: The Pearl of the Mediterranean
Alexandria, the site of two of the ancient world’s most important buildings—the Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and the Library of Alexandria (the largest library in the ancient world)—is one of the oldest cities in the world. Founded in 334 BC by Alexander III of Macedon, Alexandria remained the capital of Egypt for a thousand years up until the Muslim conquest of Egypt, following which the capital shifted to Fustat (which was later absorbed into Cairo). Alexandria is home to some of the most ancient structures in the written history of mankind; the city is popularly known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean. Note that the city has a very Mediterranean feel to it; this only seems to add to the many Alexandria tourist attractions.
Places to Visit in Alexandria
Though the mighty and majestic Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and the Library of Alexandria (the largest library in the ancient world) are no longer there, there are many Alexandria tourist sights of comparable, if not equal, importance these include:
- The Citadel of Qait Bey
- Cemetery of Mostafa Kamel
- Roman Catacombs
- Pompey's Pillar
- Roman Theatre
- Montaza Palace
- Ras el-Tin Palace
- Presidential Palace
- Alexandria National Museum
- Graeco-Roman Museum
- Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Corniche
Alexandria- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Alexandria is very safe for tourists; nevertheless, it is advisable that certain rather necessary precautions be taken including avoiding certain areas after dark, keeping valuables out of sight, etc. Off late, however, Alexandria has witnessed multiple terrorist attacks on tourists. Alexandria is beautiful and the city feels more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. The city’s mind-boggling mix of history and architecture is simply seen to be believed. Besides having some of the best avenues and buildings in the world, Alexandria also boasts a very vibrant and active street scene. The city is home to a multitude of restaurants, cafes, etc.
It must be noted that Alexandria is somewhat conservative, and one is advised to dress accordingly. English is widely spoken in Alexandria along with Egyptian Arabian, Sa’idi Arabic, Bedouin Arabic and Sudanese Arabic. The local currency is Egyptian pound (EGP). The local cuisine is rich and has its own unique and distinct flavour. What’s more, it freely is available at very affordable prices. Alexandria has a large number of eateries catering to all types of cuisines and suited to all types of budgets; it is also home to some of the country’s best and most prolific restaurants.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Alexandria is from mid-October to May.
Best way to reach
- By Air: Alexandria is one of the region’s most important travel hubs, and is connected to most major destinations in the world via regular flights.
- By Rail: Alexandria is one of the major railway stations on the Egyptian rail network, and forms the terminating or originating point for many express and inter-city trains in the country. Alexandria also has a well-developed rail-based mass rapid transit system.
- By Road: Alexandria is well connected to all national and regional destinations and popular attractions. Further, Alexandria is also one of the centres of Egypt’s road transport system and as such offers comfortable transport options for almost all of the nearby Egypt attractions. The road network within the city is rather excellent; nevertheless, the traffic is quite chaotic.
Accommodation
The Alexandria accommodation scene is very active and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Alexandria is home of some of the finest hotels in the continent. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Alexandria vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Alexandria tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does. One might even miss out on the many hidden attractions and surprises Alexandria may hold.