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Alexandria by the Mediterranean Sea,
and the major seaport of Egypt. The city was founded in 332 BC by Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, who planned it as one of the finest ports of the ancient world.
Alexandria had had A famous lighthouse, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, that was built on Pharos island.
The Alexandrian Library and Museum founded by the Ptolemies, influenced schools of all branches of ancient learning, and Under the Ptolemies, the Alexandria became the literary and scientific center of the whole ancient world.
 
Alexander the Great founded the city in 332 BC after the start of his Persian campaign; it was to be the capital of his new Egyptian dominion and a naval base that would control the Mediterranean. The choice of the site that included the ancient settlement of Rakotis (which dates back to 1500 BC) was determined by the abundance of water from Lake Maryut, then a spur of the Canopic Nile, and the good anchorage provided offshore by the island of Pharos
The prevailing north wind, blowing across the Mediterranean, gives Alexandria a markedly different climate from that of the desert hinterland.
The summers are relatively temperate, although humidity can build up in July and in August, the hottest month, when the average temperature reaches 87 F (31 C).
Winters are cool and invariably marked by a series of violent storms, which can bring torrential rain and even hail. The mean daily temperature in January, which is the coldest month, is 64 F (18C).
Alexandria has had, since ancient times, two harbors, of which the western one is the chief commercial center and the site of the customs house and many warehouses for cotton, grain, sugar, and wool. More than 80 percent of the imports and exports of the country pass through the city of Alexandria.
From the late 19th century to the 1980s the population grew tenfold--the result of high birthrates and migration from the countryside. At the 1976 census the population stood at more than 2,000,000, with half the people under 20 years of age. Projections show that the city will have more than twice that number of people by the year 2000.
Most Alexandrians belong to one of two main religious groups, the Egyptian Muslims and the Christian Egyptian Copts.
Government
In 1895 Alexandria became the first fully constituted municipality in Egypt. Based upon an earlier organization formed by the foreign merchants, it had a high degree of autonomy in financing the city government.
After the 1952 revolution the municipality lost its money-raising powers and underwent other changes. In 1960, in accordance with the national government's decentralization policy, the city and its hinterland were incorporated into a muhafazah (governorate). An appointed governor and mostly elected council administer the muhafazah and are responsible to the Ministry of Local Affairs.
Education.
In Alexandria, the great learning centre of the ancient world, the state supervises education, as is the rule throughout Egypt. The state system is divided into primary, preparatory, secondary, and technical schools and is the path taken by the vast majority of Egyptians. A few private schools survive from before the 1952 revolution. The University of Alexandria, founded as a state university in 1942 and accommodating about 100,000 students, lies just east of the city centre. Its library is among the largest in Egypt.
Cultural Life
Alexandria's most important museum, the Greco-Roman Museum, situated behind the Municipality Building on al-Hurriyah Avenue, is noted for its collection of antiquity, most of which comes from finds within the city.
Greco-Roman Museum
 
Renewed interest in the classical period has revived archaeological exploration, which is focusing on Kawm ad-Dikkah, the underwater site of the Pharos lighthouse, and the search for Alexander's tomb. The Museum of Fine Art, located across the railway line from the city's stadium, presents exhibitions of modern and local art. In addition, two of the royal palaces, Ra`s at-Tin Palace on Pharos island and al-Muntazah Palace at the eastern end of al-Jaysh Avenue are open to the public.
Alexandria is well endowed with outdoor recreational establishments. The most popular is the Shallalat Gardens surrounding the remnants of the Arab walls. The Sporting Club and the Smuhah Sports Club provide a variety of sporting facilities. There are also fine botanical gardens and popular weekend beach resorts.
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS:
January 7 - Coptic Christmas (Christians only)
March 26 - Sinai Day
May 1 - Labor Day
June 5 - Suez Canal Day
July 23 - Independence Day
October 6 - Armed Forces Day
ENTRY REQUIREMENT
All foreigners traveling to Egypt, except those from other Arab countries and Malta, need a visa. Visas are obtainable at Egyptian consulates internationally, and also can be bought at Cairo Airport upon arrival.
Immunizations is only required required to visitors arriving from sub-Saharan Africa or South America, and then a yellow fever shot is necessary.
About the Area
"The Northern Coast" is the Egyptian North Western gate stretching 525 Km on the Mediterranean east to Sallum on the Libyan boarder.
This was a rain-dependent agricultural land in the Roman era. Having good faith in the prosperous future of this region, the government spares no effort to develop it. Many comprehensive planning studies have been conducted. Many luxurious tourist spots have been built. In 1978, the process was unleashed.
In spite of miles of white sand beaches and azure sea, Egypt's Med is still undeveloped and relatively unpopulated. There are fine beaches all along the coast from Alexandria to Mersa Matrouh, including the resort of Sidi Abdel Rahman, a secluded bay with clear waters and a selection of villas and hotels. At Mersa Matrouh itself, the natural bay and long white beach make for good sunbathing and swimming in calm transparent waters. Hired bicycles, carettas or open- sided tuf-tuf buses will take you to other good bathing spots nearby including the outstar beach at Al-Abyad and Ageebah cove, surrounded by beautiful scenery. As well as beaches there are other attractions in the Mersa Matrouh area: Cleopatra's Bath, a rock-hewn whirlpool bath off- shore which was supposedly used by Antonio and Cleopatra, a ruined temple fort built by Ramses II, an early Coptic chapel and "Rommel's Hideout", a cave where the general planned his military campaigns and which has now been tumed into a military museum.
At Abu Qir, a small fishing town, you can sunbath, fish, swim and eat fresh seafood. To the west of the city try the resorts of Agami or Hannoville.
 
Attractive integrated tourist villages are there, including beaches, houses, public service units. Moreover, 121 private locations are under study, besides the three models executed by the Ministry of construction, i.e. "Marakia", "Marabella" and "Marina" resorts.
Due to its marble-like nature, "Marakia" was originally known as "Marmarina" in the old times. The name is extracted from the Arabic word "marmar" which means marble. Clear sea and pure sand are its two main characteristics. It is 240 feddans & consists of three main parts; namely, beach, housing units and public service units. The beach is 1500 meters long; its downstream surface is 100 meters.
A pedestrian road separates it from the housing units. This stretches 400 meters, and consists of five-region on -shore 1945 units; 1267 cabins, 72 villas and 31 houses. The public service units are in both the middle of the village and at its main entrance, including administrative, emergency, communication, commercial, and entertainment services. Restaurants, cinema and an open theater. At the village entrance, a 800-person capacity mosque has been built. Large surfaces were devoted for sportive courtyards and public gardens. That is not all, there are further expansions.
One may imagine "Marina" by the meaning of its name: the beautiful sea. It is 15 Km from "Marakia", 750 meters long on the beach and its downstream surface is 800 meters. Its total surface is about 143 feddans. Many service units are constructed on the beach. The housing unit consists of 34 villas, 264 flats and 672 cabins. A center for administrative, commercial, medical, religious and entertainment services is found in the middle of the village.
Nearby, "Marina- Alameen" lies on the beach, about 100 Km from Alexandria. Its
surface is nearly 5000 feddans. Apart from the beach, it consists of housing and public service
units. Golf, horseriding and other sport facilities and courtyards are also there. In fact, "Marina-Alameen" is exceptional in both natural and historical respects. It is endowed
with natural deep lakes, as well as large forests. Moreover, it is rich in both Greek and
Roman monuments. Being the World War II stage, an allied soldiers cemetery is found
there. On the other hand, sea-linked lakes are designed for water renewal, shipping and
fishery purposes.
And then there is Alexandria (Alex) itself. Pick any given holiday and try to find someone you need to see in Cairo. They will be in Alex, which is not only a playground for people around the world, but of the Egyptians themselves.
Population
Total population 3,341,000
male 51.15 %
female 48.85 %
Tourism
54 hotels
4,041 rooms
Worship places
1,819 mosques
36 churches
How to get to Alexandria
From outside Egypt
International flights to Cairo, then an internal flight or travel by rail, bus or private transport (see below).
Contact your travel agent for details.
From Cairo
Overland and rail
Alexandria
Trains (including the express "Turbini" service) from Ramses Station. Buses (Superjet, West Delta Bus Co. or Golden Arrow) from Abdel Mouneem Riyad
terminal near the Ramses Hilton Hotel. Some buses also depart directly from Cairo Airport. Service taxis from in front of the Nile Hilton Hotel, near Ramses
Station or the Ahmed Helmi terminal. There are two good roads direct from Cairo to Alexandria for those with private transport.
Mersa Matrouh
Trains, direct or via Alexandria, from Ramses Station. In the summer there are also wagons-lits direct to Mersa Matrouh. Contact Wagons-lits on
+20-2-3492365.
Buses (Superjet, West Delta Bus Co. or Golden Arrow) from Abdel Mouneem Riyad terminal near the Ramses Hilton Hotel. The West Delta Bus Co. buses
leave Alexandria from Ramleh. Service taxis also run from Alexandria
Al Alamein
By bus, train or service taxi from Alexandria.
By air
EgyptAir flies daily to Alexandria throughout the year and to Mersa Matrouh in the summer months. Tel: +20-2-5750600 (Cairo).
Museums in Alexandria
The Greco-Roman Museum - Alexandria
The Museum of Fine Arts - Alexandria
The Royal Jewelry Museum - Alexandria
Greek and Roman Monuments in Alexandria
The Anfushi Tombs - Alexandria
The Amphitheater - Alexandria
Caesareum - Alexandria
The Catacombs of Kom es-Shouqafa - Alexandria
Pompey's Pillar - Alexandria
The Roman Theater - Alexandria
The Temple of Taposiris Magna - Alexandria
Underwater exploration in the Alexandria Harbor
Other Points of Interest in and near Alexandria
Alexandria Beaches - Alexandria
The Water Traffic Circle - Alexandria
Alexandria Area - Sights to See
Caesareum (Explanation only)
The Roman Theater
The Anfushi Tombs
Pompey's Pillar
Cavafy Museum
The Catacombs of Kom es-Shouqafa
The Greco-Roman Museum
The Attarine Mosque
The Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi
Fort Qaitbey (The Citadel of Qaitbey)
Terbana Mosque
The Tegran Necropolis
The Shatby Tomb
The Mostafa Kamel Graveyard
The St. Marcos Church
The Royal Jewelry Museum
The Museum of Fine Arts
The Water Traffic Circle
The Muntazah Complex
Entry Fees for Monuments, Temples, Tombs and Museums
All pricing is quoted in Egyptian pounds except where otherwise noted. Entrance Fees to Museums and Historical Sites in Egypt. Prices are subject to change. Where one single entry fee applies to several different tombs, still/Video pricing is for each tomb. For the latest exchange rate of Egyptian pounds to most other currencies, click here.
Note: Most tombs do not allow flash photography.
Alexandria Entry Price Still/Video Photography
Catacombs of Kom El-Shoqafa 12.00
Fort Qait Bey 6.00
Greco-Roman Antiquities Museum 8.00
Montazah Palace Gardens 2.00
Pompey's Pillar 6.00
Roman Amphitheater 6.00
Aswan
Abu Simbel Temple
Nefertari Temple 10.00
Ramses II Temple 20.00
Botanical Gardens 5.00
High Dam 2.00
Nubian Museum 20.00
Philae Temple 20.00
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show 33.00
Tombs of the Nobles 12.00
Unfinished Obelisk 10.00
Cairo
Agricultural Museum 0.10
Citadel 20.00
Coptic Museum 16.00
Dr. Ragab's Papyrus Institute 4.00
Dr. Ragab's Pharaonic Village 50.00
Egyptian Antiquities Museum 20.00 10.00/Unknown
Antiquities Museum Mummies Hall 40.00
Gayer Anderson House 16.00
Islamic Art Museum 16.00
Mahmoud Khalil Museum 25.00
Mohammed Nagui Museum 10.00
Makhtar Museum 1.00
National Museum of Egyptian Modern Art 10.00
October War Panorama 10.00
Pyramids of Giza (Each) 20.00
Railway Museum 1.50
Solar Boat Museum 20.00
Near Cairo
Saqqara 20.00
Dahshur 10.00
Hurghada
Museum of Marine Biology 5.00
Red Sea Aquarium 5.00
Luxor
East Bank
Karnak Temple 20.00 OK
Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show 33.00
Luxor Temple 20.00 OK
Luxor Museum 30.00 10.00/100.00
Mummification Museum 20.00 10.00/100.00
West Bank
Colossi of Memnon Free OK
Valley of the Kings
Combo Pricing any Three of the Below 20.00
Ramses I 5.00/100.00
Ramses III 5.00/100.00
Ramses IV 5.00/100.00
Ramses V 5.00/100.00
Ramses VI 5.00/100.00
Ramses VII 5.00/100.00
Ramses IX 5.00/100.00
Seti II 5.00/100.00
Amenhotep II 5.00/100.00
Tawsert/Sethnakhte 5.00/100.00
Merneptah 5.00/100.00
Tuthmosis III 5.00/100.00
Saptah 5.00/100.00
Individual Pricing
Ay 10.00 5.00/100.00
Temple of Hatshepsut 12.00 OK
Ramesseum 12.00 OK
Medinat Hab 12.00 OK
Deir el-Medina (Sennedjem, Inherkau, Tempel) 12.00 5.00/100.00
Deir el-Median Pashedu 10.00 5.00/100.00
Temple of Seti I 12.00 OK
Tomb of Tutankhamun 40.00 No
Valley of the Queens
Titi, Amenherkhopshef, Kahemwaset 12.00 5.00/100.00
Nefertari 100.00 No
Tombs of the Nobles
Nakht, Menna 12.00 No
Rekmire, Sennefer 12.00 5.00/100.00
Ramose, Userhet, Khaemhet 12.00 5.00/100.00
Khons, Userhet, Benia 12.00 5.00/100.00
Pabasa 12.00 5.00/100.00
Keref, Anchhor 12.00 5.00/100.00
Khokha Area 12.00 5.00/100.00
Roy, Shroy 12.00 5.00/100.00
North and South of Luxor
Abydos 12.00
Dendera 12.00
Esna 8.00
Edfu 20.00
Kom Ombo 10.00
Sinai
Ras Mohammed National Park $10.00
St. Catherine's Monastery $10.00
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