Port of Alexandria cruise port guide

Port of Alexandria — Alexandria, Egypt.

Alexandria is Egypt's great Mediterranean city — founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, home to the ancient world's most famous library, the Pharos Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and the philosophical schools that shaped early Christianity, Neoplatonism and Greek science. The modern city spreads along a 32km arc of Mediterranean coastline, its long Corniche boulevard facing the sea with a slightly faded elegance that recalls its 20th-century heyday as the cosmopolitan capital of the Levant — the city of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet and the poet Cavafy. Ships dock at Alexandria's cruise terminal, placing passengers at the gateway not only to Alexandria itself but to the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum beside them, 250km to the south. The city rewards those who look closely: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa and the Corniche at dusk are all genuinely remarkable.

Getting ashore

Where do cruise ships dock in Alexandria?

Ships dock at the cruise passenger terminal in Alexandria's Western Harbour, a short drive from the city centre; depending on the berth, the walk to the port gate can take 10–15 minutes. The cruise terminal has official taxis, tour operators and, frequently, licensed guides waiting at the exit.

How do I get from the cruise port to town?

Alexandria itself is a negotiated-taxi city — official metered taxis are available, but fares for excursions are typically agreed in advance; always establish the price before entering. For the Cairo day-trip (250km), the ship's organised excursions are strongly recommended: the road journey (3 hours each way), the logistics of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the return timing are all more safely managed with a pre-arranged driver-guide. Unlicensed taxi touts outside the terminal should be approached with caution; stick to the official taxi rank or use an organised tour. Uber operates in Alexandria and Cairo, and is useful for shorter in-city journeys.

Getting around

In Alexandria, the main sights are spread along or near the Corniche — taxis are the most practical transport between them. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and Qaitbay Citadel can all be covered in a structured half-day by taxi with a driver who waits between sites. The traditional Alexandria tram (an antique system running along the Corniche and into the city) is an atmospheric if slow option for shorter distances. For Cairo, the Egyptian National Railways trains from Sidi Gaber or Alexandria Station reach Cairo Ramses in 2–2.5 hours and are comfortable in first class — but the station-to-Giza logistics add significant time; a private car with a driver remains the most efficient option. Horse carriages (caleches) are offered near Qaitbay Citadel — a pleasant way to see the Eastern Harbour area.

Don't miss

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina — The modern successor to the ancient Library of Alexandria, opened in 2002 on the same Brucheion waterfront site where the ancient library stood, designed by Snøhetta as a vast tilted disc of Aswan granite rising from a circular pool. The main reading hall — a cascade of terraced desks under a 160-metre-wide sloping glass roof — is one of the great interior spaces of contemporary architecture. Inside, the Manuscripts Museum holds papyrus scrolls and rare early printed books; the Antiquities Museum on the lower levels contains artefacts excavated on the library's own construction site. Allow 1.5–2 hours and book tickets at the main entrance.
• Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa — The largest Roman-period burial complex in Egypt, discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey fell through the roof of the entrance shaft. The complex descends three levels into the rock, cut in the 2nd century CE, and is extraordinary for the blending of Egyptian, Greek and Roman decorative traditions in the same carved reliefs: sphinxes and Egyptian funerary gods appear in Roman architectural frames alongside Medusa shields. The Hall of Caracalla above ground holds the bones of those massacred by the Roman emperor. One of the most eerie and atmospheric ancient sites in the Mediterranean world.
• Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza — The ultimate day-trip from Alexandria, but one that demands an honest assessment of time. The Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum constitute the most visited archaeological ensemble on Earth, and with good reason: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, originally 146 metres tall and built with two million limestone blocks, is the only surviving structure from the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and standing at its base fundamentally alters the sense of what human beings are capable of. The Grand Egyptian Museum, beside the Giza plateau and fully open since November 2025, now displays the complete Tutankhamun collection, including the golden death mask. However: this excursion requires the ship to be in port for at least ten hours. The road journey is approximately 3 hours each way; budget a minimum of 2 hours at Giza and 1.5 hours at the museum. The pace is intense and the logistics in Cairo traffic can be unpredictable. Only attempt independently if you have experience navigating Egyptian cities; a ship excursion or pre-booked private driver-guide is strongly recommended.
• Qaitbay Citadel — The 15th-century Mamluk fortress built by Sultan Qaitbay on the exact site where the Pharos Lighthouse once stood — the lighthouse is believed to have collapsed in a 14th-century earthquake, and some of its giant foundation stones were incorporated directly into the fortress walls. The citadel guards the entrance to the Eastern Harbour with a photogenic cluster of towers and battlements. From the ramparts, the view over the inner harbour, the Corniche and the distant city skyline captures Alexandria's relationship with the sea that has defined it for 2,300 years.
• Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum — A single red-granite Roman victory column, 30 metres high, rising incongruously from an open archaeological zone in the middle of the modern city. The column was erected in 297 CE to honour the Emperor Diocletian following his suppression of an Alexandrian revolt, and stands on the artificial platform (the Serapeum) where the Temple of Serapis — the largest temple in Alexandria — once occupied a dominant hilltop site. A handful of pink granite Sphinxes recovered from the site flank the column. The context requires imagination, but the sheer scale of the column is arresting.

Planning your day

Alexandria divides clearly into two types of day: a city-focused day visiting Alexandria's own remarkable sites, and an all-or-nothing Cairo day. For a city day: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the unmissable morning stop (1.5–2 hours), then a taxi to the Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa (1 hour), then Pompey's Pillar (15 minutes, often combined with the Catacombs by taxi), then Qaitbay Citadel for the harbour view and the history of the Pharos site (45 minutes), then a seafood lunch on the Corniche at Qadoura. Alexandria's own sights are deeply rewarding and this itinerary covers them comfortably in 6 hours. For the Cairo excursion: this is a logistical commitment that requires the ship to be in port a minimum of 10 hours, ideally 12. Start moving at 7am, arrive Giza by 10am for the Pyramids and Sphinx (2 hours), then the Grand Egyptian Museum beside the plateau (1.5 hours), then begin the return journey by 2pm. Do not add side-trips. Book through the ship or a pre-vetted private operator. The Cairo excursion is genuinely extraordinary — the Pyramids must be seen — but not at the cost of missing the ship.

Food & drink

Alexandrian food is the most Mediterranean and seafood-focused of Egyptian cuisine — fresh fish from the Eastern Mediterranean, brilliant street food built on fava beans and chickpeas, and a café culture that reflects the city's Levantine Greek, Jewish and Italian heritage. The Corniche is lined with seafood restaurants; the city's street food is among the safest and best in Egypt for cruise visitors to try.

Where to eat

• Fish Market Restaurant (Abu Qir area) — The seafood restaurants along the Abu Qir waterfront, 15km east of Alexandria, are where Alexandrians go for the best fresh fish in the city. The format is consistent: choose your fish from an iced display, select a preparation, pay by weight. Mezze of tahini, salads and bread arrive while the fish is cooked. A taxi from the city centre takes 20–30 minutes. Worth the trip for serious seafood.
• Qadoura — One of the most famous seafood restaurants in Alexandria, on the Corniche near the Eastern Harbour, serving the full range of Mediterranean fish, grilled and fried. A large, busy and somewhat chaotic institution that has been feeding Alexandrians and visitors since the 1950s. Not refined, but the fish is reliably fresh and the Corniche setting is classic Alexandria.
• Koshary Ala El Sokhn — A busy koshari restaurant on Sultan Hussein Street, a few minutes' walk from Raml Station, often named among the city's best for koshari. Choose your bowl size; the sauces come on the side, so add as much tomato sauce and garlic-vinegar hot sauce as you like. Opens around 10am.
• Athineos Café — A historic Greek-founded café and restaurant on Saad Zaghloul Square, opposite the Raml tram station — one of the last survivors of the cosmopolitan Greek-Alexandrian café culture of the early 20th century, its café still in original 1940s fittings. Coffee, pastries and light meals. Listings disagree on whether it is currently trading, so check before you go.

Must try

• Koshari — Egypt's beloved national street dish — a complex assembly of white rice, brown lentils, macaroni, thin spaghetti and fried onions, layered into a bowl and topped with two contrasting sauces: a rich, cumin-spiced tomato sauce and a fiery garlic-and-white-vinegar hot sauce. The layers are stirred together at the table. Sound incoherent; taste extraordinary — the combination of textures, starches and condiments is deeply addictive. Sold at dedicated koshari restaurants throughout Alexandria for LE 20–40. Koshary Ala El Sokhn near Raml Station is one of the city's best-known koshari spots.
• Ful medames — The breakfast dish of Egypt — slowly braised fava beans (ful) mashed or left whole, seasoned with olive oil, lemon, garlic, cumin and salt, served with warm flatbread (aish baladi, Egypt's dense sourdough flatbread made from wholemeal wheat). A dish that has been eaten by Egyptians since Pharaonic times; the earliest recorded recipe dates from the 9th century. Eaten at breakfast stalls from 6am throughout Alexandria; also available at traditional cafés and street carts throughout the day.
• Fresh Mediterranean seafood — Alexandria's position on the Mediterranean makes it Egypt's finest seafood city — fish restaurants along the Corniche and at the Abu Qir seafood hub (15km east of the city) serve the morning's catch grilled, fried or baked: red mullet, sea bream, grey mullet, calamari and large Mediterranean prawns. The fish is typically priced by weight from a display case; ask to see the catch before ordering. Alexandrian seafood restaurants are generally clean and widely visited by locals — follow the lunchtime crowds.
• Ta'amiyya (Egyptian falafel) — Egypt's version of falafel is made from ground dried fava beans rather than chickpeas, giving it a greener, earthier interior and a crispier exterior than the chickpea versions of Lebanon and Israel. Mixed with fresh herbs (coriander, parsley), garlic and green onion, formed into patties and deep-fried. Served in aish baladi bread with tomato, tahini sauce and pickled vegetables. A ta'amiyya sandwich from a street cart is one of the safest and most satisfying quick lunches in Egypt.
• Um Ali (Egyptian bread pudding) — Egypt's most beloved dessert — a warm, substantial baked pudding of puff pastry or stale bread layered with whole milk, cream, raisins, shredded coconut and mixed nuts (pistachios, almonds, pine nuts), baked until golden and bubbling. Rich, comforting and deeply aromatic with cinnamon and vanilla. Served at traditional cafés and restaurants throughout Alexandria. The name translates as 'Ali's Mother' — a dish with a colourful Ottoman origin story.

Know before you go

• 🗣️Language — Arabic (Egyptian Arabic dialect) is the language of daily life. English is widely understood at the cruise terminal, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and major tourist sites. French is sometimes spoken by older Alexandrians — a legacy of the city's 20th-century cosmopolitan past. Licensed tour guides speak fluent English. Translation apps are useful for menus in smaller local restaurants.
• 📋Documents — Most nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian) require a visa for Egypt. The e-Visa is the simplest option — apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 72 hours before arrival (currently USD 25; processing is usually same-day but apply early). Visa on arrival is also available at major Egyptian entry points including Alexandria port (USD 25 in cash). Confirm your ship's immigration protocol before arrival — some cruise lines handle Egyptian visas as part of the booking.
• 🛍️Shopping & hours — Shops in Alexandria generally open 9am–9pm with some midday variation. The city has several covered bazaar-style streets and the Khan El-Askar area near the Catacombs. Best buys: hand-blown Alexandrian glass (cobalt blue and green, in the ancient Alexandrian glass tradition), papyrus paintings (authentic ones from reputable shops — many are mass-produced; look for handmade papyrus), Egyptian cotton products (the finest cotton in the world is grown in the Nile Delta), alabaster carved items, and fragrant essential oils from spice bazaars. Vigorous but good-natured haggling is expected at bazaars; fixed-price shops and the Bibliotheca gift shop do not negotiate.
• 🌤️Weather — Alexandria has a Mediterranean climate — mild and sunny in spring and autumn (the cruise season), hot in summer. May–October: 25–33°C (77–91°F). November–April: 12–22°C (54–72°F) with occasional sea breezes. The city is more temperate than Cairo, cooled by the Mediterranean. Cruise season calls in spring and autumn are comfortable; summer calls can be very warm, particularly on the Cairo day-trip where inland temperatures may reach 40°C (104°F) in June–August.
• 📶Connectivity — Egyptian mobile networks (Vodafone Egypt, Orange, Etisalat) provide solid 4G coverage throughout Alexandria and along the Cairo road. Local SIM cards are cheap and can be bought at the airport or from network shops in the city (passport required). Uber works well in both Alexandria and Cairo. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has free Wi-Fi. Most hotels and many cafés on the Corniche provide Wi-Fi.
• ♿Accessibility — Alexandria's streets and pavements are uneven and crowded in the bazaar areas. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is purpose-built and fully accessible with lifts and ramps. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa involve descending a spiral staircase — not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility. Qaitbay Citadel has some accessible ground-level areas but the upper battlements involve stairs. The Corniche promenade is flat and walkable. Taxis are standard cars without accessibility equipment.
• ⏱️Getting back — The cruise terminal is approximately 3–5km from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Corniche centre; allow 15–20 minutes by taxi. For the Cairo day-trip, departure from Cairo must be no later than 3pm for a 7pm all-aboard — confirm the all-aboard time with the ship before booking and make this calculation explicit with your driver. Allow 3–3.5 hours for the Cairo-to-terminal journey accounting for traffic. Missing the ship in Alexandria is possible on the Cairo excursion — do not underestimate the road time.

Sources: egypt.travel (official Egyptian tourism authority); biblioteca.gov.eg; whatsinport.com/Alexandria.htm; lonelyplanet.com/egypt/alexandria; visa2egypt.gov.eg