Alexandria Port

Alexandria Port is Egypt’s main Mediterranean cruise gateway, welcoming hundreds of thousands of passengers each year and providing easy access to major attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and Alexandria’s historic sites. Located on Egypt’s northern coast, the port serves a city founded by Alexander the Great and rich in Greco-Roman heritage, once home to landmarks like the Library of Alexandria and the Pharos Lighthouse. With modern facilities, large-ship berths, and strong transport links to Cairo, Alexandria Port is an ideal starting point for both short excursions and full-day explorations of Egypt’s cultural treasures.

Port Location and Facilities

Geographic Position

Alexandria Port sits on the Mediterranean coast in northern Egypt, positioned strategically where the Nile Delta meets the sea. The port's coordinates place it approximately 220 km northwest of Cairo, 500 km north of Luxor, and at the northern terminus of Egypt's main population corridor along the Nile Valley. This location makes Alexandria the natural entry point for Mediterranean cruise itineraries visiting Egypt.

The city stretches approximately 32 kilometers along the coast, with the cruise port located near the Eastern Harbor and downtown Alexandria. This central position allows easy access to Alexandria's major attractions including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Citadel of Qaitbay, Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, Montazah Palace, and the Corniche waterfront.

Cruise Terminal Infrastructure

Alexandria Port operates several terminals serving cruise ships:

• El Dekheila Port: Located west of the city, this modern facility handles larger cruise ships with deep-water berths, passenger terminal buildings, and organized shore excursion departure points.
• Eastern Harbor: Some smaller cruise ships dock at locations near the Eastern Harbor, providing extremely convenient access to downtown Alexandria within walking distance of major attractions.
• Port Said: While technically a separate port, some Suez Canal cruise itineraries use Port Said (about 220 km east) as an alternative gateway to Cairo and the pyramids.

The main cruise terminals offer:

• Passenger processing and customs facilities
• Tourist information desks
• Currency exchange and ATMs
• WiFi access (varying reliability)
• Restroom facilities
• Taxi and tour bus departure areas
• Security screening for returning passengers

Distance to Major Attractions

From Alexandria Port, key distances include:

• Downtown Alexandria: 5-15 km (depending on berth)
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: 10-20 km
• Citadel of Qaitbay: 12-25 km
• Cairo: 220 km (3-3.5 hours drive)
• Giza Pyramids: 235 km (3.5-4 hours drive)
• Egyptian Museum Cairo: 225 km (3.5-4 hours drive)

Shore Excursions from Alexandria Port

Cairo and Pyramids Excursions

The most popular shore excursion from Alexandria Port is the full-day trip to Cairo and Giza. These excursions typically include:

Cairo Day Trip Itinerary (12-14 hours total):

• 6:00-7:00 AM: Meet guide at port, depart for Cairo (3-3.5 hour drive)
• 10:00-12:00 PM: Visit Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx
• 12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch at local restaurant
• 1:00-3:00 PM: Egyptian Museum or Grand Egyptian Museum
• 3:00-6:30 PM: Return drive to Alexandria Port
• 6:30-7:00 PM: Return to ship

What's Included:

• Air-conditioned transportation (private car, small group van, or tour bus)
• Egyptologist guide
• Entrance fees to pyramids and museum
• Lunch at Egyptian restaurant
• Bottled water

Pricing: Expect $100-200 per person for group tours, $300-500+ for private tours depending on group size and inclusions.

Important Considerations:

• Long driving time (6-7 hours total)
• Very full day with early departure and late return
• Traffic in Cairo can affect timing
• Essential to book with port-guarantee ensuring return before ship departure
• Best for travelers who won't visit Egypt otherwise

Alexandria City Tours

For travelers who prefer staying closer to the port or who plan separate Cairo visits, Alexandria city tours offer rich historical and cultural experiences:

Half-Day Alexandria Highlights (4-5 hours):

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina (modern library built on ancient library site)
• Citadel of Qaitbay (15th-century fortress built on Pharos Lighthouse location)
• Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa (fascinating Greco-Roman tombs)
• Pompey's Pillar (ancient Roman triumphal column)
• Alexandria Corniche drive

Full-Day Alexandria In-Depth (7-8 hours):

• All half-day sites plus:
• Montazah Palace and gardens
• Roman Amphitheatre
• Greek-Roman Museum
• Local market visits
• Seafood lunch at waterfront restaurant

Advantages of Alexandria Tours:

• Less driving time (more time at attractions)
• More relaxed pace
• Unique sites not available elsewhere
• Easier logistics and timing
• Good option for repeat Egypt visitors

Combined Alexandria and Cairo Options

Some shore excursions attempt combining Alexandria sites with Cairo visits, though these create extremely long, rushed days. Generally not recommended unless you have very limited time and want to maximize sites visited.

Independent Exploration

Adventurous travelers can explore Alexandria independently:

Pros: Flexibility, lower cost, personalized experience, ability to linger at preferred sites
Cons: Navigating unfamiliar city, language barriers, time management responsibility, risk of missing ship departure

If Exploring Independently:

• Research attractions and distances in advance
• Use reliable taxi services or Uber
• Give yourself generous time buffer for return (at least 2 hours before all-aboard time)
• Keep ship contact information and berth location
• Inform ship's shore excursion desk of independent plans

Practical Information for Cruise Passengers

Arrival and Departure Procedures

Disembarkation:

• Have passport ready for Egyptian immigration
• Egypt visa available on arrival ($25 USD, sometimes included in shore excursion)
• Clear security screening
• Meet pre-booked tour operators at designated meeting points
• Independent travelers proceed to taxi/transportation area

Re-embarkation:

• Return well before all-aboard time (typically 30-60 minutes before departure)
• Pass through security screening
• Show cruise card for boarding

Best Time for Alexandria Port Calls

Mediterranean Cruise Season: March-November
Peak Season (April-May, September-October):

• Ideal weather (20-28°C / 68-82°F)
• Comfortable for Cairo excursions
• More crowds at attractions

Summer (June-August):

• Hot in Cairo (35-40°C / 95-104°F)
• Pleasant in Alexandria (sea breezes)
• Peak European tourist season

Winter (November-March):

• Fewer cruise ships
• Cooler weather (15-20°C / 59-68°F)
• Comfortable for sightseeing
• Occasional rain possible

What to Bring for Shore Excursions

Essential Items:

• Passport (required for all shore excursions)
• US dollars for visa and tips
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Modest clothing (especially for Cairo mosques)
• Camera and extra batteries/memory
• Bottled water
• Any necessary medications

For Cairo Trips: Light jacket (air-conditioned buses can be cool), snacks if needed

Alexandria's Historical Attractions

Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002, commemorates the ancient Library of Alexandria, once the world's greatest center of learning. The striking contemporary building features:

• Distinctive circular design resembling rising sun
• Capacity for 8 million books
• Multiple reading rooms and research centers
• Museums (antiquities, manuscripts, science)
• Planetarium
• Temporary exhibition spaces

Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
 
 Highlights: Architecture, manuscript museum, antiquities collection

Citadel of Qaitbay

Built in 1477 AD by Sultan Qaitbay, this fortress occupies the exact location of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The fortress incorporates stones from the lighthouse ruins in its construction.

Features:

• Well-preserved medieval fortress
• Strategic Mediterranean position
• Naval museum
• Panoramic sea views
• Historical significance connecting ancient and Islamic Egypt

Visit Duration: 45-60 minutes

Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa

Discovered in 1900, these 2nd-century AD catacombs represent the largest Roman burial site in Egypt. The unique underground complex blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architectural and artistic elements.

Highlights:

• Three-level underground tombs
• Spiral staircase descending 35 meters
• Hall of Caracalla
• Fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman art
• Intricate carvings and decorations

Visit Duration: 45-60 minutes

Pompey's Pillar

This 25-meter-tall red granite column, erected in 297 AD to honor Emperor Diocletian, stands as Alexandria's tallest ancient monument. Despite its name, it has no connection to Roman general Pompey.

Features:

• Massive single granite shaft
• Nearby sphinx statues
• Ancient Serapeum ruins
• Panoramic city views from hilltop location

Visit Duration: 30 minutes

Tips for Successful Alexandria Port Calls

Booking Shore Excursions

Through Cruise Line:

Pros: Guaranteed return to ship, organized logistics, knowledgeable guides
Cons: Higher cost, larger groups, less flexibility
Best For: First-time visitors, risk-averse travelers, Cairo excursions

Independent Tour Operators:

Pros: Lower cost, smaller groups, more flexibility
Cons: Must manage timing yourself, less accountability
Best For: Experienced travelers, budget-conscious visitors
Ensure: Port-guarantee (operator commits to returning you on time)

Managing Time Effectively

Cairo Excursions: Extremely time-sensitive due to distance and traffic

• Book reliable operators with port-guarantee
• Accept that you'll spend significant time driving
• Prioritize pyramids over multiple Cairo sites
• Have backup plans if traffic delays occur

Alexandria Tours: More flexible timing

• Can be shortened or extended more easily
• Easier to return to ship quickly if needed
• Consider independent exploration for maximum flexibility