The first thing you'll notice when you arrive in Port Said is your Egypt Online Tour guide holding a signboard that says your name. The greatest part is that you won't even have to try to locate them; they'll come looking for you. Upon boarding the vehicle, your guide will explain every detail of the journey.
The first stop on our tour will be the three-story Catacombs of Kom El Shokafa, the biggest Roman cemetery in the world. Then we'll hit the road to the Roman Amphitheater of Alexandria, where you can see the relics of the ancient city that were unearthed in the harbor's eastern basin. Next, we'll have a picture op at Pompay's Pillar, a monument built at the twilight of the fourth century to Caesar Diocletian.
The Library of Alexandria, home to more than eight million volumes, is the world's largest known library and the next place of interest. In its open court, you can see the sculptures of Alexander the Great and Ptolemy the first, the latter of which was discovered underwater. The following day, we will visit the library's illustrious museums, including the Manuscripts, President Sadat, and Impressions of Alexandria collections.
Please be advised that the Library of Alexandria is closed on Fridays and other public holidays. Additionally, a ticket must be purchased in order to access the reading area.
We will drive to the St. Mark Church, the oldest church in all of Africa, after we have explored the museums and their artifacts. The ancient downtown and its buildings, which feature baroque, Italian, and French styles, will also be visible to you as you drive around.
The next stop on our tour is the El Nabi Daniel Mosque, which has connections to both the Alexander the Great Tomb and the nearby site. Legend has it that the revered prophet Daniel and his trusted travel companion, the holy storyteller Sidi Lokman el Hakim, are buried in the mosque.
Following this, you have the option of having lunch at Mohamed Ahmed's, a well-known and authentic Alexandrian restaurant. Following lunch, we will make our way to the Abbo Elabbas Mosque, the city's most important and beautiful mosque. On the grounds of the mosque, you can see the city's most bizarre attraction: an abandoned amusement park where kids play on vintage rides and try some candy floss. Opposite the palace lies Alexandria's historic harbor and corniche, where you can see traditional net-makers at work and folks fishing in vintage boats. Amazing photos can be captured by clicking here.
Our next stop will be at the magnificent Castle of Kaitbey, which shares its foundation with the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While inside, you can see the castle in all its glory and even climb to the top for a bird's-eye perspective of the city below.
The next stop is at the Palaces and Montazah Gardens, where the vehicle will depart. Along the route, you may visit the King of Mango for some fresh juices and take a picture op at the Alexandrian Monument to the Unknown Soldier. The breathtaking coastline and cityscapes will enchant you as you make your way to the Palaces and Montazah Gardens. You will also have the opportunity to see the ancient Alexandrian harbor, where about seven thousand monuments were unearthed.
The Montazah Gardens, sometimes called the Love Garden, are actually the royal gardens of King Farouk, the last king of Egypt. In addition to the famous Montazah Bridge, you can take a stroll through the royal palaces of Haramlek and Salamlek, and on Tea Palace Island, you can view the beautiful beaches that the queens used to enjoy.
On the way back, we'll pass by the world-famous Bridge of Stanley, an Alexander the Great construction that serves as a modern-day landmark of Alexandria. You will then be able to return to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
This concludes your full-day archaeological tour of Alexandria. There is a lot to see and do in Alexandria, so if you have any particular requests, please let us know when you book your tour with us.