Often called the “Bride of the Mediterranean” and the “Pearl of the Mediterranean Coast,” this stunning African seaside city has become a popular tourist destination. It stands as one of the country’s hidden treasures despite being the largest city on the Mediterranean coast.
But what many don’t know is that Alexandria, which lies about 136 miles northwest of Cairo, actually once stood as Egypt’s capital city, from 332 BC until 642 AD – a period of 973 years. Sat on the western edge of the Nile River delta, Egypt was founded around 331 BC by Alexander the Great, the iconic king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. It was one of some 30 towns and cities across his empire that was given the name of Alexandria, though it is the only one in Egypt that remains today.
Alexandria grew rapidly and became a major centre of the Ancient Greek Hellenic civilisation, eventually replacing Memphis (in present-day Greater Cairo) as Egypt’s capital.
It retained this status for almost a millennium until the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 641 AD, when a new capital was founded at Fustat, which was later absorbed into Cairo.
In the past, Alexandria was home to some incredible landmarks, many of which have since been destroyed and replaced by some impressive new structures. The city is best known for the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos), once one of the tallest man-made structures in the world and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. However, it was severely damaged by three earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD.
The Great Library of Alexandria was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world, which at its height houses between 40,000 and 400,000 scrolls. In part because of this library, Alexandria came to be regarded as the capital of knowledge and learning. However, it was accidentally burned by Julius Caesar during his civil war and whatever remained of it was destroyed around 270 AD.
Today, the modern Bibliotecha Alexandrina is a commemoration of the original library, with space for eight million books. The exterior of the building is a piece of art in itself, boasting a huge stone wall displaying inscriptions from various writing systems, including ancient scrips, Braille and maths.
An impressive landmark that can still be seen today are the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. These consist of a series of tombs, statues and archaeological objects, merging Roman, Greek and Egyptian culture.
The Kom El Dikka ruins offer a fantastic glimpse into life during the Graeco Roman era of the city, featuring a exceptionally well-preserved ampitheatre and baths.
The 15th century Citadel Of Qaitbay also cannot be missed. Built on the site of the Lighthouse, using much of its stone in construction, this medieval fort was built to defend against the Ottoman Empire and stands as a dominant part of the Alexandria skyline. Finally, head to the breathtaking Montaza Palace and its extensive gardens which provides breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Once you’ve had your fill of architecture and the bustle of urban life in Alexandria, head to its beaches. Described as “more Mediterranean that Egyptian” by Bemused Backpacker, there are several public beaches along the Corniche that can be reached on foot, as well as a number of private beaches owned by hotels.
Just a few miles out from Cairo, Alexandria can be a perfect day trip destination for those staying in the capital, with plenty of buses and trains running throughout the day. For those wishing to extend their trip, there are some luxurious five-star hotels, including Tolip Hotel Alexandria (complete with a outdoor pool and spa) for just £82 per night for two adults in April. Fly to Aexandria Borg El Arab airport (HBE) with Pegasus Airlines from Stansted with a stop in Istanbul for just £282.