Alexandria, Egypt's window to the Mediterranean, is a city of layered histories and salty breezes, where Greco-Roman ruins mingle with the rhythms of coastal life. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, it became a beacon of learning under the Ptolemies, home to the legendary Library of Alexandria and the towering Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders. Today, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina reimagines this legacy with its sleek, disc-shaped design, housing millions of books, a planetarium, and exhibitions celebrating the city's intellectual heritage.
Along the Corniche, the city's seaside promenade, waves crash against seawalls as joggers and families savor views of the harbour. At its western end, the Qaitbay Citadel, a 15th-century fortress built from lighthouse rubble, stands sentinel over the bay. Beneath the city, the Kom El Shoqafa Catacombs reveal a blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistry in their rock-cut tombs, while the Roman Amphitheatre - a semicircle of marble tiers - hints at Alexandria's theatrical past. The Alexandria National Museum traces the city's evolution through Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Islamic artifacts, offering a concise journey through time.
For moments of repose, the Montasa Palace Gardens offer shaded pathways and seaside vistas, while the beaches of Mamoura and Stanley invite sunbathers to lounge under striped umbrellas. Seafood reigns supreme here: waterfront restaurants like Kadoura and Fish Market serve platters of grilled sea bass, calamari, and shrimp, enjoyed with views of fishing boats bobbing in the harbour. Alexandria's literary soul endures in cafes frequented by poets like Constantine Cavafy, whose verses immortalized the city's melancholy beauty. With its blend of nostalgia and vitality, Alexandria remains a lyrical ode to the Mediterranean's enduring allure.
