Alexandria: Egypt's Mediterranean city and the gateway to the North Coast
Alexandria offers sea air, history and seafood about 220 km from Cairo — and it is the natural stop on the way to the North Coast resorts in summer.
Why Gulf families like Alexandria
Alexandria feels different from Cairo: a long seafront, a cooler breeze and a slower pace. In summer, the average high in August, the hottest month, is about 30°C, and the hot-weather season runs roughly from June to mid-October (WeatherSpark). That makes it a comfortable summer base compared with inland Egypt, and a pleasant city break in spring and autumn.
The Corniche
The Corniche curves along the Eastern Harbour and beyond — the best way to feel the city. Families walk it at sunset, stop for ice cream and fresh juice, and watch the fishing boats. With a driver you can follow it from the city centre east towards Montaza, stopping at the viewpoints along the way. Choose a sea-facing hotel room if you can; the view is a large part of the stay.
Packages
North Coast (Sahel) Summer — 5 Nights
The Mediterranean summer coast west of Alexandria: turquoise water, gated resorts and family chalets from El Alamein to Marassi.
Cairo Family Stay & Discover — 5 Nights
A serviced apartment in a calm district, a car with driver for the big days, and the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum with your own Egyptologist.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The modern library, inaugurated on 16 October 2002 near the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria, is more than a reading room (Bibliotheca Alexandrina). Inside are museums including an Antiquities Museum and a Manuscript Museum, a planetarium, art galleries and permanent exhibitions. It is a good half-day with older children; check opening days and any visitor rules before you go.
Qaitbay Citadel
Sultan Qaitbay built this fortress between 1477 and 1479 on the site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, at the entrance to the Eastern Harbour (Citadel of Qaitbay). Children enjoy the walls, towers and sea views; adults enjoy the story. Late afternoon light is lovely here, and the seafood restaurants of the Anfushi area are close by for dinner.
Montaza gardens
East of the centre, the former royal estate of Montaza sits above a Mediterranean beach. Its palaces date from 1892 and 1932, and the large gardens are now a public park (Montaza Palace). It is a green, shaded place for a family walk, a picnic or simply a quieter afternoon by the sea.
Seafood and Alexandrian food
Alexandria is known for fish chosen fresh and grilled or fried to order, with rice, salads and tahini. Many restaurants let you pick your fish by weight — ask the price per kilo before ordering. We can suggest family-friendly places. Do also try the city's sweets and its famous liver sandwiches if the children are adventurous.
Two days in Alexandria: a simple plan
- Day 1: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in the morning, a light lunch, Qaitbay Citadel in the late afternoon, then seafood in Anfushi and a walk on the Corniche.
- Day 2: the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa for history lovers, Montaza gardens in the afternoon, then on to the North Coast or back to Cairo.
With small children, keep midday for rest at the hotel.
Gateway to the North Coast
The North Coast (Sahel) resorts stretch west of Alexandria along the Mediterranean, and in summer they are where many Egyptian and Gulf families spend their holidays. A common plan is two nights in Alexandria for the city, then five nights in a resort or a private chalet on the coast. Read our North Coast guide and compare the North Coast summer package below.
Getting there and getting around
From Cairo, the faster trains take about 2.5 hours, and the drive is roughly the same, depending on traffic (PlanetWare). For families with luggage, a private car with a driver is usually easier, and it stays with you for the Corniche and Montaza. We arrange it with a licensed Egyptian transport company, which operates and invoices the service: a sedan with driver 375–560 SAR per day or a family van 790–1,125 SAR per day. See transport options.
How Hayakkom helps
Tell us your dates, family size and whether you want city, coast or both. We suggest hotels and chalets, coordinate the driver and guides with licensed providers, and stay on WhatsApp during the trip. If someone needs a doctor, we can arrange a hotel doctor visit. You can also start your trip in Cairo with our Cairo family stay.
Sedan or family van, with a professional driver
Airport pickup, day trips, and the road between Cairo and the coast — in a clean, air-conditioned car with a driver who knows the way. Cars and drivers are provided by a licensed tourist transport company; Hayakkom books and coordinates them for you and stays on WhatsApp throughout.
| Option | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Sedan with driver, full day (8–10 h) | 375–560 SAR |
| Family van with driver, full day | 790–1,125 SAR |
| Cairo airport ↔ city, one way | 65–310 SAR per vehicle |
Questions people ask
How far is Alexandria from Cairo?
About 220 km. The faster trains take around 2.5 hours, and a private car takes roughly the same depending on traffic. A driver is usually easiest for families with luggage.
When is the best time to visit Alexandria?
For the sea and beaches, June to mid-October, with August averaging about 30°C. Spring and autumn are pleasant for sightseeing. Winter is cooler and can be rainy and windy.
Should we stay in Alexandria or on the North Coast?
Many families do both: two nights in Alexandria for the Corniche, the library, Qaitbay and seafood, then a resort or chalet on the North Coast for a calm beach week.
Can Hayakkom book a car with a driver in Alexandria?
We coordinate it with a licensed transport company that operates and invoices the service. Indicative rates are 375–560 SAR a day for a sedan and 790–1,125 SAR for a family van.
Hayakkom specialities
Where Gulf families book most with us — each with a written, itemised quote before you pay.
Our specialityNorth Coast villasPrivate villas and chalets in gated Sahel resorts · 900–3,750 SAR a night in Jul–AugExplore →
Families & eventsNile cruise for families and eventsLuxor to Aswan · from 1,650 SAR per person for 4 nightsExplore →
5-star stays5-star hotels in Sharm el-SheikhFamily packages · 3,500–9,700 SAR per room for 5 nightsExplore →Plan it with us on WhatsApp
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We reply in Arabic or English with a written, itemised quote.
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