Egypt’s 2nd greatest city, Alexandria, has a additional Mediterranean than Middle Eastern atmosphere and is acknowledged as ‘The Pearl of the Mediterranean’. Household to antiquities from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, Alexandria is excellent for a stopover on the way to Egypt’s amazing Mediterranean coast. Positioned to the north of Cairo on the Nile Delta in which the Nile meets the Mediterranean Sea, the city of Alexandria overlooks a series of bays with golden sandy beaches.
Buying in Alexandria is an practical experience not to be missed on your travel specials to Egypt. Stop by the gold and silver bazaars in El Manshiya and El Attareen, the fish market place on the Corniche Road to El Kashafa, the souvenir and 2nd-hand book merchants in the Attarin District and the bazaars on Al-Witwalli Street. Do not forget to haggle when producing a get as this is common in these components. Egypt is a primarily Muslim nation consequently males and lady ought to keep in mind to usually ‘cover up’ and by no means go out in revealing clothes or outfits.
Golfers can appreciate a round or two at Egypt’s oldest golf course at the Alexandria Sporting Club which was constructed in 1890 and at the Porto Marina Golf Course which consists of a championship course, a floodlit driving assortment with 20 tees and seven target greens.
Consuming out is a great expertise in Alexandria. Do not miss the conventional Egyptian mezzeh starters, lamb shwarma (the Egyptian equivalent of Turkish doner kebabs) and the scrumptious desserts such as honey pastries, dates soaked in milk and baked rice.
Areas to Stop by in Alexandria
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Opened in 2002 this fantastic piece of architecture which resembles a giant sundial is an beautiful reincarnation of the renowned ancient library of Alexandria. The authentic library was Dwelling to the biggest collection of manuscripts in the planet and was a key centre of finding out for 600 many years right up until it was burned down in the 3rd century.
The Mosque of Abu al-Abbas Al-Mursi
Situated south of Fort Qaitbay on the Corniche this is a amazing mosque which was developed on the ruins of the old Mosque in 1943. The mosque has a large minaret and 4 domes and is one of Alexandria’s most significant Islamic monuments. Girls are not permitted within the mosque suitable and may well only Check out a area at the back of the mosque.
El Alamein
The city of Al Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea is exactly where the battles concerning Montgomery and Rommel took spot all through the 2nd Globe War. Now cemeteries, war graves and monuments can be witnessed here as reminders of the city’s past historical past.
Fort Qaitbay
Now Property to a naval museum, this 15th century fort stands on the web-site of the authentic Pharos lighthouse which was destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century.
Ancient Alexandria below the Sea
A lot of ancient Alexandria lies beneath the sea. Take a diving excursion to uncover the city’s numerous archaeological ruins which are preserved in this giant underwater museum.
Alexandria has mild rainy winters and hot summers that can always be extremely humid. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures reaching 12C-18c and minimal temperatures of 5C. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures averaging 30C.
Mix your package holidays to Sharm el Sheikh or Cairo with a couple of days in this intriguing city for a excellent Egyptian holiday.
