Alexandria

Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in 331 BC, and for centuries it was the capital of learning in the ancient world, with its library and its lighthouse. Today it stretches along the Mediterranean with a long corniche of sea, classical buildings and cafés, about three hours from Cairo by car or train.

The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened in 2002 near the site of the ancient library, with a vast reading room, museums and exhibitions. At the tip of the Eastern Harbour stands the Citadel of Qaitbay, built by Sultan al-Ashraf Qaitbay in the 15th century on the site of the ancient lighthouse.

In the east of the city lie the Montaza gardens and their royal palace above the sea, and from Alexandria the North Coast runs west to New Alamein and its summer resorts. The city is known for grilled fish and prawns by the water and for its family summers.