Most short Egypt trips go south to Luxor. This one goes north instead, about three hours up the desert road to Alexandria, the city Alexander the Great founded in 331 BC and the Ptolemies made the capital of the Mediterranean world. It suits travellers who have already seen Upper Egypt, those with a real interest in the Greek and Roman story, and anyone who wants Egypt in under a week without an internal flight.
The Cairo half covers the essentials with a private Egyptologist: the pyramids and the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Saqqara and Islamic Cairo. In Alexandria you see the city's Roman underground tombs, the granite column on the hill of the Serapeum, the Mamluk fort built on the site of the Pharos lighthouse and the modern library that revived the city's most famous name.
Alexandria is also a change of pace: a seafront Corniche, old cafés and fish restaurants where you choose your catch by weight. Two nights lets you see the sights without hurrying and still have an evening by the harbour.
Journey highlights
- The Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx at opening time
- The Grand Egyptian Museum's Tutankhamun galleries and Solar Boat of Khufu
- Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the Citadel of Saladin
- The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, where Egyptian gods wear Roman armour
- Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum's sphinxes and underground galleries
- Sunset at the Citadel of Qaitbay, on the site of the Pharos lighthouse
- The Bibliotheca Alexandrina's great tilted reading room and Antiquities Museum
- A seafood dinner on Alexandria's Eastern Harbour
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Arrive in Cairo
You are met inside the terminal at Cairo International Airport, helped through visa and immigration, and driven to your Giza hotel, about 45–60 minutes away. The rest of the day is free to recover from the flight.
- Day2
Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Arrive at the Giza Plateau at opening time for the Great Pyramid, Khafre's and Menkaure's pyramids, the panoramic viewpoint and the Sphinx. After lunch, spend the afternoon in the Grand Egyptian Museum, a couple of kilometres away, with the complete Tutankhamun collection and the 4,500-year-old Solar Boat of Khufu.
- Day3
Saqqara and Islamic Cairo
Drive about 45 minutes south to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the painted Old Kingdom tombs, with a short stop at Memphis for the colossal statue of Ramesses II. Return to the city for the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, then an evening in Khan el-Khalili.
- Day4
Drive to Alexandria: Kom el-Shoqafa, Pompey's Pillar and Qaitbay
Leave after breakfast for the desert road to Alexandria, about 220 km and roughly three hours. Descend the spiral staircase into the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, then walk about ten minutes to Pompey's Pillar, the 27-metre granite column raised for Diocletian around AD 297, and the Serapeum's galleries. In the late afternoon, explore the Citadel of Qaitbay as the light turns gold over the harbour.
- Day5
Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Corniche
Spend the morning at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, opened in 2002, with its terraced reading room and Antiquities Museum. In the afternoon choose between the Roman theatre and mosaics at Kom el-Dikka, the Alexandria National Museum, or the gardens of Montaza at the eastern end of the Corniche. Finish with seafood by the Eastern Harbour.
- Day6
Return to Cairo and depart
Drive back to Cairo International Airport, about 3–3.5 hours, for your flight home. If your flight leaves late, we can stop at the monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun, halfway along the desert road.
Where you’ll stay
| Location | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Cairo (Giza), 3 nights | Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo or similar |
| Alexandria, 2 nights | Steigenberger Cecil Hotel or similar |
What’s included
- 5 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every touring day
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver, including Cairo–Alexandria–Cairo
- Standard entry fees to all sites in the itinerary
- Airport meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Bottled water in the vehicle and 24/7 local support
Not included
- International flights from Australia (we can quote and book these)
- Egypt visa fee
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Entry inside the Great Pyramid and other optional tickets
- Lunches, dinners and drinks
- Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Destinations on this journey
Cairo and Alexandria in 6 Days: Pyramids, the Mediterranean and Graeco-Roman Egypt: FAQs
How far is Alexandria from Cairo?
About 220 km, roughly three hours by private car on the desert road, depending on traffic at each end. Trains also run between the two cities in about 2.5–3 hours. Our Alexandria day trip guide covers the options if you only have one day.
Why stay overnight rather than visit Alexandria as a day trip?
A day trip means about six hours in the car and only time for the main sights. Staying two nights lets you see Qaitbay at sunset, give the Bibliotheca Alexandrina a proper morning and enjoy the city's seafront in the evening.
What is special about the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa?
They are a Roman-era tomb complex of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD where Anubis appears in Roman armour and Egyptian gods share walls with Greek-style columns. Our Kom el-Shoqafa guide explains what you will see.
Can we visit El Alamein?
Yes. El Alamein, where the 9th Australian Division and the 2nd New Zealand Division fought in 1942, is about 110 km west of Alexandria. Adding a third Alexandria night makes it an unhurried half-day trip.
Is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina open every day?
It has historically closed on Fridays, and hours change, so we check before you travel and swap the Alexandria days if needed. Monuments' ticket details are listed on egymonuments.gov.eg.
Can we add Luxor?
Yes. Two or three nights in Luxor, about an hour's flight from Cairo, turns this into a well-rounded trip. Compare it with Cairo and Luxor in 6 days.
