Explore the Original Mediterranean City

Established by Alexander the Great, the city, underrated by many Cairenes and even Alexandrians themselves, boasts a vibrant café scene and Montazah’s private beaches — where you can cool off in the summer heat and work on your tan. Probably the most modern of Egypt’s cities, Alexandria’s streets, with aromas of grilled fish wafting in the air, are ideal for a stroll while taking in the city’s numerous historic sites.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, on El Geish street in Shatby, is an obligatory stop. It can hold up to 8 million books and hopes to put Alexandria back on the world’s cultural map. The Royal Jewelry Museum (27 Ahmed Yehia St.) and the Museum of Fine Arts (on Fenan Mohamed Hassan Street) are both also worth a visit.

Other interesting activities include diving tours of Cleopatra’s Palace, which takes you through the recently excavated “palace,” in essence a collection of statues and red-granite columns.

The heart of ancient Alexandria is Al-Nabi Daniel Street. The area comes replete with Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Roman monuments. Among them, St. Markus Church, the oldest church in Egypt and Africa, sits across from the Eliahu Hanabi Jewish Temple.

 Sahet El-Masaged (Square of the Mosques) is another worthwhile stop in El-Raml area, its ivory-colored domes and minarets visible from afar.

Alexandria also has an array of excellent coffee shops. Relax for a few hours away at Brazilian Coffee shop in Downtown, which has top-notch service and even better coffee. Et

Alexandria at a Glance

•  When to go? Spring and fall to avoid the hot, humid and crowded summers and rainy, cold winters.

•  Must see: The sunset from the sea wall outside the Qait Bey Fortress at the tip of the Eastern Harbor

•  Must eat: Alexandria boasts a unique version of koshary that omits the pasta found in the Cairene version and replaces brown lentils with yellow ones.

•  Must buy: Head down to Zan’it El-Sittat, a maze of alleys bursting with stalls with accessories like belts, scarves and costume jewelry.