Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city and its principal Mediterranean seaport, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and once home to the ancient world's greatest library and lighthouse. A long curving Corniche, Greco-Roman ruins, catacombs and a 15th-century seafront citadel give the city a character distinct from Cairo's Nile-side, desert-plateau landscape.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Alexandria.
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- Public and private beach clubs
- Sunbed and umbrella rental
- Cafes and seafood restaurants
- Palace gardens and promenade
- Parking within the gardens grounds
Montaza Beaches
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10am on Fridays and in July-August to find parking within the gardens and available sunbeds
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- Long public sandy beach
- Cabin and umbrella rental
- Beachside cafes and food stalls
- Family-oriented sections
- Public restrooms (basic)
Maamoura Beach
Editor’s tip. Avoid Fridays in July-August if crowds are a concern; the beach fills shoulder to shoulder on peak days
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- Sandy cove beach
- View of the suspension bridge
- Cafes and restaurants along the Corniche
- Cabin rental
- Central location near hotels
Stanley Beach
Editor’s tip. Combine a visit with photos of Stanley Bridge, best lit in the late afternoon and at sunset
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- Large public beach with numbered sections
- Cabin and umbrella rental
- Food and drink vendors
- Very high summer crowds
- Basic public facilities
Sidi Bishr Beach
Editor’s tip. Avoid Fridays in July-August unless heavy crowds are acceptable; sections fill by mid-morning
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- Public beach with cabins
- Cafes along the Corniche
- Umbrella and sunbed rental
- Popular with local families
- Nearby shopping streets
Miami Beach
Editor’s tip. Combine a beach visit with the Miami district's shopping streets just inland from the Corniche
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- Fine white sand
- Calmer, clearer water than the eastern beaches
- Private beach chalets and rental villas nearby
- Beach cafes and seafood restaurants
- Popular with Cairo weekenders and Alexandria residents
Agami and Bitash
Editor’s tip. Visit on weekdays for a much calmer, less crowded experience than the heavy weekend traffic
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- Public beach with rocky breakwaters
- Cabin rental
- Nearby cafes and shops
- Family-oriented crowd
- Basic public facilities
Cleopatra Beach
Editor’s tip. Bring water shoes for entry points near the rocky breakwaters, where footing can be uneven
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- Working fishing harbour views
- Proximity to Qaitbay Citadel
- Seafood restaurants and fish market nearby
- Small public beach sections
- Variable water quality near the harbour
Al Anfoushi Beach
Editor’s tip. Treat this as a scenic and culinary stop paired with the citadel rather than a primary swimming beach
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- Public beach with cabin rental
- Beachside cafes
- Local, low-key crowd
- Umbrella rental
- Basic public facilities
Asafra Beach
Editor’s tip. Choose Asafra over Sidi Bishr for a similar eastern-Alexandria beach day with noticeably fewer crowds
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Alexandria’s coast.
Is there an entrance fee for Montaza Beaches?
The Montaza Palace gardens charge a small entrance fee, and individual beach clubs within the grounds charge separately for sunbeds or cabins.
From the Montaza Beaches editorial.
Is Montaza good for families with children?
Yes, the sheltered coves and calm water within the palace gardens make it one of the more family-friendly beach areas in Alexandria.
From the Montaza Beaches editorial.
Is Maamoura Beach suitable for young children?
Yes, it has designated family sections and a mostly local family crowd, though the open shoreline can have more chop than the sheltered coves at nearby Montaza.
From the Maamoura Beach editorial.
How does Maamoura compare to Montaza?
Maamoura is a longer, more open public stretch with a local, budget-friendly feel, while Montaza's coves sit within the former royal palace gardens and skirt calmer water.
From the Maamoura Beach editorial.
Is Stanley Beach close to central Alexandria?
Yes, it is only about 3 km east of downtown and one of the most centrally located beaches in the city.
From the Stanley Beach editorial.
Is the water clean at Stanley Beach?
Water is generally clear near shore, though being an urban cove near the harbour it can carry more sediment after storms than beaches further east.
From the Stanley Beach editorial.
Why is Sidi Bishr Beach divided into numbered sections?
The beach runs for a long, largely uniform stretch, so locals use numbered sections as informal landmarks for meeting points and orientation.
From the Sidi Bishr Beach editorial.
Is Sidi Bishr Beach touristy?
No, it is primarily used by Alexandria residents and Egyptian day-trippers rather than international tourists.
From the Sidi Bishr Beach editorial.