Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city, a Mediterranean port stretching along a broad curving corniche on the country's northern coast. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, it was once home to the ancient Great Library and the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today Alexandria mixes Greco-Roman ruins, Ottoman-era forts, Belle Époque architecture, and a lively seafood and fishing culture along a coastline of sandy bays.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Alexandria.
-
- family-friendly cove beneath a landmark bridge, mix of free and paid sections
- Public and paid beach sections
- Cafes and restaurants along the bay
- Changing areas
- Views of the Stanley Bridge
- Nearby parking along the Corniche
Stanley Beach
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10am on summer weekends to find Corniche parking near the bridge
-
- busy local family beach, budget-friendly with street food vendors
- Free public beach sections
- Beachfront cafes
- Changing cabins for rent
- Street food vendors
- Bus and microbus stop nearby
Miami Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of summer weekends
-
- upscale garden-set beach within a royal palace complex, family-friendly
- Paid beach access within the Montaza Gardens
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for rent
- Cafes and restaurants in the gardens
- Palace and royal garden grounds nearby
- Parking within the Montaza complex
Montaza Beach
Editor’s tip. Buy garden-and-beach tickets at the main entrance rather than at the beach concessions to avoid extra queuing
-
- calm, ticketed family beach, cleaner and quieter than the free public stretches
- Gated, ticketed beach access
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for rent
- Cafes and restaurants
- Cleaner, less crowded sand than nearby public beaches
- On-site parking
Maamoura Beach
Editor’s tip. Bring cash for the entrance ticket, as card payment is not always available at the gate
-
- packed local beach, busy and budget-friendly, tied to a major transport hub
- Free public beach
- Small kiosks and food stalls
- Very crowded in peak summer
- Close to Sidi Bishr transport hub
- Basic changing facilities
Sidi Bishr Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit early morning or on weekdays to avoid the extreme crowding of summer weekends
-
- resort-adjacent city beach beside a shopping mall, mixed local and tourist crowd
- Public beach section beside the San Stefano area
- Nearby shopping mall and cafes
- Sunbeds available for rent in season
- Showers
- Easy Corniche access
Cleopatra Beach (San Stefano)
Editor’s tip. Combine a beach visit with the San Stefano mall for shopping or air-conditioned breaks from the heat
-
- close-to-downtown local beach, simple and convenient for a quick swim
- Free public beach
- Cafes and juice stalls along the Corniche
- Popular with local families
- Basic changing areas
- Bus and microbus access
Glim (Al Gleem) Beach
Editor’s tip. Use the Raml Station tram terminus as a starting point for a short taxi ride to the beach
-
- quiet residential neighborhood beach, low-key and mostly local
- Free and low-cost paid sections
- Beach cafes
- Popular with local residents
- Basic showers
- Bus stop nearby
Asafra Beach
Editor’s tip. Visit for a quieter, less touristy alternative to the busier beaches on either side
-
- upscale summer chalet community, clearer water and a breezier open coastline
- Fine white sand, among the best near the city
- Private beach chalets and cabins for rent
- Beach clubs and restaurants
- Clearer water than the eastern city beaches
- Parking available in season
Agami Beach (Al-Agami)
Editor’s tip. Book beach club access or a sunbed in advance during peak July and August weekends
-
- youthful summer resort scene, gated beach clubs and nightlife along the North Coast
- Gated resort beaches with fine white sand
- Beach clubs, restaurants, and bars
- Turquoise, clear Mediterranean water
- Sunbeds and watersports rental
- Resort parking and security
Marina Beach (North Coast)
Editor’s tip. Confirm which specific resort or beach club is accessible before traveling, since Marina is divided into gated compounds
-
- working fishing harbor town, low-key with strong seafood-dining draw
- Free public beach
- Fresh seafood restaurants nearby
- Fishing harbor atmosphere
- Basic facilities
- Bus and microbus access
Abu Qir Beach
Editor’s tip. Plan a seafood lunch or dinner at one of the harbor-front restaurants as part of the visit
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 Stanley Beach free to enter?
Parts of Stanley Beach are open to the public at no charge, while other sections are operated as paid beach clubs with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
From the Stanley Beach editorial.
Is Stanley Beach good for families?
Yes, the sheltered cove keeps the water relatively calm, and the paid sections offer shaded seating and food close to the sand, which suits families with young children.
From the Stanley Beach editorial.
Is Miami Beach in Alexandria free?
Yes, most of Miami Beach is open to the public without an entrance fee, unlike gated beach clubs elsewhere in the city.
From the Miami Beach editorial.
How crowded does Miami Beach get?
It is one of the busiest beaches in Alexandria during July and August, when local families fill the sand from morning to evening.
From the Miami Beach editorial.
Does Montaza Beach charge an entrance fee?
Yes, access to the beach areas within Montaza Palace Gardens requires a paid entrance ticket, which also covers the gardens and palace grounds.
From the Montaza Beach editorial.
Is Montaza Beach good for families?
Yes, the mix of sheltered coves, garden scenery, and on-site food makes it one of the more family-friendly paid beaches in eastern Alexandria.
From the Montaza Beach editorial.
Is Maamoura Beach free to enter?
No, Maamoura Beach is a gated, ticketed beach, which is part of why it stays cleaner and less crowded than the free public sections nearby.
From the Maamoura Beach editorial.
Is Maamoura Beach good for families?
Yes, the calmer, ticketed setting and on-site amenities make it a popular choice for local families looking for a quieter beach day.
From the Maamoura Beach editorial.