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.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Dress modestly in public: shoulders and knees covered for women, long trousers for men away from beach clubs and hotel pools
Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) or a simple 'Ahlan' and a handshake; men should wait for a woman to extend her hand first
Carry small EGP notes for baksheesh (tipping), expected for parking attendants, restroom staff, and anyone who opens a door or carries a bag
During Ramadan, many restaurants close or shade their windows during daylight fasting hours; eating or drinking openly on the street is discouraged even for non-fasting visitors
Friday is the Muslim holy day; many shops and offices open late morning or close around midday prayer time, and streets are quieter until afternoon
Alexandria's layered Greek, Jewish, Coptic, and Ottoman past is visible in its churches, the restored Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, and old cemeteries; treat these sites respectfully and ask before photographing worshippers
Bargaining is expected in souks such as Attarine and Manshia but not in malls, supermarkets, or metered taxis with fixed fares
Public displays of affection beyond hand-holding are frowned upon; alcohol is available in licensed hotels, bars, and some restaurants but is not sold or consumed openly on the street
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress modestly, especially in Downtown, Attarine, and Mansheya away from the Corniche and beach areas
- Greet shopkeepers and hosts with 'As-salamu alaykum' or 'Ahlan wa sahlan'
- Accept a small glass of tea or coffee if offered in a shop; it is a normal part of hospitality, not an obligation to buy
- Bargain politely and with good humor in the souks; a smile gets a better price than a firm tone
- Remove shoes before entering a mosque and cover your head (women) with a scarf if entering the prayer hall
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women and worshippers at religious sites
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving items
- Respect Ramadan fasting hours if visiting during that month; look for hotels and tourist restaurants that still serve daytime meals discreetly
Don't
- Don't wear shorts, sleeveless tops, or swimwear away from the beach, hotel pool, or private club
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke openly on the street during Ramadan daylight hours
- Don't refuse offered tea, coffee, or hospitality abruptly; a polite decline is fine, a blunt no can cause offense
- Don't photograph military or government buildings, checkpoints, or uniformed personnel
- Don't show the soles of your feet toward someone or point at people with your foot
- Don't expect Cairo-style nightlife; Alexandria is far more conservative after dark and most venues wind down earlier
- Don't raise your voice or argue loudly in public; calm, respectful discussion is valued over confrontation
- Don't drink alcohol in public spaces outside licensed hotels, bars, and restaurants
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- A handshake with 'As-salamu alaykum' (reply: 'Wa alaykum as-salam') is standard between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand before shaking, and a hand-over-heart nod is an accepted alternative greeting with the opposite sex
- Dining
- Meals are often shared from communal platters; wait for the eldest or host to begin, eat and pass dishes with the right hand, and expect long, unhurried lunches with strong Turkish-style coffee or mint tea to finish
- Dress
- Smart casual with covered shoulders and knees for religious sites and traditional neighborhoods; resort and beachwear is accepted only at hotel pools, beach clubs, and the immediate seafront
- Gifts
- Sweets, pastries, or fruit are welcome gifts when visiting a home; avoid alcohol as a gift unless you know the host drinks, and present items with the right hand
- Business
- Relationships and trust-building matter before deals are discussed; meetings may start later than scheduled, handshakes and warm small talk are expected, and business cards are exchanged with the right hand
- Tipping
- Baksheesh is woven into daily life: 10-15% in restaurants if service isn't already included, EGP 10-20 for porters and parking attendants, and small notes for anyone who provides a small service such as opening a door or guiding you
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
As-salamu alaykum
Hello / Peace be upon you
as-sa-LAAM ah-LAY-koom
Ahlan
Hello (informal)
AH-lan
Shukran
Thank you
SHOOK-ran
Min fadlak / Min fadlik (to a man/woman)
Please
min FAD-lak / min FAD-lik
Aywa / La'a
Yes / No
AY-wah / LA-ah
Bikam da?
How much is this?
BI-kam da
El fatura, low samaht
The bill, please
el fa-TOO-ra, loh sa-MAHT
Fein...?
Where is...?
FAYN
Lau samaht / Aasif
Excuse me / Sorry
law sa-MAHT / AA-sif
Betetkallem Ingleezi?
Do you speak English?
be-tet-KAL-lem in-GLEE-zee
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Alexandria.
Main: Sunni Islam is the majority religion in Alexandria and across Egypt; a historic Coptic Orthodox Christian minority (roughly a tenth of the population nationally) has deep roots in the city, and Alexandria was historically home to significant Greek Orthodox and Jewish communities dating to antiquity, now much reduced in number
Sites: Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue (Nabi Daniel Street), the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, the Coptic Orthodox Church of St Mark (the historic seat of Alexandria's church, founded by St Mark the Evangelist), Al-Mursi Abul Abbas Mosque, and Qaitbay Citadel area mosques
Holy Days: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (dates shift yearly with the Islamic lunar calendar), the Holy Month of Ramadan, Coptic Christmas on January 7, and Coptic Easter (a different date than Western Easter); many businesses adjust hours or close around these observances
Conversations: Religious identity is taken seriously and generally discussed respectfully rather than debated; visitors should avoid casual jokes about religion, dress modestly near mosques and churches, and expect frequent everyday references to God such as 'Insha'Allah' (God willing) and 'Alhamdulillah' (praise be to God)