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.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Qaitbay Citadel at Sunset
Best time: Sunset and blue hour, when the citadel silhouette glows against the Mediterranean sky
Tip: A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) captures the full fort with sky and sea; a polarizer cuts glare off the water. · Arrive at least an hour before sunset to claim tripod space on the crowded breakwater. · Expose for the sky at blue hour and let the fort go near-silhouette for the strongest contrast. · Nearest restrooms and cafes are along the Corniche a short walk toward El Anfoushi. · An entrance fee applies for the interior courtyard and ramparts; carry small Egyptian pound notes.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Exterior
Best time: Late afternoon golden hour, when low sun rakes across the granite disc facade
Tip: A wide-angle lens (16-24mm) fits the full curved facade from the plaza; a polarizer deepens the sky and cuts pool glare. · Shoot from the plaza's outer edge in late afternoon to avoid midday tour-group crowds. · Underexpose slightly at golden hour to hold detail in the pale granite carving. · Interior photography requires a ticket and is restricted in parts of the library; ask staff before using a tripod inside. · Public restrooms and cafes are available near the visitor entrance.
Stanley Bridge at Golden Hour
Best time: Sunset, when the bridge and beach turn warm gold and silhouettes form against the sky
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) covers both the full span and tighter architectural details. · Use an ND filter for a longer exposure that smooths the surf in the foreground. · Visit on a weekday evening to avoid the dense beach crowds of Thursday and Friday nights. · Protect gear from salt spray and blowing sand near the waterline. · Nearest cafes and restrooms line the Corniche a short walk from either end of the bridge.
Alexandria Corniche Panorama near the Eastern Harbour
Best time: Blue hour, when the curving Corniche and harbour lights trace the bay
Tip: A telephoto lens (70-200mm) compresses the curving coastline and distant citadel into one frame. · A slow shutter speed at blue hour captures light trails from Corniche traffic. · Set up close to the seawall to stay clear of the busy pedestrian sidewalk. · A polarizer helps cut glare off the harbour water in daytime shots. · Street food carts and cafes along the Corniche offer nearby refreshment and restrooms.
Montaza Palace Gardens
Best time: Early morning or late afternoon light filtering through the palm and pine gardens
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) covers both garden avenues and palace details; a polarizer helps with the sea and foliage. · Early morning light suits the shaded garden paths; late afternoon suits the palace facade and cliffs. · Visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds near the beach access points. · An entrance fee applies at the gate; keep small Egyptian pound notes on hand. · Water and shade are limited on the cliff paths, so carrying water is worthwhile in warmer months.
Downtown Tram Streets, Raml Station
Best time: Midday to catch trams in motion; blue hour for lit shopfronts and tram lights
Tip: A fast prime lens (35mm or 50mm, f/1.8 or faster) handles the low light near the market entrances. · A moderate shutter speed (around 1/60s) lets a passing tram blur slightly while buildings stay sharp. · Tripods are impractical on the crowded sidewalks; shoot handheld. · Acknowledge vendors before photographing them closely, as a matter of courtesy. · Comfortable walking shoes help for covering the district's narrow, uneven streets.
Kom el-Dikka Roman Amphitheatre
Best time: Midday when sunlight fills the sunken amphitheatre bowl; late afternoon for warm stone tones
Tip: A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) captures the full curve of the seating bowl from the upper platform. · A polarizer deepens the sky and reduces glare off the pale marble at midday. · Visit on a weekday morning for the fewest other visitors in frame. · There is little shade on site, so sun protection is worthwhile even outside midsummer. · An entrance fee applies at the gate; small Egyptian pound notes are useful.
Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum
Best time: Golden hour, when the single granite column glows against the sky
Tip: A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) exaggerates the column's height from a low angle. · A polarizer deepens the sky for a stronger silhouette against the granite. · Golden hour gives the warmest tone to the pink granite shaft. · A small flashlight helps for photographing the underground galleries. · An entrance fee applies at the gate; the site has little shade, so sun protection is useful.
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque
Best time: Late afternoon golden hour on the white facade and minaret; interior shots any time with permission
Tip: A wide-angle lens captures the full facade and minaret from across the square. · Late afternoon golden hour brings out the warmest tones on the white stone. · Modest dress is expected for interior photography; shoes are removed at the entrance. · Pause photography respectfully during the call to prayer and active services. · A tripod is usually fine in the courtyard where permitted by mosque staff.
Eastern Harbour Fishing Boats at Sunrise
Best time: Sunrise, when fishing boats return and the harbour glows
Tip: A standard-to-telephoto zoom (24-200mm) covers both wide harbour scenes and closer boat details. · Arrive before sunrise while the water is still glassy calm. · A small tripod helps for low-light, slow-shutter reflection shots just before dawn. · Greet fishermen briefly before photographing them closely, as a matter of courtesy. · The seawall promenade has no facilities this early; carry water if arriving before nearby cafes open.
Saad Zaghloul Square and Statue
Best time: Blue hour, when the square and surrounding Corniche lights come on
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) covers both the statue and surrounding architecture. · Blue hour, roughly 20-30 minutes after sunset, balances streetlights and sky color. · Early morning offers the calmest crowds for a clean shot of the statue. · A tripod works on the sidewalk if positioned clear of pedestrian traffic. · Cafes around the square offer nearby seating, restrooms, and refreshments.
Cecil Hotel Historic Facade
Best time: Morning or late afternoon side light on the Moorish-revival facade
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) with careful vertical correction keeps the tall facade's lines straight. · Morning or late-afternoon side light brings out the carved stone detail best. · A slightly elevated position across the square helps avoid pedestrian clutter in the foreground. · Interior photography of the lobby or rooms is best arranged as a guest or with staff permission. · Cafes in the square offer a place to wait out crowds between shots.
Mahmoud Said Museum Garden Villa
Best time: Soft morning light in the villa gardens
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) covers both garden paths and facade detail; a macro lens suits close-up flower shots. · Soft morning light filtering through the canopy is the most flattering for both garden and facade. · An entrance fee applies at the gate; small Egyptian pound notes are useful. · Interior gallery photography may be more restricted than the outdoor gardens; ask staff on arrival. · The shaded grounds stay comfortable even at midday, unlike more exposed sites nearby.
Attarine Antique Market Street
Best time: Midday, when market stalls are open and light filters between the buildings
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) or a fast prime handles the narrow alleys and low ambient light between buildings. · Late morning through early afternoon shows the market at its busiest and most visually active. · A tripod is impractical in the narrow, crowded lanes; shoot handheld. · A brief word with shopkeepers before photographing their stalls closely is a common courtesy. · Comfortable shoes help for navigating the uneven, narrow pavement.
Qaitbay Fort Fishermen's Harbour
Best time: Sunset, when the boats and the fort silhouette against the sky
Tip: A wide-angle to standard zoom (16-70mm) fits both the boats and the fort in one frame. · A tripod helps for a longer exposure on the water at sunset and blue hour. · Sunset gives the strongest silhouette of both the boats and the citadel. · No separate fee applies to the harbour walkway itself, only to entering the fort grounds. · The walkway can be uneven near the water's edge, so sturdy footwear is useful.
Alexandria National Museum Courtyard
Best time: Morning light on the neoclassical villa facade and courtyard
Tip: A standard zoom (24-70mm) comfortably frames the full villa facade from the courtyard or street. · Morning light gives the most even, flattering angle on the facade. · Arrive before mid-morning to avoid school groups and tour buses at the entrance. · Interior photography is subject to museum rules; a no-flash policy applies in some galleries. · The surrounding street has cafes and shops nearby for a break between shots.
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Alexandria's strengths.
Sunrise photography
Eastern Harbour near Qaitbay Citadel for fishing boats returning at dawn; Corniche panorama near Ras el-Tin for calm morning light on the curving bay
Sunset photography
Qaitbay Citadel and Stanley Bridge for gold-lit silhouettes against the Mediterranean; Bibliotheca Alexandrina for late-afternoon light raking across the granite disc facade
Architecture photography
Cecil Hotel's Moorish-revival facade on Saad Zaghloul Square; Bibliotheca Alexandrina's carved-script exterior wall; the Belle Epoque buildings of Downtown Alexandria
Street photography
Downtown tram streets near Raml Station for the century-old yellow trams; Attarine antique market street for narrow-alley market scenes
Religious sites photography
Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque's white Mamluk-revival facade at golden hour, exteriors and interior with modest dress and permission
Night photography
Saad Zaghloul Square and the Corniche at blue hour, when harbour lights and passing trams add motion and color
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
- Sunrise
- 5:30-6:30 AM June-August / 6:30-7:30 AM October-April — best for the Eastern Harbour fishing boats and Corniche panoramas
- Midday
- Useful for Kom el-Dikka's sunken amphitheatre bowl and the Attarine market's narrow, light-filtered alleys
- Sunset
- 7:30-8:15 PM June-July / 6:00-6:45 PM September-October / 4:45-5:15 PM December-February — best for Qaitbay Citadel, Stanley Bridge, and Pompey's Pillar
- Blue Hour
- 20-40 minutes after sunset — ideal for Saad Zaghloul Square, the Corniche waterfront, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina exterior
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.