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.
Alexandria is one of Egypt's safer major cities for tourists, with low rates of violent crime against visitors. The most common issues are overcharging, petty scams, traffic hazards, and - for women travelers - persistent street harassment. Egypt overall carries a US State Department Level 2 advisory (Exercise Increased Caution) due to terrorism and crime risk, with Do Not Travel guidance limited to North/Middle Sinai and parts of the Western Desert, areas far from Alexandria. Standard precautions make for a trouble-free visit to the city itself.
Current safety advisory
Moderate
Last updated: 2026-09
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Advises against all travel to North Sinai; advises against all but essential travel to parts of South Sinai and the Western Desert
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Alexandria is generally safe for tourists, with the main risks being petty theft, overcharging, and traffic rather than violent crime; standard city-travel precautions are sufficient for most visitors
Cross streets with caution - Alexandria's traffic is dense and fast-moving, crosswalks are often informal, and drivers do not reliably yield to pedestrians, including along the busy Corniche road
Agree on taxi fares before the ride or use a metered ride-hailing app (Uber or Careem), since street taxis frequently quote inflated tourist prices
Dress modestly, especially away from resort areas: covering shoulders and knees is respectful and reduces unwanted attention, particularly for women
Keep bags zipped and worn in front in crowded areas such as Downtown markets, the tram, and around major tourist sites, where pickpocketing can occur
Photography of military, police, and some government installations is prohibited; ask before photographing individuals, especially women
Carry a copy of your passport and visa rather than the original where practical, and keep the original secured at your accommodation
Political gatherings and demonstrations should be avoided; even peaceful protests can escalate quickly and are best observed from a distance
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unofficial 'guide' approaches
Self-appointed guides approach at Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs, and other sites offering to show hidden rooms or shortcuts, then aggressively demand a large tip
How to avoid: Politely decline and continue walking; book a licensed guide in advance through a reputable tour operator if guided commentary is wanted
Taxi meter avoidance
Street taxi drivers often claim the meter is broken or simply refuse to use it, then quote a price several times the fair fare, especially from the airport or major hotels
How to avoid: Use Uber or Careem for transparent metered pricing, or agree on a fare in Egyptian Pounds before entering a street taxi
Restaurant bill padding
Some tourist-area restaurants add unordered items, inflate the bread/service charge, or round the total up when presenting the bill
How to avoid: Check the printed menu prices before ordering, review the itemized bill, and pay only for what was ordered
Perfume and papyrus 'gift' scam
Shopkeepers or street vendors offer a 'free gift' of perfume oil, papyrus, or a scarab, then demand payment or refuse to let the visitor leave without buying something
How to avoid: Decline unsolicited 'free' items firmly and walk away; shop only at established stores with visible pricing
Currency confusion
Vendors or drivers may hand back incorrect change, relying on visitors being unfamiliar with Egyptian Pound denominations, especially with older and newer banknote designs
How to avoid: Familiarize yourself with EGP note denominations, count change before walking away, and carry a mix of small bills
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No mandatory vaccinations for most travelers; routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, diphtheria) should be up to date, and hepatitis A/B and typhoid are commonly recommended - consult a travel clinic before departure
- Water
- Tap water is treated but not recommended for drinking by most visitors; stick to sealed bottled water, and avoid ice in casual eateries unless the establishment is known to use purified ice
- Food
- Street food in Alexandria is widely eaten by locals and generally safe from busy, high-turnover stalls; choose vendors with visible demand, freshly cooked food, and good hygiene, and be cautious with raw salads and unpeeled fruit from informal vendors
- Facilities
- Alexandria has good private hospitals, including Alexandria International Hospital and As-Salam International Hospital; public hospitals are more variable in quality. Pharmacies (saydaliya) are widespread and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travel in Alexandria is generally manageable for both men and women who take standard precautions. The city's Downtown core and Corniche are walkable and well-trafficked during the day. Solo women face more frequent harassment than solo men (see female_safety). At night, stick to well-lit, busy areas, use ride-hailing apps rather than walking long distances alone, and let accommodation staff know your general plans for day trips outside the city.
Female travellers
Solo women travelers should be prepared for frequent unwanted attention, including staring, comments, and occasionally persistent following, particularly in crowded Downtown streets and around tourist sites. Serious violent incidents against tourists are rare, but street harassment is a genuine and common concern. Dressing modestly (covering shoulders and knees), walking with confidence, avoiding empty streets after dark, using ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street, and firmly declining unwanted conversation are practical measures many women travelers use. Joining a small-group tour or hiring a licensed female-friendly guide can ease solo exploration of sites like the Catacombs.
Families
Alexandria is a reasonably family-friendly city; the Corniche, public beaches, and major sites are manageable with children, though sidewalks can be uneven and traffic requires close supervision when crossing streets. Public restrooms at some sites are basic, so carry hand sanitizer and tissues. As with adults, dress modestly and keep valuables secure in crowds.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Egypt is socially conservative, and while homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized by name in the penal code, laws against 'debauchery' and 'public indecency' have been used to prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals, and there are no legal protections against discrimination. Public displays of affection between any couple, same-sex or otherwise, are discouraged. LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion, avoid public displays of affection, and be cautious about disclosing sexual orientation or gender identity to strangers, including on dating apps, which have reportedly been used in entrapment cases in Egypt.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Fire
- 180
- Tourist Police
- 126 (Tourist and Antiquities Police)
- General Emergency
- 122 (police) is the most universally used number for tourists needing assistance)
- Main Hospital
- Alexandria International Hospital, Al Muntazah, Alexandria
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Cairo: +20 2 2797 3300 (Alexandria has no US consulate; the Cairo embassy handles citizen services)
- Embassy Uk
- British Consulate-General Alexandria: +20 3 546 7001