Fishing boats in Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour with Qaitbay Citadel behind

Egypt · Destination guide

Alexandria, Egypt

Best seasonApril–May and October for warm sightseeing; winter needs rain layers

CurrencyEgyptian pound (EGP)

Plug typesC, F · 220 VCheck adapter →

Time zoneAfrica/Cairo (UTC+3)

Emergency number123 (ambulance), 180 (fire), 122 (police), 126 (tourist police)

Destination guide

A first look at Alexandria

Alexandria pairs Mediterranean views with very different kinds of history: Qaitbay’s seafront defences, Roman streets at Kom el-Dikka and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Keep each outing compact, leave room for a ful-and-taameya meal Downtown, and use a separate transfer for Stanley Bridge rather than walking the entire coast.

Explore our Alexandria guides

A coastal view of Alexandria's promenade featuring iconic architecture and a vibrant cityscape.

A first weekend in Alexandria: harbour, ruins and the Bibliotheca

Spacious interior view of Bibliotheca Alexandrina showcasing wooden study areas and computers.

Visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina: tours, tickets and exhibitions

View of ancient Roman ruins against a modern urban backdrop, capturing history's blend with contemporary architecture.

Kom el-Dikka: reading Alexandria’s Roman quarter

Weather guide

Weather in Alexandria

Mediterranean Alexandria has warm, largely dry summers and cooler winters with appreciable rain. A seafront breeze can make an evening feel cool even after a sunny afternoon; exposed ruins need sun protection. Carry a rain layer for winter outings and check coastal weather before long walks.

25–29°C

Warm days with cooler evenings

October · representative month, not a forecast

Evenings: 17–21°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Plan unfamiliar walks in daylight

See weather details →

What this means for packing

Use light daytime clothing for the Roman paths and a jumper for a later Stanley stop. October can bring showers again, so check the forecast before leaving the rain shell behind and keep an indoor library option in mind. Use this list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities tailored to your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Packing bands are approximately 2°C either side of rounded monthly mean daily maximum (27.4°C) and minimum (18.6°C), from Egypt’s WMO 1981–2010 Alexandria normals. Mean rainfall is 7.8 mm; rain days use a 0.01 mm threshold. These historical bands are not forecasts or extremes. Check the forecast before travelling.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO — Alexandria 1981–2010 climate normals

About the climate in Alexandria

Packing guide

What to wear in Alexandria in August.

An example packing list for Alexandria in August

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

Underwear
Bras (if worn)
Socks
Sleepwear
Breathable tops
Trousers or long skirt
Comfortable closed walking shoes
Sun hat
Light jumper
Light layer for indoor cooling
Scarf for religious-site coverage (if required)
Swimwear (if visiting a permitted beach or pool)

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash or soap
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Personal hygiene products (if used)

Essentials

Passport
Travel tickets and booking confirmations
Wallet and payment cards
Cash in Egyptian pounds
Phone
Charging cable and charger
Travel adapter (if needed)
Medication (if needed)
Glasses (if used)
Secure day bag
Drinking water
Sunglasses
Saved accommodation directions
Compact rain shell (if rain is forecast)

Monthly weather and packing notes

August’s historical temperatures are near the city’s annual peak. Choose loose fabrics for the fort and Roman ruins, keep sunscreen and water accessible, and pack a separate dry outfit if a permitted beach visit is planned. Use this list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities tailored to your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Daytime: 28–32°C
Evenings: 22–26°C
Rain: Usually dry
Daylight: Plan unfamiliar walks in daylight
Packing style: Light breathable clothing and an indoor layer

Packing bands are approximately 2°C either side of rounded monthly mean daily maximum (30.4°C) and minimum (23.9°C), from Egypt’s WMO 1981–2010 Alexandria normals. Mean rainfall is 0.0 mm; rain days use a 0.01 mm threshold. These historical bands are not forecasts or extremes. Check the forecast before travelling.

Outfit ideas for your outings

August Qaitbay and harbour outing

Comfortable walking shoes
Breathable top
Sun hat
Water bottle
Removable light layer

Bibliotheca visit

Comfortable clothing
Light indoor layer
Small day bag
Booking information

Kom el-Dikka archaeology visit

Closed walking shoes
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Loose breathable clothing

What to leave behind

Only beach sandals: archaeological paths and busy city approaches need comfortable walking footwear.
Specialist outdoor equipment solely for urban sightseeing; include it only for a separately planned activity.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO — Alexandria 1981–2010 climate normals

Transport guide

Getting around Alexandria

Walk within a chosen area, then use a licensed taxi or booked car between the fort, central ruins, library and Stanley. Raml tram reconstruction affects the familiar seafront transport network: do not base an itinerary on an old tram map. Consult Alexandria Passenger Transport Authority’s mobile website for routes and current notices; no official native journey-planning or phone-ticket app was confirmed. Confirm the bus route and fare before boarding and follow staff instructions for payment; online purchase or phone activation is not verified. Uber officially serves Alexandria and offers app or web ride requests: it books a car, not public-transport tickets, and availability varies. Check pickup details and allow for Corniche traffic. Intercity rail tickets are separate from city buses; do not assume a Cairo ticket includes an onward urban journey.

Alexandria Passenger Transport Authority — routes and notices
Official Arabic-language mobile website for bus/tram routes and notices; verify current operations before travel.
National Authority for Tunnels — Raml tram works, March 2026
Official reconstruction update; older tram itineraries may be unusable.
Uber — Alexandria service and app guidance
Local ride-booking guidance with app access; car booking, not a bus or tram planner.
Uber — app download
Download the official ride-request app; check fare, pickup and payment method in your account.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language: Arabic
Calling code: +20

Useful essentials for Alexandria

Comfortable walking shoes
Breathable tops
Trousers or long skirt
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Secure day bag
Water bottle
Removable evening layer

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: Diego F. Parra / Pexels

A first look at Alexandria