Relaxed, high-quality, and free from the midday heat – experience Alexandria instead of just ticking it off your list
In the height of summer, the same rule applies in Alexandria as almost everywhere else in Egypt: start early, get out of the sun at midday, and enjoy the evening after sunset.
That’s why we’ve deliberately designed the itinerary so that active sightseeing takes place in the early morning, the afternoon is reserved for the pool, the hotel, a siesta, or the sea, and the city is experienced in its most beautiful atmosphere in the evening.
Arrival in Alexandria and transfer to your hotel.
After an early breakfast, we head to the Citadel of Qaitbay, an impressive 15th-century fortress on the coast of Alexandria. It was built between 1477 and 1479 by the Mamluk sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay to protect the city from naval attacks. Its location is particularly significant: the fortress stands on the ruins of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Parts of the building material from the destroyed lighthouse were reused in the construction of the citadel. In the morning, the light is fantastic, the temperatures are still pleasant, and the view over the harbor and the Mediterranean Sea is magnificent.
Next, we will visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library of Alexandria, which opened in 2002 as the successor to the famous ancient library. The striking, disc-shaped building houses millions of books, several museums, exhibitions, research centers, and event spaces. Today, it is regarded as a major international center for knowledge, culture, and scientific exchange.
A short, relaxing drive along the famous coastal road (“Corniche”), with a stop for Arabic coffee or tea, fresh mango or guava juice, and a view of the Mediterranean Sea. Around noon, we head back to the hotel. We spend the hottest hours of the day by the pool, swimming in the sea, getting a massage, or simply relaxing in our cool hotel room.
You will be accompanied by a qualified German-speaking tour guide on this day.
Around 7:30 p.m. is a good time to head to a seafood restaurant right on the waterfront, because Alexandria without seafood is practically unthinkable. The evening is all about fresh fish, mezze, shrimp, calamari, and a long, relaxed dinner with a sea breeze. Our recommendation: “Fish Market” or “Kadoura,” two spots that are quite popular with the locals.
After breakfast, we’ll first head to the Serapeum, one of the most significant temples of antiquity. It was built in the 3rd century B.C. and was dedicated to the god Serapis, who combined elements of Egyptian and Greek religion. The temple was an important religious and cultural center and likely also housed a significant library as part of the tradition of the Library of Alexandria. Today, only a few remains are preserved, including the nearby Column of Pompey, a Roman granite column from the 3rd century AD that stands about 27 meters tall and was erected in honor of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Next, we’ll visit the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, which are among the most significant ancient burial sites in Egypt. They were likely built in the 2nd century AD and combine Egyptian, Greek, and Roman stylistic elements. The multi-level underground complex consists of burial chambers, corridors, and halls that were originally built for a wealthy family and later expanded. Particularly noteworthy are the ornate reliefs and sculptures, which reflect the cultural diversity of Alexandria at that time. The catacombs were discovered by chance in the early 20th century and are now among the city’s most important archaeological sites.
To wrap up this morning’s sightseeing, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the Montaza Gardens, a sprawling park on the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria. They surround the historic Montaza Palace, which was built in the late 19th century as a royal summer residence. The gardens are known for their well-manicured lawns, exotic plants, palm trees, and magnificent views of the sea. Today, they are among the city’s most popular recreational and tourist destinations for locals.
You will be accompanied by a qualified German-speaking tour guide on this day.
Around noon, we head back to the hotel. We spend the hottest part of the day by the pool, swimming in the ocean, getting a massage, or just relaxing in our cool hotel room.
Around 7:30 p.m., we’ll take our guests out for a traditional Middle Eastern dinner. Mezze, grilled dishes, and a Middle Eastern atmosphere at “Balbaa Village,” or, for a more rustic and particularly authentic Egyptian experience, at “Mohamed Ahmed.”
Transfer to the Siwa Oasis (approx. 7 hours of driving time). Transfer to your booked hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
In the heart of the mystical oasis of Siwa stands one of the most fascinating sites of ancient Egypt: the Temple of the Oracle of Amun. Surrounded by desert, salt lakes, and palm groves, this sacred site served for centuries as a spiritual center that attracted travelers, priests, and rulers from across the ancient world. The temple became particularly famous following a visit by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. According to legend, Alexander consulted the famous oracle here, which confirmed him as the rightful ruler and son of the god Amun. This event made the remote oasis known worldwide and gave it an almost mythical reputation. Today, the temple ruins offer a unique insight into the history and spirituality of ancient Egypt. Visitors can walk among the ancient stone walls, let their gaze wander over the vast desert landscape, and experience the special atmosphere of this historic site.
The Siwa Oasis is home to numerous salt lakes, many of which are known for their intense turquoise color. We offer our guests the opportunity to take a dip in one of these lakes. Thanks to their exceptionally high salt content, the lakes effortlessly buoy visitors on the water’s surface, much like the Dead Sea. Travelers enjoy the weightless sensation of floating in the warm water while also appreciating the mineral-rich composition, which is considered beneficial for the skin and body.
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To round off this day of sightseeing, we take our guests to the small island of Fetnas Island, located in the oasis’s largest lake. There, we enjoy a beautiful sunset before returning to the hotel for dinner.
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The “Mountain of the Dead” is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Siwa Oasis. The cone-shaped hill rises at the edge of the oasis and contains hundreds of tombs carved into the rock dating from the Greco-Roman period. The artfully designed burial chambers continue to impress visitors today with their ancient wall paintings, hieroglyphs, and religious symbols, which offer insights into the burial rituals and the lives of Siwa’s inhabitants at that time. Particularly well-known are the tombs of Si Amun, Mesu-Isis, and Niperpathot, whose colorful decorations are exceptionally well-preserved. From the summit, visitors can also enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the palm groves, salt lakes, and the vast desert of the Siwa Oasis.
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The hot springs of the Siwa Oasis are among the most fascinating natural wonders in the region. Mineral-rich water bubbles up from deep underground to the surface, forming natural springs in the middle of the desert landscape—surrounded by dunes, palm trees, and the unique tranquility of the Sahara. We take our guests to what is arguably the most famous spring in the oasis, “Cleopatra’s Spring,” a natural thermal spring that feeds a round stone basin with crystal-clear water, offering refreshment and relaxation to people in the desert for centuries. According to legend, even Queen Cleopatra VII is said to have bathed here—hence the spring’s famous name. While it remains uncertain whether the story is historically accurate, the special magic of this place can still be felt today.
After a relaxing dip in the spring, we’ll visit the Siwan Museum (also known as the “Siwa House Museum”), which showcases the traditional culture of the Siwa Berbers. The small museum was built using ancient methods with salt and clay and offers a glimpse into the daily life of the oasis’s inhabitants in the past. On display are traditional clothing, silver jewelry, musical instruments, household items, and handicrafts.
The day concludes with a stroll through the historic Shali Fortress, the heart of Siwa’s history. This centuries-old mud-brick settlement rises on a small hill in the middle of the oasis and tells the fascinating story of Siwa’s culture. Shali was built in the 13th century to protect the oasis’s inhabitants from attacks. The narrow alleys, multi-story houses, and winding ruins were built from “kershef”—a traditional building material made of salt, mud, and stone that is typical of Siwa. As they stroll through the ruins, visitors are transported to another time. Between the ancient walls, impressive views of palm groves, salt lakes, and the surrounding desert open up time and again. Shali takes on a particularly magical atmosphere at sunset, when the warm light makes the sand-colored walls glow.
Today is all about the longest total solar eclipse until the year 2114. We’ll take you to a spot located near the centerline of the path of totality. The total phase will last well over 6 minutes there. The total phase begins shortly after 10:00 UT (1:00 p.m. local time) with the Sun at an almost vertical angle (81 degrees). The event lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes from the start of the partial solar eclipse.
Eye protection: Observing a solar eclipse without protective filters (solar eclipse glasses) can lead to serious and permanent damage to the eyes, including blindness. HERE you will find expert tips on how to protect your eyes.
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In the early morning, start the return journey to Cairo. Transfer to the airport*.
*If your return flight cannot be reached in time (you should be at the airport at least three hours before departure), another overnight stay in Cairo is necessary, with a return flight on 04.08.27.
Alternatively, you can extend your trip with sightseeing tours in Luxor and/or Aswan or along the Red Sea.
Services included in the price: All local transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles*, accommodation in double rooms (3 nights in Alexandria at the Le Metropole Luxury Heritage Hotel Since 1902 by Paradise Inn Group & 4 nights in the Siwa Oasis at the Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel), meals: half board, finger food and beverages on the day of the solar eclipse, unlimited water, soft drinks, tea & coffee from day 4 to day 8, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary, all admission fees and charges, German-speaking** tour guide as noted in the itinerary, water bottle, Eclipse T-shirt or Eclipse cap, solar eclipse glasses, individual support from Beluga staff on site, insolvency insurance.
*small groups with 4 - 8 guests per microbus
**other languages on request
Price per person: Shortly.
Minimum number of participants for this program: 20 (maximum 30).
On request: Visa & airport service. One of our associates will be waiting for you inside the airport terminal to take care of the visa formalities. € 30,- per person (subject to visa price increases).
We are also happy to offer you a flight to Egypt & back (flight schedules are expected to be published in September 2026).
Your data will be collected and processed exclusively for the purpose of answering your inquiry.
The tour operator for all trips listed on this website is Beluga Reisen GmbH.
