Modern-day Alexandria is located in northern Egypt on the Mediterranean coast, about 225 kilometers northwest of Cairo in the Nile Delta region.
What modern day is the great city of Alexandria located?
Alexandria sits in northern Egypt, right on the Mediterranean coast roughly 225 km northwest of Cairo.
Founded back in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great, it’s now Egypt’s second-biggest city and main port. That prime coastal spot has kept it a major trade, culture, and tourism hub in the Med for over two thousand years. Come 2026, it’s still a key economic player with around 5.5 million people living there.
What is modern day Alexandria?
Modern Alexandria is a bustling Egyptian city where old-world charm meets modern energy, right on the Mediterranean.
You’ll find ancient ruins preserved in the East Harbor, while the waterfront promenade shows off both historic splendor and today’s vibrancy. The city’s museums—like the famous Bibliotheca Alexandrina—and landmarks such as the Qaitbay Citadel pull in millions every year. Its economy runs on shipping, fishing, and manufacturing, with tourism adding a big cultural boost.
What happened Alexandria Egypt?
Alexandria fell to Arab forces in AD 641, ending its time as Egypt’s capital and kicking off centuries of decline.
After the Arab conquest, the capital moved to Fustat (near today’s Cairo), and Alexandria’s political clout faded. By the late Ottoman era, it had shrunk to little more than a small fishing village—until the 19th century, when it bounced back as a modern port. Earthquakes, including a devastating one in 1303, also helped sink parts of its ancient harbor.
What province is Alexandria in Egypt?
Alexandria is the capital of Alexandria Governorate, one of Egypt’s 27 governorates.
| Governorate | Country | Capital | Government |
|---|
| Alexandria Governorate | Egypt | Alexandria | Governor: Mohamed Abdel Hamid Elsherif (as of 2026) |
This governorate covers about 2,679 km² and includes the city plus surrounding areas. It’s Egypt’s second-most populous governorate, right after Cairo.
Is Alexandria worth visiting?
Absolutely—Alexandria’s worth a visit for its seaside beauty, history, and easygoing vibe, especially if you’ve got extra time in Egypt.
Skip Cairo’s packed streets and head here for a refreshing coastal break. Don’t miss Montaza Palace, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and the newly revitalized Bibliotheca Alexandrina. With its European-style architecture and lively Corniche (waterfront boulevard), Alexandria offers a totally different cultural flavor compared to the monuments down south.
Does Alexandria Egypt still exist?
Yes—Alexandria’s very much alive as a major northern Egyptian city, home to over 5 million people as of 2026.
Founded way back in 331 BCE, it’s still Egypt’s second-largest city and a key Mediterranean port. Sure, some ancient parts lie underwater, but the modern city keeps growing, with new archaeological finds and development popping up all the time.
Is Alexandria underwater?
No, the city itself isn’t underwater—though bits of its ancient harbor and submerged ruins definitely are.
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Modern City | Sits on the coast, well above sea level |
| Ancient Harbor | Partially submerged thanks to earthquakes and rising seas |
| Cleopatra’s Palace | Likely lies underwater near today’s eastern harbor |
Underwater archaeologists keep uncovering Ptolemaic and Roman-era structures just off the current coastline.
Can you swim in Alexandria?
Yes, you can swim at beaches and resorts in Alexandria, though water quality varies by spot.
Popular choices include Maamoura Beach and the private hotel beaches along the Corniche. Public beaches are usually safe during tourist season, but check local updates on water conditions. Swimming in the harbor? Not a great idea—too much boat traffic.
Is Alexandria Egypt safe?
Alexandria’s fairly safe for tourists, with petty crime being the main concern rather than violent crime.
Watch your belongings in crowded markets and on public transport—pickpocketing happens. Violent crime against tourists is rare, but stick to well-lit areas at night in quieter neighborhoods. The U.S. State Department and others currently list Egypt’s tourist zones, including Alexandria, at Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel") because of terrorism risks in the wider region—not the city itself. Always double-check official travel advisories before you go.
Who actually built the Library of Alexandria?
The Library of Alexandria was founded by Demetrius of Phaleron, a student of Aristotle, under Ptolemy I Soter around 283 BCE.
Demetrius, once the ruler of Athens, fled to Egypt after losing a political battle and pitched the idea of a grand library to Ptolemy. It became the intellectual heart of the Hellenistic world, holding up to 700,000 scrolls at its peak. How it was destroyed is still debated—some blame Julius Caesar’s fire in 48 BCE, others point to later Christian or Muslim conflicts.
Why is Alexandria underwater?
Alexandria’s underwater ruins come from centuries of earthquakes and rising sea levels.
The coast here is seismically active, and big quakes in 956, 1303, and 1354 caused major coastal sinking. Add natural erosion and the slow sinking of the Nile Delta, and parts of ancient Alexandria—including Cleopatra’s palace and the royal quarter—ended up submerged. Today, underwater archaeologists map these sites using sonar and robotic tech.
What was Alexandria Egypt called before?
Before Alexander the Great founded Alexandria, the site was called Rhakotis or Râ-Kedet—a tiny fishing village.
Rhakotis was home to native Egyptians and maybe a few Greek settlers before 331 BCE. Alexander picked the spot for its natural harbor and ordered a brand-new city in his name, blending Greek and Egyptian city planning. That’s where "Alexandria" comes from.
What is the largest governorate in Egypt?
As of 2026, New Valley Governorate (El Wadi ElGidid) is Egypt’s largest, covering roughly 440,100 km² in the southwest.
It’s nearly double the size of runner-up Matruh. This desert giant includes the Kharga, Dakhla, and Farafra oases and borders Libya and Sudan. Though it’s sparsely populated, it’s a big player in Egypt’s agriculture and mineral wealth.
Why is Alexandria important?
Alexandria was the ancient world’s intellectual and commercial powerhouse for over two thousand years, at the heart of Hellenistic culture and learning.
Alexander the Great founded it, and it became the Ptolemaic dynasty’s seat, home to the legendary Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse of Pharos (one of the Seven Wonders). Its port linked Europe, Africa, and Asia, while its scholars preserved and pushed forward science, philosophy, and medicine for centuries.
When did Alexandria fall?
Alexandria fell to British forces on September 2, 1801, after a long siege during the Napoleonic Wars.
The surrender came after the Battle of Alexandria on March 21, 1801, when British troops beat the French occupiers. That ended French control of Egypt, which started with Napoleon’s 1798 campaign. The city stayed under British influence until Egypt’s independence in 1922, though its strategic role kept growing.
