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More than 1,700 years of history lie within this city by the sea. It was named for Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.; later, Alexandria became a romantic hideout for Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse, once stood sentry over the city.

Catacombs, forts and an amphitheatre built by the Roman Empire offer a glimpse of its past. The Corniche is a broad waterfront promenade lined with grand old hotels. Most tours of the region stop to see Pompey’s Pillar, a 100-foot granite column that anchored a third-century temple.

Another attraction is Alexandria’s central souk, a colorful marketplace just a few feet from the ocean. Shaded stalls crowded by artisans, jewelers and spice merchants pay tribute to the city’s long history as a regional center of trade.

Language: Arabic     Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)