Once the most famous city in the world, Alexandria remains holiday gold for anyone with a taste for Egypt.
Spend the morning
Coffee and souk
Get your caffeine kick at Sofianopoulo Coffee Store. Their espresso comes out of massive silver coffee grinders. For a taste of local life, head to Souq Ibrahimiyya (Sharia Omar Lofty, Sidi Gaber). Vendors are at the top of their form earlier in the day. To see how the other half lived in Egypt, visit the Royal Jewellery Museum (27 Sharia Ahmed Yehia Pasha).
Where I’d lunch
Pizza or Shwarma at Taverna
Street food is an option if you’re eating on the go and fancy something cheap and tasty. The best is to opt for vegetarian options such as fuul (spicy bean stew) and pita bread. If you have more time to spare, opt for the wood-fire pizzas or shwarmas at Taverna. The crispy and thin crust has earned them quiet a reputation across town. Great place for a laid-back lunch.
Spend the afternoon
Mamoura Beach
There are plenty of beaches to choose from along Alexandria’s glistening waterfront, or ‘La Corniche,’ but Mamoura is one of the best spots. The sea here is relatively calm, but if you’re lucky, you may get the odd wave coming your way. Being a sun worshiper is actually quiet tiring, especially in that heat, so revive your senses with a fruit juice from El-Qobesi, known locally as the ‘king of mango’.
