Alexandria Day Trip – Part 4 | Egypt Travel Blog: Day 1 (Part 9)
/Egypt Travel Blog: 10 DAYS Egypt Explorer - Felucca Cruise & Red Sea
Just arrived in Alexandria – The Ancient Feelings
Upon arriving in Alexandria, I felt the same ancient feeling like I felt in Cairo, but from a different perspective. The contrast between Cairo and Alexandria was palpable.
The coastal side of Alexandria, especially the area along the promenade (the waterfront area on the Mediterranean Sea) looked like a European city, but with a touch of ancient history. The architecture, shops, cafes, people…everything looked different than Cairo. The guide told me that you can find the prettiest girls in Egypt in Alexandria.
The general population in other parts of Egypt were darker skinned and you see less light-skinned and white people. But in Alexandria, it is flipped. Here you will see more light-skinned and white people and less dark-skinned people.
I saw some lime-yellow-coloured trams on the street. My guide told me this is one of the oldest tram systems in the world that is still operational. Alexandria trams are rumbling, clackety, old, and terribly slow. But they are fun and bear a part of history.
Alexandria is a quiet, laid-back and quaint city, which offers a blend of old history with traditional urban and natural beauty.
Alexandria benefits from its year-round pleasant weather bolstered by the coastal winds off the Mediterranean. Egyptians and foreigners alike enjoy spending time in Alexandria during the summer and winter.
During the winter, Alexandria’s temperatures stay around 20°C / 68°F by day, and around 10°C / 50°F at night. In the summer, highs can reach 30°C / 86°F or even 32°C / 90°F sometimes, but never as hot as Cairo.
Alexandria is also a haven for food lovers. You can try freshly-cooked beef kabobs along the Cornish with an amazing coffee. Also, I saw a fresh seafood market where you can choose freshly-caught seafood and the open-air restaurants will cook them right in front of your eyes while you enjoy sitting in the sun.
Our first stop on the itinerary was the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.
