An insider’s cultural itinerary through Egypt’s most poetic coastal city. 
A perfect summer day unfolds not in a rush, but in a rhythm.
This is how to spend it.

9:00 AM
Begin your morning at Mohamed Ahmed Restaurant, a beloved institution that captures the soul of the city in its simplest dishes. Order generously: eggs with basterma, fried cheese, falafel and a side of hummus.

 
10:00 AM
A short walk leads you to Délices Patisserie, a confectionery steeped in nostalgia. Ask, specifically, for their “Amarette” biscuits.
These almond confections crisp on the outside, delicately chewy with a marzipan richness that feels both European and unmistakably Alexandrian. They tend to sell out by early afternoon, so timing matters.

10:30 AM
Continue to Brazilian Coffee. Order a “qahwa faransawy” Turkish coffee softened with milk and pair it with your biscuit. 

11:00 AM
A brief walk takes you to the Cavafy Museum, the former apartment of Constantine P. Cavafy. Inside, the atmosphere is almost suspended in time. Stand still for a moment; read some of his poetry, stand by the window, breath and take the city in. In this very spot Alexandria becomes something deeper than a destination.

12:00 PM
From there, head to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. This subterranean wonder is a haunting fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artistry. As you walk through its chambers, it’s impossible not to recall Youssef Chahine’s imagery particularly the surreal theatricality he captured in Alexandria Again and Forever, where Yousra performs as Cleopatra as if the space itself were a stage. Find the crowned snakes!



1:30 PM
Take an orange taxi to the Mahmoud Said Museum; discover his works, alongside the luminous paintings of Adham Wanly and Seif Wanly. Look closely; you might even spot the iconic piece featured on the cover of Desiring Arabs by Joseph Massad. Art here feels personal, almost conversational.

 

3:00 PM
From the museum, walk toward the Corniche until the Mediterranean opens up before you. Then take a cab to “Arous El Bahr” restaurant. This is where lunch becomes an experience. Choose your fish fresh “barbooni” and a generous “qaroosa” to share alongside fried calamari and grilled shrimp. Look up occasionally; the ceiling alone is worth the visit. Yes there is a mermaid! Find her

 

6:00 PM
Post-lunch, walk from Bahary to Raml Station.
This stretch is less about destination and more about digestion of food, of atmosphere, of the day itself. The city softens as the sun lowers, and Alexandria feels at its most cinematic.

7:00 PM
End your day at Elite Bar. Unpretentious, slightly worn, and effortlessly timeless, it offers the perfect setting for a quiet beer. The view onto the street is part of the charm, life unfolding casually, without spectacle.

 
Spend a day like this, and you begin to understand why the city has inspired poets, filmmakers, and dreamers for generations. Not because of what it shows you, but because of what it lets you feel.