Museums in Alexandria: A Journey Through Ages, Where Treasures Illuminate the City's Cultural Soul

Alexandria was once one of the significant cities of the Mediterranean. During 332 BCE Alexandria was the capital of Egypt. Now, beyond the bustling streets there lies a sea of knowledge and cultural splendor. The museums house the artefacts, stories, and legacies that have shaped Alexandria throughout the ages. Now here is the curated list of the top 8 museums in Alexandria that you must visit. It’s time to get mesmerized with the stories of extraordinary heroes and more!

Museums in Alexandria: Where History Speaks, Art Flourishes, and Culture Echoes Through Time

Located along the Mediterranean, Alexandria, Egypt, tells a tale of ancient grandeur and cultural convergence. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, this city became a hub of trade and ideas. From ancient burial rites to opulent royal legacies, Alexandria's essence is captured in narratives of art, architecture, and maritime wonders. Join us on a journey through this coastal city, where the echoes of diverse civilizations resonate, inviting all to explore the living narrative that is Alexandria. Here are the best museums in Alexandria that you shouldn't miss out.

1. Alexandria National Museum
2. Royal Jewelry Museum
3. Mahmoud Said Museum
4. Graeco-Roman Museum
5. Museum of Fine Arts
6. The Sadat Museum
7. Alexandria Aquarium
8. Antiquities Museum

1. Alexandria National Museum: Discover Egypt's Epochs in Every Exhibit

The Alexandria National Museum stands as a unique testament to Egypt’s rich history. With a focus on narrative continuity, the museum carefully arranges exhibits, utilizing all the appropriate lighting and color schemes to represent different historical periods. The museum is housed in a 1928 Italian-style palace. The museum has 1800 monumental pieces, like Akhnatun's head. This provides all the people who visit here with a thorough insight into the history of Egypt. All the collections are organized over 3 floors, and all these floors show different time periods. On the first floor, there’s a glance at the ancient burial rites of Egypt. The second floor showcases the Hellenistic and Roman periods. And on the third floor, there are different ranges of exhibits. This includes ancient Egypt, Coptic, and also the 19th and 20th centuries.

Highlights:

• The museum is divided into three floors. In the basement, you can find some of the rare pharaonic artifacts that were discovered all over Egypt.
• On the first floor, you can see Alexandria and the Greco-Roman period.
• The second floor gives you an overall idea of Egyptian, Christian, and Muslim history.
• You can also have a glimpse into the afterlife.

Address: 131 El-Shaheed Galal El-Desouky, Bab Sharqi WA Wabour Al Meyah, Bab Sharqi, Alexandria Governorate 5423004, Egypt
Timings: 09:00 AM- 04:30 PM
Nearby Attractions: Montaza Palace, Graeco-Roman Museum, St. Takla Church, Planetarium Science Center (PSC), and Citadel of Qaitbay

2. Royal Jewelry Museum: Treasures of Egypt's Royal Legacy

The Royal Jewelry Museum Alexandria is one of the most important places. The museum showcases Egypt's fascinating history and its rich history and royal gems. All the gems and artifacts that are showcased in the museum were once owned by the royal family of Egypt, the Muhammad Ali dynasty. This place gives you a clear-cut idea of how their lifestyle was and their royal heritage. This museum is housed in the lovely palace of Princess Fatema El Zahraa. The palace itself is a stunning piece of history that was built by very talented artists from France, Italy, and Belgium. With over 11,000 echibits, including crowns, jewelry, and unique gifts, the museum tells the story of Egypt's royal past. So, make sure to add this to your things to do in Alexandria, and don’t miss out on this pure gem.

Highlights:

• The Royal Jewelry Museum is one of the largest museums in Egypt.
• The museum houses a lot of jewelry and ornaments of the queens and princesses of Egypt, which is historically significant and also the final royal family of Egypt.
• The museum was once the palace of Princess Fatema El Zahra.
• This palace itself is a piece of Eutopean architectural art.

Address: 27 Ahmed Yehia, San Stefano, El Raml 2, Alexandria Governorate 5451010, Egypt
Timings: 09:00 A.M- 04:00 P.M.
Nearby Attractions: Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Fort Qaitbey, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Corniche, Montazah Gardens, Ancient Roman Amphitheater, and Stanley Bridge

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3. Mahmoud Said Museum: Mahmoud Said's Canvas of Timeless Beauty

Mouhmoud Said Museum complex encompasses three different sections.

• The Mahmoud Saeed Museum
• The Saif Wanly and Adham Wanly Museum
• The Museum of Modern Art

Mahmoud Saeed is the son of former prime minister Mohamed Pacha Said and also the uncle of Queen Farida of Egypt. Art was something he loved, and he was a pioneer of modern Arab art. During his time, Saeed has also exhibited four times at the famous Venice Bienniale and the International Exhibition in Paris. Therefore, in the Mahmoud Saeed museum, they have showcased around 40 of his significant works that solidify his role in Egypt’s modern plastic art since the 20th century.  And, once you finish exploring the museums in Alexandria, you can also enjoy the nightlife in Alexandria by visiting some of the happening cafes like Selsela cafe, Latino cafe and many more!

Highlights:

• Mahmoud Said was one of the best artists in Egypt during the 20th century.
• By profession, he was judged but was a mesmerizing painter.
• The museum showcases about 40 of these famous, beautiful works.
• When entering the museum, make sure you carry your passport with you.

Address: San Stefano, El Raml 1, Alexandria Governorate 5451102, Egypt
Timings: 10:00 AM- 06:00 PM, Closed on Mondays
Nearby Attractions: Alexandria Library, Citadel of Qaitbay, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Royal Jewelry Museum, Serapeum of Alexandria, Montaza Palace, and Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas Mosque

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4. Graeco-Roman Museum: Alexandria's Classical Odyssey Preserved

The Graeco-Roman Alexandria was initially built in 1892 on Horreya Road, and later on it was relocated near the Gamal Abdul Nasser Road in 1895. This museum stands as a treasure house of ancient artifacts. During the early years, it had eleven galleries, and later, over the years, it was expanded. And, with the 25th gallery, it was inaugurated in 1984. The museum has a lot of coin collections dating from 630 BC to the Ottoman period. The museum has several rooms. And it showcases architectural elements from early Christian buildings, a magnificent collection of metal, silver, and gold artifacts, including the silver torso of Aphrodite, rooms dedicated to mummies, textiles, and stunning mosaics. The Graeco-Roman Museum provides a captivating journey through Alexandria's rich history. So don’t miss out on this one of the best Alexandria Egypt museum.

Highlights:

• There are 25 galleries in the museum.
• It has numerous varieties of coins from different parts of the country.
• Coins date from 630 BC to the Ottoman period in the 19th century.
• There is also a sculpture garden where you can see numerous mind-blowing statues and artifacts.

Address: Al Mesallah Sharq, Al Attarin, Alexandria Governorate 5372053, Egypt
Timings: 09:00 A.M - 05:00 P.M.  
Nearby Attractions: Alexandria National Museum, Serapeum of Alexandria, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, St. Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria, Alexandria Aquarium, and Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue

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5. Museum of Fine Arts: Where Art Speaks Louder than Words

The Museum of Fine Arts Alexandria is in the library building in Alexandria. This stands as a cultural hub with art galleries, an art library, and a dedicated cultural center hosting concerts and seminars.  In the early years, the Museum of Fine Arts was attached to the Graeco-Roman Museum but faced destruction during World War II. So, later on, it was rebuilt and upgraded as a library under the Ministry of Culture’s Fine Art Sector in 1998. What makes this museum one of the best places to visit in Egypt is that it has 1381 exhibits! It also has numerous graffiti, drawings, and sculptures by renown artists, and this offers visitors a vibrant artistic experience.

Highlights:

• There are approximately 1500 pieces of art in the museum.
• Earlier, the Alexandria Fine Arts Museum was also known as the Hussein Sobhy Museum.
• There is a collection of sculptures, architecture, and also photograpy by the contemporary Egyptians.
• There are also some of the best international works that are heavily influenced by Baroque, Romanticism, Rococo, and Orientalism.

Address: 5WW7+38V, El-Mohandes Ahmed Ismail, Emberouz WA Moharram Beik, Moharam Bek, Alexandria Governorate 5413416, Egypt
Timings: 10:00 A.M- 03:30 P.M (Saturday to Thurday), Closed on Friday
Nearby Attractions: Serapeum of Alexandria, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Ancient Roman Theater, Alexandria, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Graeco-Roman Museum

6. The Sadat Museum: The Life and Legacy of President Anwar Sadat

The Sadat Museum in Alexandria is the foremost museum that was devoted to the late President Anwar Sadat. The museum is one of the important components of Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA). The BA consists of four museums, and those are:

• The Sadat Museum
• The Antiquities Museum
• The Manuscripts Museum
• The History of Science Museum

Prior to entering the Sadat Museum, visitors can enjoy a show about President Sadat. There is also a 12-hour video donated by Egyptian television. This includes speeches, foreign reports, and the film "Action Biography" (biography of President Sadat). The museum also showcases all the honors and decorations received by President Sadat, including gold, silver, bronze, and copper plates. Also, one notable display feature is Sadat’s medals, military suits, personal possessions like his radio set, desk, rare book collection, and more. So, don’t miss out this mesmerizing museum in your things to do in Egypt.

Highlights:

• The Sadat Museum is the foremost museum in Alexandria and is totally dedicated to the late president of Egypt, Anwar Sadat.
• You can also watch a show. This showcases the biography of Sadat.
• You can see numerous honors and awards that were awarded to Anwar Sadat.
• There is also Sadat’s military suit and a military suit with a blood stain, which he wore during his assassination.

Address: JWQ6+2R5, Saad Zaghloul, Mit Abou El-Kom, Tala, Menofia Governorate 6153102, Egypt
Timings: 10:00 A.M- 07:00 P.M.  
Nearby Attractions: The Antiquities Museum, The Manuscripts Museum, The History of Science Museum, Ancient Roman Theater, Citadel of Qaitbay, and Graeco-Roman Museum.

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7. Alexandria Aquarium Museum: Dive into Alexandria's Aquatic Wonders

Are you a marine lover who is excited to learn new things? Then here it is! Alexandria Aquarium Museum. This is one of the oldest aquariums in the whole world! During your visit to this amazing museum, you will encounter an array of marine life from the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and beyond. The museum is divided into five sections. And this exhibits fish, sharks, and aquatic creatures that feast on your eyes. The Mediterranean and Red Sea sections feature vibrant displays. The freshwater section displays freshwater fish and aquatic creatures. And there is also a section on seashells and fossils; in this section, it includes sharks, whales, and sea turtles. For anyone who is confused about places to visit in Egypt, here is one!

Highlight:

• The Alexandria Aquarium Museum is one of the oldest aquariums around the globe.
• In 1930, the Alexandria Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries founded this museum.
• Lord Fouad I of Egypt establishes this institution.
• The museum is divided into five sections: the Mediterranean section, the Red Sea section, the Freshwater section, the Shell section, and the Fossil section.

Address: 6V7M+4XQ, As Sayalah Sharq, Al Gomrok, Alexandria Governorate 5321430, Egypt
Timings: 09:00 AM- 11:00 PM
Nearby Attractions:  Citadel of Qaitbay, Montaza Palace, St. Mark's Cathedral, Stanley Bridge, Museum of Fine Arts, Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue, and El Mamurah Beach

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8. Antiquities Museum: Unveiling Alexandria's Ancient Treasures

The Antiquities Museum is the house for a lot of rare things that date back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. This museum is one of the components of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA).  The collection is a feast for your eyes since it’s selected very carefully, and therefore it reflects the multiple cultures of Egypt, which include Pharanoic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic heritage. But the main focus is given to Alexandria and the Hellenistic period. The museum  includes some of the unique pieces, such as the artifacts that were discovered during the works of the museum and the antiquities that were taken from the seabed of the Mediterranean. So, anyone who visits here can learn a lot about the rich history. So, make sure to add this to your places to visit in Alexandria.

Highlights:

• This is one of the rarest museums in the world, where you can find the artifacts that were found in the same place where the museum is.
• You can take a look into Egypt’s rich history, which includes Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic, and Islamic heritage.
• The main focus is on Alexandria and the Hellenistic period.
• The museum has approximately 1,133 artifacts.

Address: 13 Al-Zarkashi, Al-Azarita and Al-Shatby, Bab Sharqi District, Alexandria, Egypt
Timings: 09:00 A.M- 04:00 P.M.
Nearby Attractions: Alexandria National Museum, Fort Qaitbey, Kom el-Dikka, Catacombs of Kom el-Shuqqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, and Montazah Gardens

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In the tapestry of Alexandria’s cultural legacy, these museums in Alexandria showcase the city’s different history, artistic culture, and many more. Each museum enriches the power of understanding of Alexandria’s evolution. Alexandria’s past is not a distant memory but a living narrative. That is preserved and celebrated within the walls of its museum. These museums invite us to cherish the threads of the city’s heritage, weaving a timeless connection between the past and present and the curious souls who explore its treasure. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our Egypt tour packages and visit the city where a lot of history lies.

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