The mighty Macedonian, Alexander the Great, came to Egypt after conquering Greece and selected, Alexandria, a small fishing village on the Mediterranean coast to establish his new capital, Alexandria.

Built in 323BC by the Greek architect Dinocrates, it was to be the last capital of Ancient Egypt. Nowadays Alexandria is the second largest city and the main port of Egypt.

Some of the main attractions of Alexandria include the Graeco-Roman Museum, the Roman Amphitheatre, Pompei's Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa, and glorious beaches which stretch for 40 km from Abu Kbir in the east, to Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.

A waterfront city, Alex (as it is popularly known) runs along the Mediterranean Sea for 20km but never goes far inland; a walk along the magnificent Corniche sweeps round the curve of the Eastern Harbour and takes you right through the city centre. Alexandria is a year-round beach resort, and one of the most notable summer resorts in the Middle East. In summer sun lovers seek out the cooling sea breezes; in winter the sun shines along the white sandy coast while yachts race in the harbour.

Whether you come for the past or the present, for history or just a holiday, when you visit Alexandria you'll see more than one city. Alexandria was the renowned capital of the Ptolemis, with numerous and diverse monuments. It was the scene of the most thrilling drama involving Cleopatra, Julius Ceasar, Marc Anthony and Octavius.

Alexandria lies north-west of the nile Delta and adjoins Lake Mariut. It is linked to Cairo by the Delta Road (231 km) and the Desert Road (225 km).

"The best way of seeing Alexandria is to wander aimlessly." E.M. Forster.

Alex is a city to explore at random, it's as important to enjoy the atmosphere as it is to see the "sights". The city centre stretches back from Midan Saad Zaghloul, on the sea front. This was formerly the site of the Caesareum, a magnificent temple begun by Cleopatra for her lover Anthony and subsequently completed by their enemy Octavian and dedicated to himself. Two famous obelisks (one, known as "Cleopatrea's Needle", now on the Embarkment in London, the other in New York's Central Park) were once found here. All traces of the temple have however, disappeared.