Getting Oriented in Alexandria
As a rule, addresses are rarely used, and everyone navigates by names and landmarks, but with breezes almost always coming off the sea, orientation is fairly easy—when in doubt, head into the wind. Unfortunately, several of the city's best hotels are inconveniently located in or near Montazah. But it's a relatively painless drive into Downtown—about 15 minutes from Downtown to Montazah, less from other districts—past a string of neighborhoods with such evocative names as Chatby, Roushdi, and Sidi Gabr.
- El Anfushi. The westernmost tip of the main bay at the end of the Corniche, this colorful district is home of the fishermen, El Anfushi tombs, and Qayt Bay Fort. This was the city's core in ancient and medieval times. Some of the city's best seafood restaurants can be found here.
- Raml Station. The heart of modern Alexandria has its main tram station on a square surrounded by early-20th-century buildings. Major shopping streets that are always bustling with people cut the district. Nowhere else in the city is its cosmopolitan past more alive. Most of the major sights are within a short taxi ride from Raml Station.
- El Manshiya. The center of colonial Alexandria has fine squares and monumental buildings, colonnades, statues, and churches.
- El Chatby. Location of the iconic modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the closest public beach to Downtown.
- Montazah. The once-royal domain has always been an upmarket district marking the traditional eastern limit of Alexandria. Visit the gardens and enjoy the facade of the old palace. Montazah marks the easternmost edge of the main tourist development in Alexandria.
- Karmouz. Inland, and bounded by the canal El Mahmoudeya, this district has Alexandria's best known Roman-era ruins—the Catacombs of Koum Al Shukafa and Pompey's Pillar.
