Bibliotheca Alexandrina: The Reborn Wonder of the World

Experience the reborn wonder of the world: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This stunning architectural marvel, designed as a "rising sun," is a modern tribute to the legendary ancient library. More than just a library, it's a vast cultural center. Explore its breathtaking, 11-level main reading hall, discover Greco-Roman statues in the Antiquities Museum (located inside), see priceless ancient texts in the Manuscripts Museum, and visit the futuristic Planetarium. It's the must-see cultural heart of modern Alexandria.

EFT Team
August 26, 2021
Updated: November 8, 2025

The ancient Library of Alexandria was a wonder of the world, a legendary place where all human knowledge was collected before it was tragically lost to history. Today, that legend is reborn. Welcome to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern masterpiece of architecture, learning, and culture. Standing on the same shore as its ancient predecessor, this is not just a library. It is a vast, inspiring cultural center and a must-see highlight of any trip to Egypt.

The design itself is a powerful statement. The main building is a massive, 160-meter-wide tilting disc that rises from the earth like a rising sun, symbolizing a new dawn of knowledge for the world. As you approach, look closely at its vast, curving outer wall. It’s a breathtaking sight, carved from Aswan granite and inscribed with characters and symbols from 120 different human scripts, celebrating the diversity of language and the unity of knowledge.

What’s Inside? A Universe of Discovery

A single ticket to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina doesn’t just get you into a library; it unlocks a universe of culture. Your Egypt Fun Tours guide can help you navigate this massive complex, but here are the “can’t-miss” highlights.

1. The Great Reading Hall

This is the “wow” moment. As you step into the main reading hall, your jaw will drop. It is one of the largest and most breathtaking reading rooms on Earth.

A Cascading Waterfall of Knowledge: The room spans 11 cascading levels, with space for 8 million books. It’s a vast, open, 20,000-square-meter space that feels like a modern cathedral dedicated to learning.
A Feat of Engineering: Look up! The spectacular, 36-meter-high glass roof is angled to face north. This brilliant design fills the entire hall with beautiful, natural light while protecting the books from the sun’s direct, damaging rays.

2. The Museums Inside the Library

This is what makes the Bibliotheca so unique. It houses multiple, high-quality museums right inside the main building.

The Antiquities Museum: A must-see! This professional museum in the library’s basement holds over 1,000 artifacts. You’ll see stunning Greco-Roman statues, Pharaonic relics, and incredible mosaics, many of which were discovered by divers in Alexandria’s underwater harbor.
The Manuscripts Museum: A true treasure chest and a direct link to the spirit of the original library. This state-of-the-art museum displays a priceless collection of ancient, hand-written texts and scrolls, showing the evolution of writing and book-making.
The Sadat Museum: Explore Egypt’s modern history in this fascinating exhibit dedicated to former President Anwar Sadat, a Nobel Peace Prize winner. You can see his military uniform, his personal Quran, his desk, and even the blood-stained uniform from the day of his assassination.

3. The Planetarium & CULTURAMA

Just outside the main building, you can’t miss the futuristic, glowing sphere.

The Planetarium: This is the high-tech Planetarium Science Center. It’s a separate, immersive experience perfect for all ages, offering incredible shows about astronomy, the universe, and the mysteries of the pharaohs.
CULTURAMA: Ask your guide about the CULTURAMA show. This is a unique, 180-degree panoramic, 9-screen display that takes you on a high-tech multimedia journey through 5,000 years of Egyptian history. It’s a fantastic 30-minute overview of the entire country!

4. Specialized Libraries & Galleries

The complex also shows its commitment to knowledge for everyone. It contains several specialized libraries, including the Taha Hussein Library for the visually impaired (a touching tribute to the great Egyptian author) and vibrant, engaging libraries for children and young people. You will also find rotating contemporary art galleries and a permanent exhibit on the history of printing.

Why Visit the Bibliotheca on Your Alexandria Tour?

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is the perfect centerpiece for your Alexandria day trip from Cairo.

It’s the ideal modern contrast to the ancient Roman ruins and the medieval Citadel of Qaitbay. It shows you that Alexandria’s story is not just in its glorious past—it is still a vibrant, intellectual, and forward-thinking “Pearl of the Mediterranean.”

A visit can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Let your Egypt Fun Tours guide handle the tickets, show you the must-see highlights, and tell you the incredible story behind this reborn wonder.

Contact Us to Add the Bibliotheca Alexandrina to Your Alexandria Tour!

Aswan to Cairo By Plane

With our two days trip to Cairo from Aswan by plane, you will feel the illuminating core of the ancient Egyptian civilization, Book Now!...

US$450

Ultimate Egypt

Older people Tour to Glorious Egypt...

US$2700

AMAZING TOUR, SOLO TRAVELER.

I am a California woman who traveled to Egypt alone, and thanks to Egypt Fun Tours, I had a great time. Hani, Mohammed, Kamal, and David (my driver) were very professional and very knowledgeable. I appreciate how respectful they were and how protective they were of me. They showed me

Big tick off our bucket list!

Booked the evening before and were able to do everything we hoped to in a day, with a knowledgeable guide & at a reasonable price! Lunch was included and absolutely delicious! Learnt about the history of Egypt, which was the most important part of sightseeing in Cairo/Giza. Hamada also gave

HANDS DOWN, the best cultural experience I’ve ever had

Thank you, Egypt Fun Tour, for a most memorable trip. I admit I didn’t do any of the planning (it was all done by my boyfriend), but as you can read in the reviews below, Hani (the owner of Egypt Fun Tours) is superbly organized and accommodating with scheduling. My

Layover Tour in Cairo

This August, my boyfriend and I had quite a long layover in Cairo, 9 hours to be exact. Instead of wasting our time at the airport, we decided to do a layover tour of the city. I had been before, but my boyfriend hadn’t, so we wanted to hit the

12-Days-Family-Tour-Across-the-Essential-Wonders-of-Egypt-Egypt-Fun-Tours

Egypt Fun Tours was great, our Nile Cruise was great – Highly Recommended

We contacted Egypt Fun Tours via email about a slightly customized Nile Cruise tour, and they promptly responded with an itinerary that met our exact needs. We went back and forth with a few more questions, and they were perfect about responding and answering all our queries. Our trip was