• Call: +201503044449
Email us

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.

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.

FUN

What’s Inside? A Universe of Discovery

day trip to alexandria from cairo egypt fun tours1

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.

FUN

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.

Aswan Botanical Garden: A Peaceful Paradise on Kitchener’s Island

Escape to the Aswan Botanical Garden, a floating, green paradise on the historic Kitchener's Island....
Read more
Related post
FUN

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!

Abu Simbel: The Ultimate Must-See Temples of Ramesses II

An epic "must-do" from Aswan! Visit Abu Simbel to see the four colossal statues of...
Read more
Related post
FUN

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.

Giza Pyramids Complex: The Eternal Horizon of the Fourth Dynasty

The Giza Pyramid Complex remains the ultimate testament to human ingenuity, spanning the intersection of...
Read more
Related post
FUN

Why Visit the Bibliotheca on Your Alexandria Tour?

day trip to alexandria from cairo egypt fun tours

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!

12-day deluxe Egypt Tour - Egypt Fun Tours

Deluxe Egypt: Nile & Red Sea

Deluxe Tour that takes you on an extraordinary journey through some of the most breathtaking destinations in Egypt....
  • Cairo / Luxor / Aswan / Sahara / Hurghada
  • 12 Days / 11 Nights
  • Classic and Red Sea Tour
  • US$3470
View Trip
  • Available Everyday
13 Days Essential Egypt Honeymoon Package - 13-day Honeymoon tour

Love's Paradise

13-Day Honeymoon Tour Package to Egypt Highlights...
  • Cairo / Aswan / Luxor / Hurghada / Alexandria
  • 13 Days / 12 Nights
  • Private
  • US$2750
View Trip
  • Available Everyday
FUN
God_Anubis_Icon
  • Egypt Tours Reviews
group tour of wonders

Solid Tour Company

Last year (2010) my wife and I did a 20 day trip in Egypt, mostly Do-It-Yourself. However, one of the first things we did was a trip to Bahariya oasis and to the White Desert — not so easy to do yourself, so we needed an agency. After e-mail back-and-forths

More »

Jeep Safari in the Sahara

I contacted Hani two days before I went to Egypt and asked him if it was possible to combine two of their tours as we were short on time. We had planned to stay in Cairo but with the uprising we decided it would be safed outside of the hot

More »

My Dream Came True

I had waited 60 years to get to Egypt; in fact, it was my 60th birthday gift to myself. I went with my oldest daughter, and the experience was excellent. It was meticulously planned by the tour company and was designed for me and my daughter. I never had a

More »

Great layover tour

First things first…I was in Cairo about a week before the protests of 2011 started. As far as the tour was concerned, I was very pleased. I was met at the airport by a knowledgeable guide (Sara) who spoke great English and a driver. They took me to Giza first,

More »
God_Anubis_Icon

Top-rated Tour Packages

God_Anubis_Icon