Egypt’s Alexandria a “city of imagination”

Tourists on holidays to Egypt must spend some time in the city of Alexandria to fully appreciate its charms, according to a travel writer.

Many people taking holidays to Egypt will book a whistle-stop tour of one of the country’s most historic cities. However, Teresa Levonian Cole has advised travellers to spend more time exploring Alexandria’s hidden delights.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, she commented: “Alexandria is a city of the imagination, which permits only ghostly glimpses of her illustrious past.”

Ms Levonian Cole claimed that the city’s real charm can be found in its backstreets, at simple restaurants and cafes rather than at its historic monuments.

She noted that many of Alexandria’s buildings date from the late 19th century and work together to create a cosmopolitan city that bears similarities to Europe rather than Egypt’s capital, Cairo.

Alexandria’s attractions include the Fort of Qait Bay – which is allegedly built on the site of the Pharos Lighthouse – and the Kom el-Shuqafa catacombs.

While much of its history is now found only in books, Ms Levonian Cole recommended that anyone booking flights to Cairo should consider spending a few days exploring this unusual city.

Written by Anthony Nicholson