If you’re planning a day trip to Alexandria, you’d better make time in your itinerary to visit the Greco-Roman Museum. The Alexandrian treasure trove recently reopened its doors after nearly two decades, allowing you to immerse yourself in the grandeur of Roman and Ptolemaic eras in Egypt. Ready to explore beyond the ancient Egyptian history? Read along!
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About the Greco-Roman Museum
The Greco-Roman Museum of Alexandria, also known as the Graeco-Roman Museum, is the only attraction dedicated to the antiquities and civilization of Egypt during the Greek and Roman eras.
Established by Italian Giuseppe Botti in 1892, it’s the earliest purpose-built museum in Egypt, first opening its doors in September 1895. In 2005, it closed to carry out a comprehensive expansion and redevelopment project. After almost 2 decades, in late 2023, the museum finally reopened its doors to the public.
Greco-Roman Museum: Must-See Exhibits/Collections
The museum, consisting of more than 27 halls, with more than 6,000 artifacts on display, walks you through various facets of Egypt’s civilization in the Greek and Roman eras until 641 AD. Here are the exhibits you will get to explore on your visit:
Alexander the Great
The Greco-Roman Museum pays homage to Alexandria’s founder, Alexander the Great, through this section. In 332 BC, Alexander marched into Egypt and took control of the Persian garrison, where he was viewed as a liberator by the Egyptians.
On his way to Siwa to visit the Temple of Amun, also known as the Temple of the Oracle, he selected the fishermen’s village of Rhakotis as a site to be build a new capital, which was later come to be known as Alexandria. Fast-forward to 323 BC, Alexander died in Babylon.
The Ptolemaic Rule
In 306/5 BC, Ptolemy, the son of Lagos, declared himself the king of Egypt and consistent the construction of Alexandria. To honor Alexander and his kingdom, he managed to transfer his body from Babylon to Alexandria; however, the burial site remains a myster to this day.
Ptolemy I was succeeded by 14 kings who all bore the same name; hence the name of the era, all leading up to the famed Cleopatra VII.
The Roman Period
In 31 BC, Egypt was captured by Octavian, also known as Augustus and Gaius Julius Caesar, adding the country to the Roman Empire.
Science & Intellectuality
It’s believed that Ptolemy I was the one who initiated the concept the Mouseion (the shrine/temple of muses) and its great library. Those played a major role in the literary and scientific life in Alexandria and Hellenistic Egypt.
Religious Life
The new Ptolemaic kingdom was in need of a new god who would resemble the beliefs of both of its citizens; the Egyptians and Greeks. Sarapis was the Greek incarnation of the Memphite deity of Osiris-Apis. He was an image of Osiris in the body of the bull, Apis, and in his human form, Sarapis resembled several Greek gods like Zeus, Hades, and Helios.
A temple dedicated to Sarapis was built at the Acropolis of Alexandria, where the Column of Diocletian’s, also known as Pompey’s Pillar, stands today. Sarapis, together with Isis and Harpocrates, formed the holy triad of Alexandria.
Afterlife
The Greco-Roman era in Egypt, that lasted for almost a millennium, saw the funerary beliefs of 3 of the most important civilizations in the history of mankind come together. The Afterlife exhibits showcases the tools and objects that were used in burials during that time. Some of the most significant artifacts on display include mummy shrouds, masks, stone sarcophagi, canopic jars, and more.
The Economy
The Greek ruling of Egypt acted as a major turning point, reshaping the eastern trade. Various ports across the country were established and safe roads linking those ports to the Nile Valley were paved. As a result, Indian, Arabian, and African merchandise, such as incense, silk, and ivory, were exported from Alexandria to the rest of the Mediterranean region.
Life and Art in the Byzantine Period
Byzantine art was a form of imperial art inspired by Christianity and Greek mythology. That’s why the subject matter of the most prominent Byzantine art was mainly the combination of religious and imperial themes.
Coptic Art
Coptic art first came out in Egypt around the 2nd century AD with the spread of Christianity. The artistic productions by Christian Egyptians were often referred to as Coptic art.
The most prominent artistic product in Coptic art was textiles, as they were not just vibrant fabrics, but also served as a source of information about the social classes. It’s also worth mentioning that almost all Coptic murals were monastic and most of the icons were found in old Egyptian churches.
Ras El Soda
This exhibit boasts a group of finely-executed marble sculptures that were found near the temple of Ras El Soda, the only one that survived from Roman Alexandria.
Greco-Roman Museum: Practical Information
Greco-Roman Museum’s Location and Directions
The Greco-Roman Museums is located on Fouad Street, also known as Al Horreya Road’s extension; however, the entrance is from the side road, Al Mathaf street. This entire neighborhood is Alexandria’s old Downtown, which is my favorite in the whole city. Not just because it’s where I grew up, but also because it’s the area that reflects Alexandria’s cosmopolitan spirit, as well as its history and art scene, the most. I highly recommend you go on a long walk around this neighborhood if you have the time.
If you’re coming from Cairo, lucky for you, the Greco-Roman Museum is only 10 minutes away from the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road. It’s also a 4-minute ride from the Alexandria Railway Station. Here’s the museum’s exact location.
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Greco-Roman Museum’s Opening Hours
- Working hours: Open daily from 9 am till 5 PM (tickets office closes at 4:30 PM).
- Ramadan working hours: Open daily from 9 am till 4 PM (tickets office closes at 3 PM).
Ticket Prices
- Tickets for foreigners: EGP 300
- Tickets for foreign students: EGP 150
- Tickets for Egyptians and Arabs: EGP 40
- Tickets for Egyptian students: EGP 20
- Free entry for children under 6, senior citizens and Arab expats over 60, and the handicapped.
Facilities
On-site amenities include restrooms, both an outdoor and indoor cafeteria, as well as a gift shop. There are also elevators available, making the museum accessible to everyone. In addition to those, there’s a library, a lectures hall, and a VIP hall.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Greco-Roman Museum
- Debit/Credit card payments only are accepted.
- Underground parking is available for a fee, but it’s not open yet.
- Professional filming/photography equipment such as DSLR cameras, lighting equipment, tripods, and drones are prohibited.
- Non-professional, non-commercial personal photography using smartphones is allowed.
Greco-Roman Museum: Insider Tips
- Try to go early! The museum is huge and needs time to properly explore it.
- Familiarize yourself with these eras in advance if you’re not going on a guided tour.
- Be strategic with your itinerary. Here are the nearby attractions worth checking out on the same day: Alexandria National Museum (2 mins), Roman Amphitheater (3 mins), Bibliotheca Alexandrina (5 mins), Serapeum of Alexandria (10 mins), Catacombs (12 mins), Citadel of Qaitbay (12 mins).
My Experience at the Greco-Roman Museum
I remember going to the Greco-Roman Museum with my grandma when I was a little girl, so when it reopened, I got so excited when I recreated my visit with her and my aunt.
Generally speaking, I was very impressed with the renovations and the curation. I loved how the museum’s exhibits were categorized thematically, making the visit like telling a story. I also remember that there was a section where people could rest on benches while watching a slideshow presentation about the museum. That was a win-win, in my opinion – you can rest without wasting much time.
Like I mentioned earlier, the museum is huge. So, if you’re tight on time and only going to Alexandria for a day trip, it’s best if you start your day early and familiarize yourself with the history in advance. This way, you can easily take in the information at the Greco-Roman Museum and have more time for other important sites like Bibliotheca Alexandrina or the Roman Amphitheater.
Where to Stay in Alexandria
If you decide to dedicate a weekend, or a couple of days, to explore Alexandria, you’ve come to the right person for accommodation recommendations. Take it from an Alexandrian, the best area to stay is Ramleh Station. Remember when I told you earlier about the old Downtown? That’s part of it! So, staying there means you’ll be staying in the heart of the city’s historic and cultural hub. Not to mention that it’s a pretty affordable area and very close to most tourist attractions.
My top 2 hotels in the area are Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria and Paradise Inn Windsor Palace – the first one is a bit pricier but it’s my favorite. However, I love both of them because they’re historic hotels with a palace-like ambiance and a sea view.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any decent hostels in Alexandria if you’re a solo traveler. So, if you’re on a tight budget, then it’s best to squeeze your itinerary to fit a day trip from Cairo.
In Conclusion…
The Greco-Roman Museum is a must-visit when in Alexandria as it shows how the old capital city was a beacon of sciences and different cultures and civilizations. It introduces its visitors to the principals Alexandria have always reflected, knowledge and intellectuality. This is not shock as Alexandria was a destination where scholars and philosophers of the ancient world flocked to for its cultural and civilizational influence.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
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Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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- Grand Egyptian Museum: A Guide to the World’s Largest Archaeological Museum
- Siwa Oasis, Egypt: A Paradise in the Western Desert
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
