Overview
A landmark modern library on the Alexandria seafront, built as a successor to the ancient Library of Alexandria and now the city's best-known contemporary building.
Attraction
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Egypt's modern library on the Alexandria seafront, built to echo the lost Library of Alexandria.
Why Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
It is the rare stop that combines striking modern architecture with real depth: a cascading reading room under a tilted glass roof, museums of antiquities and manuscripts, and a planetarium, all a few steps from the Mediterranean.
History of Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The ancient Library of Alexandria was the leading centre of learning in the Hellenistic world and disappeared in antiquity. The modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a joint Egyptian and UNESCO project, opened in 2002 near the site traditionally associated with it, reviving the idea rather than the building.
Best Time to Visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina
October to April brings the mildest weather on the coast. Mornings are quieter than afternoons year round.
How to Get to Bibliotheca Alexandrina
On the Corniche in Shatby, central Alexandria. Reached by taxi within the city, and included in most Alexandria day tours from Cairo, which is about three hours away by road.
Nearby Attractions
Tours That Include Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Plan Your Visit to Bibliotheca Alexandrina
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