Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt. Known far and wide as ‘The Pearl of the Mediterranean', it has an atmosphere that is decidedly more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. Its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country, although it is actually only 225km from the capital.

Alexandria was built by Alexander the Great in 332 BC and has a rich tradition of being the primary gateway between Europe and Africa. It remains one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean Sea, and with shores that extend about 32km (20 miles) along the coast in north and central Egypt, it is a major tourist attraction, especially during the summer months.

Rich with ancient remains and antiquities, Alexandria boasts the Royal Library, which was once the largest library in the world. It was built for the first time at the beginning of the third century BC, during the reign of Ptolemy II of Egypt, before it was destroyed by fire on a number of occasions. It was refurbished in 2003 in a modernisation project focused on regaining the ancient library's status as one of the city's top cultural attractions.

Other things to see in Alexandria include the Montaza Royal Gardens, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Citadel of Qaitbay, Bir Massoud in Miami and the Roman Amphitheater. However, like many port cities, the traditional form of entertainment is enjoying a drink and maybe a shisha (water-pipe) at one of the many waterfront cafes.

Football
Despite the popularity of basketball, football remains Alexandria's top sport sport. Olympic, Toram and Ittihad were the earliest clubs founded in the city, with the latter being easily its most popular. Olympic became the first club from the city to win a national title in 1966. Ten years later, Ittihad claimed their last domestic title when they won the Egyptian Cup in 1976.

Thereafter, the city failed to celebrate a trophy until Haras El Hedood, a club managed and owned by the army, won the Egyptian Cup this year.

Al Deba who was the first-ever scorer at the CAF African Cup of Nations in the early 1950s, is Alexandria's most famous football figure. Ahmed El Kaas, who was a key component in the Egyptian team that featured at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Italy™, is also a famous son of the city, as is defender Mohamed Omar.