Iconic Architecture and Landmarks in Alexandria

A masterpiece of Islamic design, the current structure was crafted by the Italian architect Mario Rossi in the mid-20th century. The building features heavily ornamented, cream-coloured stone walls and four spectacular, intricately carved domes. The soaring 73-metre minaret dominates the skyline of the Anfushi district. The fusion of traditional Andalusian motifs with modern construction techniques makes it an architectural triumph.

Designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, this phenomenal structure is an undisputed marvel of modern design. The building takes the shape of a massive, 160-metre-wide cylinder tilted at an angle, symbolising a rising sun emerging from the sea. The vast, windowless exterior wall of Aswan granite is deeply carved with characters from 120 different scripts. Inside, a cascading, multi-tiered reading room is flooded with indirect natural light.

Constructed in 1929 by the French-Egyptian Metzger family, this hotel is a deeply romantic relic of the city's golden age. The facade exhibits strong Moorish and eclectic European influences, featuring elegant arched windows and decorative balconies overlooking the harbour. Inside, the vintage wire-cage elevator and grand staircases preserve a distinctly Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere. It stands as a proud survivor of the city's glamorous 20th-century hotel boom.

An awe-inspiring monument to the city's cosmopolitan history, this synagogue was originally built in 1348 but heavily reconstructed in the 1850s. The striking Neo-Gothic exterior hides a truly magnificent, cavernous interior space. Towering Italian marble columns support a highly ornate ceiling, while beautifully crafted brass lanterns hang above wooden pews. It is a stunning, resilient piece of religious architecture in the heart of the city.

Built on the site of a former fig tree plantation, this massive royal palace blends Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Moorish architectural elements. The striking, monumental entrance gates are highly ornate, providing a grand introduction to the sweeping coastal estate. Though the lavish interiors remain mostly hidden from the public, the sheer scale and classical proportions of the exterior make it a defining feature of the western harbour.

A colossal, ultra-modern luxury complex that has drastically redefined the city's eastern skyline since its completion. The twin crescent-shaped towers curve gracefully, designed to maximise sweeping views of the Mediterranean. It integrates a massive shopping mall, luxury apartments, and a high-end hotel within its sleek glass and steel structure. It represents the bold, ambitious face of contemporary waterfront development.