Alexandria, Egypt: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Alexandria, Egypt, is served by the Borg El Arab International Airport, located about 40 kilometres southwest of the city in Borg El Arab. The airport also serves nearby areas of the Nile Delta. It is the city's only operational airport as of late 2020, following the closure of El Nouzha Airport in 2010 and the subsequent suspension of its renovation plans.

Alexandria/Borg El Arab International Airport

Alexandria, Egypt, is served by the Alexandria/Borg El Arab International Airport, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of the city in Borg El Arab. The airport also serves the nearby areas of the Nile Delta.

The airport has been an important link between historic Alexandria and many countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. It has also been the main international entry point for Alexandria and the Nile Delta Region while the Alexandria International Airport undergoes extensive renovations.

The Alexandria/Borg El Arab International Airport has a hot desert climate, with unbroken sunshine expected all year due to the stable descending air and high pressure. Temperatures can reach 40°C to 45°C, especially during the warmer months. During colder periods, night-time temperatures can drop to freezing or below due to exceptional radiation loss under clear skies.

The airport underwent a major expansion in 2010 to increase its passenger and cargo handling capacity. A new terminal, designed in the shape of a boat, was opened in February 2010. The terminal has three floors: the ground floor is for checking in and luggage handling; the second floor is for arrivals and offices; and the third floor is for departures, immigration procedures, and a VIP hall. Commercial activities are spread across all three floors. The terminal also has a duty-free shop, a franchise food court, travel offices, a control tower, and a fire station. Four movable boarding bridges connect the terminal building to aircraft. A parking area in front of the building provides space for 350 vehicles.

El Nouzha Airport

The airport featured various facilities and amenities for travellers, including public transportation options like local or public buses to the town. There was no fixed taxi fare, and passengers could negotiate rates, with some reporting fares as low as US$5 for a ride to the city centre. El Nouzha Airport also provided essential services such as banking, ATMs, and currency exchange services. An ATM was located within a short walking distance from the terminal, and a currency exchange booth was available in the arrivals area.

The airport's location was one of its notable advantages, as it was situated near the city centre. Travellers could reach various destinations in Alexandria within 10 to 15 minutes. However, reviews of the airport's facilities and services were generally unfavourable, with complaints about uncleanliness, poor maintenance, and inadequate customer service.

Borg El Arab Roman tomb

Alexandria, Egypt, does have an airport: the Borg El Arab International Airport. The airport is located about 40km (or 47km according to another source) southwest of Alexandria, in the city of Borg El Arab. The airport serves the city of Alexandria and the nearby areas of the Nile Delta. It is the main airport for Alexandria due to the closure of El Nouzha Airport in 2010.

Borg El Arab International Airport has the capacity to handle 1.2 million passengers per year and features a brand-new terminal that was opened in February 2010. The terminal is designed in the shape of a boat and consists of three floors: the ground floor is for checking in and luggage handling; the second floor is for arrivals and administrative offices; and the third floor is for departures, immigration procedures, and a VIP hall. The airport also features a duty-free shop, a food court, travel services, a fuel supply unit, a control tower, and a fire station.

Borg El Arab is a city in the governorate of Alexandria, Egypt, and is considered an extension of the city of Alexandria. It is located about 52km southwest of Alexandria and 7km from the Mediterranean coast. The city is home to the biggest football stadium in Egypt, the Borg El Arab Stadium.

Near the Borg El Arab Airport is a famous tourist site where the Borg El Arab Roman tomb was discovered, as well as the temple of Cleopatra and Marc Anthony. Unfortunately, I could not find more specific information about the Roman tomb.

Citadel of Qaitbay

Alexandria, Egypt, is served by the Borg El Arab International Airport, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of the city in Borg El Arab. The airport also serves the nearby areas of the Nile Delta.

Now, here is some detailed information on the Citadel of Qaitbay:

The Citadel of Qaitbay, also known as the Fort of Qaitbay, is a 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean coast in Alexandria, Egypt. Built from 1477 to 1479 AD (882–884 AH) by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay, it is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds in Egypt and along the Mediterranean coast. The citadel played a crucial role in the fortification system of Alexandria during the 15th century.

The Citadel of Qaitbay was constructed on the eastern side of the northern tip of Pharos Island at the mouth of the Eastern Harbour. It was built on the site of the former Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The lighthouse underwent several structural modifications after the Arab conquest of Egypt and continued to function for centuries. However, it was eventually destroyed by earthquakes in the 11th, 13th, and 14th centuries.

Sultan Al-Ashraf Qaitbay fortified the site as part of his coastal defensive strategy against the Turks, who posed a threat to Egypt at the time. He constructed a formidable fortress, incorporating a mosque within its walls. The citadel remained functional during the Mameluke, Ottoman, and Modern periods. However, after the British bombardment of Alexandria in 1882, it fell into neglect until the 20th century when it underwent restoration by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The Citadel of Qaitbay is characterised by its strategic location, massive square structure, and defensive features. It has an outer wall reinforced with defence towers and an inner wall surrounding a courtyard with various rooms, including barracks and storage areas. The main tower, located in the northwest corner, stands at three floors high, with half-circular towers at each corner equipped with protruding balconies for the defence of the city. A tank near the tower provided water for the soldiers and their horses.

The Citadel of Qaitbay has undergone several renovations and enlargements over the centuries, reflecting its enduring importance. It has attracted the attention of rulers throughout history due to its strategic significance and is now one of the top attractions in Alexandria for its historical value and unique position.

Montaza Palace

Alexandria, Egypt, is served by the Borg El Arab International Airport, located about 40km southwest of the city. The airport also serves the nearby areas of the Nile Delta.

Now, onto Montaza Palace:

In 1932, King Fuad I constructed the larger El-Haramlek Palace and the royal gardens, using it as a summer palace. The El-Haramlek Palace is designed in a mix of Ottoman and Florentine styles, with two towers. The taller tower features intricate Italian Renaissance design details. The palace features long open arcades facing the sea, and the grounds stretch to a nearby beach on the Mediterranean Sea.

The Salamlek Palace has been renovated and used as an official presidential residence. It was most recently occupied by former President Hosni Mubarak. Today, the Salamlek Palace has been converted into a luxury hotel, with a second hotel added to the property. The El-Haramlek Palace now serves as a casino and a museum showcasing the history and artefacts of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty.

The former royal gardens, known as El-Montaza Park, span 150 acres and are open to the public as a landscape park and forest reserve. The Montaza Palace and its gardens are a popular attraction, offering a relaxing day out and easy access to the beach.

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