A Travel Guide to Explore The Citadel of Qaitbay

The ancient cities of Egypt serve as its most popular tourist destinations. Among these ancient cities, the city of Alexandria is very popular for its numerous ancient structures and ruins that stand within the city’s boundaries to this day. One of these structures is the famous Citadel of Qaitbay. So, let us look at an exploration guide to explore the Citadel of Qaitbay.

An Introduction to the Citadel of Qaitbay

The famous citadel of Qaitbay is a fortification located on the northern side of the Pharos Island. This place was built by the famous Sultan Qaitbay. The citadel was built as a means to defend against the invaders of Egypt, which at the time were the Ottomans. The Ottomans end up capturing the citadel later and used it to house their infantry.

Later in history, the citadel was taken over by the French and later the British, who neglected its maintenance during the colonization of Egypt. After that, it was converted into a maritime museum, and eventually, it was converted into a tourist destination in 1984.

Preparations for Traveling within the Citadel of Qaitbay

Before you embark on your trip to the Citadel of Qaitbay, make sure you have prepared yourself for exploring this landmark. This place is full of historical items and views which are very important to understand the history of Egypt.

If you wish to immerse yourself in the history of this Citadel, you can hire tour guides who will explain everything you need to know about the Citadel of Qaitbay. Within the premises, you will need to walk wherever you wish to go. So, you will need shoes that you are comfortable with for long walks. Prioritize comfort with shoes as the ground of the Citadel of Qaitbay is uneven and includes a lot of stairs.  

How Can I Reach the Citadel of Qaitbay?

To reach the citadel of Qaitbay, tourists can use several modes of transport. The most commonly used form of transport to reach the Citadel of Qaitbay is mentioned below:

Taxi

Hiring a taxi to reach the Citadel of Qaitbay is the most common method used by tourists in Alexandria. Taxis in the city are readily available in every part of the city. Just ask the driver to take you to the Citadel of Qaitbay, and they will be able to take you there. The average time of reaching the Citadel through this method is around 15-20 minutes.

However, it can take longer if there is a lot of traffic on the road.

Bus

If you are not willing to go by taxi, you can always ride a bus to the Qasr El-Qaitbay. This is also a popular method for tourists who are on the other side of Alexandria and do not wish to spend a lot of money on traveling to the Citadel of Qaitbay. 

However, upon reaching the Qasr El-Qaitbay, tourists will have to walk a short distance to reach the Citadel.

Tram

Tourists who enjoy a tram ride due to nostalgia will be able to reach the Citadel of Qaitbay through the extensive tram system of Alexandria, which is still operational to this day. To reach the Citadel through trams, you will need to exit at El Mansheya and then walk a short distance to the Citadel of Qaitbay.

Walking

Walking is a very good way of reaching the Citadel of Qaitbay if you are staying near the coast of Corniche. The walk from this place to the Citadel of Qaitbay is around 30-45 minutes. If you choose to walk to the Citadel from here, you will be able to take a nice stroll full of ocean views from the coast.

Exploring the Citadel of Qaitbay

Main Hall

Once you have arrived at the Citadel of Qaitbay, your exploration will start from the main tower of the Citadel. This main tower consists of multiple small windows all around it, along with 4 cylindrical towers covering each corner of the tower. The tower itself has 3 floors and is a square-shaped structure.

First Floor

After you ascend to the first floor, you will see a mosque that contains a gallery that is surrounding an open courtyard with a floor made of marble. There are multiple small Iwans within this structure that are designed in the Mameluke architectural style.

The Mihrab in this mosque is unique because it is the only known Mihrab that does not face Mecca. It is said that this mosque once had a minaret on it however, it has now been destroyed. Within the first floor itself, visitors can see the intent behind the design of this Citadel.

While the mosque does provide a peaceful place for the residents to offer their daily prayers, most of the mosque is clearly made with the intention of holding military personnel inside it.

Second Floor

The second floor of the Citadel of Qaitbay is mostly comprised of passageways and small rooms. These areas were mostly built to allow the archers to move around quickly and take strategic positions to defend the Citadel. There are also a few large rooms here that are believed to serve multiple purposes at different points in time.

What Time of the Year Should I Visit the Citadel of Qaitbay?

When it comes to the best time of the year to visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, the winter season that lasts between January and February is considered the best.  While most people associate Alexandria with deserts, there have been recent instances of snowfall in the region. Your best bet to witness this phenomenon yourself is during the aforementioned months. If you are lucky, you can see a side of the Citadel of Qaitbay that very few people have seen on their visit. 

However, if you are someone who is interested in learning the culture that the Citadel of Qaitbay originates from, you will find the summer months to be ideal. During this time, visitors can feel the cool breeze that blows inside the Citadel through its small windows, which keep its past residents cool and comfortable. 

June and August are considered ideal for experiencing this phenomenon due to the low humidity levels in Alexandria during these months.

At What Time Is the Citadel of Qaitbay Open for Exploration

The timings of the Citadel of Qaitbay are between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM in the winter season. During the summer season, the opening hours are between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The Citadel of Qaitbay is open for exploration almost every day throughout the year.

However, it is advised that most people check the opening hours of the Citadel of Qaitbay on the official website for this place, especially during the summer season. There are also special occasions and events during which the Citadel of Qaitbay is closed to tourists for exploration. So, make sure you plan your visit with these factors in mind.

How Much Entrance Fee is Charged for the Citadel of Qaitbay

Currently, the entrance fee for entering the Citadel of Qaitbay is around 10-20 EGP per person. However, this amount has changed in the past and can change again. So, we recommend visiting the official website of the Citadel of Qaitbay to confirm the entrance fees at the time you plan to visit the Citadel.

So, if you wish to visit Alexandria to explore the Citadel of Qaitbay, we recommend applying for your Egypt e-visa early and start booking your itineraries early.