14 Coastal Towns That Feel Like a Slice of the Mediterranean

13. Alexandria, Egypt – The Lost Mediterranean Capital

Alexandria is a city of legends, where ancient history and modern energy collide on the shores of the Mediterranean. Once home to the famed Library of Alexandria and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (the Pharos Lighthouse), this Egyptian port city still holds echoes of its Greek, Roman, and Ottoman past. Walking along its vast corniche, lined with grand old cafés, seafood restaurants, and historic hotels, feels like strolling the waterfronts of Marseille or Thessaloniki—a place where the Mediterranean’s influence is woven into daily life. The city’s old-world charm is evident in its crumbling yet majestic European-style buildings, its bustling souks selling spices and fresh-caught fish, and its historic tram system, reminiscent of Lisbon’s famous streetcars. While its ancient Greek and Roman ruins, including the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, make it an archaeologist’s dream, Alexandria is also a modern, vibrant coastal city where Egyptian and Mediterranean cultures blend seamlessly.