The Tours Guide Desk is located in the Foyer of the Library of Alexandria. Tours are being offered in the following languages: Arabic, English, French, Spanish and German.
During the tour, visitors are introduced to the historical background of the Ancient Library, the efforts made to build the New Library, the significance and concept behind this dazzling building as well as other information about the different sections of the Library of Alexandria.
The Receptionists are responsible for prior reservation either by phone, e-mail or personal contact for individuals and groups.
Kindly notice that the entrance tickets include guided tours and exhibitions.
1- School Visits
The BA welcomes pre-scheduled school groups, by the following regulations;
- Reservations should be made at least 5 days in advance.
- The Library Ticket does not include admission to the Planetarium Science Center. For Reservations please call ext: 2350. In case of visiting both the Planetarium and the library, please coordinate between the schedules of the two visits.
- You have to buy library tickets to attend the Culturama Show.
- Please contact the Visits and Halls Department in case of modifying the time or canceling the School Visit.
- Please be there before time of the visit to have enough time to buy the Library tickets from the tickets booth located at Port Said Street, next to the conference center.
School tours are available
| Sunday through Thursday |
9:00 am - 10:30 am |
| Friday |
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
| Saturday |
11:00 am – 2:30 pm |
2- Public Tours
The Visits and Halls Department provides guided tours, for Families, Individuals and different Groups, every 15 minutes in different languages: Arabic, English, French, Spanish and German (according to the tour schedule below).
Tours for groups from universities, companies and travel agencies can be provided, upon immediate request during the regular working hours, but it is recommended to reserve the tour two days in advance.
Tour Schedule
| Arabic |
English |
French |
Spanish |
German |
| 11:15 am |
11:15 am |
11:30 am |
12:00 pm |
12:00 pm |
| 11:45 am |
12:00 pm |
12:15 pm |
1:00 pm |
1:30 pm |
| 12:30 pm |
12:45 pm |
1:00 pm |
2:00 pm |
3:00 pm |
| 1:15 pm |
1:30 pm |
1:45 pm |
3:00 pm |
|
| 2:00 pm |
2:15 pm |
2:30 pm |
|
|
| 2:45 pm |
3:00 pm |
3:15 pm |
|
|
| 3:30 pm |
3:45 pm |
4:00 pm |
|
|
| 4:15 pm |
4:30 pm |
4:45 pm |
|
|
| 5:00 pm |
5:15 pm |
5:30 pm |
|
|
** During summer and mid-year vacation, an extra Arabic tour will be added at 5:45 pm.
Regular Tour Direction
The Visits and Halls Department consists of guides who have received intensive training to lead an entertaining, and an enlightening tour for the visitors.
- The tour begins at Demetrius of Phaleron Statue at the Library entrance. The guide starts by explaining to the guests the historical background of the Ancient Library and how it disappeared.
- The guide then describes how the revival of the project was launched, the phases of construction, and the description of the Library building externally. The group moves inside the Library to the glass triangle known as "Callimachus Triangle" to see an overwhelming view of the Reading Hall while the guide explains everything about the Library and its components.
- The guide then highlights some ICT projects of the Library.
- The tour then reaches the Exhibition Halls on B1 to visit some of the permanent Exhibitions. Our guides carefully highlights the masterpieces found in these exhibitions.
Please note that:
- The duration of the regular tour is between 30-45 minutes.
- On Fridays and Saturdays, prior reservation is highly recommended, taking into consideration that on Fridays the first tour in English begins at 3:00 pm, the French tour at 3:15 pm, and the Arabic tour at 3:30 pm.
- Prior reservation is highly recommended for Spanish and German tours, taking into consideration that there are no Spanish tours offered on Fridays and the German tours are not offered on Friday and Saturday.
- Children under 6 years are not allowed in the Library, except for the Antiquities Museum, permanent exhibitions, the Book Shop, and Day Care.
- Ages 6 – 16 years are not permitted inside the Library's Main Reading Hall unless they join guided tours.
- Neither the external tour guides nor the tour leaders of the travel agencies are allowed to explain inside the library, since the Library has its own guides who speak the different languages.
- Photographs are allowed within the Library except except in some Museums and some Exhibitions.
- Bags are to be deposited in the lockers next to ticket booths, but you may bring your wallet into the Library.
- It is not allowed for visitors to bring books into the Library.
- Please register your laptop at the Staff Entrance.