Pharos

Island Ancient lighthouse of Alexandria; one of Seven Wonders

Alexandria’s Pharos refers to the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria; Fort Qaitbay stands on the lighthouse’s historical site, and tourists visit for the citadel, the Corniche and maritime museums.

The Pharos was the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, erected on the island of Pharos to guide shipping into the city’s main harbours during the Hellenistic period. Construction dates to the early Ptolemaic dynasty in the 3rd century BC and the structure was noted by ancient writers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The lighthouse functioned as a major navigational aid for centuries but was heavily damaged by earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries and eventually fell into ruin. Stone from the lighthouse and from the island’s structures was later used in the 15th century to build the Citadel of Qaitbay on the same promontory.

At the time of its greatest height ancient sources and modern estimates suggest the tower may have stood on the order of 100 to 140 metres tall, though the exact original height is not certain. The lighthouse stood on the island of Pharos, which was connected to the mainland by the Heptastadion causeway forming Alexandria’s harbours.

Ancient status: One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, constructed in the 3rd century BC on the island of Pharos at Alexandria's harbour entrance.
Destruction and reuse: Suffered damage from a series of earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries and its remains were later reused in the construction of the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay.

How to Get to Pharos #

The ancient Pharos site corresponds to the tip of Alexandria’s harbour where Fort Qaitbay now stands. From Cairo you can reach Alexandria by intercity train or by road (the Cairo-Alexandria route is the main connection, roughly a 2-3 hour drive depending on traffic). In Alexandria, take a taxi, local bus or tram along the Corniche to the eastern harbour area; the Citadel of Qaitbay sits on the harbour headland and is a short walk from the Corniche stops and from the Old Alexandria harbour.

Tips for Visiting Pharos #

Plan to visit the Qaitbay Citadel (built on the original Pharos islet) in the cooler early morning or late afternoon to avoid Alexandria's midday heat and to get better light for coastal views.
Approach the site from the Corniche/Pompey's Pillar area to combine a walk along the harbor with the citadel visit - the fort stands on the historic Pharos site and is the primary place to see that heritage on the seafront.
Don't expect visible remains of the ancient lighthouse on land; visitors interested in the original Pharos context should pair the citadel visit with the nearby Alexandria museums and the seafront to understand how the harbor and lighthouse once related.