How to celebrate Eid Al-Adha 2018 in Alexandria

Alexandria is a popular place to escape the crowds and heat of Cairo during Eid al-Adha. With its long beaches and sea breezes, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” is also a great place to enjoy Eid with family and friends.
The significance of Eid al-Adha means Alexandria’s mosques are naturally busy places during this time. Alexandria’s most famous is Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, which became a place of pilgrimage in centuries past for Egyptians and other North Africans passing through the port on their way to Mecca.

Those going on Hajj might prefer to fly now but the mosque still stands near the seashore on a large square with five other smaller mosques. That makes it a perfect place for early morning Eid al-Adha prayers or to enjoy the communal friendship of Eid at any time.

The beaches near Alexandria and along the Red Sea are equally packed with families and friends. Some are free during the holiday, while others charge various fees to control numbers or pay for extra facilities, such as security guards to control any over-boisterous behavior.

The vendors your dad used to buy balloons and inflatable animals from are still there – now it’s your turn – as well as those selling all the usual irresistible good-but-bad-for-you street foods.
As well as looking at the sea, it’s also fun to get on it by joining a cruise along the seafront and finding a small boat to rent for an hour.

As the stars come out, so do the fireworks and other evening entertainment. El Maamora Beach is a good place to hang out, nibble some grilled corn, ride a bike, watch a film or enjoy a barbecue party. Other good places for evening walks are the Corniche, Stanley Bridge, and Montazah Palace Gardens. Alexandria’s many street food vendors will help fill any gaps left in your stomach after eating Fatah.

Of course, this is a great time for new films, so enjoy those – with the bonus of air-conditioning – in multi-screens such as those in the San Stefano Complex and Zahran Mall, where the food courts also do a roaring trade. Alexandria Zoo also puts on special events aimed at children.

With schools, government offices and banks shut for the holiday, many businesses are also on reduced hours. Even if you can’t go inside it, Qaitbay Citadel is a scenic destination for an evening seafront stroll. Grab an ice cream from local favorites Makram or Azza and enjoy the sea breezes while you watch the kids run around on a sugar rush from their Eidyah.

Eid Mubarak!