Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

What Is Qaitbay Citadel?
The ancient lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders was replaced by the medieval bastion known as the Alexandria citadel of Qaitbay. It protected the port and it showed Egypt’s sea power. With broad views of the Mediterranean, the Qaitbay castle now works as a museum and as an open-air history lesson.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

Where Is Qaitbay Citadel Located?
You will find the Citadel of Qaitbay Alexandria Egypt, on what used to be Pharos Island, which is now a peninsula, at the western edge of the Eastern Harbor, and its position makes it one of the city’s most photogenic places with the sea behind and the skyline ahead. So it helps to time your visit for softer light in the morning or late afternoon, and it also helps to check the latest Citadel of Qaitbay opening hours before you set out, so you do not arrive too early or too late.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

What Is the History of Qaitbay Citadel?
Sultan al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay ordered the fortress in 1477 AD under Mamluk rule, and after earthquakes between the 11th and the 14th centuries brought down the lighthouse, builders reused some of its stone to raise new defenses. Over time, the Qaitbay Alexandria Egypt citadel saw new rulers, first the Mamluks and then the Ottomans, and then it saw modernization under Muhammad Ali.
A British fire in 1882 damaged parts of the fort and later work in the twentieth century repaired walls and passages, so the strong outline you see today could remain. So the story is one of damage and repair and new life, and that story matches Alexandria itself.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

What Is the Architecture of Qaitbay Citadel?
Think Mamluk military design with a rectangular plan and thick curtain walls and corner towers and a three-level main keep. Limestone and granite blocks give the building weight, and some blocks came from local quarries while others were repurposed from the fallen lighthouse. 
Inside you will walk through vaulted halls and storerooms and the remains of a small mosque, which are spaces built for function first and beauty second, and yet the proportions still feel calm and elegant.
As you climb, you can notice arrow slits that angle toward the harbor and courtyards that gather light and air, and the layout controls movement and creates vantage points and protects supplies. So modern travelers get quiet corners and shade and high terraces over the Mediterranean.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

What Can You See at Qaitbay Citadel Today?
You can start with the central courtyard and then you can move into chambers that once held provisions and barracks. You can explore the mosque remains to sense daily garrison life. You can trace the line of the defensive walls and, if the stairs are open, you can go up for the best views along the Corniche.
And after your visit, you are steps from the fishing port and simple seafood spots, so a coastal walk feels natural, with waves on the rocks and families with cameras and kites in the breeze. 
What it costs: There is usually a small ticket for foreigners and a lower rate for locals or students, so check the posted citadel of Qaitbay entrance fee at the window on the day you visit. If you are booking a tour, ask whether the citadel of Qaitbay tickets are already included, so you do not pay twice.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

Who Maintained the Citadel After Qaitbay?
Stewards changed, and the fortress kept its role:

• Mamluk sultans funded upkeep through waqfs.
• Ottomans used the fort for nearly three centuries.
• Muhammad Ali strengthened defenses in the 19th century.
• The late monarchy considered turning it into a palace, and it later served as a naval museum.
• Modern Egypt restored parts in the 20th century under the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

So the walls still stand and the site still feels like a working piece of the coastline rather than only a memory.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

Why Is Qaitbay Citadel Important?
Three simple reasons keep Qaitbay Citadel Alexandria Egypt near the top of city plans:

1. Direct link to the lighthouse. It sits on that very site and it reuses some stone so it connects you to a lost wonder.
2. Window on maritime history. The citadel of Qaitbay history shows how rulers defended a key harbor.
3. The scenery is worth the climb. The ramparts give big Mediterranean views that please photographers and day-trippers alike.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur

What Are the Key Facts About the Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria?
If you want quick Facts About Qaitbay Citadel, start here:

• Built in 1477 AD by Sultan Qaitbay.
• Reused stones from the Pharos Lighthouse ruins.
• Served as a military fortress into the 19th century.
• Damaged in 1882 and later restored.
• Contains a mosque, storerooms, and barracks remains.
• Offers panoramic Mediterranean views.
• Functions today as a museum and heritage site.

Ready to pair sea views with real history? Plan your visit to Qaitbay Citadel and let the harbor breeze do the rest, and let us help with timing and routes. Plan your Alexandria day with Step to Egypt, and we will sort your route and your photos so you can just enjoy the view.

Citadel of Qaitbay is at the entrance to Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor and it stands on the same spot as the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Sultan Qaitbay built the fortress in 1477 AD so it could guard the city from attacks by sea and so it could show Egypt’s strength along the Mediterranean coast. Now it is one of Alexandria’s top landmarks and you can walk along its stone walls, you can see the remains of the mosque and the chambers and you can then enjoy wide views of the sea and the Corniche.