Alexandria National Museum, Alexandria (must see)

Alexandria National Museum offers a clear introduction to the region’s layered past, from ancient Egypt to the modern period. Opened in 2003, it occupies a restored palace built in 1926 for Al-Saad Bassili Pasha, a wealthy wood and timber merchant. In 1954, the Bassili family sold the palace to the United States government, and it later served as the American Consulate. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities eventually repurchased it and converted it into a museum.

The palace setting remains an important part of the visit. Its Italianate character, painted ceilings, refined staircases, and elegant interior details give the museum a strong architectural identity. The exhibition design also works carefully with the historic rooms. Display cases are angled to keep the palace windows and wall details visible, allowing the architecture and artifacts to share the space naturally.

The galleries follow a chronological route, almost like a descent and return through layers of archaeology. The Pharaonic section is placed in the basement, where dark blue and black tones evoke ancient Egyptian ideas of the afterlife. Above it, the Greco-Roman galleries use brighter shades, reflecting a different cultural atmosphere, while the Coptic and Islamic sections are marked by green tones. This structure helps visitors move from the oldest material to later periods in a clear and memorable way.

Among the most interesting exhibits are statues, funerary objects, jewellery, manuscripts, icons, ceramics, metalwork, and household items from different eras. The Greco-Roman section features seabed finds from Abu Qir Bay, including granite statues of Isis and ancient priests. Later galleries display rare coins, Muhammad Ali family jewellery, gold-plated handbags, and personal objects linked to King Farouk.