Stanley Bridge, Alexandria (must see)

Stanley Bridge is one of the best-known modern structures on the waterfront, built as part of a late-20th-century effort to improve traffic flow and renew the coastal edge. Completed in 2001, it crosses Stanley Bay and became widely noted as the first bridge in Egypt constructed over the sea. The choice to build over the water was also practical: it helped preserve the popular beach below while allowing the coastal road to expand.

The bridge is about 400 metres long and is formed of six spans. Its four decorative towers, arched details, and lantern-like forms were designed to echo the style of Montazah Palace farther along the coast, linking modern infrastructure with Egypt’s royal past. The result combines Florentine and Islamic-inspired details rather than the plain appearance of a standard traffic bridge.

Its setting is a major part of its appeal. Locals often call it the “Lover’s Bridge,” as couples come here in the evening to walk, talk, and enjoy the sea breeze. The bridge often appears in Egyptian films, TV dramas, and music videos as a shorthand for the city’s coast. Small tower openings also frame sea views for photographs.

Stanley Bridge is not an ancient monument, but it has quickly entered local memory. Its name comes from the surrounding Stanley district, commonly linked to the British explorer Henry Morton Stanley. For tourists, the bridge offers sea views, everyday coastal life, and access to nearby cafés and restaurants, with a pedestrian underpass helping visitors avoid the heavy traffic along the waterfront.