Graeco-Roman Museum
๐ Location: El Mathaf Street, central Alexandria ย ยท ย ๐บ Focus: Ptolemaic and Roman Alexandria ย ยท ย ๐๏ธ Tickets: ~200 EGP foreign adults
Founded in 1892, the Graeco-Roman Museum in Alexandria is one of the oldest dedicated museums in the country and houses what is by far the largest collection of Ptolemaic and Roman antiquities from Alexandria and Egypt. It closed for a major restoration in 2005 and reopened in 2023 with completely redesigned galleries, new lighting, and full English signage.
The collection of around 40,000 objects focuses on the period from Alexander's conquest in 331 BC to the Arab conquest in 641 AD. Highlights include the Tanagra figurines (terracotta statuettes), a striking colossal head of Serapis from the Serapeum, Tetrarchic porphyry busts of Roman emperors, dazzling Roman-period mosaics found in Alexandrian villas, Egyptian-style sculptures of Ptolemaic queens (some identified as Cleopatra VII), and an extensive coin cabinet โ Alexandria was the mint of the eastern Mediterranean for centuries.
A separate hall is devoted to Greco-Egyptian religion โ the syncretic cult of Serapis, the magical papyri, and the Apis and Buchis bulls sacred to both traditions.
Highlights
- Colossal head of Serapis
- Roman porphyry tetrarchic busts
- Mosaics from Alexandrian villas
- Ptolemaic queens, possibly Cleopatra VII
- Outstanding Greco-Roman coin cabinet
Visiting
- Opening hours: 9 am โ 5 pm
- Tickets: ~200 EGP foreign adults
- Best time: combine with Kom el-Dikka one block away
- Nearby: Kom el-Dikka, Alexandria National Museum, Pompey's Pillar