Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa: Alexandria's Underground Necropolis

Beneath the streets of Alexandria lies one of the most extraordinary burial sites in the ancient world. The Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa are a multi-level underground necropolis where Egyptian, Greek and Roman art collide and merge into a style found almost nowhere else. Carved deep into the rock and reached by a dramatic spiral staircase, they are Alexandria’s most important ancient monument and a vivid reminder that the city was once a melting pot of Mediterranean cultures. This guide explains what they are, what you see and how to visit.

What the catacombs are and their history

The name Kom el-Shoqafa means “Mound of Shards,” after the pottery fragments found on the site — broken vessels left, it is thought, by visitors who came to honour the dead and did not carry their crockery home. The catacombs date to the Roman period, when Alexandria was a cosmopolitan capital, and they were rediscovered by chance in the early 20th century.

What makes them remarkable is their cultural fusion. Begun perhaps as a private tomb and expanded over time into a larger necropolis, they blend the imagery of three civilisations: Egyptian gods and funerary motifs sit alongside Greek and Roman figures, costumes and architecture. The result is a hybrid art that captures the unique character of Alexandria itself.

What you see underground

A spiral staircase winds down around a central shaft — once used to lower the bodies of the dead — into the cool, dim chambers below. Highlights include:

• The spiral staircase and rotunda — the dramatic descent and a domed circular hall.
• The main tomb chamber — guarded by carved figures and decorated with reliefs that mix Egyptian and classical styles.
• The hybrid reliefs — Egyptian gods such as Anubis depicted in Roman dress, a striking emblem of the fusion.
• The triclinium — a banqueting room where relatives gathered to share meals in honour of the deceased.

Tip: the lower levels can be damp and have sometimes been affected by groundwater. Wear shoes with good grip for the steps, and check on arrival which sections are open, as access can vary.

Tickets and opening hours

The catacombs are open daily, with hours that can vary by season, so confirm current times before you go. A ticket is required, with reduced student rates on presentation of valid ID, and the site is managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Photography rules may apply underground. Rather than quote prices that change, buy on site or through an official channel and check current rates on arrival.

Getting there and how long to stay

The catacombs lie in the Karmouz district of Alexandria, a short taxi ride from the city centre, and combine naturally with nearby ancient sites into a half-day of the city’s classical heritage.

Practicality	What to know
Location	Karmouz, Alexandria
Access	Taxi from the city centre
Time needed	45 minutes to 1 hour
Best paired with	Pompey’s Pillar, the Roman Amphitheatre

Allow around forty-five minutes to an hour underground. Pairing the catacombs with Pompey’s Pillar — almost next door — and the Roman Amphitheatre makes an efficient ancient-Alexandria circuit.

Best time to visit and practical tips

Alexandria’s Mediterranean climate is milder than the Nile Valley, but the catacombs are best visited earlier in the day before tour groups arrive. Underground it is cool and can be humid, so the air is a relief in summer but the steps may be slick. Bring a light layer, wear sensible shoes and move carefully on the staircase.

For help adding the catacombs to an Alexandria day trip alongside the city’s other classical sites, see our plan your trip page. Take your time with the hybrid reliefs in the main chamber: nowhere else captures so completely the moment when Egypt, Greece and Rome met underground and created something entirely their own.