Surprising largest city in Mediterranean and it's not in Spain, Greece, France or Italy

There are lots of brilliant places for , but Alexandria could be the greatest of all.

Named for its founder Alexander the Great, tourists are sure to have a great time at this .

With a history and culture stretching back as far as 331BC, Alexandria is a marvel steeped in history and heritage with plenty to offer the modern day tourist too.

The city developed from a small port known as Rhakotis after the arrival of Alexander the Great and sits nestled at the western edge of the Nile River delta, around 114 miles from Egypt's capital, Cairo.

Known as the 'Bride of the Mediterranean', it is the largest city on the and is brimming with historial splendours that culture seeking tourists are sure to love.

Unfortunately due to the constant presence of war in ancient times, very little of the ancient city survived into the modern day. Much of Alexandria's old royal and civic quarters sank beneath the harbour, including Queen Cleopatra's palace which is now under the sea, with ruins having been rebuilt over the years.

But tourists can enjoy some of the ancient sites that did survive, including Pompey's Pillar, the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Kom El Deka, which houses the city's Roman amphitheatre, and the Temple of Taposiris Magna.

The Citadel of Qaitbay is one of the key attractions where tourists can soak up beautiful panoramic views of the city. The medieval fort was built on the site of the old Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303.

The Montazah Palace and its expansive gardens is another impressive site worth visiting, offering tourists the chance to escape the hustle and bustle and wander the tree-lined paths, well-manicured lawns and beaches.

Visitors eager to learn more about the ancient city should pay a visit to the Alexandria National Museum, which houses a carefully curated collection of artefacts and Egyption treasures from its history, including some fascinating underwater archaeological finds.

One attraction that you won't have to pay an entry fee for is the Corniche, a waterfront promenade which runs along the Eastern Harbour.

The coastal road runs for 10 miles through the heart of the city, stretching from Qaitbay Citadel on the west to Montaza on the northeastern end, and is lined with street vendors and stunning sea views along the way.

As well as its ancient sites, Alexandria has plenty to offer in the way of food - particularly if you're a fan of seafood.

Gambari mashway (grilled prawns), samak mashway (lightly seasoned grilled whole fish), and singari fish (fish tomatoes with cilantro, cumin and chilli), are among the some of the key dishes to try at the local restaurants, or you could pay a visit to the local fish market which offers a wealth of dining options.

Tourists with a sweet tooth are also well catered for in Alexandria as the city is known for its patisserie culture, with some dessert shops dating back over 100 years. Om Ali is perhaps the most famous of Egyptian desserts and can be found in cafes and restaurants across the city.

The baked pudding is made using bread or flaked pastry in a tagine, blended with nuts and sugar, with milk or cream poured on top with a dusting of cinnamon. This is then baked until golden brown and can be served with a scoop of ice cream.

As for the weather in Alexandria, the city typically has moderately hot summers that can be quite humid, with July and August being the hottest months, reaching an average temperature of around 31C. The winters tend to be cool and rainy, with January being the coldest at around 18C on average.