Location of Pharos Lighthouse Revealed: Visit the Ruins in 2025

For centuries, travelers and historians alike have puzzled over the location of Pharos Lighthouse, one of the most legendary landmarks in the Mediterranean.

Once towering over the ancient city of Alexandria, this marvel of engineering guided sailors safely into port and earned its place among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, the lighthouse may be gone, but its ruins continue to capture imagination — resting partly on land and partly beneath the waters of the Bay of Alexandria.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through its origins, the exact spot where it once stood, and what remains visible today. You’ll also find practical advice for exploring the ruins in 2025, whether above water at the Qaitbey citadel or beneath the waves with local dive operators.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this article:

• The history and purpose of the Lighthouse of Alexandria
• Where exactly the lighthouse stood on the Island of Pharos
• What archaeologists like Jean-Yves Empereur have uncovered underwater
• How travelers can experience the ruins through walking tours or scuba dives
• The cultural importance of protecting this archaeological site for future generations

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Origins & Historical Significance of the Pharos Lighthouse

✅ Who Commissioned It & When

The Pharos of Alexandria was commissioned by Ptolemy I Soter, the successor of Alexander the Great, and completed under his son Ptolemy II Philadelphus around the 3rd century BCE. Its purpose was simple yet vital: to guide ships into the harbour of Alexandria and protect the lifeline of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

✅ Architectural Design & Engineering Marvels

Standing on Pharos Island, the structure rose in three tapering tiers, a masterpiece attributed to the architect Sostratus of Cnidus.

Ancient sources describe its gleaming white masonry blocks, massive granite blocks, and even a bronze mirror used to amplify the fire of the beacons. Travelers often compared its brilliance to what the Eiffel Tower represents today — a symbol of power, innovation, and visibility.

The Pharos Island & Heptastadion

Strategically located, the lighthouse was connected to the mainland by the Heptastadion, a massive causeway. This not only secured the Great Harbor but also transformed the city into a maritime hub for centuries.

Within the Hellenistic era, Alexandria became the world’s cultural and trading capital, with the lighthouse standing as its shining icon of maritime brilliance.

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Mapping the Location: Where Exactly Was Pharos Lighthouse?

✅ Ancient vs Modern Geography

In antiquity, the Pharos Island Alexandria stood just offshore, joined to the mainland by the Heptastadion. Over time, sediment filled in the space, reshaping the shoreline of the Eastern Harbour and Alexandria’s port.

Today, the exact footprint of the lighthouse lies partly beneath the seafloor of the harbour, while fragments survive above ground.

✅ Modern Landmarks

If you visit Alexandria now, the easiest way to orient yourself is at the Qaitbay Fort, also known as the Qaitbey citadel. Built in the 15th century by Sultan Qayetbay, this fortress famously reused stones from the ruined lighthouse.

Locals often call it the “shadow of the Pharos,” as it stands on the very foundations of the ancient wonder.

✅ Coordinates & Satellite Mapping

Modern research pinpoints the coordinates of Pharos Lighthouse ruins close to Ras el-Tin promontory. Using scanning and analyzing techniques such as sonar and underwater technology, archaeologists have mapped submerged underwater remains Pharos Lighthouse, scattered across the sea bed.

For travelers, this means that while you can’t see towering columns anymore, you can trace its footprint both on land and below the waves.

✅ What Remains Today

Above water, you’ll find threshold stones, reused obelisk columns, and carved stone sphinxes integrated into the Qait Bey Fort walls. Beneath the surface, scuba divers spot collapsed masonry and remnants of statues, creating a surreal underwater ruins experience. Whether strolling by the citadel or joining a scuba-diving expedition, you’re walking in the shadow of history.

Archaeological Discoveries & Recent Research

✅ Underwater Excavations

The turning point in uncovering the Ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria came in the 1990s, when French archaeologists led by archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur and his team from the Centre d’Études Alexandrines launched a large-scale archaeological expedition.

They identified thousands of collapsed blocks — including enormous granite blocks, sphinx fragments, and even hints of the legendary statue of Triton. Much of this lies scattered across the seafloor of the harbour, protected today under the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage.

✅ Recent Discoveries (2020–2025)

Modern marine science has only deepened our understanding. Using sonar, drones, and underwater technology, researchers continue scanning and analyzing the site. Recent surveys have revealed intact masonry blocks, remnants of mirrored bronze, and carvings from the Roman Empire period.

Some findings were highlighted in GEDEON Programmes documentaries, showcasing new interpretations of the site. These breakthroughs are reshaping what we know about ancient lighthouse engineering.

✅ Digital Reconstructions

Thanks to digital reconstruction projects and VR technology, visitors can now visualize how the Pharos lighthouse once looked. The PHAROS Project, for instance, has created immersive 3D models based on sonar data and mineral and chemical analysis.

These reconstructions suggest the use of advanced fire and mirrors techniques for navigation, demonstrating how far civil engineering had progressed in the Hellenistic era.

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Ruins & Visitor Experience: What You Can See in 2025

Above-Water Ruins

On land, the highlight is the Citadel of Qaitbay, or Fort Qaitbey, which directly occupies the lighthouse’s foundations. Here you can see reused stones, obelisk columns, and even statues of Ptolemy II integrated into the walls.

The fortress itself is a key part of Alexandria’s story, representing the Islamic Period but rooted in the lighthouse’s stones.

Submerged Ruins

For those willing to get wet, the experience goes deeper. The Underwater park project is still under discussion with the Egyptian Government, but divers already join guided trips like Alexandra Dive.

These tours reveal toppled stone sphinxes, collapsed masonry blocks, and hidden treasures like Roman ships resting nearby. Even casual scuba divers marvel at the surreal mix of antiquity and the marine archaeologist’s dream environment.

What to Expect

Visiting in 2025 means preparing for both land and sea. Above water, the citadel has visitor-friendly facilities. Below water, joining a scuba-diving expedition requires permits, proper safety checks, and guidance from local experts.

If you’re not diving, you can still enjoy glass-bottom boat tours showcasing the underwater remains Pharos Lighthouse across the Eastern Harbour. It’s a true lesson in maritime archaeology and maritime navigation.

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How to Visit: Planning Your Trip

Getting to Alexandria

Reaching the ruins starts with a flight to Cairo, followed by a quick hop to Borg El Arab International Airport near Alexandria.

From there, taxis or ride-shares bring you into the city for around $20–30. Train connections from Cairo are also convenient for budget travelers.

Local Transport to the Site

The ruins sit at the tip of the Great Harbour on the Ras el-Tin peninsula. You can take a short taxi from downtown for about $5. If you prefer walking, the Corniche seaside road offers stunning Mediterranean views. Local guides often bundle visits to nearby attractions like the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or the Alexandrian Museum.

Best Time to Visit & Costs

For the best underwater visibility, plan between April and October. The warm Mediterranean waters allow longer dives, though the Nile Delta currents can sometimes limit conditions.

Dive packages with permits range from $80–150 depending on duration. Walking tours around the archaeological site are inexpensive, often $10–15 with a guide. With planning, you’ll have the chance to experience both the land-based fortress and the submerged underwater ruins in a single trip.

Myths, Legends, and Facts: Debunking Popular Misconceptions

Height Guesses & Exaggerations

Some ancient writers claimed the Lighthouse of Alexandria reached nearly 600 feet, taller than the Eiffel Tower. In truth, modern studies suggest a height closer to 350–400 feet. That’s still massive for the Greco-Roman Period, but not quite the skyscraper of legend.

Myths About Materials & Statues

Travelers have long spoken of strange additions like heavy tanks hidden inside, or even a death ray that set ships aflame. Reality was less sensational: the tower used fire lighting, fire and mirrors, and likely mirrored bronze to guide sailors. There are mentions of ornate statues of Ptolemy II, possibly alongside depictions of the Greek god Zeus or a statue of Triton — but whether these stood atop the lighthouse is still debated.

Clarifying Real vs. Legend

It’s easy to confuse fantasy with fact. The Pharos stood as a triumph of lighthouse construction, not magic. Its influence was so great that the very word “pharos” became a synonym for “lighthouse” across the Roman Empire.

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Conservation & Future of the Site

Preservation Efforts

Today, much of the site is managed by the Egyptian Government in collaboration with UNESCO. Classified as an archaeological site, it remains under protection through the UNESCO Convention. Preservation isn’t just about history — it’s about protecting fragile blocks and statues from divers, boats, and natural wear.

Proposed Underwater Museum

One exciting initiative is the proposal for an Underwater museum, backed by the Centre for Alexandrian Studies. Imagine descending beneath the waters of the Great Harbour to stroll among sphinxes and masonry blocks — a project blending underwater technology with tourism. If realized, it could rival icons like the Alexandrian Museum.

Future Threats

But challenges remain. Coastal erosion from the Nile Delta, storms, and rising seas all threaten the underwater ruins. Add in the gradual sinking of the ancient city of Alexandria, and time may erase what earthquakes of the 1300s already damaged. Conservation today ensures these treasures won’t vanish for future generations.

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Conclusion

Unraveling the location of Pharos Lighthouse/Lighthouse of Alexandria gives us more than a history lesson — it connects us to the ingenuity and ambition of the ancient world. Though destroyed by time and earthquakes, its stones still stand in the Qaitbay Fort built from lighthouse ruins, while fragments rest across the sea bed, waiting for divers and dreamers.

For travelers, it’s a rare chance to see one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World lighthouse not just in books, but in person. Whether walking along the fortress walls or peering into the waters of the Eastern Harbour, you’re tracing the footsteps of sailors guided by this beacon thousands of years ago.

If you ever plan a trip to Egypt, make room in your itinerary for Alexandria. Visit the ruins, support preservation, and experience firsthand one of humanity’s greatest feats of maritime brilliance.

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