Ithaka Mansheya Hostel Alexandria

It's an old place. It can get cold in the winter. They could use some sort of heating system that keeps things at a good temperature. The beds are comfortable though, and service is good. The breakfast is decent. It's centrally located, not a far walk from the Alexandria Library.

I spent around 10 days here, I really liked the experience, the staff warm welcoming and support, the great location (that was one of the main reasons I choose it), I would definitely come back again whenever I travel solo to Alexandria.

The perfect hostel, at a great price of $8 per night ✨ it is a 1 minute walk to the sea, with seaside views from the room. The dorms are separated by gender, and it is cozy, with the shared spaces very clean and welcoming. Each staff member is very friendly! The only thing I can recommend is a tea kettle for the kitchen, but aside from that a lovely place to stay in Alexandria.

The good : the location is really good, common areas are spacious, they have a lot of games which is nice.
I had the 6 beds dorm to myself, which was a plus, the room had a balcony with sea view (higher price than the city view, but I recommend)
The breakfast was included, and it looked like they had free towel available at reception.
The bad :
The bathroom and one of the men dorm smelt really really bad!
The elevator is not available to the hostels guests, fine if you are backpacking but can be difficult if you have luggage or mobility issues.
Breakfast could have been better, expected foul or ta3amia as it is sold as traditional egyptian breakfast, but it was omelet, mashed potatoes, vegetables, 1 leaf of bread and Halawa.
No hot drinks for breakfast, you have to pay if you want something from the bar.
(10le for tea, 25 for V cola, 15 for big bottle of water, etc)
There were only 2 bathrooms (toilet and shower) for at least 2 or 3 dorms, which is really few during high season.
And I dont understand how in 2025, hostel do not have privacy curtains! This is a must in dorms.
All in all, not bad, but also not good, I feel this is the best Alexandria has to offer in term of hostel, would stay there again as long as it is the only option, and it s still good location.
They ask for 200le deposit to get a lock.

I had an amazing experience staying at this hostel. From the moment I arrived, the staff greeted me with genuine warmth and friendliness, making me feel welcome right away. The rooms were comfortable, and well maintained everything from the beds to the bathrooms was clean and cozy.
The atmosphere of the hostel is both relaxing and social, perfect for meeting other travelers or simply enjoying a peaceful stay. The staff were incredibly friendly, helpful, and always ready with a smile, which made a huge difference in my overall experience.
This hostel combines comfort, cleanliness, and excellent hospitality in the best way. I’ll absolutely be coming back again to make more memories.

A beautiful and very clean place, perfectly located close to everything. The staff are polite, respectful, and helpful. I’ll definitely be coming back again 😍

I didn't expect the location to be so wonderful, you can imagine when you wake up in the morning and have the views of your sea balcony directly, and the reception staff are very nice smiling at all the guests with all his comfort, the services in the inn are largely satisfactory and meet the needs greatly due to the price of the inn, it is amazing, thank you for your busy welcome and I will never forget you, and I will never forget my second home ithaka ❤️🏡🙏🏻

The rooms are comfortable, the facilities are nice, and the location is excellent.
That said, I had several experiences worth mentioning:
Alcohol incident: I mistakenly brought in a beer (5% alcohol, purchased legally from a nearby shop). When I was told it wasn’t allowed, I immediately threw it away without drinking it. Despite respecting the rule, the manager insisted that I either pay a fine or wouldn’t be allowed to extend my stay. Strangely, later that same day I saw another guest openly walking around with an alcoholic drink and no one stopped him. This felt inconsistent and unfair.
Treatment of guests: I noticed a clear inferiority complex toward locals. Egyptian guests are treated as second-class, while foreign tourists—especially Western/white foreigners—receive noticeably more lenient and friendly treatment.
Tour business issue: A staff member (a man wearing a hat) was speaking with a Canadian guest about arranging a private car to Siwa. When the guest asked about travel onward to Cairo, I mentioned that there’s also a comfortable, affordable public bus option. Later that evening, the staff member told me I had “ruined his business” by sharing this, since he relies on keeping such public transport information from tourists.
Lost watch (Garmin Venu, ~500 EUR) : I can’t say who took it or whether it was a guest or staff, but I know for certain I left my watch behind when rushing out for important meetings.

The best hostel I have ever been.
I stayed there more than 10 times and they always give the best vibe. People there are like one big family and they are super helpful. And of course the place is great and cozy.

We were in both Ithakas — Old with out on the shore road, and NewGood after one house of it secret location ;) Asked myself to write some words, for The New — wish music sometimes (old jazz is better, new pop like Adele and Coldplay is not so) don't turn on it loud and all the day. Idea is not bad, but less the time. Mops in bathrooms is required. I think, there is normal and very good, that there is not simple way to find you. Do not make symbols. Who found, they are chosen one to be happy. Others may go to find happiness other plases. It will save you from all bad in the world. Save the guitar. All other your things is new, New Ithaka is the great! For The Old I have not much words — good hostel location, people, I think there are a little tired things like bath, furniture, but if nobplaces in The New you may come. Thank you! Ramadan Kareem to all of your personal! Will recommend)

My stay at this hostel was amazing The place is very comfortable, clean, and has a relaxing atmosphere. But what truly makes it special is the staff; they are incredibly respectful, helpful, and always ready to assist with a smile I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable stay in Alexandria.

I arrived early morning together with fellow guest from bus terminal. This guest messaged hostel that she'll arrive early morning like 5am and hostel replied no problem. When we arrived hostel, nobody answered despite we rang the bell and called the hostel number numerous times.
Finally, one lady opened the door and she showed grumpy face like "What time is it? Why do you wake me up so early? "
Not even single "Welcome! " or "Good morning" greeting.
If hostel says reception is 24/7 and she is on night duty and knows some guests will come early morning, at least she should be ready or set an alarm to attend immediately.
Coffee and tea are all chargeable even during breakfast. This is the only hostel I encountered such thing. I've stayed many hostels in all around Egypt such as Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, Aswan etc and at all hostels coffee and tea are free.
This is not Egyptian hospitality.
As some other guests wrote about it, toilet rolls are always run out. And they don't even care about refilling. I had to ask reception everytime when I go to bathroom, that's ridiculous!
One living room area is used for "smoking room" and empty almost all the times, which is a huge waste.
Why can't smokers just go down to smoke?
Wifi in female dorm is not working. I believe many guests feedback about it, but again, they don't care. When I reported reception, she said she messaged to management, but nothing happened while I was there nor no response from them.

Such a nice hostel and in the middle of everything. Close to the sea and super chill vibes 🙏Meena, Reem and Bonita are all very nice and the ladies who cook breakfast are super nice. Oh and breakfast is super nice 2, Egyptian styled. All in all, fab stay.

Good location, friendly staffs, nice view, big common area, that is all the good things about the hostel.
Taking a shower/ using the toilet is a nightmare, there are only 3 common toilets, you will need to queue during peak hours to use the toilet! There is only 1 roll of toilet paper in the toilet, you will need to request it from the reception if it runs out! For 500 EGP per night in a dorm this is really unacceptable!
The Wi-Fi is sucks, almost not working for the whole night while I was there. There is no curtain on the bed, totally no privacy staying in a dormitory.
There is no key for the main door, you will always need to press the bell to trouble the receptionist to open the door. It is also a very old and run down hostel.
Towel not ready even after 3 hours from the first time I asked. Shouldn’t be the towel be ready on the bed upon check in?
I am really puzzled why the hostel management wants to make things complicated/ create troubles and works for everyone from the toilet paper, towel, main door access.
Charging closer to EGP500/night, you should provide a better service.

I had a problem with the checkin they Said the room was not available and they have already informed me (they did 30 minutes before checkin), and they told me I booked the female dorm which I hadn’t, however they compensated for my inconveniance when I held my stance. Every Ithaca has a Cyclops somewhere inside I guess! Beware their tricks and Enjoy!

This is Number 1 recommendation if you are a backpacker, or a solo traveller who looks for great value with a great price, let me tell you why it's great:
— Very good location, with many around places to get food, and supplies, and its near from the old alexandria sights that you can visit.
— Place is very clean, your bed, bathrooms, kitchen, outdoor area (smoking & non smoking)
— People are very welcoming and they can help you with all what you need.
— your bed have an electric outlet and small lamp.
— The place is well air conditioned.
— The place is easily accessable and all transportation are nearby.
— Every bed has a very good storage under the bed, which allow you to put many things.
— They allow the visit for 2 friends in the shared area.
— Breakfast is good.
Things that should be be better:
— Internet is good, but its not covering all the place.
— There is no mobile network in some places.
This is was my review, and of course I will come again in my next visits.

The location on the third floor of a building on the Corniche and close to the huge Gomrok market area — for me — was excellent. The views from the rooms could be better, but if they would be at the front there would have been much more traffic noise.
Beds were comfortable and facilities such as the hot showers and Wi-Fi proved to work well. The small kitchen is well equipped and suitable for cooking. The hostel was kept clean. The English speaking staff (without exception) is friendly and helpful. They have travel information and most of them are knowledgeable about the city. The common area is spacious. Security is good and there are lockers.
The common area are two rooms ensuite. In one room it is allowed to smoke, but the partition doors are almost always open! and quite a few smokers are inconsiderate. Moreover when the wind is unfavourable smoke reaches other parts of the hostel. In the morning the ashtrays are full with cigarette butts. Brr.
My suggestion treat tobacco the same way as alcohol (only outside the building).
I liked the Egyptian style breakfast, but not the Egyptian style seating (cushions on the floor) and low tables. Perhaps nice if you like local tradition, but if you are a long term traveler from a Western country not comfortable. For me it was not a major issue though.