Choose from 6 Fun Things to Do in Beirut
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Byblos
When even the Phoenicians (an ancient society who populated Lebanon as far back as 1,200 BC) consider a place to be old, then you know it’s legitimately old. Such is the case with Byblos, A UNESCO World Heritage site so steeped in history it’s regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Dating back over 7,000 years, the ancient city now known as Jbail has been the home for civilians and soldiers since the dawn of modern humanity.
The modern city of Byblos is located just 23 miles (37 km) north of Beirut. While the coastal cafés and Mediterranean beaches are a heavy tourist draw, so too are the archeological ruins and the vibrant souks which lay scattered about the cobbled streets of the old town. Of all the ruins in Byblos, the most notable is Byblos Castle (Crusader Castle) which was rebuilt by the Crusaders in the late 12th Century and is open for public touring.
An ancient hub of commerce for transporting shipments of papyrus paper, (byblos is the Greek word for papyrus), Byblos is also revered as the birthplace of the modern alphabet. Millennia of ruins and history aside, modern day Byblos is a rapidly expanding coastal retreat awash in open air beach bars overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A viable alternative for those looking to see-and-be-seen outside of Beirut, Byblos is a fascinating mosaic of history and hedonism which deserves a spot atop the itinerary of any Lebanon traveler.
The modern city of Byblos is located just 23 miles (37 km) north of Beirut. While the coastal cafés and Mediterranean beaches are a heavy tourist draw, so too are the archeological ruins and the vibrant souks which lay scattered about the cobbled streets of the old town. Of all the ruins in Byblos, the most notable is Byblos Castle (Crusader Castle) which was rebuilt by the Crusaders in the late 12th Century and is open for public touring.
An ancient hub of commerce for transporting shipments of papyrus paper, (byblos is the Greek word for papyrus), Byblos is also revered as the birthplace of the modern alphabet. Millennia of ruins and history aside, modern day Byblos is a rapidly expanding coastal retreat awash in open air beach bars overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. A viable alternative for those looking to see-and-be-seen outside of Beirut, Byblos is a fascinating mosaic of history and hedonism which deserves a spot atop the itinerary of any Lebanon traveler.
Additional Info
A taxi from Beirut to Byblos should cost around $35.00 USD. You can also take any bus going North from from Charles Helou Station towards Tripoli. Ask to be dropped at Byblos and you will need to walk 0.5 miles from the stop to get to the town.
Address: Lebanon
From $ 49
Our Lady of Harissa
On a 1,970-foot (600-meter) hilltop just north of Beirut overlooking the Bay of Jounieh stands a painted bronze statue of the Virgin Mary with her hands outstretched toward the city. The shrine to Our Lady of Harissa, the nation’s patron saint, was erected in 1908 and has become one of the world’s most important shrines to the Virgin Mary and attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.
Getting to the base of the white statue requires 10-minute ride up the hillside from Jounieh aboard a teleferique, or cable car. The views of Beirut and the sea beyond from Harissa’s base are worth the ride in their own right.
Practical Info
Besides the cable car, Harissa is also reachable via car from Jounieh, though the road isn’t as pretty as the cable car ride up. If you take the cable car, there is a fee.
Address: Jounieh, Lebanon
Hours: Open Tues-Sun 10am-10pm (cable car hours)
From $ 49
Downtown Beirut
Chic, sexy and ultra-modern, downtown Beirut can once again be considered the “pearl of the Middle East”. A booming coastal metropolis in the midst of an economic revival, a city once divided by 15 years of civil war is now home to high end stores, trendy restaurants, and a modern population living among thousands of years of history.
Travelers to Beirut can relish in the simple pleasure of sipping a thick coffee at an outdoor café or people watching along the Corniche, a three-mile coastal promenade where bullet holes still riddle the well-manicured palm trees. Visitors can similarly amble along the newly constructed Zaitunay Bay esplanade where private yachts moored offshore bear witness to Beirut’s surging wealth.
Though Beirut has no shortage of easy transport, travelers can take pleasure in strolling in the pedestrian mall around Nejmeh Square and gawk at the masterfully planned architecture. Nearby, in Martyr’s Square, many of the country’s largest political gatherings have taken place and the grounds are still a hotspot for raucous political expression.
Beirut is much more than picturesque squares and glittering promenades. It’s also a regional center of culture and commerce. At the ultra-popular Souk el Barghout, shoppers can search for everything from designer shoes to traditional caftans. Meanwhile, across town, history buffs will get lost in the sprawling National Museum and the numerous cultural artifacts residing within.
For the 1.5 million people who call Beirut home, however, gambling on horse races at the Hippodrome and dancing all night at thumping nightclubs are elements of a daily Beirut life steeped in pleasure and enjoyment. For thousands of years Beirut has been an alluring fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lifestyle, and as Lebanon progresses into an increasingly modern future, Beirut will be the capital city leading the Lebanese charge forward.
Travelers to Beirut can relish in the simple pleasure of sipping a thick coffee at an outdoor café or people watching along the Corniche, a three-mile coastal promenade where bullet holes still riddle the well-manicured palm trees. Visitors can similarly amble along the newly constructed Zaitunay Bay esplanade where private yachts moored offshore bear witness to Beirut’s surging wealth.
Though Beirut has no shortage of easy transport, travelers can take pleasure in strolling in the pedestrian mall around Nejmeh Square and gawk at the masterfully planned architecture. Nearby, in Martyr’s Square, many of the country’s largest political gatherings have taken place and the grounds are still a hotspot for raucous political expression.
Beirut is much more than picturesque squares and glittering promenades. It’s also a regional center of culture and commerce. At the ultra-popular Souk el Barghout, shoppers can search for everything from designer shoes to traditional caftans. Meanwhile, across town, history buffs will get lost in the sprawling National Museum and the numerous cultural artifacts residing within.
For the 1.5 million people who call Beirut home, however, gambling on horse races at the Hippodrome and dancing all night at thumping nightclubs are elements of a daily Beirut life steeped in pleasure and enjoyment. For thousands of years Beirut has been an alluring fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean lifestyle, and as Lebanon progresses into an increasingly modern future, Beirut will be the capital city leading the Lebanese charge forward.
Address: Lebanon
From $ 40
Martyrs' Square (Place des Martyrs)
On May 6, 1916 a group of Lebanese nationalists were hanged for rebelling against Turkish rule. In 1965 a bronze statue was erected in their memory in what is today called Martyrs’ Square (Place des Martyrs). Since then it has served as Lebanon’s most important public gathering places and the site of the massive March 14th demonstration in 2005, which brought 1 million Lebanese to the square on the one month anniversary of the murder of Hariri.
Practical Info
Martyrs’ Square is located near the Al Amin Mosque and Beirut Souq.
Address: Beirut, Lebanon
From $ 40
National Museum of Beirut
An essential stop for all visitors to Beirut, the National Museum features an impressive, well-displayed collection of archaeological artifacts from throughout the ages, offering a thorough overview of Lebanon’s history. Entry into the National Museum of Beirut is a staple of most historical Beirut walking tours.
The museum collection is displayed in chronological order, beginning in prehistory and ending in the Ottoman era. The circuit begins on the ground floor, where you’ll find various ancient statues and mosaics. The museum’s upper level features more than 1,000 artifacts from the Bronze and Iron ages, as well as from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Mamluk eras, all arranged by theme. Of its many artifacts, the Phoenician gilded bronze figurines found buried near the Obelisk Temple are probably the museum’s most famous.
Insider’s Tip: The museum’s audiovisual room near the entrance plays the documentary Revival every hour from 9am and 4pm, covering the restoration, revival and reopening of the National Museum.
Practical Info
The National Museum of Beirut is located a 15-minute walk south of Sodeco Square.
Address: Museum Street, on the corner of Damascus St. and Abdallah El Yafi Ave., Beirut, Lebanon
Hours: Tues–Sun 9am–5pm
Admission: Adult: 5000 LP; Student/Child: 1000 LP
From $ 40
Jeita Grotto
Lebanon’s spectacular Jeita Grotto makes an exciting day trip from Beirut. Once considered as a finalist for the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this dramatic cave is divided into two levels: a lower grotto and an upper grotto, which contains the White Chamber, home to the world’s largest stalactite.
The Basics
The Jeita Grotto is a sprawling cave complex, divided into upper and lower levels. Guided tours take in all the highlights. Visitors enjoy a boat cruise through the lower grotto, a walking tour of the upper grotto, a cable-car ride, and a scenic train ride between the two grottoes. Most travelers visit on a day tour from Beirut, often in combination with nearby attractions such as UNESCO-listed Byblos or the pilgrimage site of Harissa.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A complete cave tour takes two hours, and the entrance fee covers all attractions.
- The cave complex has a restaurant, gift shops, gardens, a video presentation about the caves, and even a small zoo.
- Photography is not allowed within the caves.
- The caves are not wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The cave complex is located 11 miles (18 kilometers) north of Beirut, or about 20 minutes’ drive. There is no direct public transportation to the caves, but buses from Dawra will drop you off at the Jeita exit along the Beirut–Jounieh Highway, and from there it’s only about five minutes’ journey to the Jeita Grotto by taxi.
When to Get There
Tours of the Jeita Grotto run Tuesday through Sunday year-round, and the sight is open from 9am until 5pm. However, the lower grotto is often closed during the winter months due to high water levels.
History of the Jeita Grotto
Though evidence suggests the Jeita Grotto was inhabited during ancient times, the caverns were rediscovered in 1863 by an American missionary. The subterranean Nahr el-Kalb river runs through the Lower Grotto, making it accessible via boat at certain times of the year. During the Lebanese Civil War the grottos were closed to the public and used as munitions storage, but in 1995 the Jeita Grotto was reopened to the public.
Address: Lebanon
Admission: Varies
From $ 27