Beirut
Capital of Lebanon
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon.
Beirut Governorate is consists of 1 district and 1 city, Beirut, which is the capital of Lebanon.
Beirut city is divided into 12 quarters (Achrafieh, Bachoura, Dar Mreisse, Mazraa, Medawar, Minet El Hosn, Moussaitbeh, Port, Ras Beirut, Remeil, Saifi, Zuqaq al-Blat).
How to Reach Beirut
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (IATA Code- BEY) is the only commercial airport in Lebanon. It is located about 9 km from the city center towards south.
From Airport you may book online for Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer.
Hotels in Beirut
Book your hotel from below.
Transportation in Beirut
You may choose Hop on Hop off bus tour.
City Sightseeing: 1 route from 10 AM to 5 PM with 15 stops. Admission to the National Museum.
1-day: 25 US Dollar for adult age 16-64. 20 US Dollar for child age 6-15, Senior age 65+, student. 80 US Dollar for family (2 adult and 3 child).
You may book online.
Tourist Places in Beirut
I have described 59 Best Places to Visit in Beirut. You will need an entry fee of around US$ 21 to visit all the places listed below.
Day-1:
The Colony Beirut
Event venue
Colony Beirut is a platform for young artists, designers and creators to showcase and sell their work. You can enjoy the terrace area and drink from the bar, all in an inspiring atmosphere and light music.
How to go: It is located about 350 meters from Mar Mikhael Train Station towards north.
Souk El Tayeb Farmers' Market
Farmers Market
Visiting Time: 8 AM to 2 PM on Saturday.
How to go: It is located about 250 meters from Mar Mikhael Train Station towards Southwest.
Jesuit Garden
Park
The Society of Jesus gave the garden to the city in the 1960s. The Jesuits opened a school in the vicinity of an ancient Byzantine church in the 1600s. The garden contains the remains of an ancient temple and features Roman columns and mosaics. There is a small public library with 7,500 books donated by the Jesuits. It is surrounded by a hundred year old pine tree.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 6 PM every day.
How to go: It is located about 450 meters from Souk El Tayeb Farmers' Market towards south.
Beirut Art Center
Art Center
Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 12 PM to 7 PM. Saturday - 12 PM to 5 PM. Sunday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 1.9 km from Jesuit Garden towards south. About 350 meters southeast of Sioufi Park.
Day-2
Horsh Beirut
Park
Also known as Horsh El Snaubar.
Visiting Time: 7 AM to 1 PM every day.
How to go: It is located about 2 km from Sioufi Park or Beirut Art Center towards southwest.
National Museum of Beirut
Museum
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 9 AM to 5 PM. Monday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 5,000 Pounds ($3.30) for adult. 1,000 Pounds ($0.66) for student and child.
How to go: It is located about 700 meters from center east side of the park towards northeast. Which is northeast corner of Beirut Hippodrome (Horse riding field).
The Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA)
Museum
How to go: It is located north side of National Museum of Beirut.
MIM Mineral Museum
Museum
It exhibits more than 2,000 minerals. The museum also hosts an exhibition of marine and flying fossils from Lebanon.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM. Monday remains closed.
Entry Fee: 6,000 Pounds ($3.96) for adult. 2,000 Pounds ($1.32) for child age 12-18. Free for age below 12.
How to go: It is located north of The Beirut Museum of Art (BeMA).
Beit Beirut
Museum
Museum and Urban Cultural center is in the Barakat building, also known as the "Yellow house". The house was built in 1924 by Nicholas Barakat and his wife. In 1932, two more stories were added, is its current form.
The owner sold the property in the 1990s. In 2003, the municipality of Beirut decided that the Barakat building will be restored to accommodate a memory museum and a cultural center.
Visiting Time: Monday to Saturday - 8 AM to 8 PM. Sunday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 930 meters from MIM Mineral Museum towards northwest through damascus street after Jewish Cemetery of Beirut.
Musée de la Préhistoire Libanaise
Museum
Museum of Lebanese Prehistory was opened in June 2000.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Friday - 8:30 AM to 3 PM. Saturday to Monday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 580 meters from Beit Beirut towards north through Monnot Street.
St. Maroun Maronite Catholic Church
Church
It was built in 1875.
How to go: It is located about 250 meters from Museum of Lebanese Prehistory towards east.
Day-3:
Villa Audi Mosaic Museum
Museum
It exhibits mosaics from all over the world inside the villa belonging to the Audi family.
Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Saturday and Sunday remains closed.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 730 meters from St. Maroun Maronite Catholic Church towards east at Avenue Ashrafieh, Charles Malek.
Sursock Museum
Museum
Officially known as the Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum. It exhibits modern art and contemporary art.
Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock built the house in 1912. When he died in 1952, he bequeathed the villa to the city of Beirut with a condition to transform into a museum. The museum opened in 1961.
Photography: Non-flash still photographs in the galleries are permitted for personal use only. The use of tripods is not allowed.
How to go: It is located about 60 meters from Villa Audi Mosaic Museum towards north.
Sursock Palace
Palace
The palace was completed in 1860 by Moïse Sursock. It was later owned by Lady Cochrane Sursock (18 May 1922 – 31 August 2020). It is now a museum.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 100 meters from Sursock Museum towards northeast.
St. Nicholas stairs
Public Stairway
Also known as L'Escalier de L'Art or L'Escalier de Saint-Nicolas. 125 steps stairway link between Rue Gouraud and Rue Sursock uphill.
How to go: It is located about 110 meters from Sursock Museum towards northwest.
Gouraud
Street
About 1.25 km east-west street.
How to go: It starts from Armenia street (east end) to George Haddad Street (west end) crossing Damascus street.
Day-4:
Martyrs' Square
Square
It was part of the demarcation line that divided the city in half during the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990.
There is a Martyrs’ Monument, Beirut in the center. It was built to honor Lebanese patriots who spoke out against Ottoman Turkish rule on May 6, 1916. The monument was inaugurated in 1960.
How to go: It is located north side of west end of Gouraud street.
Mansour Assaf Mosque
Mosque
This mosque was inaugurated in 1597 by Emir Mansur Assaf.
How to go: It is located northwest side of Martyrs' Square.
Mohammad Al Amin Mosque
Mosque
It is the biggest mosque in Lebanon. The foundation stone was laid in November 2002. It was inaugurated in 2008.
How to go: It is located west end of Gouraud Street.
Saint George Maronite Cathedral
Church
It was built in 1884-1894 on the site of an earlier church that was built in 1755.
How to go: It is located west side of Mohammad Al Amin Mosque.
Roman Cardo Maximus
Roman Columns
They were discovered in 1963. The columns are dated to the second century AD.
How to go: It is located west side of Saint George Maronite Cathedral near Roman Forum of Beirut.
Abed Clock Tower
Clock Tower
Also called Nejmeh Clock Tower was built in 1934. Lebanese Parliament is located northwest side of Place de l'Etoile.
How to go: It is located about 150 meters from Saint George Maronite Cathedral towards north at the Place de l'Etoile.
Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Church
The first church to be built on the site of the Saint George cathedral. In 551 AD, a massive earthquake destroyed the whole of Beirut including this church.
In the 12th century a cathedral was built in the same location. It was badly damaged by a 1759 earthquake. New church construction started in 1764 and was completed in 1767. The roof of the church collapsed due to lack of supporting pillars, killing 90 people. The church was rebuilt in 1772 and a new bell-tower was erected in the northwest corner.
The last modifications to the cathedral were made in 1910.
How to go: It is located about 100 meters north of Saint George Maronite Cathedral.
St. Elias Melkite Greek Catholic Cathedral
Church
The church was built in 1847-1849 on site of a convent of Choueirite monks and a church.
Severely damaged during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), the cathedral has been completely restored.
How to go: It is located north side of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
AlOmari Grand Mosque
Mosque
The mosque was built in 635 ACE during the reign of Umar Bin El Khattab (Islam's second Caliph). It was converted into a church in 1150. It was converted into the Mosque by the Mamluks in 1291. Its entrance and minaret were added in 1350. Severely damaged during the Civil War (1975-1990), the mosque was rebuilt in 2004.
How to go: It is located about 110 meters from Abed Clock Tower towards north.
I love Beirut
Square
How to go: It is located about 90 meters from AlOmari Grand Mosque towards west.
Prince Monzer Mosque
Mosque
The mosque was built between 1616-1633 by Emir Munzer Al-Tannoukhi.
Mosque was partly damaged during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). It was restored in 2002.
How to go: It is located about 80 meters from I love Beirut square towards south. About 200 meters from Al-Abed Clock Tower towards northwest.
Day-5:
Roman Bath Vestiges
Ruin Site
The first was created in the early first century. A strong earthquake in 551 AD, destroyed all the baths.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from Prince Monzer Mosque towards southwest.
Hamidiye Clock Tower
Clock Tower
It was built in 1897 and restored in 1994.
How to go: It is located west side of Roman Bath Vestiges.
Grand Serail
Government Palace
It is the headquarters of the Prime Minister of Lebanon.
Single floor building was built as a Garrison in 1853. Second floor was added in 1956. Modifications were made to its final form in between 1877-1894.
Entry is restricted.
How to go: It is located near Hamidiye Clock Tower.
Maghen Abraham Synagogue
Synagogue
Maghen Abraham was constructed in 1925. Jewish families were living in the synagogue.
On 12 August 1982, an Israeli bombardment damaged the synagogue.
The synagogue restoration work began in 2009 and completed in October 2010.
How to go: It is located about 100 meters from Hamidiye Clock Tower towards west.
Gibran Khalil Gibran Garden
Park
It is named after the Lebanese–American writer and poet Kahlil Gibran (January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931).
The garden consists of 2 circular lawns, 1 fountain, and modern sculpture.
How to go: It is located about 120 meters from Grand Serail towards south.
Day-6:
Cinemacity
Movie Theater
How to go: It is located about 270 meters from AlOmari Grand Mosque towards north.
KidzMondo Beirut
Children Amusement Center
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 8 PM.
Entry Fee: 20,000 Pounds ($13.21) for adult and child age 1-2. 40,000 Pounds ($26.43) for age 3-14.
How to go: It is located about 500 meters from Cinemacity towards north at Beirut Waterfront.
Biel
Exhibition and trade center
It is hosting exhibitions, conferences, concerts and private events.
Visiting Time: 9 AM to 5 PM.
How to go: It is located about 350 meters from KidzMondo Beirut.
The balcony overlooking the sea
Viewing Deck
About 1.3 km east-west walkway in the front of Mediterranean Sea.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from Biel Exhibition and trade center toawards north.
Zaitunay Bay
Promenade
There are marina, retail stores, restaurants & cafes.
How to go: It is located southwest side of The balcony overlooking the sea.
Platinum Tower
Building
153 meters highrise residential building was built in 2008. It consists of two single buildings.
How to go: It is located south side of Zaitunay Bay.
Day-7:
Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture
Museum
Visiting Time: Monday to Saturday - 11 AM to 5 PM. Sunday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 800 meters from Platinum Tower towards southwest.
Sanayeh Park
Park
How to go: It is located about 300 meters from Dar El-Nimer for Arts and Culture towards south in Sanayeh neighborhood.
Hamra
Street
950 meters east-west street
How to go: It starts from Rome street (east end), about 280 meters from Sanayeh Park towards northwest, and lead to west till Sadat Street (West end).
Agial Art Gallery
Art Gallery
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM. Sunday and Monday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 250 meters from Center of Hamra Street towards north through Omar Bin Abdul Aziz street.
American University of Beirut Museum
Archaeological museum
Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 5 PM. Saturday and Sunday remains closed.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from Agial Art Gallery towards northwest.
Day-8:
Corniche El Manara
Walkway
About 2.5 km walkway in front of Mediterranean Sea.
How to go: It starts about 700 meters from Zaitunay Bay.
AUB Beach
Beach
How to go: It is located about 800 meters northwest from American University of Beirut Museum.
Beirut Lighthouse
Lighthouse
Beirut’s first lighthouse was built in 1890 at the foot of the area known today as Kraytem. The lighthouse was later on demolished and a second one made out of concrete near Lebanese American University. The lighthouse was turned off in the 1950's.
Beirut’s third lighthouse was built in 1952 at Ras Beirut, behind the German school on Bliss Street and right next to the famous "Pink House". By the mid 1950's, the lighthouse became useless as buildings were rising around it. Beirut's forth lighthouse replaced the third one on the same place. During the Israeli invasion of 1982, turned off the lighthouse.
Beirut’s fifth lighthouse was built in 2003 at Al Manara area, right on the shores.
How to go: It is located about 300 meters west from AUB Beach.
Al Ba’sa
Historic Building
Also called the Grudge is the narrowest building in Beirut and was built in the 1954.
There is a story behind it. 2 brothers inherited plots of land from their father. The brother who had the plot closest to the roadside, the property had been cut over the years by various municipal infrastructure projects, leaving a portion of the land a small and sort of odd shape. Another brother built a house and enjoying sea view from his house. So the road side plot owner constructed became the embodiment of a grudge: a building to block his brother’s sea view, and to decrease the value of his land.
The thin house, which measures around 2 feet at its narrowest and around 13 feet at its widest point. Although at first it looks too narrow to be inhabitable, inside there are said to be two apartments on each floor.
How to go: It is located about 400 meters from new lighthouse towards southeast, sitting adjacent to the old lighthouse in the Manara neighborhood.
La Maison Rose
Historic Landmark
It is more commonly known as ‘The Pink House’. The Rose House was built by Mohammad Ardati in 1882. The Ardati family and the closely related Daouk family lived in the house for the first few decades of the 20th Century.
The Ardati family leased the first floor of the house to several people in the 20th Century. The owner Adil Ardati eventually passed away without having any children. The Ardati family lawyer sold the house and surrounding land to the property developer Hicham Jaroudi. He owns the Riyadi Sports Club under the house.
In April 2014, artist Tom Young set up a studio in the house in June. He contacted Hicham Jaroudi to propose he use the house for an exhibition. Tom Young staged this exhibition for his work on November 18th, giving the public a chance to see inside this precious place for the first time.
How to go: It is located at the southwest side of Al Ba’sa.
Old Lighthouse
Lighthouse
It is the Beirut’s third lighthouse, was built in 1952 at Ras Beirut, behind the German school on Bliss Street and right next to the famous "Pink House". By the mid 1950's, the lighthouse became useless as buildings were rising around it.
How to go: It is located southeast side of Al Ba’sa.
Central Military Club
Beach
Beach front of the club
How to Go: It is located about 300 meters from Pink House towards west end.
Day-9:
Ra's Bayrut
Neighborhood
How to go: The area starts from the south of Central Military Club.
Beirut Amusement Park
Amusement Park
Amusement park featuring numerous attractions, including a ferris wheel with views of the coast.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from Central Military Club towards south.
Dalloul Art Foundation
Art Gallery
Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 4 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 700 meters from Beirut Amusement Park towards east at Rue Madame Curie, White Tower Building, 2nd floor.
Pigeon Rocks
Rocks
Also known as the Rock of Raouché (neighborhood name). Iconic rock formations in picturesque seaside surrounds.
How to go: It is located about 500 meters from Dalloul Art Foundation towards southwest and about 600 meters south from Beirut Amusement Park.
El Delie - Rouche
Fishing port
How to go: It is located south of Pigeon Rocks.
Galerie Janine Rubeiz
Art Gallery
It was founded and run by Janine Rubeiz from 1967 until she passed away in 1992. The Galerie Janine Rubeiz, established by her daughter Nadine Begdache in 1993.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Friday - 10 AM to 6 PM. Saturday - 10 AM to 2 PM.
How to go: It is located east of El Delie at Ground Floor, Majdalani Building, (Banque Audi) Charles De Gaulle Avenue in Raouche, Beirut.
Sea view
View Point
There is a small beach front of the area.
How to go: It is located about 350 meters south of Galerie Janine Rubeiz and south of Movenpick Marina.
Ramlet Al Baida Beirut Lebanon
Beach
How to go: It is located south of Sea view point.
Saint Simon Beach
Beach
How to go: It is located about 700 meters south of Ramlet Al Baida Beach.
Click below to go
No comments:
Post a Comment