What You Will Do
Immerse yourself in Beirut’s fascinating cultural highlights, then step into the world of Mount-Lebanon Emirs as you make your way from Deir el Qamar village to Beiteddine palace.
Explore the iconic landmarks of Beirut including the Pigeon rocks, Martyr's Square, Mosques, Cathedrals and many other attractions. Visit Deir el Qamar, a village with beautiful sceneries, and continue to Beiteddine palace, Lebanon's best example of early 19th century Lebanese architecture. Enjoy the personal experience of a small-group tour, with insider tips and advice.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
1
Pigeon Rocks in Raouche
10 minutes
The pigeon rock is a stunning set of rocks and a Popular tourist destination known for its iconic rock formations in picturesque seaside surrounds, welcome you to the city of Beirut. Pigeons’ Rock (also known as the Rock of Raouché) is located at Beirut’s western-most tip, the two huge rock formations stand like gigantic sentinels to the city.
2
Corniche Beirut
Stretching from the Ramlet al Bayda area to the Saint George marina, Al Manara Corniche is the most renowned seaside promenade in Beirut. Lined with palm trees, it offers a great view of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as some of the country's best assets, namely the famous Pigeon Rock, and the summits of Mount Lebanon on the eastern side.
3
Zaitunay Bay
10 minutes
“Beirut's finest leisure destination” as described in its official website, Zaitunay Bay is a new waterfront promenade with shops and restaurants.
4
Old Holiday Inn
This abandoned Holiday Inn Hotel is one of Beirut’s war landmarks. It was basically built Between 1971 and 1974 when Beirut’s economy was booming and when Beirut was one of the most visited touristic city of the Middle East.
The Holiday Inn was functioning until the Lebanese civil war begun in 1975. The hotel soon became considered a “war zone” in a lengthy time of conflict known as “the Battle of the Hotels” where more than 25,000 combatants were fighting for control over different luxury hotels, including the Holiday Inn as well as the famous Phoenicia hotel.
This hotel remains untouched, abandoned, empty, decades after the war, and remains a reminder to the Lebanese population about the horrors of war.
5
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
10 minutes
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, also referred to as the Blue Mosque, is is the biggest mosque in Lebanon located in downtown Beirut.
This huge amber colored mosque near Martyrs square was opened in 2008 and has four minarets standing 65m high.
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque contains multiple domes. All of the domes of the mosque are made from light blue tiles. The mosque also has multiple arches, which are couple stories high.
6
Al-Omari Mosque
10 minutes
The Al-Omari Grand Mosque was built in the age of Omar Bin El Khattab in 635 AD and then converted to Church of Saint John by the crusaders in the 12th century, it was retransformed into the city's Grand Mosque by the Mamluks in 1291. Damaged during the Civil War, the mosque's refurbishment was completed in 2004.
7
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George
10 minutes
The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George is the seat of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut and its dependencies. It is the oldest church in the city of Beirut and one of the oldest in the region and It is located in the heart of Beirut’s city center.
The first Christian temple ever built in the very location goes back to the mid sixth century AD and it’s closely associated with Beirut’s famous Law School.
8
Martyr's Square
10 minutes
Martyrs' Square is a square in the heart of downtown Beirut historically known as "Al Burj" or "Place des Cannons". It is named after the 6 May 1916 executions by the Ottomans of some Lebanese nationalists ordered by Jamal Pasha during World War I.
9
Place de l'Etoile
10 minutes
Nejme Square, or Place de l'Étoile, is the central square in the Downtown area. It is home to the Lebanese Parliament and its complementary buildings, two cathedrals, a museum, and several cafes and restaurants. Most notable for it’s 1930 four four-faced Rolex clock and for its architecture, the square has become a recognizable icon of Beirut City worldwide.
10
Beirut Souks
10 minutes
Beirut Souks is a commercial district in Beirut City Center. With over 200 shops, 25 restaurants and cafes, an entertainment center, and a cinema complex.
Beirut Souks is the largest and most diverse shopping and leisure area in Beirut.
11
Roman Baths
10 minutes
The Roman Berytus baths are The largest outdoor sight located in downtown Beirut. They were discovered in 1968-1969 and underwent a major renovation in the mid 1990.
Roman Berytus had four major bath complexes and the first was created in the early first century under Augustus.
The terrible Berytus earthquake that happed in 551 AD destroyed all the baths.
Today, the Roman Berytus Baths reflects the ancient traditions of the site. One of the Baths is used as an artistic performance and concert space.
12
Deir Al Kamar Municipality
30 minutes
Deir al-Qamar, meaning "Monastery of the Moon" is a village located south-east of Beirut and five kilometres outside of Beiteddine palace in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon.
Deir El Qamar was the first village in Lebanon to have a municipality in 1864, and it is the birthplace of many well known personalities, such as artists, writers, and politicians. People from all religious backgrounds lived there and the town had a mosque, synagogue and Christian churches.
In the year 1860, Deir al-Qamar was destroyed during the civil war between Druze and Christians during which the town was set ablaze. Napoleon III sent a French contingent to rebuild it, recalling France ancient role as protector of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire as established by a treaty in 1523.
In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire.
The village retains a remarkable picturesque appearance with typical stone houses with red tile roofs.
13
Fakhreddine's Mosque
15 minutes
Fakhreddine Mosque with its octagonal minaret is a mosque in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the sixteenth century by Fakhreddine 1st, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
14
Saydet El Talle Church
15 minutes
The Church of Saidet et Tallé and translated as Our Lady of the Hill is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar and dates to the 15th century.
Monk Nicolas Smisaati built a church on the site over the ruins of an old Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte that was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859.
According to the Maronite Heritage web site, "the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline looking at the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light coming out of the hill so he gathered his soldiers and ordered them to go in the morning and dig in the land. He said to them: 'If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church."
In the morning, the soldiers went and found a rock with a cross on it and under the cross there was the moon and venus. That was the sign that in the distant past there was a temple dedicated to the moon and venus and later it became a church.
15
Beiteddine Palace
1 hour 30 minutes
Beiteddine Palace or ‘House of Faith’ is a 19th-century palace in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It hosts the annual Beiteddine Festival and the Beiteddine Palace Museum.
Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later became the ruler of the Mount Lebanon Emirate, built the palace between 1788 and 1818. After 1840, the palace was used by the Ottomans as a government building. During the French Mandate it served as a local administrative office.
In 1943, the palace was declared the president's official summer residence. During the Lebanese Civil War it was heavily damaged. Parts of the palace are today open to the public while the rest is still the president's summer residence.
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