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Nur Turkmani

Beirut Travel Guide: One Week in Lebanon

Despite having lived here for approximately six years, I still feel like there are mountains, villages, pubs, restaurants (and more) left to discover.

If you’re visiting Lebanon, and can only manage a week in the country (stay longer!), we’ve attempted to provide you with a guide to some major hotspots you’re gonna want to hit up so you can really get a good grasp of the entire country. And first, a recommendation for you: it might be worth renting a driver to get you around for the week since there will be lots of travel. It is possible to get to most of these destinations by bus, but the routes are not covered in this piece. Check out our guide to taxi services in Lebanon if you want to pursue the driver angle.

Now let’s go!

Day One: Manara and Downtown Beirut

The Corniche in Raouche makes for a great place to start your morning and sightseeing in Lebanon. Walk while munching on a cheese and zaatar man’ouche from one of the many hole-in-the-wall manakeesh shops nearby. If you prefer something a little more active, rent a bike from Beirut by Bike and ride around the Corniche while enjoying the bustling activity of fishermen and kaak sellers as your overlook the endless Mediterranean. Be sure to stop at the famous Raouche pigeon rocks. They make for gorgeous pics!

Drive (or walk) to downtown Beirut, which is just east of Raouche, to get a taste of the more sophisticated, refined Lebanese lifestyle. While there, you can have brunch at one of the many restaurants in the beautiful Zaitounay Bay area, or you could also go for the fantastic brunch offer at the Four Seasons Hotel. After that, stroll through the Beirut Souks for some shopping. There you’ll find various high-end, luxurious brands. The beautiful Mohammed Al-Amine Mosque, located just a few minutes down the street in front of Martyrs’ Square is also a must-see, if only for its beautiful architecture, which rivals the world-renowned ones in Istanbul.

At night, we advise you to catch a show at Metro Al Madina. After that, you can enjoy a chill night out at the pubs in Hamra or, better yet, head over to Beirut’s east side neighborhood of Mar Mikhael (it’s just on the other side of downtown past Gemmayzeh) for a taste of the pubbing nightlife scene in Beirut.

Day Two: The Bekaa Valley

(Image via LGIC)

The next day, head out to the Bekaa Valley> First start out by visiting the beautiful vineyards of Chateau Kefraya for free wine tastings plus tours and/or lunch. Of course, the country has dozens of vineyards and wineries, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just this one. See our Guide to Vineyards and Wineries in Lebanon for more.

Continue your drive to Baalbek, and walk through the Roman city and temple ruins – they are magnificent and definitely worth seeing. During the Hellenistic period, Baalbek was known as the “City of Sun”. Since 1955, it has been home to the annual Baalbek International Festival, which is a spectacular event that hosts international and local talents that range from the iconic Fairouz to the renowned Caracalla Dance Theater. If you’re lucky enough to be in Lebanon during late July and early August, you should definitely reserve tickets to watch one of the shows at the festival.

Drive back to Beirut and relax before going out on another Beiruti nighttime adventure. They don’t claim this city to be the ultimate party destination in the Middle East for no reason. Mar Mikhael seemed fun? Wait until you try clubbing until the wee early morning hours in a crowd that refuses to die down until it sees the sun rise. Of course, reservations should be made the day before – be it at Pier 7, White, O1NE, or The Garten. (Also See: Six Parties You Absolutely Must Hit Up This Summer.)

Day Three: Tyre/Saida

(Image via Ghorayb Travel)

For your third day in Lebanon, head south for an enjoyable, relaxed day at the beach. Although Beirut features several beautiful beaches, we advise a drive to the southern district for two reasons: you get to see more of Lebanon, and the beach in Tyre is breathtaking. You can thank us later after you touch down in the beautiful sandy beaches and swim in the sparkling, crystal blue waters. You can keep things local and hit up the public beach or head to the well-known Rest House Hotel & Resort for more of a private swim session.

On your way back to Beirut, stop at the Saida Sea Castle. Although today it consists mainly of two towers joined together by a wall, it was known to be one of the most beautiful castles in the region centuries ago. Built by the Crusaders in the 13th century, it witnessed several wars and was almost destroyed completely by the Mamluks. Additionally, you can’t leave the south of Lebanon without having visited the vibrant souqs of Saida. In these nostalgic souqs, you will find old men and women trading crafts, soap, delicious Arabic pastries. Make sure to try the Saida-famous saniora – a cheap, delicious dessert – with freshly brewed Arabian coffee.

Day Four: The Shouf

(Image via Polymotec)

Waking up this morning was too difficult? No worries. A hike in the beautiful, green mountains of Lebanon is all you need. Drive up to the Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, and enjoy walking up the breezy mountains of Barouk, which are surrounded by pine trees, different birds (including the white stork and griffon vulture) and cultural, historical sites such as the Niha Castle – a cave castle that was built by the infamous Prince Fakhreddine II.

Beiteddine, which is only thirty minutes away from Barouk, is a site for sore eyes. This “House of Religion”, built by the Prince Bashir Shehab II in the late 18th century, is also home to the Beiteddine Festival which has hosted some huge names in the past, including Mariah Carey (haha)!

You’re probably too tired for an outing tonight, so sleeping in the Shouf and simply enjoying a relaxed evening is probably ideal. Five minutes from Beiteddine, you will find Bouyouti – a family-owned bed and breakfast guesthouse surrounded by a pool and a majestic view of the Shouf.

Day Five: Jbeil/Batroun

(Image via Lebanon Guide)

Last night’s relaxed evening should have pumped you up for another beach day, this time in the north.

Start your journey by driving up to Batroun, a lovely village in the northern district of Lebanon. It is only a two-hour drive, so waking up at 8am should do the trick. We advise you to enjoy your day in Batroun sprawled out on the breathtaking beach of the modest, but beautiful, Bonita Bay because – let’s face it – beautiful beaches are a linchpin of any good summer holiday. Order a fresh lemonade (and an argile, if you smoke) and toast under the Lebanese sun by the calming waters of this beach heaven.

Before the sun sets, drive to the Mseiha Fort in Batroun, which is only five minutes away from Bonita Bay. It was also built by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century. After walking through this medieval reinforcement, continue your drive to the beautiful Byblos – also known as Jbeil – the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Lebanon and was, interestingly enough, once an ancient city that brought about the invention of the linear alphabet. The tranquil Byblos Port is surrounded by various restaurants and cafés to choose from. During the night, the lighting of the port is quite astounding. Visit the nearby Byblos Castle, built in the 12th century, and get an eyeful of the historical monuments of the Temple of Obelisks and the Byblos Citadel.

Although there are several restaurants to choose from, we advise the steak and wine from Edde Yard E-Café, situated in between the old souks and the pub. If you’re in the mood for seafood, head to Bab el Mina restaurant nearby. After getting that belly full, a stroll through the spirited souks of Jbeil would be a good idea to get some souvenirs, in addition to getting a taste of the authentic ambiance of ancient Phoenician Lebanon.

Where’s the party at tonight? The answer to this one is quite difficult because there are several options to choose from.

If you’d rather just stay in Jbeil, you can pub-hop the night away from Byblos’ open air pubs to Publicity, a nightlife hub situated minutes away by car from Byblos. In Publicity, you will find twelve high-class pubs and restaurant that surround a large pool and six Jacuzzi lounges. Don’t be fooled by its elegant exterior – by 12 p.m. things get down and dirty in this place.

Beirut.com’s pick for your night, however, would be to head back to Batroun for a beach party like no other at Pierre & Friends. With international DJs lined up, delightful cocktails, and the Mediterranean waters soaking your sandals, the ambiance there is wet, wild and crazy. Damn crazy.

Make sure you have a room reserved at one of the hotels in Batroun. Our advice is you go for the San Stephano Beach & Resort. Not only is it close to both Jbeil’s pubs and Pierre & Friends, but it offers decent rooms at affordable prices.

Day Six: Ehden/Bcharre

(Image via Fotos Words)

We know how tempting it is to spend another day lounging on the beach of Batroun, but the beautiful mountains of Ehden and Bcharre await you.

Grab a light jacket and make your way up to Ehden for a taste of the authentic Lebanese mezze at none other than the Ferdaws restaurant of Ehden. Order, and order abundantly there – you simply cannot leave Lebanon without having indulged in the Lebanese mezze, licked your garlic-ky fingers after a plate of grilled ta’ouk (marinated chicken), and sipped on the Levantine alcohol, arak, all the while overlooking the picturesque view of the scenic Ehdenian forests.

Digest your food while walking through the famous Al-Midan square, an area bustling with cafés, sweet shops and vendors. Mingle with the locals while you gobble up a plate of K’nafe, a delicious, syrupy cheese pastry.

Before heading back to your hotel in Ehden, you absolutely need to drive to the town of Bcharre – which is only twenty minutes away – to get a glimpse of the only remaining original cedars of Lebanon, the emblem of the country. During the winter, Bcharre is covered with snow and provides mountains ideal for skiing. However, summer in Bcharre is a great option for hiking and sightseeing. The Kadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is simply breathtaking as it overlooks the Holy River, Nahr Qadisha, and several steep cliffs that form caves along the way. If the weather allows for it, you can take a dip in the river and soak up the sun.

Before heading back for the day (you can also find cheap lodges in either Ehden or Bcharre if you want to spend the night), make sure to stop by and visit the Gebran Khalil Gebran Museum – the iconic Lebanese poet and sculptor.

Day Seven: Jounieh/Jeita Grotto

(Image via DDPN)

It’s your last day in Leb land – you have to make the most of it! The areas you could cover are those closer to Beirut: Jounieh and the Jeitta Grotto. They’re approximately twenty minutes away from each other, so it’s not as hectic as you’d imagine.

You can start your day by enjoying the ride on the gondola lift – a mere nine-minute journey that takes you through a scenic journey from the lively city of Jounieh up to the quiet surroundings of Harissa. After walking through the beautiful village of Harissa, perhaps the most important pilgrimage site for Christians in Lebanon, take the gondola lift back to Jounieh. Enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants that overlook the relaxing bays of Jounieh, and then take a drive to Jeitta Grotto.

Simply said, you cannot leave Lebanon without exploring this grotto. It is one of the most picturesque, awe-inspiring scenes in Lebanon. The longest cave in the Middle East, it is made up of a lower and upper limestone, and has a wondrous accumulation of stalactites and stalagmites. In fact, the longest stalactite known to humans is found in this grotto!

It was a beautiful adventure, wasn’t it?

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