New Year, Old Plans: 9 Things You’ve Always Meant To Do In Beirut, But Never Did!

You know that list of fun plans and excursions you always plan but never get around to? 2024 is the year you do them all! Here are 9 things you always mean to get around to in Beirut, yet somehow never do.

1. Visit the Crypt Museum in Downtown Beirut

@beirut.com Uncovering Centuries of History at St. George Orthodox Cathedral and Crypt Museum in Beirut! 🏛️✨ #beirut#lebanon#fyp #archeology#history #museummoment ♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose

Below Beirut’s Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, layers of Lebanon’s history lay inside its hidden Crypt Museum. For a 100,000 L.L. entrance fee, you can dig through centuries of history, finding everything from the Byzantines to the Mamluks hiding under there. With everything under the church exquisitely preserved, this museum provides a truly unique archaeological experience in Lebanon.

During the Lebanese Civil War, the church suffered extensive damage with a lot of its artifacts and iconoclasts stolen. It was excavated in 1995, uncovering the layers that appear in today’s Crypt Museum, and the church was fully rebuilt in 2003.

2. Catch a show at Metro al Madina

Shows, concerts, and so much fun is always awaiting at Metro al Madina. These first two weeks of January, they’ve got a concert by the Pink Floyd tribute band Brick Floyd, a performance of the iconic “Bar Farouk”, musical, and a new show “Al Souq El Oumoumi” opening! Go to one or all. For tickets, call +961 76 309363.

3. Visit the Lebanese National Library

@beirut.com The Lebanese National Library had closed down for years only to reopen a while back, fully renovated and open to the general public! #beirut#lebanon#library#nationallibrary#fyp#books ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

Another year of swearing you’ll check out the national library, but make it real this time. Despite their wonky opening hours (Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 2 PM), this space is well worth a visit.

4. Catch a live musical performance at NOW Beirut

Tired of drinking and talking about your situationship non-stop? Take a break by drinking and listening to some music! Live performances almost every night, check their Instagram account for the schedule.

5. Finally visit Souk el Ahad. For real this time.

@beirut.com Moral of the story is, you can find anything you can think of at Souk El Ahad! #fleamarket#beirut#thrift#lebanon#fyp#foryou ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

You always intend on going but somehow never get around to it. This little adventure will be a memorable one.

6. Catch a screening at Cinema Royal in Burj Hammoud

The 1950s cinema screens everything from old movies to new theatrical performances and even dance events. There is always something interesting coming up, you just need to keep your eye on their Instagram account. After the performance, head to Union Marks next door for an amazing drink and one of the best smashed burgers in town.

7. Enjoy the quintessential Beiruti dessert, in a sandwich

2024 is the year you get addicted to the mfat2a and halloum sandwich! Makari Sweets (حلويات المكاري) in Basta and Barbour has decades of experience in making this iconic Beirut dessert, and now serve it tucked into a sandwich with salty halloum. It is a must-try.

8. Shake off the bad vibes from 2023 by smashing everything at SmashIt

Blow off some steam and de-stress by taking a hammer to an old computer and some furniture. Now at Centro Mall.

9. Uncover a new interest at MIM Museum

The world’s most thrilling collection of private minerals, MIM exhibits more than 1800 minerals, showcasing almost 400 different species from over 70 countries. The museum also houses precious gem stones collection from all over the world and a thematic exhibition of 200 marine fossils, some are extracted from the Lebanese mountains.