Places to Visit in Beirut – The Paris of the Middle East

1- Pigeon Rocks

Pigeon Rocks is one of Lebanon’s most iconic natural formations and has an important place on the list of places to visit in Beirut. These natural formations consist of rock masses rising from the sea on the Raouche coast. Having a unique atmosphere, Pigeon Rocks offers a magnificent visual feast to its visitors with its Mediterranean view and makes them fall in love with it.

Top places to visit in Beirut – Pigeon Rocks – Lebanon travel blog

In the evening, you can enjoy the amazing sunset of Pigeon Rocks and create unforgettable memories in a romantic atmosphere. So, you can come here with your lover for a romantic sunset.

Lebanon’s Pigeon Rocks are a paradise for photographers and nature lovers with their legendary views. This unique natural formation offers striking images with its unique compositions and impressive silhouettes. So, one of the answers to the question of what to do in Beirut during a Lebanon tour is definitely visiting Pigeon Rocks.

2- Beirut Archaeological Museum – Places to Visit

Beirut Archaeological Museum (American University Museum), which is among the must-see places during the city tour, stands out as an indispensable stop for visitors who want to discover the historical and cultural riches of the country. Because this museum contains many important works that reflect the historical heritage of Lebanon. Archaeological remains, ceramics, sculptures, and other ancient artifacts make up the museum’s collection.

Beirut Archaeological Museum – Places to visit in the capital of Lebanon

The museum, which exhibits works of historical and artistic importance not only from the country but also from many civilizations, offers visitors a unique experience. Artifacts from periods such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans attract particular attention. Thus, you have the opportunity to get to know the rich cultural past of the Middle East better.

The museum also shares historical artifacts as well as information obtained from archaeological excavations. Therefore, the museum provides its visitors with the opportunity to develop unique knowledge and understanding of archaeology. The Beirut Archaeological Museum entrance fee is 5000 Lebanese Liras.

3- Marina and Zaitunay Bay

Beirut Marina, one of the places to visit in the Lebanese capital, offers the atmosphere of a lively seaport. Surrounded by walking paths, restaurants, and cafes, the marina is an ideal tourist spot to have a pleasant time. From here you can enjoy sea views, watch luxury yachts, and even participate in various water sports activities.

Zaitunay Bay in the marina area is a marina and entertainment district surrounded by modern restaurants and cafes. You can enjoy Lebanese cuisine at the restaurants here and have a delicious dinner experience, especially with seafood. While traveling to Lebanon, you can take a walk next to the yachts in the bay or take a pleasant break in cafes.

Best things to do in Beirut Marina

4- Jeita Grotto

Jeita Grotto, one of the places I should mention in the Beirut travel guide blog post, is located approximately 20 kilometers north of the capital. These unique underground caves offer eye-catching beauty, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience. Be sure you will be amazed here. Already Jeita Grotto is famous for its crystal clear springs, impressive limestone formations, and fascinating cave halls.

Jeita Grotta, which draws attention with its geological features, consists of two separate caves: Upper Cave and Lower Cave. In the Upper Cave, you navigate through walkways and platforms. The Lower Gallery attracts attention with its large cave halls carved by water, and you can take a mystical tour by boat on the ponds here.

Jeita Grotto – Must-see places in Lebanon

The cave, which attracts attention with its stalactites, stalagmites, and other natural formations, fascinates people with its atmosphere. It is one of the most beautiful caves I have visited so far. One of the answers to the question of what to do in Beirut during a Lebanon tour is to visit these caves. Because Jeita Grotto caves are an ideal stop for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

By the way, when entering the cave, it is forbidden to bring mobile phones, cameras, GoPros, etc. They warn you at the entrance. You have to put your phones and other electronic items in the small lockers at the entrance. They give you the key. You take your belongings when you leave.

5- Beirut National Museum

Beirut National Museum, which is on the list of places to visit, is an important stop for visitors who want to explore the rich history of the city. This museum houses an extensive collection showcasing Lebanon’s historical and cultural heritage. Archaeological remains, artifacts, and artworks offer a unique experience for travelers visiting the museum.

You can observe artifacts from various civilizations here, starting from prehistoric times, such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. Sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, and ancient artifacts attract attention in the museum’s collection. So history and art lovers should definitely visit here.

Beirut National Museum – History of Lebanese Culture

6- Beirut Souks

Beirut Souks, which is on the list of places to visit in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is a popular destination for shopping enthusiasts. This modern shopping center houses boutiques of luxury brands and stores of local designers. Here you can find various products such as clothes, jewelry, leather goods, and handmade souvenirs. You can also relax, have a snack, and continue exploring the city at the restaurants and cafes here.

7- Mar Mikhael

Mar Mikhael is one of the most lively and hip districts of the city. This area is also particularly famous for its street art. In addition, art galleries, boutique shops, and lively restaurants make this area special.

You can explore this side of the city by walking along the narrow cobblestone streets of the Mar Mikhael district. You can also enjoy your Lebanon tour by observing the work of local artists. This place is also very lively and lively in terms of Beirut nightlife. I definitely recommend stopping by.

Mar Mikhael – Interesting places to see

8- Baalbek

Baalbek, on the list of places to visit in Beirut, is an ancient city located approximately 85 kilometers east of the Lebanese capital. The city, which is famous for its ruins from the ancient Roman period, is considered a world-renowned archaeological site. Especially the Roman temples built with huge stone blocks fascinate people as the most impressive structures of the Ancient City of Baalbek.

The Ancient City of Baalbek, one of the most magnificent temple cities in the world, attracts attention with its structures such as the Great Temple and the Temple of Jupiter. The Great Temple, which fascinates visitors with its imposing dimensions, is known as the largest temple with Corinthian columns of the Roman period.

How to get to Baalbek Ruins from Beirut – Travel Guide

The Temple of Jupiter is one of the most important temples of the Roman Empire in ancient times. The Ancient City of Baalbek, which has an important place in history, takes visitors on a fascinating time journey. When you wonder if there are such places in Lebanon, you get lost in the depths of history, so to speak. You literally breathe in the magnificent atmosphere of antiquity in this city, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How to get from Beirut to Baalbek, which is on the list of places to visit in Lebanon? Daily tours are organized in the capital. You can easily visit here by making an online reservation on GetYourGuide. Or you can come to this ancient city in the Bekaa Valley, located close to the Syrian border, by taxi or by hiring a driver. Before coming here, you can also visit the world’s largest stone mass.

9- Sursock Museum – Beirut Trip

Sursock Museum, as one of the most important cultural centers, deserves to be on the list of places to visit in Beirut. This museum offers visitors a visual feast by exhibiting contemporary works of art specific to the country. Therefore, it is one of the must-visit spots for art lovers.

Sursock Museum, which draws attention with its unique architecture, is located in a restored part of the historical Sursock Palace. The museum’s collection covers different areas of contemporary art and includes works by local and international artists. Works from different disciplines such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, and video art are exhibited here.

Sursocks Museum – Cheap places to visit

So where is the Sursock Museum, which is one of the points that should be included in the Beirut travel guide blog post? The museum is located in the Sursock Palace on Sursock Street in the Ashrafieh district. Ashrafieh is one of the central areas of the city. Therefore, it is located close to other important tourist spots in the city. So you can easily access it here even by walking.

10- Byblos – Places to Visit in Beirut

Where is Byblos? Byblos, one of the leading holiday destinations on the list of places to visit in Beirut, is located approximately 40 kilometers north of the capital. This ancient city is considered one of the oldest settlements in the world and life still continues here. The city of Byblos, famous for its historical ruins, narrow streets, and historical port, stands out as an important destination for history and culture enthusiasts.

Byblos Ancient City attracts attention, especially with its ruins from the Phoenician period. If you ask what places to visit in Byblos, Lebanon, important points to visit include Byblos Castle, Phoenician Amphitheatre, and Roman columns.

Where is Byblos – Places to visit near Beirut – Things to do in Lebanon

Byblos Castle, a building that has become the symbol of the city, fascinates visitors with its historical atmosphere. Another historical point, the Phoenician Amphitheatre, hosted theater events in ancient times. And it continues to be used for concerts and events today.

The historical port is a center of attraction full of fishing boats and restaurants. Here you can have a delicious dinner full of seafood and have a pleasant time by the sea. Byblos is an important stop to complete your Beirut trip with its historical and cultural riches.

How to get to Byblos? The easiest way to get here is by taking a taxi. Or you can find a taxi from the Uber Taxi application, which is among the travel applications that can be your companion. While you are here, you can wander around the narrow streets, shop in local shops, and try local products. So, you can find the answer to the question of what to buy in Lebanon here. So where to stay in Byblos? You can make an online reservation by choosing the one that suits your budget from the Byblos hotel list.

11- Batroun – Beirut tour

Where else to visit in Lebanon, one of the countries that do not require a visa? Batroun, one of the most beautiful cities that should be on the route of places to visit near Beirut, is located at the midpoint of the cities of Byblos and Tripoli.

This historical and picturesque town fascinates visitors with its white sandy beaches, colorful streets, and historical texture. Batroun offers a relaxing getaway, especially with its tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty. Therefore, it can also be considered on the list of places to swim.

What to do in Batroun

One of the most important features of Batroun is its beautiful beaches. Batroun Beach, known for its crystal clear sea, is an ideal spot for those who want to enjoy the sea and the sun. In addition, the ancient Phoenician walls and narrow streets in Batroun allow you to feel the historical and cultural atmosphere of the Middle East.

You can also have a delicious experience with delicious seafood and traditional Lebanese cuisine by taking a break at the nearby restaurants and cafes. While you’re here, cool off by drinking a cold lemonade at Hilmi’s House of Lemonade, which describes itself as the best lemonade in the world.

Batroun, which you can visit while touring Beirut, is also famous for its local festivals. Festivals held during the summer months attract both tourists and locals, creating a colorful atmosphere filled with music, dance, and other artistic events. Especially the Batroun International Festival attracts great attention from artists and tourists coming to the region.

12- Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque

Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, one of the places I want to talk about in the Beirut travel guide blog post, is one of the most important religious buildings in the city. This magnificent mosque further beautifies the city as a magnificent structure blending Ottoman and Arab architecture.

The mosque, which draws attention with its magnificent dome and minaret, dazzles with the decorations and details inside. Although the mosque looks old, it was built in 2008. Rafik Hariri, the murdered former prime minister of Lebanon, made great contributions to the construction of the mosque, which is 65 meters high and has 4 minutes. Rafik Hariri’s Mausoleum is also located here.

Best Places to visit in Beirut – Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque

There are also two churches next to the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, also known as the Blue Domed Mosque. Of course, this is a normal situation in the city where Christians and Muslims live together.

13-St. George’s Cathedral

St. George’s Cathedral is one of the most important religious centers of the Christian community in Lebanon. This historic cathedral is famous for its mosaics and icons from the Byzantine period.

St. George’s Cathedral – Lebanon Travel Blog

The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 19th century. It bears the influence of Ottoman and Arab architecture of that period. Various religious symbols and decorations in the cathedral, whose magnificent interior and impressive mosaics fascinate visitors, further strengthen the religious atmosphere.

Therefore, St. George’s Cathedral, in addition to being a place of religious worship, is also of great cultural and historical importance. You should definitely stop by here while doing a city tour of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

14- MIM Museum

MIM Museum is one of the important museums you can visit while traveling to Beirut. This museum houses a large collection in mineralogy, jewelry, and natural history. The museum, where rare mineral samples, precious stones, and unique jewelry collected from different parts of the world are exhibited, is quite interesting.

MIM Museum opens its doors to the fascinating world of natural stones to its visitors. Therefore, you can see natural stones, minerals and jewelry here that you have never seen before. You can also learn the history and details of the museum and jewelry design and craftsmanship here.

MIM Museum (Mineral Museum)

15- Beiteddine Palace

Beiteddine Palace, located approximately 40 kilometers away from the city of Beirut, which is one of the places to visit in summer, is a palace complex from the Ottoman period. The palace, which draws attention with its magnificent gardens, elegant courtyards, and rich decorations, is truly fascinating in terms of architecture. Historical and cultural artifacts are exhibited in the museum inside the palace, which bears traces from the Ottoman Empire period.

The palace, built by the Ottoman Governor Emir Bashir, was built to show the power and magnificence of the sultanate to the world. If you have time, I suggest you stop by. You can get around by hiring a taxi from the Uber Taxi application.

16- Rene Mouawad Garden

Famous as a garden decorated with white marble columns, Rene Mouawad Garden is known as the most beautiful park in the city. People abandon themselves to the tranquility of green in the garden, which is full of various plant species, flowers and walking paths.

You can have a picnic, read a book, or just enjoy nature in the garden, which offers a quiet and peaceful environment. You can also get rid of city stress in this garden, which is a place to relax.

17- Beit Beirut Museum

Beit Beirut Museum, which cultural tourism lovers will definitely want to visit, reveals Lebanon’s past and the civil war period. So much so that the building itself is an apartment block that was damaged during the Civil War. It attracts people’s attention at first glance with its white tower and the damaged structure on its exterior.

In this museum, which is on the list of places to visit in Beirut, you go on a historical journey through photographs, documents, and personal narratives. One should definitely come here to understand Lebanon’s complex past in terms of social, political, and cultural aspects.

Bei Beirut – Best Places to Visit in the Middle East

18- Beirut Corniche

Beirut Corniche, which is a prominent point on the list of places to visit in Beirut, is the most famous and most beautiful coastline of the city. While walking here, the magnificent view of the Mediterranean accompanies you. With its relaxing atmosphere, Beirut Corniche is a popular spot among locals and tourists, making it an ideal spot for exercising, walking, or simply enjoying the sea views.

The Corniche offers people to rest and entertainment options with its parks, cafes, and restaurants. People also come here a lot for cycling and roller skating. One of the most important things that makes this place special is that it hosts a romantic sunset. Apart from being an Instagram-worthy place, you can spend romantic moments here with your lover or spouse.

Beirut Corniche – Things to do in Lebanon

19- Harissa

Harissa is another place that should be included in the Beirut travel guide blog and travel article. It is an impressive mountain village located north of the Lebanese capital. Harissa also has historical and religious significance. Because here is the Statue of the Virgin Mary, which is considered one of the most famous religious symbols of Lebanon.

Mediterranean view from Harissa

Combined with the huge statue, approximately 6.5 meters high, and the magnificent view of the city, this place has become a center of attraction. If we talk about the person who commissioned the statue, it was made by the wealthy Lebanese businessman Süleyman Yakup. Additionally, the Maronite Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the buildings that make this place special.

Harissa, which is on the list of places to visit in Beirut, Lebanon, is also an attractive place for nature lovers. Because green mountains and breathtaking natural beauties make people fall in love with them. While you are here, you can sit in restaurants or cafes and taste the flavors of Lebanese cuisine while looking at the view.

20- Planet Discovery Science Museum

Planet Discovery Science Museum is a fun and educational place, especially for children. There is an atmosphere full of interactive exhibitions, science experiments, and activities. Children can explore topics related to science and technology, conduct experiments, and have a fun learning experience. You can consider it among the places to visit with children.

Follow MyWonderfulTrips Instagram page.