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| Hotspots |
 Aley (17 kilometres east of Beirut)
Situated 17 kilometres east of Beirut, Aley is now again a tourist hotspot in the summer. Known as “The Lebanese Bride of Summer”, Aley lies 800-900m above sea level with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. Aley also boasts a world famous crafts festival known as the “Symposium”. The biggest attraction in Aley is definitely the nightlife. With a wonderful mild climate in the summer, the nights in Aley are never calm. The Souq is a two mile long stretch home to 83 cafes and restaurants hosting singers and dancers every night of the summer. During the summer it truly is a city that never sleeps… |
 Anjar (58 kilometres north east of Beirut)
While other historical sites in the history contain articles superimposed by several cultures, Anjar dates exclusively to one dynasty, the Ummayads. Their hundred year history was full of war and conquest, thus the Ummayads had to build strong protective forts such as the one in Anjar. Visitors can walk along the ancient shopping district and see the Great Palace in the heart of the city. It lies 58 kilometres north east of Beirut near the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. |
 Sidon
The capital of the south owes its name to the god Saidoun, it is home to a myriad of cultural and historical artefacts. The old port which is almost fully intact was a main portal for Phoenician battleships and trade boats. The Arab conquest of Lebanon is evident in the Great Mosque erected by Salaheddine al Ayyoubi. The city’s multicultural aspect is magnified by the Land Castle erected by the Crusaders in addition to the tourist favourite Sea Castle. Other spots to visit include the Maani palace famed for its high Ottoman style arches. |
 Tripoli (85 kilometres north of Beirut)
Positioned on the northern coastline this city has a special character of its own. It is Lebanon’s second largest city with over 500,000 inhabitants. The city can be thought of as two main parts, Al Mina which is the port area and the site of the ancient city and the town of Tripoli proper. A visit to the Citadel is necessary as it shows the cultures Tripoli has hosted. The Great Mosque is also a great place to visit with its large courtyard and huge domes, retaining some designs of the church it used to be. Another famous aspect of Tripoli is Khan Al Khayyatin or Tailors’ Khan which was built in the early 1300s. This marble and rock stretch is home to craftsmen who sell the arguileh (water pipe), brass work and the traditional olive-oil based soap. From Halewe El Jebn to Nammoura and Znood El Sett, the city is also proud to make the finest sweets in Lebanon. |
 Tyre (85km south of Beirut)
Phoenician Tyre was the queen of the seas, an island city of unprecedented splendour. Its history has spanned five millennia hosting every civilization that existed in the region. Tyre is credited with the naming of the continent of Europe after the Phoenician princess Europa was taken by Zeus to Crete. A visitor to Tyre can view the first paper money making location in the form of Carthaginian-inscribed triangular pieces of leather. The city was the birthplace of Princess Elissar who helped make the North African city of Carthage the greatest Phoenician colony. The final claim to fame is Purple Dye which the Phoenicians would become famous for. The pigment which is often claimed to have been what guaranteed the flourishing of the Phoenician empire was first made in the city of Tyre. |
 Jeita (18km north of Beirut)
Since the dawn of history, waters issued from the mountainous caves have poured down their flanks in torrents and crystal floods. With the rocks, the water carves out fantastic caves and galleries, imbued with colours and infinite variety. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Jeita Grotto. It is made of 800m walk filled with natural statues and rock formations. The walk was naturally created millions of years ago when the two segments of the cave were severed. The lower grotto is where visitors can go deep into the mountain aboard a canoe traversing the freezing water passage. |
 Faraya (40km north east of Beirut)
Offering top class services, Faraya is a small town which has emerged on the world ski map. For four months of the year, tourists flock to the area north of Keserwen to enjoy the amazing snow and wonderful landscape. The mountain is known as Ouyoun El Seemaine with 42 slopes and 80 kilometres of ski tracks! the top of Mezaar at 2645m and view the colourful Beqaa Valley in addition to other peaks like Mount Hermon, Laqlouq and the Cedars. On clear days, coastal cities such as Jounieh and even Beirut can sometimes be seen from the mountaintop. |
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