Discovery of Beirut
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver.
Petit Futé
Where to stay ?
The map of your stay "Discovery of Beirut"
Detail of the stay : Discovery of Beirut
How to get there
The Hamra district and the waterfront
Steps: Beyrouth
We suggest that you start your first day in the iconic Hamra district, to the west of the city. In this business district that is constantly swarming, watch the comings and goings of the residents on the terrace of one of the many local cafés, discovering local news in the pages of the French-language daily L'Orient-Le Jour, on sale at the Antoine bookstore. Then venture into the alleys, lose yourself, chat with the shopkeepers, observe the modern buildings that line the dilapidated façades. This is the spirit of this district, which contrasts sharply with Beirut's highly sanitized city centre. Later in the morning, discover the only green area in the area: the campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB). From Hamra Street, head north via Jeanne d'Arc Street or Abdel Aziz Street, to Bliss Street. The university's archaeology museum is worth a look. Located in a building dating from the early 20th century, it houses a rich collection of objects dating from prehistoric times to the Islamic period. Take the time to stroll through the gardens of this vast campus that offers a beautiful view of the sea. A haven of tranquility that would (almost) make you want to become a student again! From the AUB, you can continue towards the waterfront: the cornice. A wide walk along the coast of Ain el-Mreissé to Ramlet el-Baïda beach. To see: the joggers of the cornice, the last small fishing ports of the city, the rare fishermen tirelessly patient or even the divers who make the show by performing various more or less dangerous acrobatics. You will pass through the Manara district with its old black and white lighthouse. At its feet, the pink house is in an advanced state of decay.
The climb to Raouché deserves a little effort. But once there, you will be captivated by the beauty of the Pigeon Cave. Ideally, it should be there at sunset. From Raouché, the cornice goes down to the only public sandy beach in the city: Ramlet el-Baïda
Where to dine? From Ramlet el-Baïda, it is easy to reach the Hamra district by taxi service (LBP 2,000 per person). After discovering Hamra by day, it is Hamra by night that is open to you: bars, Lebanese restaurants, live concerts and cafés where you can smoke hookah... There is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy a good evening!
Places of interest : MUSÉE ARCHÉOLOGIQUE DE L'AUB GROTTE AUX PIGEONS PLAGE DE RAMLET EL-BAÏDA AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BEYROUTH (AUB)
Downtown Beirut
Steps: Beyrouth
Why not start this second day with a visit to downtown Beirut? First stop: the imposing El-Amine mosque overlooking the famous Place des Martyrs. Adjacent to the mosque, the cathedral of Saint-Georges des Maronites and its imposing bell tower. Then on the right, the amazing archaeological site of the Roman thermal baths, built in the 1st century. You then enter the new city centre itself with its wide pedestrian walkways and the place de l'Etoile. Once very lively, this district, which houses the Parliament, is now completely deserted. As you descend to the sea, you will pass in front of the Omari Mosque, which was tastefully restored at the end of the war. Then straight on, you will arrive in the souks of Beirut, an outdoor shopping centre with its dozens of pretty shops and cafés-restaurants. The parallel streets, including Foch Street and Allenby Street, are home to many international luxury brands such as Dior and Louis Vuitton. Once your window-shopping session is over, head west to the Minet el-Hosn district with its many towers under construction. You arrive further at the foot of the carcass of the former Holiday Inn hotel. Its facade, riddled with shell impacts, is a sad testimony to the civil war that ravaged the country from 1975 to 1990. From there, we can then distinguish the marina of Saint-Georges. It was in this area that Rafik Hariri was murdered in 2005. Head for Zaitunay Bay around the marina, a pleasant place to have a drink and watch the sunset by the water.
Where to dine? Either stay in Zaitunay Bay or turn back to the Gemmayzé/Mar Mikhael area, which is full of good restaurants. If you still have some strength, continue your evening in one of the many lively bars in the neighbourhood, and head to the Quarantine sector, at B018, for a wild after-party.
Places of interest : PLACE DES MARTYRS MOSQUÉE MOHAMMED EL-AMINE CATHÉDRALE SAINT-GEORGES DES MARONITES PLACE DE L'ÉTOILE PARLEMENT LIBANAIS LES RUES FOCH ET ALLENBY MOSQUÉE EL-OMARI ZAITUNAY BAY MINET EL-HOSN
