Beirut Sightseeing

In the capital, Beirut, near Martyrs’ Square, a mosque was erected similar to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Turkey, named the Mosque of Muhammad al-Amin. It contains several blue domes, and was built in 2008, influenced by the Ottoman design.

Martyrs’ Square, historically known as “Al Burj” or “Place des Cannons”, is the historical central public square of Beirut. The statue honors the martyrs who were slained by the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Place de l’Étoile (also known as Star Square) is a square in the center of Beirut that is surrounded by important political and religious buildings. It was a focal point for the redevelopment of downtown Beirut by the French Mandate throughout the 1920s and 1930s; This urban project has transformed the heart of Beirut into a Parisian-Haussmannian-style plaza..

A stunning cathedral located in the heart of Beirut, it has a small underground archaeological museum with a number of artifacts and antiquities dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, medieval and Ottoman periods.

It’s market day in Lausanne! Enjoy browsing and packing a picnic lunch for our 11 a.m. boat cruise on Lake Geneva. A few miles down-shore we’ll dock at Château de Chillon, where we’ll have a guided tour of this delightfully medieval castle on the water. On our way back we’ll take time to peek into the vineyards surrounding Lutry before returning to Lausanne. Boat: 2 hrs. Bus: 1 hr. Walking: moderate.

Originally the Church of St. John, the Crusaders built the Great Omari Mosque in the 12th century. In 1291, the Mamluks turned it into the city’s Great Mosque. The mosque was damaged during the Lebanese Civil War and was rebuilt in 2004.

Beirut souks connect all portions of the city center. They are bordered by up-market office, residential, and hospitality neighborhoods, and have convenient vehicle and pedestrian access, and are located near the hotels and waterfront districts. The development, which is hailed as one of the region’s most important commercial areas, raises expectations and provides impetus for the revitalization of the Lebanese capital and its center as a desirable regional and worldwide business, retail, and leisure destination.

From all the civilizations which crossed and stayed in the Lebanon, the Romans where one of the most important. The Roman Baths located in the downtown of Beirut are a must-go spot, they were discovered in 1968 and have been renovated and preserved.

This abandoned Holiday Inn Hotel is one of Beirut’s war landmarks. It was basically built around 1971 and 1974 and designed by both Lebanese and French architects. This hotel remains untouched, abandoned, empty, decades after the war, and remains a reminder to the Lebanese population about the horrors of war.

Zaitunay Bay, formerly known as Saint George Bay, is a bay with a yacht club. It was built on 20,000 m2 of prime waterfront land and extending along the waterfront of Beirut’s high-end street. It’s a bustling destination offering a promenade by the marina, retail stores, restaurants & cafes.

The Manara Corniche is a 4 km long trail located in Beirut that offers stunning views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is mainly used for walking, running, fishing and road cycling and is accessible year-round. Dogs can also use this lane but must remain on a leash.

Pigeon Rock, also called Raouche rock, is a 60-meter high offshore rock couple, which was formed in the prehistoric era by a geologic movement. This is a very romantic spot, especially during sunset.