Beirut
Beirut's history goes back more than 5,000 years. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, its antiquity is indicated by its name, derived from the Canaanite be'erot ('wells'), referring to the underground water table that is still tapped by the local inhabitants for general use. Excavations in the downtown area have unearthed layers of Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader and Ottoman remains. The first historical reference to Beirut dates from the 14th century BC, when it is mentioned in the cuneiform tablets of the Amarna letters, three letters that Ammunira of Biruta (Beirut) sent to the pharaoh of Egypt.
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Top Experiences in Beirut
Book one of the experiences that other customers have liked and recommended:
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Jeita Grotto,Harissa&Byblos Full‐Day PRIVATE‐CAR Trip from Beirut
Leave Beirut’s crazy traffic to the experts and relax as your private driver takes the wheel for a door‐to‐door tour of three Lebanon signatures: the Jeita Grotto caves, the giant statue known as Our Lady of Harissa, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Byblos. Please note that entrance fees are at your own expense.
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Jeita Grotto — Harissa — Byblos Trip
Visit three of Lebanon’s most celebrated attractions during this small‐group, full‐day tour from Beirut. Take a cable‐car ride and boat cruise through stalactite‐filled Jeita Grotto, enjoy panoramic views overlooking Jounieh Bay from the hilltop Our Lady of Lebanon statue, and walk through 8,000‐year‐old ruins in the archaeological site of Byblos. Hotel pickup and drop‐off are included; admission tickets are purchased separately.
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History and Archeology Tour to Baalbek, Anjar, and Ksara
History and archeology enthusiasts won’t want to miss this exciting full‐day tour from Beirut. You’ll visit a number of the most important historic sites in Lebanon. Explore Roman ruins at Baalbek, the palaces and souks of 8th‐century Anjar, and taste wine in the Lebanese wine‐making center of Ksara. Learn about Lebanon’s diverse and long history while having fun and seeing the sights.
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Beirut Authentic Labanese Cooking Class, Meal with Local Host
Enjoy a slice of Lebanese life that’s impossible to access independently with this private, hands‐on cooking class in a traditional Lebanese home. Learn to cook five authentic Lebanese dishes as you chat about culture, cuisine, and traditions with your foodie host and her family. Then savor a home‐cooked meal washed down with a couple of glasses of arak.
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Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche Day Trip — With Lunch (4G on Board)
Marvel at UNESCO World Heritage–listed Roman architecture on this Tyre, Sidon and Maghdouche day trip from Beirut. Explore the town of Tyre with your guide and gain insight into life here under Roman rule. Discover the ancient ruins of Sidon Sea Castle, the Castle of Saint‐Louis and the 16th‐century Great Mosque in Sidon. After a delicious lunch of Middle Eastern specialities in a traditional Lebanese restaurant, head on to Maghdouche. Here, admire top local attractions including the Old Cave and the Al‐Saydeh Ancient Church before returning to Beirut.
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Chouwen Lake Hiking and Swimming
Get out and explore nature with this tour from Beirut to Chouwen Lake. Your driver will pick you up in Beirut and take you to the park, where you'll take a moderate hike through the forest and out to Jannet Chouwen Lake for some swimming. At the end of your swim, you'll hike back to your vehicle and head back to Beirut.
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3 Days Touring Lebanon in a Small Group from Beirut
See more of Lebanon in less of the time when you book this 3‐day combo tour package, with 2‐way transfers from your Beirut hotel and a group leader to explain the basics of each site before you visit. You’ll cover Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos, Sidon, Tyre, Maghdoucheh, Anjar, and Baalbek. Lunch is included on one day but entrance fees are excluded.
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PRIVATE Beirut Historical Walking Half Day Tour
Get under the skin of old Beirut on this convenient guided half‐day tour that includes door‐to‐door transportation. Start by discovering Lebanese history at the National Museum of Beirut. Then enjoy a walking tour of downtown, including the souks, the Roman baths, the Mohammad Al‐Amin Mosque, St. George’s Cathedral, and the waterfront. Finally, drive to Raouche to see the Pigeon Rocks.
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Sidon — Tyre — Maghdouche Trip, From Beirut
Visit historic gems of the Lebanese coast on a full‐day tour from Beirut to Sidon, Tyre, and Maghdoucheh. Combining transport and tours saves time for sightseeing, so you can soak up even more fascinating history. From the colorful Sidon Souks to the UNESCO‐listed monuments of Sidon.
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Historical Beirut Tour (AM) Half Day — (4G on Board)
Begin your 3‐hour walking tour with a pickup from your central Beirut hotel (select hotels only), or alternatively, meet your guide in downtown Beirut. As a prelude to the sights, hear a fascinating introduction to Beirut’s history from your guide. Learn how it was originally settled more than 5,000 years ago, and prospered as a Roman city‐state from 15 BC. Discover how, with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the city became the capital of modern Lebanon, and has retained its liberal atmosphere despite long periods of near‐destruction. Set out through the bustling downtown streets, and visit several top Beirut attractions and landmarks. Each sight comes with a story, so follow your guide and learn about the people and events that shaped them. Visit recently renovated Nejmeh Square, the heart of the modern city, and see famous central clock tower, constructed during WWI. Gaze at the impressive Martyr’s Statue in Martyr’s Square, a monument that honors the Lebanese nationalists murdered during the same war by the Ottomans, and see other monuments and sights that provide a window into Beirut’s past, culture and character. Next, visit the National Museum of Beirut, the home of vast collections of archaeological artifacts. Stroll around to view the highlights displayed in its galleries, such as prized Phoenician statues, Byzantine mosaics and Roman pieces, and gain a fascinating overview of the city’s and Lebanon’s wider history. Your tour then finishes back at the original start point. Please note: Though the US Department of State has issued a warning against travel to Lebanon due to safety and security concerns, Viator’s Lebanon tours continue to operate with no disruptions. We are in frequent contact with our local suppliers and guides in Lebanon, and they report that all tours are operating as scheduled. Should the situation change, we will update this information and customers will be notified of alterations or cancellations to tours.