Lebanon Unveiled: Exclusive Private Tours to Sidon & Tyre

Embark on a private tour to Sidon, Tyre, and Maghdouche in southern Lebanon. Explore ancient landmarks, including a Crusader Castle and Tyre hippodrome. Customize your itinerary and departure point.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sidon - Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities, was founded in the 3rd millennium BC and became prosperous in the 2nd. Sidon was famous for its purple dyes and glassware and Jesus visited it. During the Crusades, Sidon changed hands several times and was destroyed and rebuilt.

  • Crusaders Sea Castle - The Sidon Sea Castle was built by the crusaders in the thirteenth century on a small island, connected to the mainland by a causeway, as a fortress of the holy land. It is one of the most prominent historical sites in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely destroyed by the Mamluks in 1291 and was later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century.
    Old prints of the fortress show it to be one of great beauty, but little remains of the embellishments that once decorated its ramparts.

  • Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions. It was built in the beginning of the 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II to be a hotel for ambassadors and a center for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France.
    The hotel soon became a center for literature, religion, history, industry and diplomacy. It became a home for culture and civilization.
    This is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.

  • Soap Museum - Saida - The Soap Museum is a museum in Sidon specialized in Levantine soaps
    The soap workshop was originally built in Sidon by the Hammoud family in the 17th century.
    The Soap Museum traces the history of soap making in the region, its development and manufacturing techniques. Visitors can see a demonstration of how traditional olive oil soaps are made and learn about the history of the “hammam” (bath) traditions.
    A historical section of the museum introduces artifacts which were found during onsite excavation and which include remains of clay pipe heads dating from the 17th to 19th century as well as pottery fragments. The Museum building is an old soap factory built in the 17th century, although containing parts thought to date back to the 13th century.

  • Sidon Souks - The souk of Sidon is the center of all the commercial activities of retail, as well as craft industry.
    The souk is a maze of narrow alleyways with small kiosks, shops and cafes, street merchant, butchers, grocers, shoe-makers, tailors and jewelers.

  • Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara - بازيليك سيدة المنطرة - Our Lady of Awaiting, also known as Our Lady of Mantara, is a Melkite Greek Catholic shrine in Maghdouché, Lebanon, discovered on 8 September 1721 by a young shepherd. The shrine consists of a tower crowned with the statue of the Virgin and Child, a cathedral, a cemetery and a sacred cave believed to be the one where the Virgin Mary rested while she waited for Jesus.

  • Tyre - Tyre is an ancient Phoenician port city and It is the home of Elissar, the Phoenician princess who founded Carthage. It was once famous across the world for its purple dye made from murex sea snails. Two main archaeological sites – “Al-Bass” and “Al-Mina” – are testimony to its historical significance. It has a wonderful seaside location and It’s a popular holiday destination with excellent and cleanest beaches
    The town’s foundations date back to approximately 2750 BC, after which it was ruled by the Egyptians and then the famous King Hiram, under whom it prospered. Later colonized variously by the Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, Greeks, Seleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks and Ottomans.

  • Al-Bass Archaeological Site - Al Bass Archaeological Site is the largest and the best-preserved example of a Roman Hippodrome. The sector of Tyre El Bass, constituting the principal entrance of the town in antique times, comprises the remains of the necropolis, on either side of a wide monumental causeway dominated by a Roman triumphal arch dating from the 2nd century AD. Among the other vestiges are an aqueduct and the hippodrome of the 2nd century, one of the largest of the Roman world. site contain a Necropolis with several hundred well-preserved sarcophagi, an intact Roman road, an aqueduct and a monumental arch.

  • Old Souk’s Heritage square - The Old Souk of Tyre has plenty of little shops selling gold, copper, vegetables, fish, meat, clothing and antiques. Delicious sandwiches, foul and hummus are the most popular stops in The Old Souk.

What's Included
  • Experienced Tour Leader
  • Convenient Hotel Pickup & Drop-off
  • Climate-Controlled In-Vehicle Comfort
  • Private Transportation for a Personalized Experience
  • Local Insight with a Guide in Tyre
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Embark on a seamless journey through the southern region of Lebanon on this day-long adventure. Venture comfortably in a climate-controlled vehicle to the towns of Sidon, Maghdouche, and Tyre. Uncover noteworthy sights such as the hippodrome of Tyre, the bustling market of Sidon, a medieval Crusader Castle, a Soap museum, a Church, and beyond. Tailor the starting location and the day’s activities to your personal preferences.

Location
Sidon
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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1 star
Scott_m
Apr 25, 2023
This was a fun, ... - This was a fun, memorable and fact-filled day visiting Saida (the sea castle, wandering around the labyrinthine souk, and checking out the Soap Museum), Sour (visiting the 2 main archaeological sites) and Magdouche (a Christian pilgrimage site on a hill overlooking the sea). The guide Hassan was fantastic - always flexible, helpful, informative and easy to chat with about anything. The local guide I had at Sour, Mohammad, was an expert in the area and could easily write a book with all his knowledge of the sites. An amazing day with a highly recommended company.
Review provided by Viator
Joseph_s
Mar 3, 2023
Fascinating history, great sights, beautiful tour - Out tour guide Hassan is an archeologist and full of enthusiasm and knowledge which he is happy to share. Enjoyed learning about both the ancient and recent history of the area. The Sidon fortress, ancient Orthodox churches and Tyre made for an interesting day.
Review provided by Viator
Fellowtraveler564884
Jul 21, 2019
Lebanon Travel - I traveled alone with my 10 year old son and booked a private tour with Beirut Daily Tours.The driver picked us up on time. He was friendly and very welcoming. The car was comfortable and the tour was amazing. We were taken to the sights and had guided information all the time. I had to pay the entry fees and for our lunch as this was not included in the private tour but overall my experience was amazing. Thanks Beirut Daily Tours
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kategz
Jan 31, 2019
Great private tour to the most interesting places - we enjoyed the private tour to Sidon Tyre Maghdouche. our tour guide Raihl is great. he is very knowledgeable and accommodating. The company is very reliable and the tour is on time with flexibility to our interests. If we had chance to come back to Beirut again, we'll definitely use Raihl as our tour guide again to see some more places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidwdeeds
Jul 31, 2018
You Must See Tyre! - Raiba (sp?) was a great guide and the expert at Tyre was very knowledgeable. Eat a shwarma (again, sp?) in Sidon and climb the tower at Maghdouche for the view.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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