South Lebanon Day Trip: Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche Small Group Tour from Beirut
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Sidon
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of South Lebanon on this small group day trip from Beirut. Explore the ancient cities of Sidon and Tyre, visit historical landmarks like the sea castle and Roman hippodrome, and discover the spiritual significance of Maghdouche. Book now!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Crusaders Sea Castle - The Sidon Sea Castle, constructed by the crusaders in the 13th century on a small island linked to the mainland by a causeway, served as a fortress in the holy land. It stands as one of the most notable historical landmarks in Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely demolished by the Mamluks in 1291 and later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 1600s. Old illustrations depict the fortress as a site of great beauty, though few of its original decorations remain.
- Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is a key attraction in Sidon. Built in the early 1600s by Emir Fakhreddine II, it functioned as a hotel for ambassadors and a hub for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France. The hotel quickly became a center for literature, religion, history, industry, and diplomacy, embodying a home for culture and civilization. This typical khan features a large rectangular courtyard with a central fountain, surrounded by covered galleries.
- Soap Museum - Saida - The Soap Museum in Sidon is dedicated to Levantine soaps. Originally established by the Hammoud family in the 17th century, the museum traces the history, development, and manufacturing techniques of soap making in the region. Visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional olive oil soap production and learn about the history of “hammam” (bath) traditions. The museum also showcases artifacts found during onsite excavations, including clay pipe heads from the 17th to 19th centuries and pottery fragments. The building itself is a former soap factory from the 17th century, with parts dating back to the 13th century.
- Sidon Souks - The souk of Sidon is the hub of retail and craft industry activities. It is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways filled with small kiosks, shops, cafes, street vendors, butchers, grocers, shoemakers, 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 September 8, 1721, by a young shepherd. The shrine includes a tower topped with a statue of the Virgin and Child, a cathedral, a cemetery, and a sacred cave believed to be where the Virgin Mary rested while waiting for Jesus.
- Tyre - Tyre is an ancient Phoenician port city and the birthplace of Elissar, the Phoenician princess who founded Carthage. Renowned for its purple dye made from murex sea snails, Tyre boasts two main archaeological sites, “Al-Bass” and “Al-Mina,” which highlight its historical importance. With a beautiful seaside location, it is a popular holiday destination known for its pristine beaches. The city’s origins date back to around 2750 BC, and it has been ruled by Egyptians, King Hiram, Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, Greeks, Seleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans.
- Tyre Hippodrome - The Tyre Hippodrome, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Lebanon, dates back to the 2nd century A.D. It is considered one of the largest and best-preserved Roman hippodromes in the world.
- Ruins of Tyre - Necropolis - Unearthed in 1962, the necropolis contains hundreds of stone and marble sarcophagi from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Some feature Greek inscriptions or the names and trades of the deceased, such as “wealthy purple dye manufacturer.” Others are adorned with frescoes and bas-reliefs depicting works from Homer and other sources.
- Ruins of Tyre: The Egyptian Port - Tyre once had two harbors: the Sidonian in the north and the Egyptian harbor in the south. Today, the port of Tyre is a bustling fishing port, with remnants of a 750-meter-long mole still visible. Ancient building remains can also be seen in the water.
- Old Souk’s Heritage Square - The Old Souk of Tyre is filled with small shops selling gold, copper, vegetables, fish, meat, clothing, and antiques. Popular stops include vendors offering delicious sandwiches, foul, and hummus.
What's Included
- English Speaking Driver
- Lunch
- Hotel Pick up & Drop off
- Tour leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local Guide
- Entrance fees to the sites
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Lebanese cities are known for their history and culture. Book your spot on this day trip to South Lebanon from Beirut, and save time and money, as this trip covers all the bases, including air conditioned transportation, entrance fees, hotel pick-up and drop-off, plus a Lebanese lunch, which make this tour extra convenient. Visit Sidon, the third largest city in Lebanon. Discover the sea castle built by the crusaders in the thirteenth century on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow 80m long roadway. Visit Khan El Franj and the soap museum of Sidon, before heading to the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Explore the Roman hippodrome, the Necropolis, the ancient harbor of Tyre and the sea archeological site. End the tour in Maghdouche, visit the shrine and the cave where Virgin Mary used to wait for Jesus while preaching.
Location
Crusaders Sea Castle
Sidon Sea Boulevard
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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Andrea
Nov 11, 2021
Great tour with Lebanon Tour - My husband and I had great day with Lebanon Tours discovering south Lebanon. The sites were amazing and the guide was awesome. I highly recommend Lebanon Tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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