Recently Viewed
Half-Day Private Tour to Beiteddin and Deir El Qamar: Scenic Mountain Views and Cultural Heritage
Beit ed-Dine
Experience the beauty of the Chouf mountain region on a half-day private tour to Beiteddin and Deir El Qamar. Explore the Ottoman palace of Beitddine and the charming city of Deirkamar, while enjoying scenic mountain views and immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Lebanon.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace, also known as the ‘House of Faith,’ is a 19th-century palace located in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum. The palace was constructed by Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, between 1788 and 1818. Post-1840, the Ottomans repurposed the palace as a government building. During the French Mandate, it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, it was designated as the official summer residence of the president. The palace suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War. Today, parts of it are open to the public, while the rest remains the president’s summer residence. - Deir el Qamar - Deir al-Qamar, meaning ‘Monastery of the Moon,’ is a village situated southeast of Beirut and five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. In 1864, Deir El Qamar became the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality. It is the birthplace of many notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The village was historically home to people of various religious backgrounds, featuring a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was devastated during the civil war between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set on fire. Napoleon III dispatched a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a 1523 treaty. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a charming appearance with its typical stone houses and red tile roofs. - Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, with its octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the 16th century by Fakhreddine I, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon. - Saydet El Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, translated as Our Lady of the Hill, is one of the most significant historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati constructed a church on the site over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, a legend tells of a Druze Emir in Baakline who saw a light emanating from the hill of Dar El Kamar. He instructed his soldiers to dig at the site the next morning, saying, ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ The soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus, indicating that the site had once been a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus before becoming a church.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional tour leader
- Air-conditioned vehicles
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Take pleasure in the sight of mountains, lush landscapes, and historic landmarks when you merge the visit of Beitddine’s Ottoman palace and the charming city of Deirkamar in a half-day excursion from Beirut. Round-trip, air-conditioned transport along with an English-speaking driver is included, ensuring you don’t miss any key attractions of the Chouf mountain.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
More activities from this operator
