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Half-Day Tour to Beit El Din and Sidon: Explore Italian-Designed Palace and Historical Attractions
Beit ed-Dine
Embark on a half-day tour from Beirut to Beit El Din and Sidon. Discover the stunning Italian-designed palace at Beiteddine and explore the historical attractions in Sidon, including the crusader sea castle and the old souk.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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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 used it as a government building, and during the French Mandate, it served as a local administrative office. In 1943, it was designated as the president’s official summer residence. 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. - Sidon - Sidon is one of the oldest Phoenician cities, established in the 3rd millennium BC and flourishing in the 2nd millennium BC. Renowned for its purple dyes and glassware, Sidon was also visited by Jesus. Throughout the Crusades, Sidon frequently changed hands, being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. - Crusaders Sea Castle - The Sidon Sea Castle was constructed by the crusaders in the 13th century on a small island, connected to the mainland by a causeway, serving as a fortress of the holy land. It stands as one of the most notable historical landmarks in Sidon, Lebanon. The Mamluks largely destroyed the castle in 1291, but it was later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century. Historical prints depict the fortress as a site of great beauty, though little of its original embellishments remain. - Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is a major attraction in Sidon, built in the early 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II to serve 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. It features a typical khan design with a large rectangular courtyard, a central fountain, and surrounding covered galleries. - Soap Museum - Saida - The Soap Museum in Sidon is dedicated to Levantine soaps. Originally a soap workshop built by the Hammoud family in the 17th century, the museum explores 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 includes a historical section with artifacts found during onsite excavations, such as clay pipe heads from the 17th to 19th centuries and pottery fragments. The building itself is an old soap factory from the 17th century, with parts dating back to the 13th century. - Debbane Palace - Built in the 18th century in the Old City of Sidon, Debbane Palace is the last remaining house from the Ottoman period in a city now dominated by traffic and modern storefronts. Accessed via a narrow stairwell in the bustling Souq, the palace is constructed above the markets below. Inside, it boasts reception rooms, stained-glass windows, rare mosaic tiles, and centuries-old stables. Debbane Palace is the only example of an Ottoman palace within the urban walls of Lebanon. - Sidon Souks - The souks of Sidon are the heart of the city’s commercial activities, encompassing retail and craft industries. The souk is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways filled with small kiosks, shops, cafes, street merchants, butchers, grocers, shoemakers, tailors, and jewelers.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- English-speaking driver
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
On this half-day tour from Beirut, skip the inconvenience of car travel and public transport, and witness the Italian-styled Beiteddine palace located in the rural Chouf area. Next, continue south to the city of Sidon and take in the key sights including the ancient sea fortress built by the Crusaders, a variety of museums, palaces, khans, and a brief stroll through the old market.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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