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Lebanon's Top Destinations: Full-Day Tour of Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar, and Sidon from Beirut
Beit ed-Dine
Discover the beauty of Lebanon's top destinations on a full-day tour of Beiteddine, Deir El Qamar, and Sidon from Beirut. Immerse yourself in Lebanese history, culture, and stunning landscapes as you explore palaces, religious sites, and charming towns.
Duration:
8 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. Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, constructed the palace between 1788 and 1818. After 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. - 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. Deir El Qamar was the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality in 1864 and is the birthplace of many notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The town was home to people of various religious backgrounds and featured a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was destroyed during the civil war between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set on fire. Napoleon III sent a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village retains a picturesque appearance with 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 built a church on the site over the ruins of an old Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, a legend says that a Druze Emir in Baakline saw a light emanating from the hill of Dar El Kamar. He ordered his soldiers to dig in the land the next morning, instructing them to build a mosque if they found an Islamic symbol and a church if they found a Christian symbol. The soldiers found 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. - Sidon - Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities, was founded in the 3rd millennium BC and flourished in the 2nd millennium BC. Sidon was renowned for its purple dyes and glassware, and Jesus visited the city. During the Crusades, Sidon changed hands multiple times and was destroyed and rebuilt. - 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 is one of the most notable historical sites in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely destroyed by the Mamluks in 1291 and later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century. Old prints of the fortress depict it as a site of great beauty, but little remains of the original decorations that once adorned its ramparts. - Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions. Built in the early 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II, it served as a hotel for ambassadors and a center for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France. The hotel quickly became a hub for literature, religion, history, industry, and diplomacy, becoming a home for culture and civilization. It is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries. - Sidon Souks - The souk of Sidon is the heart of all commercial activities, including retail and craft industries. The souk is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways filled with small kiosks, shops, cafes, street vendors, butchers, grocers, shoemakers, tailors, and jewelers.
What's Included
- Hotel Pick up & Drop off
- Private transportation
- Tour Leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Sidon is a must-see location in Lebanon for those seeking serenity by the sea. This seaside town has ample sights for visitors to explore in one day. Our Chouf and Sidon Tour amalgamates the best locations in Lebanon for you. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Lebanon by exploring palaces, holy spots and picturesque landscapes as you journey from the capital city, Beirut to the enchanting towns such as Beiteddine and Deir El Qamar.
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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