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Private Tour to Beiteddine Palace, Deir el Qamar and Sidon: Perfect for Beirut Travelers
3.0
2 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
This is the perfect tour for travelers with limited time in Beirut. Enjoy a sightseeing tour that showcases the old and the new, to give you a full understanding of Lebanon’ history. Highlights include the city of Deir Elkamar, Beitddine palace, a crusader castle, mosques and churches, the Old Souk of Sidon and much more.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Beiteddine Palace - Enter the world of Lebanese royalty as you explore the grand halls and ornate courtyards of Beiteddine Palace. Set against the stunning Chouf Mountains, this architectural gem showcases the grandeur of Lebanon’s Ottoman period. Admire the detailed mosaics, delicate woodwork, and vibrant frescoes that decorate the palace walls, each narrating a tale of luxury and elegance.
- Deir el Qamar - Travel back in time to the charming village of Deir el Qamar, where history is alive in every cobblestone street and ancient structure. Discover the delightful architecture of traditional Lebanese homes, featuring intricate stone carvings and red-tiled roofs. Stroll through the quaint markets, where artisans display their crafts, and soak in the timeless beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, with its octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Constructed 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, also known as Our Lady of the Hill, is a significant historical and religious landmark in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati built the church on the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to Maronite Heritage, 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 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 - Discover the charm of Lebanon’s lively coastal city as you navigate the bustling streets of Sidon. From its ancient Phoenician ruins to its vibrant seafood markets, Sidon offers a fascinating mix of history and modernity. Visit the historic Sidon Sea Castle, a symbol of the city’s rich maritime past, and walk along the lively promenade, where the aroma of spices blends with the sea breeze.
- Crusaders Sea Castle - Built by the Crusaders in the 13th century on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, the Sidon Sea Castle served as a fortress of the Holy Land. It is one of the most notable historical landmarks in 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 illustrations depict the fortress as a place of great beauty, though little of its original decorations remain today.
- Soap Museum - Saida - The Soap Museum in Sidon is dedicated to Levantine soaps. Originally built as a soap workshop by the Hammoud family in the 17th century, the museum chronicles the history of soap making in the region, its evolution, and production techniques. Visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional olive oil soap making and learn about the history of ‘hammam’ (bath) traditions. The museum also features a historical section with artifacts found during onsite excavations, including clay pipe heads from the 17th to 19th centuries and pottery fragments. The museum building itself is an old soap factory from the 17th century, with parts dating back to the 13th century.
- Sidon Souks - The souk of Sidon is the hub of all commercial and craft activities. It is a labyrinth of narrow alleys filled with small kiosks, shops, cafes, street vendors, butchers, grocers, shoemakers, tailors, and jewelers.
- Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions, built in the early 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II as a hotel for ambassadors and a center for trade between Lebanon and France. The hotel quickly became a hub for literature, religion, history, industry, and diplomacy, evolving into a cultural and civilizational center. It features a typical khan design with a large rectangular courtyard, a central fountain, and surrounding covered galleries.
What's Included
- Tour Leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Comfortable Private Transportation
- Hotel Pickup & Drop off
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Chokichok
Jan 16, 2020
Amazing tour - Our tours with Beirut daily tours are excellent from Begining to end. Our driver Moe was very friendly and with very good knowledge. And he was doing his best to ensure that we were very happy and satisfied.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Snahl
Dec 26, 2019
The Worst Tour Guide - This is the first time to come across a Viator tour that the guide is not performing as a tour guide. He is just a driver. No explanation of the tour sites at all. He simply dropped us off and let us walk alone in the tour sites. Apparently we know the places more than him. The only time he led us to walk through the Saida’s old souk but without any explanation. And that’s all this guide had done for the whole day tour!!!!!!! We don’t know whether Viator has ever scrutinized the quality of the local operator. It’s a total disappointment!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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