Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche Adventure Tour: Full-Day Excursion Exploring Archaeological Sites
4.5
2 Ratings
Sidon
Embark on a full-day adventure tour of Sidon, Tyre, and Maghdoucheh, exploring ancient archaeological sites. Avoid the crowds and enjoy a customized itinerary, visiting highlights such as the Crusaders sea castle, Sidon old souk, Soap Museum, and more.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Crusaders Sea Castle - From your hotel in Beirut, with smile you are picked up in the morning at 8:15 am for a day tour.\n\nTravelers will explore the ancient Phoenician city of Sidon which it has been of great religious, political and commercial value to the region, it is said to be inhabited since 4000 B.C.\nOur first visit in Sidon will be to the Crusaders Sea Castle.\n- Sidon Souks - After that and Between the Sea Castle and the Land Castle (“St. Louis” Castle), there stretch old Souks (markets) that have maintained their beautiful buildings and commercial role. Nearby, a repair process is observed as well as small crafts shops. In the old Souk, there are vaulted alleys that are 14 kilometers long and not far from the Sea Castle is the picturesque vaulted souk of Sidon, where workmen still ply their trades.\nOn the edge of the souk is a traditional coffee house where male clientele meet to smoke the narguileh (water pipe) and drink Turkish coffee. Fishermen sell their latest catch at the market near the port not far from the souk’s entrance.\nAs you enter el-Shakiriyya market, there is Debbaneh Palace, where a roofed narrow stairway leads to the internal yard of this old building built in 1721. The building has maintained its Ottoman Arab architectural features.\n- Musee du Savon - Then the traveler will enter to a museum to traces the history of soap making in the region, its development and manufacturing techniques, we will see a demonstration of how traditional olive oil soaps are made and learn about the history of the “hammam” (bath) traditions.\nA historical section of the museum introduces artifacts which were found during onsite excavation and which include remains of clay pipe heads dating from the 17th to 19th century as well as pottery fragments.\nThe Museum building is an old soap factory built in the 17th century, although containing parts thought to date back to the 13th century.\n- The Great al-Omari Mosque - The Great Mosque, formerly the Church of St. John of the Hospitalers. The four walls of this rectangular building (recently restored to their natural beauty) date to the 13th century.\nOriginally a fortress-like Crusader compound with its own chapel, it is still an imposing structure, especially viewed from the seaside.\n- Khan al-Franj - The Khan El Franj is one of the many khans built by Fakhredine II for merchants and goods. This is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.\nThe center of economic activity for the city in the 19th century, the khan also housed the French consulate.\n- Our Lady of Mantara - After khan al Franj, we will head to the village of Maghdoucheh, the travelers will visit our Lady of Awaiting which is a Melkite Greek Catholic Marian shrine and a cave and which was discovered on 1721, The travelers will walk through the shrine which is consists of a tower crowned with the statue of the Virgin and Child, a cathedral, a cemetery and a sacred cave believed to be the one where the Virgin Mary rested while she waited for Jesus.\n- Tyre Beach - After Maghdoushi site you will head to Tyre where travellers will have the time to explore the old port. \n- Tyre - Then you will walk for your own from the port through the old street to the second side of tyre to explore the old traditional beach houses. \n- Tyre Hippodrome - Then we will head to the Unesco World Heritage Site in the city of Tyre dating back to the II century C.E. It is considered to be one of the largest and best preserved Roman hippodromes of its type in the roman world, travelers will walk thru, which is around 480 meter long and 90 meter wide horseshoe shaped structure seated twenty thousand spectators who gathered to watch the death-defying sport of chariot racing.\n- Al-Bass Archaeological Site - The Al-bass site is home to a Byzantine road, a second-century triumphal arch, a Roman road with an aqueduct and the remains of a second-century enormous \n- Tyre - After that travelers will have the time to eat at a traditional restaurant and then you will be back to beirut to be drop off to your hotel.
What's Included
- Brief visit about each site.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off within Beirut.
- In-vehicle air conditioning.
- Experienced local driver.
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Tips
Additional Information
Take advantage of the best value for a full-day tour and discover the archaeological hotspots of Sidon, Maghdoucheh & Tyre, all without the usual crowded hassles found on group bus tours. This allows you more leisure time for sightseeing. Additionally, you can design a personalized itinerary that fits within the tour timeline. This tour features key attractions such as the Crusaders sea castle, the old market of Sidon, Soap Museum, the majestic Al-Omari Mosque, Our Lady of Awaiting Sanctuary, the intriguing Cave, the Roman Hippodrome, and many more points of interest.
- Pls mention the request of infant seat when booking, it may be booked.
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
4.5
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Harrygs6495ex
Jun 1, 2022
A different side of Lebanon - Great trip! Harake our guide was very knowledgeable and kind - made us all feel relaxed. The company is very professional and reply quickly to all questions. I would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
498aliciac
Oct 1, 2023
A country that lovers of history must visit... - The archaeological ruins are worth it... especially Baalbek. The National Museum of History in Beirut is not to be missed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
