37 Activities
South of Beirut – Sidon, Sarafand, Shouf Biosphere Reserve and Qaraoun Lake
Starts from
Beirut
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
37
Duration
4 days
Length
246 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Beirut
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
4 days
Length
246 mi
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
Alicja Pretka
Travel Expert
- Admire the beautiful Mameluke and Ottoman motifs mosaics at Dale Palace at Sidon.
- Purchase hand-blown artisan glass piece at Khalife Artisan Glass in Sarafand.
- Enjoy the breath-taking view of Qaraoun Lake from Dam point of view.
- Feel the past history at the streets of ancient Umayyan City.
- Learn about the culture of Druze community and theirs ritual tree at Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine.
This journey will take you into fantastic discovery of the cultural and nature heritage of south part of Lebanon where you will visit one of the oldest Phoenician cities, Sidon and see Sea Castle, the beautiful palace with fantastic mosaics, learn about the production of the Lebanese green gold at local museum and admire the temple of Phoenician's god of healing and life renewal and the largest mosque
Next you explore of the ancient merchants' caravanserai, public bath at Hammam Al Jadeed, artisan hand blown pieces at Khalife Artisan Glass workshop at Sarafand and a grotto where Mary waited for Jesus who was teaching at Sidon.
On the third day you immerse into the natural beauty of the lake of Qaraoun, visit unique St. George's Greek Melkite Church with golden ikons, take a hike in the breathtaking Biosphere Reserve with built-in the rock Niha fortress and impressive Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine situated at the top of the world with an important for Druze community ritual arbutus tree.
On the last day you will enjoy strolling along the streets of ancient Umayyad City, calm your soul at the nature reserve and viewing the magnificent hand-built Castle with realistic figures presenting live scenes from the village life.
Next you explore of the ancient merchants' caravanserai, public bath at Hammam Al Jadeed, artisan hand blown pieces at Khalife Artisan Glass workshop at Sarafand and a grotto where Mary waited for Jesus who was teaching at Sidon.
On the third day you immerse into the natural beauty of the lake of Qaraoun, visit unique St. George's Greek Melkite Church with golden ikons, take a hike in the breathtaking Biosphere Reserve with built-in the rock Niha fortress and impressive Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine situated at the top of the world with an important for Druze community ritual arbutus tree.
On the last day you will enjoy strolling along the streets of ancient Umayyad City, calm your soul at the nature reserve and viewing the magnificent hand-built Castle with realistic figures presenting live scenes from the village life.
Categories
- History and Culture
- Natural Attractions
- Unusual Locations
This journey will take you into fantastic discovery of the cultural and nature heritage of south part of Lebanon where you will visit one of the oldest Phoenician cities, Sidon and see Sea Castle, the beautiful palace with fantastic mosaics, learn about the production of the Lebanese green gold at local museum and admire the temple of Phoenician's god of healing and life renewal and the largest mosque
Next you explore of the ancient merchants' caravanserai, public bath at Hammam Al Jadeed, artisan hand blown pieces at Khalife Artisan Glass workshop at Sarafand and a grotto where Mary waited for Jesus who was teaching at Sidon.
On the third day you immerse into the natural beauty of the lake of Qaraoun, visit unique St. George's Greek Melkite Church with golden ikons, take a hike in the breathtaking Biosphere Reserve with built-in the rock Niha fortress and impressive Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine situated at the top of the world with an important for Druze community ritual arbutus tree.
On the last day you will enjoy strolling along the streets of ancient Umayyad City, calm your soul at the nature reserve and viewing the magnificent hand-built Castle with realistic figures presenting live scenes from the village life.
Next you explore of the ancient merchants' caravanserai, public bath at Hammam Al Jadeed, artisan hand blown pieces at Khalife Artisan Glass workshop at Sarafand and a grotto where Mary waited for Jesus who was teaching at Sidon.
On the third day you immerse into the natural beauty of the lake of Qaraoun, visit unique St. George's Greek Melkite Church with golden ikons, take a hike in the breathtaking Biosphere Reserve with built-in the rock Niha fortress and impressive Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine situated at the top of the world with an important for Druze community ritual arbutus tree.
On the last day you will enjoy strolling along the streets of ancient Umayyad City, calm your soul at the nature reserve and viewing the magnificent hand-built Castle with realistic figures presenting live scenes from the village life.
Alicja Pretka
Travel Expert
- Admire the beautiful Mameluke and Ottoman motifs mosaics at Dale Palace at Sidon.
- Purchase hand-blown artisan glass piece at Khalife Artisan Glass in Sarafand.
- Enjoy the breath-taking view of Qaraoun Lake from Dam point of view.
- Feel the past history at the streets of ancient Umayyan City.
- Learn about the culture of Druze community and theirs ritual tree at Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine.
Travel itinerary
10 Activities
Day 1
28 mi
Sidon - Sea Castle, Dabane Palace and Temple of Eshmun
Today you will visit one of the oldest Phoenician cities, Sidon, where you walk on the impressive area of Sea Castle, admire the beautiful Palace with fantastic mosaics from Mameluke and Ottomans periods, learn about the traditional production for generations of the green gold - soap and enjoy visiting the intriguing Phoenician's god of healing and life renewal.
You will finish your day admiring the astonishing Islamic architecture of the largest and most glamorous mosque in the city and purchasing the best Arab Lebanese sweets.
12 Activities
Day 2
49 mi1 mi
South of Lebanon - Sidon, Sarafan and Maghdouché
Today you will visit one of the ancient caravanserai, which served as a trading center and place to relax for travelling merchants, learn about the culture of Turkish public baths.
Then you'll get lost on the fascinating labyrinth of sandstone narrow streets of old souks, admire magnificent artisan hand blown pieces at Artisan Glass workshop and discover a grotto where Mary waited until Jesus finished preaching in city of Sidon in today village of Maghdouché.
9 Activities
Day 3
85 mi0.2 mi
West of Qaraoun Lake - St.George's Greek Melkite Church, Qaraoun Dam, Niha Fortress and Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine
Today you will explore the beautiful lake of Qaraoun from the Dam point of view, visit the extraordinary St. George's Greek Melkite Church with fantastic golden background Icons presenting prominent Saints, take a hike in the breathtaking Shouf Biosphere Reserve
One more place to see is the intriguing Niha fortress built inside the rock and the situated on the top of the world Al Nabi Ayyoub Shrine with an important for Druze community 100-year-old ritual arbutus tree.
6 Activities
Day 4
82 mi
South of Beirut - Umayyad City, Taanayel Nature Reserve and Moussa Castle
Today you will discover the fascinating land south of Beirut where you will take a stroll along the streets of ancient Umayyad City, immerse yourself in the beauty of majestic nature reserve at Taanyel Domaine and learn about the culture heritage of the village in 1950 at hand built Musse Castle with the live scenes with figures inspired by wax museums
Admire the captivating shiny crystallized formations of the unique underground word at Kfarhim Grotte.