South of Beirut - Umayyad City, Taanayel Nature Reserve and Moussa Castle

Discover the fascinating fortified ancient Umayyad city ruins also called Anjar Citadel, listed as UNESCO Word Heritage Site, located close to the, mainly by Armenian populated, city of Anjar in the Beqaa Valley, which are still well-preserved, as an excellent example of early Islamic architecture.
The whole city was built in 8 century by Caliph Walid Bin Abed Al Malak with elements reminding the Roman way of constructing buildings as well as the styles from the Sassanid and Byzantine periods, where you can climb one of the towers to get a view over the entire city, see the magnificent Caliph's palace, wonderful mosque, harems and great thermal baths, all with the amazing focus on details, and enjoy the beautiful view of the Cedar Forest and mountains.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 - 18:00

Visit the Al Shams restaurant, one of the oldest in Lebanon, situated close to Umayyad City ruins, in the Beqaa Valley, for the unforgettable Armenian-Lebanese cuisine. While having your delicious meal (try cheese barak, soujouk spicy sausage, potato balloons, baba ganoush and chocolate covered halvah) enjoy the absolutely amazing architecture with stone walls, impressive fountains with beautiful female silhouette sculpture, aquarium and picturesque garden.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00am - 1:30am
Book Now

At the Domaine de Taanayel covering the area of 230 ha which takes care of the local environment, you will reconnect with the nature and enjoy a leisure walk along the beautiful lake and feed ducks, after that rent a bike and admire amazing forest with native to the region wide range of plants trees and animal species, the picturesque vineyards fields and fascinating agriculture farm with magical mountains seen on the horizon.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 - 19:00

When the passion get supported by action, creates...a Moussa Castle. Meet a final product of the Moussa Abdel Karim Al Maamari's dream - the Medieval Ages inspired charming building situated on the hill close to Deir El Kamar, where you will get to know the creator of this amazing place life, as well as the cultural heritage of the local village from 1950 presented in the form of live scenes with the realistic looking figures with added motion like a pot with boiling water. While strolling through the rooms located across four floors with the live background music played on the real instrument, you will also see the impressive collection of weapons collected over the years from the Lebanon and the fantastic huge arched stained-glass windows throwing the mesmerizing rainbow rays around the corridors.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00

In this magical underground world, you will enjoy the fascinating natural formations created by nature millions years ago like the impressive stalagmites and stalactites with fantastic diamond like shine, slightly illuminated to make a full advantage of theirs beauty. Take some memorable shots while visiting this unique place, and check out the gift shop to purchase some souvenirs for family and friends.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8:00 - 19:00
More Information

Feel the Lebanese tradition running through your veins while having your dinner at the totally relaxed local restaurant, as you consume the delicate creamy authentic hummus with some extra chickpeas for topping and sprinkle of cumin with the generous pile of freshly baked fluffy pita bread with fragrant side salad. Yum!
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 18:00 - 1:00