Beirut Activities
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Not many people associate Beirut with being sporty and/or child-friendly, but in reality there is lots of scope for getting active. Firstly it has some wonderful beaches, while several city parks and established walking areas abound, and there are even some high quality ski resorts within easy reach of the city.
Animal Encounter
Animal lovers will really enjoy Animal Encounter with its collection of lost, mistreated and abandoned animals. Although 10 miles (16kms) outside the city, the centre is well worth a visit and teaches kids all about wildlife welfare and such like. There are all types of animals here, from abandoned domestic cats and dogs to recovering birds and reptiles. Phone: +961 366 7355; website: www.animalencounter.org.
Animal lovers will really enjoy Animal Encounter with its collection of lost, mistreated and abandoned animals. Although 10 miles (16kms) outside the city, the centre is well worth a visit and teaches kids all about wildlife welfare and such like. There are all types of animals here, from abandoned domestic cats and dogs to recovering birds and reptiles. Phone: +961 366 7355; website: www.animalencounter.org.
Beirut Racetrack
The Beirut Hippodrome, officially Hippodrome Du Parc De Beyrouth, opens on weekends and is a Beirut institution. Purebred Arabian thoroughbreds make the lineup and there is always a dedicated crowd of hopefuls. Those who turn up in the afternoon can get in for free with their ID or passport. Phone: +961 1 632 515; website: www.beiruthorseracing.com.
The Beirut Hippodrome, officially Hippodrome Du Parc De Beyrouth, opens on weekends and is a Beirut institution. Purebred Arabian thoroughbreds make the lineup and there is always a dedicated crowd of hopefuls. Those who turn up in the afternoon can get in for free with their ID or passport. Phone: +961 1 632 515; website: www.beiruthorseracing.com.
La Réserve
This eco-tourism resort is located in the mountain wilderness of Mnaitra just outside Beirut and features a large range of outdoor and adventure activities for all ages and levels of fitness, including canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The area is clad with pine trees and apple orchards and summer camps for children between the ages of six and 15 years go off every year. Phone: +961 1 498 775/6; website: www.lareserve.com.lb.
This eco-tourism resort is located in the mountain wilderness of Mnaitra just outside Beirut and features a large range of outdoor and adventure activities for all ages and levels of fitness, including canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The area is clad with pine trees and apple orchards and summer camps for children between the ages of six and 15 years go off every year. Phone: +961 1 498 775/6; website: www.lareserve.com.lb.
Scuba Diving
There are many excellent dive sites in Beirut and the near perfect climate makes conditions excellent for scuba diving. There are literally dozens of shipwrecks to dive onto as well as walls, canyons and caves, and an abundance of colourful sea creatures to discern. Among the many wrecks are the British Lesbian, HMS Victoria, a Macedonian freighter and a French submarine, while submerged ancient Roman cities are also here.
There are many excellent dive sites in Beirut and the near perfect climate makes conditions excellent for scuba diving. There are literally dozens of shipwrecks to dive onto as well as walls, canyons and caves, and an abundance of colourful sea creatures to discern. Among the many wrecks are the British Lesbian, HMS Victoria, a Macedonian freighter and a French submarine, while submerged ancient Roman cities are also here.
Walking and Cycling
Paris Avenue merges with General De Gaulle Avenue to form the three-mile long Corniche which encircles central Beirut and provides excellent walking and cycling. Beirut marina in downtown Beirut District also offers interesting walking as does the nearby Pigeon Rocks in Raouché at sunset. Bikes and blades can be rented from numerous places in town.
Paris Avenue merges with General De Gaulle Avenue to form the three-mile long Corniche which encircles central Beirut and provides excellent walking and cycling. Beirut marina in downtown Beirut District also offers interesting walking as does the nearby Pigeon Rocks in Raouché at sunset. Bikes and blades can be rented from numerous places in town.
Water Parks
Due to Beirut’s excessive heat during the summer, its water parks are perfect for cooling off and for those who have kids. Splash Mountain is the closest to town and comes with water slides, waterfalls, two swimming pools and an adventure beach, while farther afield is Waves Aqua Park (in Mar Roukoz) with its manmade river and comprehensive facilities. Phone: +961 4 531 166; website: www.splashmountainlb.com.
Due to Beirut’s excessive heat during the summer, its water parks are perfect for cooling off and for those who have kids. Splash Mountain is the closest to town and comes with water slides, waterfalls, two swimming pools and an adventure beach, while farther afield is Waves Aqua Park (in Mar Roukoz) with its manmade river and comprehensive facilities. Phone: +961 4 531 166; website: www.splashmountainlb.com.
Winter Sports
Despite its positioning amid one of the hottest regions of the Mediterranean, many people also visit Beirut for the cold and its nearby ski resorts. There are five resorts to choose from within an hour’s drive if the city, catering to skiers and snowboarders at all levels. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is also available. Zaarour is the closest ski resort to Beirut. Phone: +961 4 310 010.
Despite its positioning amid one of the hottest regions of the Mediterranean, many people also visit Beirut for the cold and its nearby ski resorts. There are five resorts to choose from within an hour’s drive if the city, catering to skiers and snowboarders at all levels. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is also available. Zaarour is the closest ski resort to Beirut. Phone: +961 4 310 010.
Beirut has a modest collection of cultural niceties, yet just enough so as to not be overwhelming, as is so often the case with most established capital cities. There are some excellent museums and several theatres here, and the Beirut Corniche is a busy thoroughfare and popular tourist hangout.
Beirut Corniche
The Corniche is the main thoroughfare of Lebanon’s capital city, stretching along the seafront, around the city and on down to nearby Rafiq Hariri beach. The Corniche buzzes at any time of day or night and has some of the best people watching of anywhere. Shopping, eating and drinking are done to excess, while residents and tourists alike walk and take in the city and coastal views.
The Corniche is the main thoroughfare of Lebanon’s capital city, stretching along the seafront, around the city and on down to nearby Rafiq Hariri beach. The Corniche buzzes at any time of day or night and has some of the best people watching of anywhere. Shopping, eating and drinking are done to excess, while residents and tourists alike walk and take in the city and coastal views.
Beirut Theatre
Beirut has some pretty good theatres, including the Beirut Theatre, which puts on contemporary and traditional performances, while Al Madina Theatre is also gaining in prominence. Performances can be had in Arabic, English and French. For a bit of folk dancing and Lebanese culture, check out the Caracalla Dance Theatre, or perhaps the Nahr Al-Founoun restaurant on the Nahr Al-Kalb bridge for its traditional music and dance and fine food.
Beirut has some pretty good theatres, including the Beirut Theatre, which puts on contemporary and traditional performances, while Al Madina Theatre is also gaining in prominence. Performances can be had in Arabic, English and French. For a bit of folk dancing and Lebanese culture, check out the Caracalla Dance Theatre, or perhaps the Nahr Al-Founoun restaurant on the Nahr Al-Kalb bridge for its traditional music and dance and fine food.
Robert Mouawad Private Museum
Located in the heart of the city, the Robert Mouawad Private Museum used to be known as the Henri Pharaon Palace and has a dazzling array of art and jewellery. Check out the 16th century Spanish emeralds and the huge range of pottery and mosaics, while the rare collections of books and antique manuscripts are also sure to entice. Phone: +961 1 980970; website: www.rmpm.info.
Located in the heart of the city, the Robert Mouawad Private Museum used to be known as the Henri Pharaon Palace and has a dazzling array of art and jewellery. Check out the 16th century Spanish emeralds and the huge range of pottery and mosaics, while the rare collections of books and antique manuscripts are also sure to entice. Phone: +961 1 980970; website: www.rmpm.info.
Solidére Clock Tower
Situated in the downtown district of Beirut, the Solidére Clock Tower is one of the city’s most endearing landmarks. It was built by the French in the early 1900s and although it suffered a fair amount of war damage, it has been restored to its former glory. The tower is beautifully lit at night.
Situated in the downtown district of Beirut, the Solidére Clock Tower is one of the city’s most endearing landmarks. It was built by the French in the early 1900s and although it suffered a fair amount of war damage, it has been restored to its former glory. The tower is beautifully lit at night.
Sanayeh Public Garden
This beautiful park in the Sanayeh part of Beirut lies in an unassuming area of the city and has a fine collection of palms and foliage. Many people head here to escape the heat of the beaches, or to go cycling or skating. The paths are perfect for both and you can hire equipment here.
This beautiful park in the Sanayeh part of Beirut lies in an unassuming area of the city and has a fine collection of palms and foliage. Many people head here to escape the heat of the beaches, or to go cycling or skating. The paths are perfect for both and you can hire equipment here.
Beirut is loaded with a surprising number and range of eateries and there are plenty of intriguing areas to dine. For traditional Lebanese food have a go at a mezze, which features hot and cold dishes of salads, hummus, Lebanese breads, a meat course (like chicken shawarma) and Lebanese dessert. The aniseed-flavoured liqueur known as arak is the national drink of Lebanon and is often enjoyed with meals.
As to where to eat, the Corniche is a good start – simply wander around until you find somewhere – while the Achrafiyeh has a good range of restaurants featuring Lebanese and international cuisines. The Raouche area is also popular and small snack bars are dotted around town serving up shawarma and salads.
Beirut is big on markets, but if that isn’t your thing there are good shopping options in many areas of town. The Corniche has loads of handicrafts shops in among the standard stores, while busy Rue Hamra is loaded with local and international clothing chains. Head for downtown Beirut for designer wear or the more upmarket and quieter Verdun.
The Souk el Tayeb organic market is a must experience on Saturday with its wholesome cakes and cheeses, while Sunday mornings at Souk el Tayeb have old clothing and jewellery. Bargain hard. Most shops tend to open until about 18:00 daily, later on Rue Hamra and during Ramadan month, September/October. Students with an ISIC, ITIC, or IYTC card can get discounts in participating shops.
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The room is spacious and very clean and it looks like new. The hotel location is very convenient and especially it is located in an upscale quite neighborhood in Beirut. The staffs are polite and ver...
The room is spacious and very clean and it looks like new. The hotel location is very convenient and especially it is located in an upscale quite neighborhood in Beirut. The staffs are polite and ver...
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