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Offered languages
- English
South Lebanon is home to some of the most remarkable historical and spiritual destinations in the Middle East — and this private full-day tour from Beirut gives you the very best of it in one comfortable, well-organised day.
In Sidon — one of the world's oldest cities — you will explore a Crusader sea castle, a wonderfully authentic medieval souk, the world's only soap museum, and a grand Silk Road caravanserai. In Tyre — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Al-Bass Archaeological Complex reveals an impressive Roman landscape including a magnificent hippodrome. The day closes at Maghdouché — a serene hilltop village revered by Christians and Muslims alike, with beautiful views over the southern Lebanese coast. Your knowledgeable driver shares the stories of every stop warmly and engagingly throughout.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We pick-up travelers from any Hotel, Residence or Airbnb in Beirut.
Itinerary
-
Beirut (Pass by)
9:00 AM — Pickup from your Beirut hotel Your friendly driver meets you at your hotel and heads south along the beautiful Mediterranean coastal highway toward Sidon — a pleasant drive of about 45 minutes.
Admission ticket free -
1Crusaders Sea Castle
Sidon Sea Castle — a beautiful Crusader fortress on the water Begin at Sidon's most iconic and most photogenic landmark — a 13th-century Crusader fortress built on a small island just off the coast, connected to the shore by a charming narrow stone causeway with the Mediterranean sparkling on both sides. Walk through its beautifully vaulted halls and enjoy the wonderful sea views from the ramparts. Your driver brings the fascinating story of the Crusaders, Mamluks, and Phoenicians who all shaped this remarkable city to life in an engaging and accessible way.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2Sidon Souks
Sidon Old Souks — a wonderfully authentic Lebanese market Spend a full and enjoyable hour exploring one of the most authentic traditional markets in Lebanon — stone-vaulted alleyways where spice merchants, goldsmiths, fabric traders, and artisan workshops have occupied the same spaces for centuries. A genuinely charming and immersive experience that gives visitors of all ages a real and wonderful sense of traditional Lebanese life.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Sidon Soap Museum — the world's only Visit the world's only museum dedicated to the ancient art of olive oil soap-making — a Sidonian craft practiced continuously for over a thousand years. Housed in a beautifully restored khan in the old city, this charming and informative museum traces the complete journey from olive grove to finished soap cake. A fascinating and enjoyable visit for the whole family.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4Khan al-Franj
Khan el Franj — the beautiful Silk Road caravanserai End your time in Sidon at the elegant 17th-century caravanserai built by Emir Fakhreddine II for European merchants trading along the Silk Road. Beautiful arcaded courtyards, vaulted galleries, and carved stone facades make this one of the finest and most photogenic Ottoman buildings in Lebanon.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Al-Bass Archaeological Site
Al-Bass Archaeological Complex — Roman Tyre Arrive in Tyre and enter one of the most impressive and most accessible Roman archaeological sites in the entire Mediterranean world. The Al-Bass complex opens with a magnificent triumphal arch still standing after two thousand years, leading to a beautifully preserved colonnaded street flanked by ancient sarcophagi. At the end of the street, the remarkable Tyre Hippodrome — one of the largest ever built in the Roman world, seating up to 20,000 spectators for chariot races on its 480-metre track. Walking through this extraordinary site with your driver's knowledgeable commentary brings ancient Roman Tyre vividly to life for visitors of all ages.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
6Tyre
Lunch in Tyre — optional A lovely opportunity to enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local Tyre restaurant — fresh Lebanese mezze and seafood served steps from the Mediterranean with the ancient city as a beautiful backdrop. A wonderful and highly recommended break before the final stop of the day.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
7
Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara — a place of peace and beauty Close the day at one of Lebanon's most serene and most spiritually meaningful destinations — the hilltop village of Maghdouché, where Christian tradition holds that the Virgin Mary waited in a cave while Jesus preached in nearby Sidon. The name Mantara means "the one who waits" in Arabic — and this beautiful cave sanctuary has welcomed pilgrims for centuries, cherished equally by Christians and Muslims throughout Lebanon. The Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara stands above the ancient cave, and the wonderful panoramic views from the hilltop over the southern Lebanese coast and the mountains beyond make this a truly lovely and deeply moving final stop. A peaceful and beautiful end to a wonderful day.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Beirut (Pass by)
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:30 PM Your driver brings you comfortably back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a truly wonderful full day through the ancient, beautiful, and spiritually rich south of Lebanon.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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