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Offered languages
- English
South Lebanon is home to some of the most rewarding historical and spiritual destinations in the Middle East — and this small-group guided tour from Beirut brings the very best of them together in one comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable day, with a professional guide and lunch fully included.
In Sidon — one of the world's oldest cities — explore a romantic Crusader sea castle, a wonderfully authentic medieval souk, the world's only soap museum, and a beautiful Silk Road caravanserai. In Tyre — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Al-Bass Archaeological Complex reveals Roman Tyre at its most impressive: hippodrome, colonnaded street, triumphal arch, and ancient necropolis. The day closes peacefully at Maghdouché — a serene hilltop sanctuary revered by Christians and Muslims alike, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have waited while Jesus preached in nearby Sidon. Your professional guide brings every stop to life warmly and engagingly throughout.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We pick-up travelers from any Hotel, Residence or Airbnb in Beirut.
Itinerary
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Beirut (Pass by)
8:30 AM — Pickup from your Beirut hotel Your professional guide meets you at your hotel and heads south along the beautiful Mediterranean coastal highway toward Sidon — a pleasant and scenic 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 beautifully on both sides. Walk through its vaulted halls and enjoy the wonderful sea views from the ramparts. Your guide brings the fascinating story of the Crusaders, Mamluks, and Phoenicians who all shaped this remarkable city to life in a warm and engaging way that visitors of all ages enjoy.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
2Sidon Souks
The souk of Sidon is the center of all the commercial activities of retail, as well as craft industry. The souk is a maze of narrow alleyways with small kiosks, shops and cafes, street merchant, butchers, grocers, shoe-makers, tailors and jewelers.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Sidon Soap Museum — fascinating & unique 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, the museum traces the complete journey from olive grove to finished soap cake in a way that is genuinely charming and enjoyable for visitors of all ages. Your guide explains the history of this remarkable tradition and its importance to Sidon's identity and trade.
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 the European merchants who traded here along the Silk Road. Beautiful arcaded courtyards, vaulted galleries, and carved stone facades make this one of the finest Ottoman buildings in Lebanon — and your guide shares the remarkable story of Fakhreddine and the thriving trade that once passed through these very walls.
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 Roman archaeological sites in the 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 far end, 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. Your guide brings the full story of Roman and Phoenician Tyre to life within this extraordinary landscape of ancient stone in a clear and memorable way for everyone in the group.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included -
6Tyre
Lunch in Tyre — included A wonderfully relaxed lunch at a local Tyre restaurant — fresh Lebanese mezze and beautifully grilled seafood served steps from the Mediterranean with the ancient city as your backdrop. Fully included in your tour price — nothing extra to pay. One of the loveliest lunch settings in Lebanon.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
7
Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara — a beautiful and peaceful finale 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 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. The Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara stands above the ancient cave, and the wonderful panoramic views over the southern Lebanese coast make this a truly lovely and deeply moving final stop. Your guide shares the history and significance of this special place in a warm and respectful way that touches visitors of all backgrounds.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Beirut (Pass by)
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:30 PM Your guide and driver bring 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, with every meal already taken care of.
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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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