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Lebanon Heritage Tour: Beiteddine, Deir el Qamar, Sidon
3.0
2 Ratings
Beit ed-Dine
Set off on a voyage through time and culture by discovering the captivating scenery and vibrant history of Lebanon’s renowned landmarks. This unique private tour provides an engaging experience, exploring the cultural richness of Beiteddine Palace, Deir el Qamar, and Sidon.
Set off on a voyage through time and culture by discovering the captivating scenery and vibrant history of Lebanon’s renowned landmarks. This unique private tour provides an engaging experience, exploring the cultural richness of Beiteddine Palace, Deir el Qamar, and Sidon.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Beiteddine Palace - Enter the world of Lebanese royalty as you explore the grand halls and ornate courtyards of Beiteddine Palace. Situated in the stunning Chouf Mountains, this architectural gem showcases the grandeur of Lebanon’s Ottoman period. Admire the detailed mosaics, exquisite woodwork, and vibrant frescoes that embellish the palace…
- Beiteddine Palace - Enter the world of Lebanese royalty as you explore the grand halls and ornate courtyards of Beiteddine Palace. Situated in the stunning Chouf Mountains, this architectural gem showcases the grandeur of Lebanon’s Ottoman period. Admire the detailed mosaics, exquisite woodwork, and vibrant frescoes that embellish the palace walls, each narrating a tale of luxury and elegance.
- Deir el Qamar - Travel back in time to the charming village of Deir el Qamar, where history is alive in every cobblestone street and ancient structure. Discover the delightful architecture of traditional Lebanese homes, adorned with intricate stone carvings and red-tiled roofs. Stroll through the quaint souks, where artisans display their crafts, and soak in the timeless beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, featuring its octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Constructed in 1493 and restored in the sixteenth century by Fakhreddine I, it stands as the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
- Saydet El Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, also known as Our Lady of the Hill, is a significant historical and religious landmark in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati built a church on the site over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, “the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline observing the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light emanating from the hill, so he gathered his soldiers and instructed them to dig in the land the next morning. He told them: ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ In the morning, the soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, and beneath the cross were the moon and Venus. This indicated that in the distant past, there was a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.”
- Sidon - Discover the charm of Lebanon’s lively coastal city as you wander through the vibrant streets of Sidon. From its ancient Phoenician ruins to its bustling seafood markets, Sidon offers a fascinating mix of history and modernity. Visit the historic Sidon Sea Castle, a testament to the city’s rich maritime legacy, and stroll along the lively promenade, where the aroma of spices blends with the salty sea breeze.
- Crusaders Sea Castle - The Sidon Sea Castle, constructed by the Crusaders in the thirteenth century on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, served as a fortress of the Holy Land. It is one of the most notable historical sites in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely destroyed by the Mamluks in 1291 and was later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century. Old prints of the fortress depict it as a site of great beauty, though little remains of the decorations that once adorned its ramparts.
- Soap Museum - Saida - The Soap Museum in Sidon specializes in Levantine soaps. Originally built by the Hammoud family in the 17th century, the museum traces the history of soap making in the region, its development, and manufacturing techniques. Visitors can watch a demonstration of traditional olive oil soap production and learn about the history of “hammam” (bath) traditions. A historical section of the museum showcases artifacts found during onsite excavation, including clay pipe heads from the 17th to 19th century and pottery fragments. The museum building is an old soap factory from the 17th century, with parts believed to date back to the 13th century.
- Sidon Souks - The souk of Sidon is the hub of all retail and craft industry activities. The souk is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways with small kiosks, shops, cafes, street vendors, butchers, grocers, shoemakers, tailors, and jewelers.
- Khan al-Franj - Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions. Built in the early 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II, it served as a hotel for ambassadors and a center for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France. The hotel quickly became a hub for literature, religion, history, industry, and diplomacy, becoming a home for culture and civilization. This typical khan features a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.

What's Included
- Tour Leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional Guide
- Comfortable Private Transportation
- Hotel Pickup & Drop off
- Tour Leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional Guide
- Comfortable Private Transportation
- Hotel Pickup & Drop off
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Location
Beiteddine Palace
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Chokichok
Jan 16, 2020
Amazing tour - Our tours with Beirut daily tours are excellent from Begining to end. Our driver Moe was very friendly and with very good knowledge. And he was doing his best to ensure that we were very happy and satisfied.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Snahl
Dec 26, 2019
The Worst Tour Guide - This is the first time to come across a Viator tour that the guide is not performing as a tour guide. He is just a driver. No explanation of the tour sites at all. He simply dropped us off and let us walk alone in the tour sites. Apparently we know the places more than him. The only time he led us to walk through the Saida’s old souk but without any explanation. And that’s all this guide had done for the whole day tour!!!!!!! We don’t know whether Viator has ever scrutinized the quality of the local operator. It’s a total disappointment!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor