Introduction
Beirut has always stood its ground as a kind of playground for Arabs and Europeans in search of oriental frisson. With a return to political stability new hotels such as the Four Seasons and Le Gray have opened their doors and high power fashion names like Hermes and Louis Vuitton are now gracing the new Souks. Beirut is back on the tourist map (though no one knows for how long). Add to the mix, legendary hospitality, a famed party scene and layers of history, and you have a city with a unique patina that visitors and locals cannot seem to get enough of.
More from Beirut PDF VersionEssentials
- Make sure your passport is free of Israeli stamps.
- Visas can be obtained at the airport.
- Arrange pickup to avoid being overcharged by airport taxis.
- Don't sweat the Arabic, the answer will invariably come in English or French.
- Addresses can be approximate. Agree on price and jump in a 'taxi service'.
Two-hour tour
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Walk in Downtown Beirut — The city center, a no man's land during the war, is now home to restored souks, with dozens of shops and restaurants.
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Beirut National Museum — Meet the Phoenicians, the mysterious civilisation that created the alphabet.
Visit website
Hotels
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Palm Beach Hotel
Sea Road, Aïn Mreisseh
+ 961 1 372 000
Visit website -
Albergo (Relais & Chateaux)
137 Abdel Wahab el Inglizi St, Ashrafieh
+ 961 1 339 797
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Four Seasons
1418 Prof. Wafic Sinno Avenue, Minet el Hosn
+ 961 1 761 000
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Dining
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Zaatar w Zeit
Bliss Street
+ 961 1 365 778
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Café Paul
581 George Haddad Avenue, Gemmayzeh
+ 961 1 570 170
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Rawda — Seaside Manara (next to Luna Park)
+ 961 1 743 348
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Tawlet Souk el Tayeb
Nahr Street, Chalhoub Bldg (facing Spoiler Center), Mar Mikhael
+ 961 1 448 129
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Boubouffe — (serves shwarma and Lebanese mezze)
Saint-Louis St, Mar Mitr
+ 961 1 200 408
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Chez Sami — (Beirut suburb)
Old Seaside Road, Jounieh
+ 961 9 646 064
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Balima
Saifi Square
+ 961 1 985 295
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Casablanca
Deir Aïn Mreisseh Street, Aïn Mreisseh
+ 961 1 369 334
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Centrale
Mar Maroun Street, Gemmayzeh
+ 961 1 575 858
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Bread
Gouraud Street, (Dragonfly bldg), Geymmayzeh
+ 961 1 566 506
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Torino Express
7 Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh
+ 961 3 611 101
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Barbar — (open 24 hours)
Spears Street, Hamra; every taxi driver knows it
+ 961 1 379 778
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Ginette
Convivium 05 project, Gouraud Street
+ 961 1 157 449
Visit website -
Manar Palace Café
Manara near Hammam al Askari
+ 961 3 753 887
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Kabab-ji
Hamra Street, next to the Masrah Madinah theatre
+961 1 741 555
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Barbar (open 24hrs)
Spears Street, Hamra
+961 1 379 778
Reading
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Papercup
Pharaoh Street, Agopian Bldg, Mar Mikhael
+ 961 1 443 083
Visit website -
El Bourj
Martyr's Square, Immeuble An Nahar, at the back of An Nahar Building
+ 961 1 973 797
Shopping
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Fashion and crafts at les Artisans du Liban et d'Orient
Aïn Mreisseh or Mreissé (opposite Palm Beach Hotel)
+ 961 1 362 610
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ABC Mall
Ashrafieh
+ 961 1 212 888
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"I Love Beirut" bibs from Sunflower Mkhallassiyé,
Saifi Village
+ 961 1 999 393
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Monocle Shop-in-shop at Officina Slowear
Patriarch Howayek Street, Bab Idriss (Central District)
+961 1 999 230
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Transport
Limousine/car
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Charlie Taxi — Can arrange for chauffeur service and taxi cabs.
+ 961 1 285 710
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Allo Taxi
+ 961 1 366 661
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Fitness
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Lifestyle Health Club
Ras Beirut, Al Mada Bldg
+ 961 1 366555
Visit website -
Fitness DomeClub — US$ 25 for daily pass
Crown Plaza Hotel, Hamra
+ 961 1 739 042