BEIRUT Economic Travel Guide

Paris of the Middle East

Beirut (Beirut, Beyrouth) is the capital and also the largest city of Lebanon (Lebanese Republic). This cosmopolitan city, which has been the cradle of civilizations for centuries and composed of people of many nationalities, invites you to its historical atmosphere, which is not only sophisticated but also fascinating…

While wandering the streets of Beirut, you can see the city from a building. you will witness how it changes from one to another… The biggest responsibility for the restoration, restructuring and development of the central area of ​​Beirut belongs to Solidere. is closing.. Some of the ruins that can be seen both when you enter the side streets and with architectural differences allow you to travel to the past of Beirut, which continues to develop….

In Beirut, which lies on the Mediterranean coast, the Corniche Wandering on the Kordonu, tasting delicious Lebanese cuisine, walking on Gemmayzeh Street with traditional motifs, we leave ourselves behind the times in historical sights in the old city center of Beirut… there is information from us to visit…

Then let’s start our Beirut city guide…

TO REACH TO BEIRUT: HOW TO BEIRUT HOW TO GO?

First of all, there are some procedures you need to follow after landing at The Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport, which is located 7 km south of Beirut;

• Visa Restriction: Isr Citizens of the country or passengers with any proof of visiting Israel will be denied entry to the country.. Not only does it have an entry stamp into Israel, but any product with a Hebrew print cannot enter the country.
• Police check: You have to fill out a paper before going to the police check. Your check may take some time, as the police ask so many questions.. Don’t worry, this is just the procedure…

By Plane: The Beirut Airport (The Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport) is 10-15 minutes away from Beirut city center by car. To go from the airport to the city center; You can rent a car or go by private minibus, taxi, bus… We asked him to send a taxi to the hotel to pick us up. When we got off the airport, the taxi was waiting for us with a banner with our name in it.. And we paid 30.00 USD (in 2013). /b>

Everywhere in Beirut is within walking distance of each other. You will not need to drive. Even if you say you don’t want to walk;

• The bus network in Beirut is quite developed.. Even though the old-looking bus gives the impression of staying on the road, it will take you where you want to go.
• Another alternative is a taxi or a shuttle with a full taxi service.. Service is more popular in Beirut. In other words, you should not be surprised by the ruined appearance of the buses You can use the taxi as if it is full until your destination.. This is how you share your money with other passengers.. Don’t forget to bargain!

STAYING IN BEIRUT: WHERE TO STAY IN BEIRUT?

It’s easy to find a budget hotel on www.booking.com. For accommodation, you can choose Hamra Street, which is located in the city center.. It is also within walking distance of the seaside and the old city center of Beirut. We stayed at the 4 star hotel Plaza Hotel, on Hamra Street.. It is definitely recommended for a stay with its wide breakfast menu, clean and spacious rooms.

THINGS TO DO IN BEIRUT

• Exploring the outside of the city: The cities of Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos are the must-see places when you are in Beirut.
• Walking: On the edge of the Corniche and old you should take a stroll in the city center.
• Lebanese cuisine: Definitely do not leave without tasting the delicacies of Lebanese cuisine.
• Hookah: Don’t forget to say hookah, it’s one of Beirut’s socializing tools  We especially recommend local places.
• Nightlife: Beirut is also known for its vibrant gee life.. Immerse yourself in Beirut nights.

WHAT TO EAT IN BEIRUT? WHAT TO DRINK?

Lebanese cuisine is both appealing to your eyes with its rich content … It is possible to find food for every taste.

The restaurants in Zaitunay Bay are generally stylish and slightly more expensive than other parts of Beirut. But when compared to Istanbul, it is not more expensive than the restaurants in Nisantasi.. So relatively affordable. An ideal location to have a meal and take a break while enjoying the view of the marina.. Here is our suggestion; Cappuccino. Recommended for lunch.

Hamra Caddesi; It has restaurants and cafes with affordable price range for eating and drinking.. If you like to be intertwined with the locals like us, you should definitely try the Barbar restaurant. Barbarian, reminiscent of a shopkeeper’s restaurant, is both cheap and the food is delicious and clean You can choose it for dinner. If you are wondering about the Beyurt food, or in other words, how the Lebanese food is; You can choose the full menu namely tabulet (Tabbouleh) and the baba ghanoush and delicious Lebanese bread Zaatar.

• Bread Republic with its small and warm atmosphere on Hamra Street Service is also very fast in the cafe.
• Make sure to try the hookah. You must enter Cafe Hamra on Hamra Street for both its hookah and dessert.
• Also, if you want a different experience; You can go to the Bendok (I think that was the name) cafe, where we think the locals go. It has been an adventure for us with its menu that does not have a single word in Latin alphabet and different coffees reminiscent of Turkish Coffee

In the Gemmayzeh District, with live music, on the rooftop or You can try Mar Mikhael on the garden floor.. It is a bar where you can have a very pleasant time.

You should taste Almoza beer (Almoza beer) or local raki-like aniseed drinks called Arak.

You can find a type of snack bread not only in cafes, but also in street vendors. Sellers who sell the Lebanese bread Kaak, Zaatar that resembles a pancake, or Jibneh, a type of cheese pastry, which they keep behind their scooters with a plastic protector, shout, “There is a bagel”, “kaaek kaaek”.

In Byblos. : The only place where you can taste delicious seafood and traditional appetizers, Aal Bahr Restaurant is located right by the sea in Byblos.. Keep in mind that Pepe’s Club in Byblos is very famous and has a historical past, so it is very difficult to find a place.. Until you waste your time waiting in line here, definitely give Al Bahr Restaurant a chance.. We did not regret it

SHOPPING IN BEIRUT

You can find shops of different brands on the pedestrian streets in the city center of Beirut.. Also, the semi-open mall Beirut Souk is an ideal spot for shopping in Beirut City Center.. Many brands are located together… ABC Mall, another option..

BEIRUT BYCITY TOUR

BEIRUT CITY TOUR 1. DAY: EXPLORING THE CITY CENTER ON WALK

The streets in Beirut City Center are either closed to vehicle traffic (especially on Sundays) as the military puts barriers on the roads, or It is also very narrow… You can sit back and witness the dynamic lifestyle of Beirut, sitting back and holding your hookah (if you wish) in the cafes in these narrow streets…

Beirut city tour one. On the day route, we will walk out of the city center and explore the Gemmayzeh District.. The link of the route is here.. KNOCK KNOCK..

Beirut City Center: It is located around Al Nejmeh Square (Al Nejmeh Square, Najmah Square or Place de L’etoile). In the middle of the square, Hamidiya Clock Tower (Hamidiya Clock Tower or Tour de l’horloge) and its surroundings;

• Parliament Building (Parliament)

• St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral: The oldest church in Beirut
• Crypt Museum: Just below the Cathedral

While walking in the most central area of ​​Beirut, we will pass in front of the must-see places of Beirut. These are;

• Hariri Mosque (Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque, Hariri Mosque & Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s Memorial)
• Martyrs Statue
• Amir Assaf Mosque (Amir Assaf Mosque)

You will find many cafes and restaurants in the pedestrian-only city center, on the left and right side of the road…

While continuing our route, we will make a U-turn from the famous Bab Idriss Square and pass in front of the Saint Louis Roman Catholic Church (Saint Louis Des Capucins).. Then we will go to Capuchins Street (Capuchins Street) and see 3 important Ottoman architectures;

• Grand Serail: Historical Government Palace
• Ottoman Military Hospital: The building, located right in front of the Grand Serail, is currently used as the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR).
• The third one is the Hamidiyyeh Clock Tower (The Hamidiyyeh Clock Tower) located on the Grand Serail Hill.. On one side of the hill, there is the Roman Bath Vestiges and next to the park, on the other side is the Maghen Abraham Synagogue, one of the last remnants of the Jewish community…

We turn our route up from the city center and continue on Damascus Street.. The places we will see on the Abdallah El Yafi Avenue (Abdallah El Yafi Avenue) that will welcome us are; Beirut National Museum and the hippodrome (Racing Stadium & Beirut Horse Track ,Hippodrome).

Saifi Village (Quartier des Arts): Art galleries, design An art district with a different architecture with shops and boutiques… You will see Islamic figures combined with modern lines in the buildings in this district.. Small, cute and tastefully designed cafes will greet you on its ostentatious streets…

Gemmayzeh: The area with an abandoned or ruined appearance is located in the east of Beirut.. Side by side with Saifi Village.. You can find pubs, bars and restaurants on Rue Gouraud (or Gemmayzeh Street), which runs through the middle of it.. Since it is difficult to find people during the daytime in the area where everyone flocks to nightlife, the abandoned feeling of this place increases a little more.

With Shopping 1. Today we complete our tour of Beirut…

Beirut Souks: shopping and entertainment center in the heart of Beirut. In this semi-open shopping mall, it is possible to find shopping malls and food and beverage chains.

BEIRUT CITY TOUR 2. DAY: A QUIET WALK ON THE BEACH

2nd of Beirut city tour. places to see on the day route: Hamra Street, Raouche, Pigeon Rocks (Pigeon Rocks, Pigeon Rocks, Rouche Sea Rocks), Corniche, Aub, Saint George Bay, Zaitunay Bay. We will also visit Planet Discovery2, which is the Children’s Science Museum.. CLICK HERE for the route..

Hamra Street (Hamra Street): Beirut’s Champs Elysées… The bustling street is brimming with cafes, restaurants, shops, hotels… Wandering the street from beginning to end You can both interact with the local people and buy Beirut souvenirs from souvenir shops.

We continue towards the seaside and a magnificent view welcomes you…

Raouché Area (Raouché Neighborhood): Pigeon Rocks (Rouche Sea Rocks), one of the symbols of Beirut, the rock above the sea, is located in this region. In summer, tours are organized with small boats that you can visit around the rock. After taking pictures of these miracles of nature, you can take a coffee break by sitting on the benches on the beach and watch the people of Beirut playing backgammon or walking… Raouché is located in a part of the 4.8 km long seaside walkway Corniche.

Corniche: Continues from Avenue de General de Gaulle to Avenue de Paris. And at the end is Saint George Bay.

We follow the west of the Corniche walkway…

AUB (American University of Beirut): One of the most important and famous landmarks of Beirut, built in 1866, while walking along the Corniche. Inside the Kocaman campus, the 3rd oldest of the Near East.

As you walk along the Corniche starting from Raouché, the road will take you to 2 famous bays on the north of the coastline, in the shadow of the luxury hotels on your right. ; Saint George Bay (or Bay of Beirut) and Zaitunay Bay. Between these two sheep; the scandalous St.. George Hotel, yacht marina, the first beach club of the Beirut coast extending to the Beirut Marina Harbor in Zaitunay Bay, is the Saint George Beach… Don’t forget to enjoy the stylish open-top restaurants and cafes in Zaitunay Bay…

In this part of the route, among the luxury hotels in Zaitunay Bay, you will see the remnants of the 1970’s civil war.. Holes on the bombed The Hilton Hotel Beirut hotel still remain.

Beirut 2. Today we complete our route in Zaitunay Bay.. An ideal spot to relax, spend the evening, or if you wish to go to the Old City of Beirut on foot…

BEIRUT CITY TOUR 3. DAY: Travel into history by taxi

3rd of Beirut trip. on the day route, we go out of the city and travel into history… Places to see: Jeita Grotto, Jounieh, Harissa, Byblos. TIK TIK for the route

It is very easy to go to Jeita Grotto, Harissa and Byblos by renting a daily taxi for an average of 80 dollars (2013 price). It is possible to find taxis, which are generally old-looking, almost everywhere in Beirut to make this destination.. Because when we compare it with Istanbul and because it is the most used vehicle for urban transportation by Beirut residents, it is cheap.. When this is the case, taxi drivers are dying to go to remote locations.. And then the bargain begins.. Don’t forget to bargain. Negotiating with Beirut taxi drivers is like an obligation.

Taxi drivers usually don’t speak any language other than English or Arabic. But since this tour is routine for them, they can somehow communicate with you.. Since our taxi driver speaks a little French, we tore it up

Another feature of the taxi drivers is that they are so familiar with this tour that they don’t say the “J” of Jeita. they list the rest for you And they can pull over to the side to see if they’re going to take pictures where the scenery is the most beautiful.. Of course, you understand this again from the body language Of course, there are shops that they have an agreement with on the route.. For example, you can take advantage of the discounts in the shop where you can take photos with local clothes They know where to stop and tell you what time they will pick you up, where to buy tickets, everything.. And they are waiting for you outside… They are like tour operators

Your taxi driver will take you to Jeita Grotto’s It will bring you in front of the cable car you need to get on to go to the entrance gate.. The view you will see from the single carriage is magnificent….

Jeita Grotto: The longest cave in the Middle East, Jeita Grotto is located 18 kilometers north of Beirut. The magnificent karst cave made of limestone gained a wonderful appearance with the water shaped like a sculpture.. This magnificent cave complex is spread over an area of ​​​​approximately 9 kilometers, connected by 2 internally connected and separate caves. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to take photos inside the cave.. But since we will engrave this atmosphere in your mind, maybe you won’t even need a photo… You can take a boat tour under the ground at Jeita Grotto by paying an extra fee, apart from the entrance ticket.. This experience is indescribable…. While your boat is sailing, the games of light and the magnificent cave will take you far… You will feel like in a fairy tale…

Don’t forget to take a photo in the valley after you leave this complex. Already at the exit door, your dear taxi driver will be waiting for you

Jounieh: Beirut’s 16 km north of the coastal city, there is also a vapor port.

To reach our next destination, Harissa, from Jonieh, by car or right on the beach. You can reach Harrissa Hill by cable car.. The cable car, which is about 9 minutes, should definitely be preferred to the car road, even though it feels like you have been climbing for hours due to the steepness of the mountain.. Because the scenery is indescribably beautiful…

We are going to the magnificent statue on the hill, not the Maghreb style hot chili pepper paste…

There are 6 governorates in Lebanon. One of them is Harissa – Daraoun Municipalities, located 27 km north of Beirut in the Keserwan Region of Mount Lebanon Governorate.

Harissa: 550 meters above sea level Located in Harissa, it has a special importance for Christians’ pilgrimage.. Because at the top of the hill is the bronze statue of the Mother of God, namely the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.

Byblos (or Jbail, Jbeil, Gubla) : One of the oldest Phoenician cities, which was first inhabited in the Neolithic Age.. In this port city, there is also the archaeological site area and the ruins of the old castle by the coast.. According to the claims, the city that is the oldest continuation of the world. You should definitely go! Click for detailed information.

You must not return without doing this tour!

ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE IN BEIRUT

Nightlife in Beirut is truly a legend! Clubs with entertainment life, venues and rich menus with different cocktails will make you forget that you are in the Middle East.. We recommend that you determine the venues that appeal to all tastes and preferences on the website http://www.beirutnightlife.com before you go.. Because the options are so many that it will make your head spin before you go and it may be too late to make a decision when you arrive in Beirut… Our suggestions are; Cassino and Le Gray May Hotel.

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO BEIRUT: ALTERNATIVE TOURS

With a compressed schedule, 3 days is enough for Beirut. In fact, if you are in Beirut for the weekend, 3 of our Beirut itinerary. You can also consider the Jeita Grotto, Jounieh, Harissa, Byblos Historical Journey Tour, which we did on the day of, as an alternative tour… If you say you have time and I would like to do a wine tasting while you are here, as an alternative; We highly recommend Baalbeck, Ksara, Anjar Wine Tasting Tour. It costs an average of $ 90.

BEIRUT TRAVEL NOTES:

• Early flight time advantage: Early flight With (charter flights) you not only pay less, but you also gain 1 day to travel in Beirut.. Don’t forget to check the sky scanner for options..
• If you are traveling to Beirut with more than 3 people, a taxi is cheaper.
• Language Problem: If you don’t know Arabic, it’s a bit difficult to communicate in Beirut. Fortunately, as a tourist, we have a map, so you can show the place you want to go on the map.. Because locals usually tell the direction not by street names, but by the details of the places around your destination.. So body language or sense of direction is absolutely necessary  Other than touristic places like Zaitunay Bay or Beirut Old City Center, of course.
• Graffiti: The walls of Beirut are like a painting by themselves.. On the walls, on the stairs and on almost every corner, street artists show the world the story of the city and their own world.. It’s almost impossible to leave Beirut without seeing graffiti.. Moreover, during our stay in Beirut, the GAP brand had a graffiti contest in Beirut Souks.. Beirutites love graffiti..

RESOURCES

• http://www.solidere.com/

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