Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Off the Beaten Path in Beirut
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Middle East » Lebanon » Mohafazat Beyrouth » Beirut » Off the Beaten Path

Beirut Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Beirut Off the Beaten Path

per mamma! - Beirut
per mamma!
by themagiclake
Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Beirut attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
Beirut Map
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
walking around Beirut
  • Tip Rating:
  • MrBill
  • Updated By MrBill on July 27, 2004
  • Beirut Page by MrBill
  • welcome to Beirut harbor - Beirut
    welcome to Beirut harbor
    by MrBill
    As soon as you disembark from the ship you will be molested by every manner and number of taxi drivers, some of whom can be quite aggressive. We even had one follow us once we left the port area, not believing us when we said we did not need a taxi.

    The normal price from the harbor to downtown is about $3 or about $10 per hour to rent a taxi. Of course, they will try to cheat you into paying multiples of this. You have to be firm.

    However, we were able to walk all over the downtown and to the beach and along the promenade without taking a taxi. We only took one taxi, and that was to take us to the far end of the beach front and then back again to the ship. We negotiated $5 thinking it would take about 30 mins., but it only took about 20 mins. actually. He still wanted more money, but we only gave him the $5 and he did not make a fuss.

    It helps if you speak French. Not everyone speaks English, so a few words parlez vous la francais is appreciated and makes getting around easier.

    By the way, pay a fair price for your taxi. The dollar you try to save maybe someone else's daily wage or profit, and these people are not well off compared to your average tourist, so be fair and it will be appreciated.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Beirut?

    Read reviews about Beirut Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Sursock Palace
  • Tip Rating:
  • miso80
  • Updated By miso80 on April 17, 2006
  • Beirut Page by miso80
  • -- taken from sursockpalace.com - Beirut
    -- taken from
    sursockpalace.com
    by miso80
    This is one of the most beautiful palaces/large houses in Beirut..with a long history, dating back to 1860, this is one of the most charming places to see whilst you're in Beirut. The complete area around it has been names after this palace...and if you manage to go there and look at its gardens, and the old architecture of the lebanese house, you will truly enjoy it.

    A lot of effort was placed to keep this place standing during the different wars that Lebanon went through..but today, it stands beautiful as ever, with the sursock family living there..and sometimes renting the palace and its gardens out to people who wish to make lavish dinners, weddings and parties.

    To have a look at Sursock before you go..check out its website.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Douma
  • Tip Rating:
  • stappm
  • Updated By stappm on June 16, 2006
  • Beirut Page by stappm
  • Beirut Off the Beaten Path
    by stappm
    A village in the mountains in Northern Lebanon (central northern). You can get there via car only in the summer, as the road is snowed in during the winter. It is a lovely village perched on what seems the top of the mountains. We were fortunate enough to stay in a friends family's home, Beit Isshak. The home was a stop for noble travelers from the Ottoman Empire and was built in the early 19th century. Tours are provided by many of the residences in Douma and you just have to ask (Arabic usually necessary!) Beit Issak was quite an attraction with period furnishings and Art, over the weekend several groups stopped by for tours!

    Walking the village is a must, they have a Greek Sarcophagus in the town center which was the burial place of a 4th century priest, and other late Roman and Byzantine remains as well as a Monastery and a couple of must see churches all with the lovely Lebanese Architecture of stone and red-roofs seen through-out the village.

    The website is loaded with information as well as directions, festivals, and activities. There is a hotel in Douma and it is quite pretty with great views ( Grand Hotel Douma Phone: +961 6 520202)- all the information needed is on the site (available in English too). Trekking and hiking are popular and you could even camp. Click on "about Douma" then go to information - http://www.doumaclub.org/main.asp?id1=left_nav&id2=aboutdouma_index

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Harissa
  • Tip Rating:
  • sachara
  • Updated By sachara on October 12, 2003
  • Beirut Page by sachara
  • interior church - Beirut
    interior church
    by sachara
    Form Jounieh, 20 KM north of Beirut, you can take the telepherique (cable car) to Harissa in the mountains. We did choose for the other option by road, allthough not less breathtaking. The road twists alarmingly with sheer drops along parts of the road.
    But at the end you will reach the statue of the Virgin of Lebanon with outstretched arms, welcoming you.
    We visited the modernist Maronite cathedral just beside the Virgin.
    The interior of the church is built in a way, that your attention goes up and towards the window, where you have a dim look at the Virgin outside.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Harissa, Orthodox church
  • Tip Rating:
  • sachara
  • Updated By sachara on October 27, 2007
  • Beirut Page by sachara
  • Orthodox church - Beirut
    Orthodox church
    by sachara
    In Harissa are a lot of churches and cathedrals of various dominations.
    Just beside the modernist Maronite church and the statue of the Virgin of Lebanon is an old and impressive Greek Catholic church and chapel.
    There couldn't be a larger contrast than between the modernist and this old church.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Beirut?

    Read reviews about Beirut Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    AUB - The American University of Beirut
  • Tip Rating:
  • miso80
  • Updated By miso80 on April 17, 2006
  • Beirut Page by miso80
  • AUB's College Hall - Beirut
    AUB's College Hall
    by miso80, 4 more photos
    "So that they may have Life and have it more abundantly" - this is the motto that's engraved on AUB's main gate, as you walk through it on Bliss St...I obtained my B.S. from this university, and I'm currently finishing up my M.S. as well. Its been said to be the most reputable university in the Middle East..however, the reason I write about it here, is not because of its standard of education (although if you get a chance to study here..dont miss it ;-) ) But I write about AUB because it is probably one of the greenest spots in Beirut..it has also got one of the most beautiful views of the Beirut Corniche and the mediterranean Sea.

    In order to get into AUB, however, you must ask for permission. upon entering the main gate, you can ask the security how that is to be done. You may also, call and ask beforehand, and there are guides that actually take you around AUB and show you the different departments and landmarks within the university.

    Take a camera and a light spirit, some comfortable shoes..and be ready to go around one of the best spots in Beirut!

    (Will be adding more pictures VERY soon)

    Leave a Comment

  • Phone: +961-1-350000
  • Website: http://www.aub.edu.lb
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    The Dead in the City
  • Tip Rating:
  • malasli
  • By malasli on July 21, 2005
  • Beirut Page by malasli
  • Reminiscent of 9-11, there is a place where you are welcome to pay your respect to the murdered ex-prime and his bodyguards and the nurse, buried right in the city center, a place that is sheltered under a tent and has an exhibition about the reconstruction of some of Beirut’s buildings for which the former prime minister aid out of his own private pocket, near the cafes. The victims are buried in the center not because they died there—they died closer to Ain Al Mresse, the corniche area, but because the former prime minister helped to rebuild the city center and hung out there a lot.

    When I went with my new friend, they still had (some…) of the silver footsteps glued to the ground leading to the restaurant where he took his last meal. I didn’t take a photo of the hole torn into the ground, near the Regis, out of respect—hated the tourists getting thrills out of ground zero—but you’ll see some Beirutis slow down in their cars or stop just to memorize the people who died. The impact was so great that it shattered many windows of nearby buildings

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Harissa, modernist church
  • Tip Rating:
  • sachara
  • Updated By sachara on October 12, 2003
  • Beirut Page by sachara
  • Beirut Off the Beaten Path
    by sachara
    The modernist Maronite church is a giant building made of concrete. The outline of this church can be seen from Jounieh, if there is a clear sky. We visited Harissa, when it was very hazy. Harissa is the town, where the rich Christians live. In 1995 there was no apartment under the one million dollar.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    The other Travelors
  • Tip Rating:
  • malasli
  • Updated By malasli on July 21, 2005
  • Beirut Page by malasli
  • When you see the immaculately clean streets, the flowers growing in between avenues on those islands near the corniche you realize: Someone is doing some serious cleaning and gardening here. At night, I saw a guy who looked pretty South Indian to me do some sweeping: Bingo, he was from Tamil Nadu. Another day I chatted with a homesick Sri Lankan maid, who was about to go to a photoshop to send her little daughter and family at home her photos. She hadn’t seen her kid for 3 years. Her sister had been hospitalized because of the Tsunami disaster. These people come to Lebanon to make and save the money they otherwise never would—like 100 Dollars a month, which is an okay live-in housekeeper salary in the Middle East, if you don’t have any other expenses. (“Normal” Beirutis live on salaries more comparable to Western standards). They both didn’t look very happy—Think about the likely status of Hindus and Buddhists “multiple Gods and idolatry” (even though you find statues of “Mary-in-a-birdcage”, just like Shiva &Co. in India, at every corner) in a relatively modern, though predominantly monotheistic country doing the lowest work.

    The Sri Lankan and I wanted to stay in touch, but when I gave her my home number—she said she didn’t do e-mail—it turned out she had thought I lived there. Later I read some articles about the situation of live-in maids: Pretty scary, if you ended up with a loony boss.

    .

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Escaliers Saint Nicolas (St Nicolas Steps)
  • Tip Rating:
  • MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on September 19, 2006
  • Beirut Page by MM212
  • Escaliers St Nicolas - Beirut
    Escaliers St Nicolas
    by MM212,
    1 more photos
    The (many) Steps of St Nicolas connect rue Gouraud in Gemmayzé with the parallel rue Sursock up a steep hill in a quaint residential part of Beirut. It is advisable to go down the steps, rather than up as I did, unless you want the exercise! When I visited Beirut in June 2006, the Steps of St Nicolas were celebrating an arts festival during which many local artists exhibited their work right on the steps. Unfortunately, I visited in the evening when all the artists had packed up for the day.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Beirut Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 92 - Photos: 66
    Things To Do
    Tips: 263 - Photos: 388
    Nightlife
    Tips: 80 - Photos: 60
    Transportation
    Tips: 46 - Photos: 27
    Restaurants
    Tips: 133 - Photos: 93
    Shopping
    Tips: 43 - Photos: 24
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 29 - Photos: 35
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 10
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 13
    Local Customs
    Tips: 39 - Photos: 37
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 5
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 21 - Photos: 9
    General Tips
    Tips: 140 - Photos: 130
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0

    Best Beirut Travel Deals

    Hotel Sale
    Up to 50% off Hotels at Expedia. No Expedia change or cancel fees!

    25 Hotels in Beirut
    Hotels with Info, Photos & Reviews Free reservations at Best prices !

    Beirut Luxury Hotel
    Compare Top Travel Sites Find Lower Hotel Rates Instantly!

    Crowne Plaza Hotel
    In Beirut. Official Site- Book Online Today For Low Rates.

    The New Yorker Hotel
    One of NYC's Most Popular Hotels. Luxury Accommodations At A Discount

    Sponsored Links

    More Beirut Travel Deals

    50 Hotels in Beirut
    Book your hotel in Beirut online. All hotels with special offers.

    Hotel in Beirut
    There's more to enjoy! Book unique offer. Instant Service 800-980-6429

    Lebanon Hotels
    Stay at Holiday Inn Hotels! Book low rates now at our official site.

    Sponsored Links

    Beirut Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.