Lebanon Off The Beaten Path

  Byblos Ruins
by LoriPori
 
  • Byblos Ruins
      Byblos Ruins
    by LoriPori
  • Byblos Ruins
      Byblos Ruins
    by LoriPori
  • The Church from afar
      The Church from afar
    by mikey_e
  • Verdun from above
      Verdun from above
    by mikey_e
  • Mike in the cave
      Mike in the cave
    by mikey_e
 
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qana

by call_me_rhia

Qana is a shiite village in the south of Lebanon, not too far from the Israeli border (and 7 kilometres from Tyre), set among lovely green valleys and mountains. It's supposed to be the place where Jesus performed his first miracle: converting water into wine at a wedding.Qana is also the site of the new genocide: on 18 April 1996 the Israeli army shelled the local Fijian UN headquarters killing 106 civilians who had taken shelter in its buildings and church, and wounding 110 others. They were mostly women and children. A touching place to visit: you will meet people who will tell you the most heartbreaking stories - and they will show you photos that will make you cry

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Old hammam

by xaver

In Tripoli we had the chance to visit an old Hammam, just thank to a local gentleman that we met in a mosque and drove us through the most hidden streets of souks and in this great old place.This is really an off the beaten path as, to enter it you have to pass through something like a shop that noone would ever imagine could hide this jewel.

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Hezbollah Land

by hajar1979

the refugee camps are actually a commercial centre. you could probably talk to a shopkeeper at the end of the street(cant remember if it was sabra or chatila). a distinguished-looking palestinian in his 50s, was the only man we found who spoke english.also, visit the prisons-all empty but you'd see descriptions of what happened during the occupation. you'd have to go through a checkpoint in sidon(i think) where they will ask for you identity before allowing you to drive up to the prison area. had difficulty finding someone who spoke english there although we did find a young man whose neck was in a brace wandering around the area who answered our questions. you can arrange for a tour by an english-speaking guide. contact number available from robert fisk's website

Moussalayha Castle

by sachara

On our way from Jbail to Tripoli, 3 KM beyond Batroun, we saw at the east side of the highway this castle. You can take a sideroad for a visit, like we did. The castle was used to defend the only land route between Beirut and Tripoli. It stands on a rock and it's built on the top in such a way as to look like a part of the rock itself.Moussalayha Castle is a legacy of Lebanon's Ayyubid princess of the 16th century. It could be an abondoned ancient site, probably Gigarta.

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Afqa, 1995 Ali was here

by sachara

Afqa was a nice place to walk around and have a look at the different ruins, shrines and caves and the lovely surrounding scenery. We had also our lunch here.Climbing along the stream to the grotto, I liked most of all.And there was this stone with my name and the year I was there. The Arabic text I can't read. Graffitti seems to be something of all times and all places.

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Afqa, popular picknick spot

by sachara

The Afqa area is a popular place for excursions and visits in the weekend by Lebanese families.Beneath the bridge at the riverbank are two small tea stalls witha terrace, serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks.Families also bring their own food and drinks for a nice picknick in the grass beside the falls.

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Afqa bridge and temple

by sachara

From the side of the grotto we had a nice view at the Roman looking bridge. Under the bridge we discovered a second bow. On a raised plateau at the riverbank are ruins of a Roman temple, dedicated to Venus (or Astarte). In the foundations is the entrance of a sort tunnel, from where, is thought, the water came in a sacred pool in the temple for healing or ablution of devotees. For the local people the place still have healing powers and they tie pieces of cloth in the nearby fig tree..

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Afqa stream

by sachara

In Afqa the roaring stream rages down 200 M from the grotto above. It's possible to walk up to the cave. Watch out, it's steep and slippery. When you reach the top and enter the first part of the cave, you can see how the freezing water surges out of an unseen underground source. You can also see how enormous the cave is, the largest part of the several KMs long cave is not accessible.Going back you have a good sight at the bridge at the foot of the main fall.

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Afqa Grotto

by sachara

The Afqa Grotto, 45 KM east of Byblos (Jbail), is the sacred source of the Nahr Ibrahim. According to the legend it was the place where Adonis (or Tammuz in Phoenician), while hunting, is killed by a wild boar. In the area around the grotto are ancient shrines and caves dedicated to Adonis. His story became a symbol for life, death and rebirth. Each spring the river runs red, supposed to be the blood of Adonis. In reality the stream picks up ferruginous minerals from the soil.

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Moukhtara

by sachara

From Beitedinne we drove deeper into the Chouf Mountaints to the south east and reached Moukhtara. Moukthara is the residential area of the known Joumblatt family. In Moukhtara this family has a beautiful palace, built in the 19th century at the ruins of a former palace. It's a private propery, so not be visited.But we didn't came to Moukhtara for this family, but for the Moukhtara falls. We saw the falls at a poster in our hotel, looking really beautiful. Surprise, it was a tiny mini fall at a garden restaurant !!!!

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Unique Places in Lebanon

Top 3 Hotels in Lebanon

InterContinental Hotels IC PHOENICIA BEIRUT  Beirut

 5 Reviews and 99 Opinions  Beirut 

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Palmyra Hotel  Baalbeck

 4 Reviews and 22 Opinions  Charl digol..had been there....that's enough..for me Old lebanese hotel..you want to go back in... 

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Quality Inn Tripoli  Tripoli

 1 Review and 15 Opinions  There is not much choice of good quality hotels in Tripoli, so the Quality Inn it had to be. It was... 

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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Lebanon
  1. Beirut Off The Beaten Path
  2. Tripoli Off The Beaten Path
  3. Baalbeck Off The Beaten Path
  4. Tyre Off The Beaten Path
  5. Sidon Off The Beaten Path
  6. Bcharre Off The Beaten Path
  7. `Anjar Off The Beaten Path
  8. Qana Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Lebanon

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi, I am traveling from the USA to northern Lebanon to see my girlfriend who I met in the states a year ago. I have been to Europe... 

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A: It would probably help if you identified the culture of her family. Are they Christian or Muslim? Are they educated or not? Are they well-integrated with Western society... 

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