Sidon Travel Guide

 Tijavi Says:  Built in 1592 by Sheikh Ali bin Mohammad bin Qtaysh, it is one of the oldest mosques in Sidon. From outside, it looks like it has gone through painstaking restoration. It is surrounded by an aromatic lemon garden where its builder is buried.I didn't get the chance to visit... 

 Tijavi Says:  Another blast from past is the Emir Fakhreddine II Palace, or rather what is left of it. Although situated in a very scenic seaside location, the palace's ruined state does not match the greatness of the man who built it.Fakhreddine II was the first prince of Lebanon under... 

 Tijavi Says:  The other hamam that I saw was the Hamam El-Sheikh, still functional and also lovingly restored. I got a chance to see the interiors - at least the lounge area - and I was impressed by the 3-storey high dome ceiling. From the outside, the building looks like any other... 

 Tijavi Says:  Although parts of it had been dolled up, courtesy of the Hariri Foundation, the souk in Sidon is one of Middle East's great souk in terms of authenticity of experience. The trades are mainly for locals, with hardly any tourist souvenir shops (in fact, I haven't seen any).... 

 Tijavi Says:  Besides the souk and the old city, the Sea Castle is Sidon's centerpiece attraction, partly because of its grand location - on a small island across Sidon's waterfront promenade. The island has a special significance to the early Phoenicians - a temple dedicated to their... 

 Tijavi Says:  This was originally an edifice built by the Knights Hospitallers during the Crusades, but was converted to a mosque after they were driven out by the Arabs, who did quite a good job in doing so - the mosque is considered one of the finest examples of 13th century Islamic... 

 Tijavi Says:  The Latin Church - Roman Catholic Church to you and me - is located inside the old city, just across the Khan Al-Franj. It was built in the mid-19th century, fairly recent by Sidon standards, by the Franciscan friars when they were housed at the Khan Al-Franj. It remains a... 

 Tijavi Says:  Translated "Caravanserai of the French," Khan Al-Franj is it is, what it is - a khan for foreign traders given by the French to the 17th century ruler of Sidon, Fakhreddine. Back in its heydays, Khan Al-Franj was the city's focal point for business, also housing the French... 

 Tijavi Says:  The well restored, well maintained Debbanne Palace is a great way to see how Sidon's upper crust lived - in Arab-Ottoman splendor. The palace is opulent and richly decorated with intricate ceilings (photo 5), a three-storey high central hall (photo 1), a fountain in the main... 

 Tijavi Says:  The ruins of this Crusader castle has a colorful history. Its French name is after France's Louis IX who built the existing structures in 1253, before which the castle was a Fatimid fortress known as Qala'at al-Muizz, after the Fatimid caliph Al-Muizz il-Din Allah.When the... 

 Tijavi Says:  Located at a lively square deep inside Sidon's old city, this ancient mosque, regarded as the city's oldest dating back to 1201, had clearly been "modernized." It is said that Sidon's largest dome could be found here - but I wasn't able to get inside as midday prayers were... 

 Tijavi Says:  Sidon is famous for its biscuits, particularly the sanioura, a crumbly biscuit that is often described as a cross between a shortbread and a pavlova. Have a taste of these biscuits while wandering around the souk where numerous bakeries bake them fresh for locals and the... 

 Tijavi Says:  In need of refreshment after hours of wandering in the maze of alleys of the old city, I stumbled upon this nicely done cafe. I was greeted by the cafe's two friendly attendants - Jack and Yahya (picture 2), whose family owns the place. A cup of tea and lots of water after,... 

 Delia_Madalina Says:  My fiance (who's Lebanese) said he would have never imagined himself stopping at a local cafe across the street from the Sea Castle to play backgammon and have a shisha but any trip must be a first.After walking around Saida, visiting the Soap Museum and the mosques, don't... 

 MM212 Says:  Part of al-Qualaa Hotel, Noor's restaurant has the best views of the Sea Castle of Sidon. It is located on the terrace and upper floor of the 12th century Crusader-period building which was restored and converted into a hotel. I stopped by for coffee on my visit to Sidon in... 

 Delia_Madalina Says:  If you're going on a day trip to Saida, take the time and go a bit further make: visit this sanctuary that holds a special place in the heart of the locals. It seams this sanctuary is where Virgin Mary waited for Jesus while he went to preach in Tyre and Saida. Jewish women...