Beirut : Paris of the East and the European Gateway to the Middle East

Beirut is described as the European gateway to the Middle East, as some call it the Paris of the East. Not surprisingly, it is a vibrant and modern city, suffering and overcoming the civil war without losing its culture and charm, and with a rich history and wealth of Cultures, Beirut has now become a global city seeking to be a thriving tourist destination for tourists from all over the world

1. Beirut Downtown

Beirut Downtown is one of the most important tourist areas in Lebanon. It is the central area of the Lebanese city of Beirut, which, of course, contains many restaurants, shops and cafes, as well as outdoor concerts in this lively Beirut. The central area is called Al Najma Square and is only for pedestrians. It is located in the east of Ashrafieh, while Al Hamra, Ras Beirut, Manara and Raouche are located to the west. Beirut Marina, the Corniche starting point, is a short walk away. You can reach downtown Beirut by bus from any area of the capital.

2. Zaitunay Bay

Zaitunay Bay is located around Beirut Marina and can be reached through the coastal promenade to the north. It is also bordered by the Beirut Corniche. It is a vivid embodiment of a project that represents an urban beach and a major tourist attraction in Lebanon. The bay has a number of major attractions, including the Yacht Club, which in turn accommodates nine suites that offer the most amenities that visitors may need. If you are a sea lover you can rent a small yacht and go on a cruise within the exciting Mediterranean waters, you can do a great number of activities including diving, fishing and swimming

3. Rouche

Rouche is a popular residential and commercial district located in the city of Beirut known for its high-end residential buildings and many restaurants and cafes spread on both sides of its streets, most notably Paris Street, which is an important part of the Beirut Corniche. The Corniche or the wide pier on the beach in Paris Street is one of the most important tourist destinations in Lebanon and attracts a large number of visitors on weekends especially during the evening. Opposite the coast of Rouche district, there is a natural landmark called the bath rock or the morning rock Nassar (also known as the rock of Raouche). Located on the western edge of Beirut, this landmark is a form of huge rock that stands like a giant watchman, a popular destination for locals and visitors to the city.

4. The Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque

The Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque, located in Beirut's Martyrs Square, is one of Lebanon's largest and most magnificent mosques in terms of interior and exterior architectural design. The mosque dates back more than a century and a half. The mosque can accommodate more than 5 thousand people, so it is the largest mosque attracting worshipers and visitors in Beirut, called this mosque the name of Mohammed Amin relative to the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. The total area of the mosque is about 10,700 square meters distributed on four floors combined. This magnificent mosque has domes painted in azure blue with four minarets that can be seen from several areas during your tour of Beirut. The mosque is decorated in Ottoman and Lebanese style. The decorations and architectural details are Mamluk and the ceilings are decorated with huge pieces of crystal. Next to the mosque is one of the most famous sites in the Lebanese capital, the tomb of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

5. Waves Aqua Park

Waves Aqua Park is the largest water park in the Lebanese city of Beirut and one of the largest tourist attractions in Lebanon, with a total area of 60,000 square meters. The park is located on the top of a forest pine hill, which adds a lot of joy to the hearts of all guests with a sense of freshness and serenity, not to mention the explosive nature of the place, which is reflected in the view of the park on the entire city of Beirut and the Mediterranean Sea. More than 21 million litres of water are available at the Waves Aqua Park Resort, which is divided between swimming pools for children and adults and water games that will not be found anywhere else in Beirut. The resort also includes the island pool, which is the main water park within the resort.

6. The National Museum of Beirut

The National Museum of Beirut is a great location which all tourists should visit during tourism in Beirut. It has a rich history of more than 5000 years, with an unrivalled collection of historical galleries and artefacts dating back to ancient times and civilizations, as well as mummies and mosaics and other stunning artefacts. It is worth mentioning that the people of Beirut did their utmost to protect the museum and its effects during the civil war, to be considered a national treasure worthy of the visit and considered one of the best places of tourism in Beirut.

7. Sursak Museum

Opened in 1912, the Sursak Museum, founded by the Libyan scientist Nicola Ibrahim Sarsak, became available for free only in 1961. The spacious rooms feature about 5,000 works of art, historical exhibits and a collection of unique artefacts from prehistoric times, Pottery sets, old jewellery and other precious collections.

8. Al-Hamidiya Clock Tower

Al-Hamidiya Clock Tower is one of Beirut tourist attractions. The clock tower was built on the land of the Grand Serail in 1897 when a public clock was needed to mark Muslim prayer times. It was built on a 25-meter tower, the highest building in Beirut at the time. The clock tower contains a huge bell weighing 300 kg on the third floor, and the floor is decorated with four oriental balconies.

9. Hamra Street

Hamra Street is a famous street located in Beirut and is considered one of the main streets of this city. It is characterized by being a vibrant and commercial area that includes many shopping centres, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, cafes and famous theaters.

◎ Closing

Beirut is the most important tourist area in Lebanon, which is the economic and cultural centre of the country. It includes many tourist places and hosts many modern shopping complexes and restaurants that serve the most delicious dishes from Lebanese cuisine. As a tourist city, Beirut host many visitors annually who come from all over the world.