THINGS TO DO IN LEBANON

BEIRUT DOWNTOWN

 a modern city with a vulnerable past survived more than 15 years of conflict, and today, it’s rightly called the tourism capital of Lebanon. The Beirut Central District or Downtown Beirut offers unforgettable experiences to thousands of tourists who visit Lebanon to explore this cosmopolitan city that has earned the title of ‘the city that would not die’. Downtown Beirut is situated on the northern coast and can be easily accessed using a variety of transportation modes, including the Beirut Seaport, Rafik Hariri International Airport, and multiple highways. While Beirut has undergone extensive reconstruction over the past few years, visitors can still find hints of the historical heritage of Lebanon in downtown Beirut. Some of the famous tourist attractions of downtown Beirut include Pigeon Rocks, Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque, Roman Baths, Harissa, Jeita Grotto, and National Museum of Beirut. In addition to these archeological landmarks, high-end clothing and jewelry shops, restaurants, and hotels can be found on almost every corner of the Central Beirut District.

RAOUCHE SEA ROCK

 Lebanon’s famous Raouche Sea Rock, also known as Pigeon Rock, is located along the coastline of Beirut. The stunning set of rocks is a natural landmark that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The gigantic natural rock formation is located just off the western end of the Corniche (seaside promenade), and as a result, is particularly crowded during the sunset hours when a large number of tourists visit the place to witness its majestic beauty. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the spectacular sight of sunset from Raouche Sea Rock, you must leave early and stroll the Corniche to find the perfect spot. In addition to the Corniche that stretches in front of the rocks, there is a track on the southern side of the rocks that takes you down to the lower cliffs. Walk down across the shore from the track and you will find yourself standing in a spot surrounded by chalk cliffs. A part from its natural beauty, Raouche Sea Rock is also known for its high-end residential neighborhood and restaurants. Sit down in a cliff-side café, enjoy a cup of coffee, and appreciate the natural beauty of the offshore rock arches of Raouche Sea Rock.

CORNICHE EL MANARA

 The Corniche is one of the most popular seaside promenades in Beirut, Lebanon. Stretching from the Ramlet al Bayda to the Saint George marina, the 4.8 kilometers long waterfront esplanade is lined with palm trees. Since the Corniche is located in the Central District of Beirut, it offers a great view of some of the city’s renowned manmade and natural landmarks, such as the famous Raouche Sea Rock, the summits of Mount Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Corniche was built during the time when the French ruled Syria and Lebanon and has its foundation in the Avenue des Fran ҫ ais. Since then, the place has undergone several changes. In 2001, a Lebanese artist designed colorful cut ceramics to cover the old cement benches. The new colorful benches further enhanced the beauty of the Corniche and added more colors to it.

PLACES TO VISIT IN LEBANON  One of the important things to do in Lebanon is to try its luscious cuisine. If you are in Beirut, there is one restaurant that you absolutely cannot miss to eat at, and that is Tawlet. It is among those restaurants which use farm-fresh produce and various traditional recipes are sampled and tested there. Moreover, often well-known chefs are invited to cook lunch buffets. Another great restaurant is Mayrig in Gemmayzeh, where Beirutis of Armenian descent come to celebrate special occasions. What makes this place so special? Well you have to eat there to understand why. This restaurant is particularly famous for its sour cherry kebab. Soujouk (Armenian sausage), pastry dishes, mante (dumplings), and kebbe are also very popular among the locals. If you are coming to this country with your family and wondering what things to do in Lebanon, then book your stay at the Mzaar resort, which is right above the Faraya village. It is a huge ski resort situated at a height of 2465m and has a luxurious intercontinental hotel which offers all the modern amenities. So don’t forget to visit this ski resort if you are in Beirut as it is just 40 minutes away.