Lebanon is around 40 minutes away from Cyprus by plane, so it was an easy choice. Beirut is a popular city so you would expect a lot of tourists, night life etc. You need a visa to enter but this is settled on the airplane and on your arrival so, no need to worry about that.
We booked a room at Studio 44 which is basically a hotel with mini apartments, and it was a great choice (and cheap) even though it was right behind the busy Hamra Street, filled with restaurants, cafés and stores.
So what are some tips you should know on your first visit to Beirut?
1.It’s very hot during summer
If you plan on visiting on summer, be prepared for hot weathers and humidity, especially when you are near Zaitunay Bay (you will be). Of course there are private pools and beaches for you to enjoy. We visited on June so it was too late when we realized we had to do a weather check before our trip.
2. Pay attention to the taxis
When you walk near the marina you will notice there is a lot of noise from car honks and drivers offering to drive you. Always take the cars with the ‘’Taxi’’ sign on top of it, otherwise you may get scammed. The fares are relatively cheap but always disclose the final price before getting inside the car.
However, if you’re not in the middle of the day, walks around the city always give you a nice impression of the local lives.
We booked a room at Studio 44 which is basically a hotel with mini apartments, and it was a great choice (and cheap) even though it was right behind the busy Hamra Street, filled with restaurants, cafés and stores.
So what are some tips you should know on your first visit to Beirut?
1.It’s very hot during summer
If you plan on visiting on summer, be prepared for hot weathers and humidity, especially when you are near Zaitunay Bay (you will be). Of course there are private pools and beaches for you to enjoy. We visited on June so it was too late when we realized we had to do a weather check before our trip.
2. Pay attention to the taxis
When you walk near the marina you will notice there is a lot of noise from car honks and drivers offering to drive you. Always take the cars with the ‘’Taxi’’ sign on top of it, otherwise you may get scammed. The fares are relatively cheap but always disclose the final price before getting inside the car.
However, if you’re not in the middle of the day, walks around the city always give you a nice impression of the local lives.
3. Visit the Zaitunay Bay
Morning, afternoon or night, Zaitunay Bay has something for everyone, any time you choose to visit. When you look back towards the city you will realize how the old, poorer neighbourhoods are surrounded by tall, fancy and modern. You cannot understand how majestic it all looks until you see it at night. When we visited it the first time it was a great, elegant, iron-heavy bay with a row of restaurants and cafes and yachts at the port.
4. Local taste
Late night cravings can have you wandering around without many options. There’s Barbar near the Hamra street, and its a 24/7 fast food chain with kebab, burgers etc. I had chicken kebab with fries and a sauce that tasted like a garlic-loaded tzatziki. Delicious if you don’t mind the garlic overload. You should also try Lebanese sweets, baklava, kanafeh etc.
Alternatively, there are restaurants like Deek Duke, that mix food like hummus with chicken wings and chicken tenders. We tried all of them.
Morning, afternoon or night, Zaitunay Bay has something for everyone, any time you choose to visit. When you look back towards the city you will realize how the old, poorer neighbourhoods are surrounded by tall, fancy and modern. You cannot understand how majestic it all looks until you see it at night. When we visited it the first time it was a great, elegant, iron-heavy bay with a row of restaurants and cafes and yachts at the port.
4. Local taste
Late night cravings can have you wandering around without many options. There’s Barbar near the Hamra street, and its a 24/7 fast food chain with kebab, burgers etc. I had chicken kebab with fries and a sauce that tasted like a garlic-loaded tzatziki. Delicious if you don’t mind the garlic overload. You should also try Lebanese sweets, baklava, kanafeh etc.
Alternatively, there are restaurants like Deek Duke, that mix food like hummus with chicken wings and chicken tenders. We tried all of them.
5. The Pigeon Rocks
If you’re a fan of natural attractions, this is for you. Off the coast of Raouché, you find the Pigeon Rocks a.k.a. two giant rocks that resemble a bridge in the sea. You can walk down the stairs to get a closer look, and you can also take a boat to get even closer, though most of the boats available looked old and rusty.
Nearby you will see the giant breakwaters that people use for shade while picnicking. A nice sight nevertheless.
6. The road to Mar Mikhael
Learn from our mistakes and take a taxi to the Mar Mikhael. This is a colourful neighbourhood full of art, galleries and nice little cafes and we wanted to get there to find the colourful staircase.
We walked from Pigeon Rock to Mar Mikhael (around 9km) during the midday and full humidity, on the small sidewalks of the highway, through abandoned bus stations, crossing roundabouts and asking soldiers for directions. Yeah, take a taxi.
If you’re a fan of natural attractions, this is for you. Off the coast of Raouché, you find the Pigeon Rocks a.k.a. two giant rocks that resemble a bridge in the sea. You can walk down the stairs to get a closer look, and you can also take a boat to get even closer, though most of the boats available looked old and rusty.
Nearby you will see the giant breakwaters that people use for shade while picnicking. A nice sight nevertheless.
6. The road to Mar Mikhael
Learn from our mistakes and take a taxi to the Mar Mikhael. This is a colourful neighbourhood full of art, galleries and nice little cafes and we wanted to get there to find the colourful staircase.
We walked from Pigeon Rock to Mar Mikhael (around 9km) during the midday and full humidity, on the small sidewalks of the highway, through abandoned bus stations, crossing roundabouts and asking soldiers for directions. Yeah, take a taxi.
7. The architecture
Lastly, if you love observing architecture and contrasts, like me, you might get a few nice surprises in Beirut. You see the grand American University of Beirut with sandstone and arches (and palm trees in front of it) and apartment buildings in Islamic architecture that are just a joy between the modern buildings.
Lastly, if you love observing architecture and contrasts, like me, you might get a few nice surprises in Beirut. You see the grand American University of Beirut with sandstone and arches (and palm trees in front of it) and apartment buildings in Islamic architecture that are just a joy between the modern buildings.
If you are casually visiting Beirut with no specific plan you will still enjoy the city. It’s very tourist-friendly and safe enough for night walks or solo travellers. Prices are reasonable and there’s something for everyone.
