Beirut Urban Adventures - Bourj Hammoud Craftsmen

Step inside the narrow alleyways of Bourj Hammoud, the heart of Beirut’s Armenian community. Founded by survivors of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, this suburb is now famous for its art, handcrafts and many traditional restaurants. This adventure will take you through the best of them all, from the coppersmiths in the souqs to the workshops making the city’s many backgammon sets. With the chance to enjoy a traditional Armenian lunch, and plenty of shops to explore, this is one adventure that is sure to show you a different side of the city.

Itinerary

Discover the heart of Lebanon’s Armenian community on this adventure through the streets of Bourj Hammoud. This bustling neighbourhood is packed full of crafts workshops, artists’ studios and interesting shops, and we’ll discover the best of it all on this walk through its backstreets and alleyways.

Set off from Martyr’s Square, in the heart of downtown Beirut, and head towards the neighbourhood’s souqs that are famous in this busy suburb. It is here that you can find the city’s iconic craftspeople, known for their handiwork at everything from intricate leatherwork to carving and weaving.

Pay a visit to a backgammon maker to see this famous board game being created. Loved throughout the Middle East, backgammon is an important part of everyday life, and here you can marvel at the work that goes into making one of these beautiful sets.

Next, call by the coppersmiths to see them hard at work, turning this humble metal into beautiful pieces of artwork, before stopping to admire artists laying out thousands of pieces of tile to create intricate mosaics.

Join the locals in a traditional Armenian restaurant for lunch, and enjoy a variety of specialties from the garlicy kebabs to the highly-seasoned air-dried beef known as basturma. With full tummies bid ‘shnorhagallem’ – thank you – to the staff before continuing on to explore the many wonders that make up this energetic suburb.

End the adventure with a ride back to Martyr’s Square, leaving behind the heart of Armenian Lebanon to re-enter modern-day Beirut.

Inclusion

English speaking guide. Lunch (Armenian sandwiches: Kebab, Sejok, Basterma)

Exclusion

Items of a personal nature, refreshments, drinks.

Voucher Exchange details

Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the trip.

Confirmation of booking

Please contact the local supplier to confirm your trip 24 hours prior to departure.

Your trip

For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

Dress Standard

Casual

Tipping

Our guides do not accept tips.

Child policy

Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Language

English

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