Beirut Urban Adventures - Down Town Beirut Tour

Discover the heart and soul of modern-day Lebanon on this walking tour through the streets of Beirut. Learn about the history that has shaped this city, while experiencing the energy it exudes today. With visits to the magnificently restored Roman Baths, the sophisticated Nejmeh Square and the peaceful Gibran Khalil Gibran Garden, this is one adventure that is guaranteed to open your eyes to the real Beirut.

Itinerary

Take a trip through the heart of Beirut to discover the dramatic history and forward-looking culture that characterises this city.

Set off from Martyr’s Square, named after the Lebanese nationalists who were executed here by the Ottomans in 1916. This scenic square was completely destroyed during the civil war, with only the Cinema Opera building and a bronze statue covered with bullet holes surviving those years. Its restoration has resulted in this, a vibrant heart to this city, that is a popular meeting place and the site of many public get togethers.

Walk through the city, heading to the pedestrian-only Nejmeh Square (Star Square) with its famous clock tower. This is a shopaholic’s dream, surrounded by more than 350 stores selling everything from fashion to artwork, and with several fine restaurants dotted around it. Take in the surrounds, which include historic churches and mosques, some of which date back to the 13th century.

Continue on through the city, weaving through its streets to reach the Roman Baths. These magnificently restored public baths were discovered in the 1960s and have been cleaned up to give an insight into this period of Lebanese history. Surrounded by fragrant gardens dotted with park benches and walking paths, this is an ideal spot to take a break and soak up the atmosphere of the city.

A short walk away is the peaceful Gibran Khalil Gibran Garden, named in honour of the Lebanese–American poet and philosopher Khalil Gibran. Take in the surrounds, perhaps stopping to admire the modern sculptures and a bust of Gibran himself. This is a place where the old and new collide, with the high-rises peaking over the trees and the gentle hum of the city not too far away, and it is a perfect place to end our adventure through the heart of Beirut.

Inclusion

English speaking guide.

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

Beirut Urban Adventures - Unique day tours in over 100 cities!

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

Beirut Urban Adventures - Unique day tours in over 100 cities!

Beirut tours. Urban Adventures - unique day tours in 100 cities!

Our trips are more than your usual Beirut tour. Walk on the clean shores of Lebanon, carpeting the Mediterranean waters, visit all the historical areas in the city that has been broken down several times, yet still stands strong, enjoy the architectural beauty, the hospitable people, the trendy shopping, and the crazy nightlife!

Travel around Lebanon the fun and responsible way with the tours of Beirut Urban Adventures! Also not to be missed are the nearby Urban Adventures in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Athens!

Beirut tours. Urban Adventures - unique day tours in 100 cities!