10 Best Things To Do In Tyre, Lebanon
Welcome to our list of the best things to do in Tyre, Lebanon!
This more than 4,000-year-old coastal city in Southern Lebanon, has a rich history and illustrious past as a Phoenician commercial and trade center, in large part due to its production of the rare and remarkably expensive Tyrian purple. After that, Tyre (Sour in Arabic) has been ruled by and served as a colony for the Egyptians, Romans, Ottomans, French, and even the Assyrians to an extent, contributing to its distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These days, Tyre is an exciting, utterly fascinating Mediterranean city that blends picturesque beaches, pristine sea, ancient ruins, and superb cuisine. If you’re interested in enjoying the beach, exploring historical sites, diving, and just having an incredible all-around time, Tyre awaits you. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of ideas of things to do and activities in Sour to help you put together your Tyre itinerary.
So without further ado, let’s look at the best things to do in Tyre, Lebanon!
Best Things To Do In Tyre, Lebanon
1) Roam the colorful old city
Close to Tyre’s port, you’ll find Harat el Masihiyeh, the Christian Quarter of Tyre. This part of the city is home to the fishing community and is marked best by its old limestone houses, sleepy cobblestone streets, splashes of vibrantly-colored shops, and abundant flowers. Harat el Masihiyeh is peaceful, family-friendly, and full of pleasant sights and smells, like families grilling out, fishermen taking care of their boats, and the occasional live music softly spilling out from its pubs.
2) Relish the seafood restaurants in Sour
Tyre is well-known as one of Lebanon’s most seafood-loving cities, with delicious seafood restaurants all around this coastal town. For example, head to Abou Tony’s restaurant to try his catch of the day or swing by Le Phenicien for fresh calamari, grilled fish, or even a delightful Lebanese dessert!
3) Stay overnight at the boutique hotels and guesthouses in Tyre
Tyre has no shortage of incredibly comfortable and unique accommodations, ranging from traditional Lebanese guesthouses to several hundred-year-old boutique hotels. Dar Alma & Dar Camelia is one such boutique hotel situated on the coast in the colorful Christian Quarter. Right next to it, is some sort of old structure — perhaps an ancient watchtower, but I’m not entirely sure. Another excellent option when it comes to hotels in Tyre is Al Fanar Restaurant & Auberge, which is also located on the water. For some other ideas of places to stay in Sour, check out Glimzi Guesthouse, Florina’s Guesthouse, El Boutique Hotel, Les Ateliers de Tyr, Rest House, or Al Yasmine, a guesthouse where flamingos, swans, and wild deer roam the property in nearby Maaliye.
4) Soak in the sun at Tyre’s public beaches
Tyre is often said to have Lebanon’s most beautiful, clean, and sandy beaches, along with Batroun in the North. Set up a tent and enjoy laying out, playing volleyball or rackets, and swimming in the Mediterranean. Plus, Tyre Beach is lined with cafes and restaurants like Cloud 59 where you can taste Lebanese cuisines, such as kibbeh, moutabel, hummus, and tabouleh, while partaking in some shisha. Something to know before you go is that half of the beach is Christian (you can drink on that side) and half is Muslim (drinking is a no-go there and you’ll need to wear conservative swimwear as a woman). The beaches are shallow and clean, and there are lifeguards.
5) Wander the Ruins of Tyre
Tyre is ideal for history lovers, with its two primary archaeological sites — Al Bass and the City Site. Al Bass Site has a necropolis, a Hardian’s Arch monumental gate, and a Hippodrome, which was used for horse racing in ancient times. The City Site, also known as the Egyptian Port (due to Tyre’s heavy trade with Egypt), is just 5 minutes away from Al Bass and contains many structures, a mosaic street, and idyllic scenery overlooking the Mediterranean. The Tyre ruins and archaeological sites are places you can easily spend hours lingering in and exploring so when you go, try to give yourself ample time to soak in your surroundings. Everywhere you walk, you'll see evidence of the grandeur Tyre once held when the Phoenicians had established it as a thriving city-state and used it as a hub for maritime trade — in fact, it was the most important trading center in the Eastern Mediterranean at one point. However, the city declined as the Crusades tore through the region. Today, Roman ruins still stand proud, letting you tour ancient roads, colonnades, and stunning structures from the Hellenistic era.
6) Go diving off the coast of Tyre
In addition to being well-known as a summer hotspot where tourists and locals can flock to the pristine beaches and sunbathe, Tyre is also a diving destination. The Lebanon Diving Center in Tyre helps visitors get a firsthand look at the marine biodiversity of Sour and see underwater Roman ruins. To top it off, with a little bit of luck, timing, and research, you might even encounter endangered green sea turtles and loggerheads.
7) Dine on a boat
Have you ever dined on a boat? If that’s an experience you want to have, check out Elissar Marine in Tyre’s port for an exquisite on-the-water romantic ambiance. Elissar Marine is famous for their Lebanese and seafood dishes, and they even have sleeping accommodations if you’ve indulged in world-class Lebanese wine and want to stay overnight.
8) Grab drinks in Sour’s old town at night
The old city of Tyre has dozens of wonderful pubs and restaurants for a fun night out on the town. For example, Tavolino offers pizza, meat, desserts, and deliciously crafted cocktails. It also happens to be conveniently located right by the harbor. Some other ideas of ways to spend an evening in Tyre could be to weave through the narrow streets and grab a drink at Diver’s Inn, listen to live music at Blue Line or grab dinner and drinks at Al Fanar.
9) Watch the sunset with a rooftop view
Watching the sunset along the coast in Lebanon is a pastime that helps the Lebanese ease their worries and reminds them to live in the moment. While Lebanon has its fair share of sunset bars and rooftop lounges, one of the best happens to be located in Sour — El Boutique Hotel. With an unmatched ambiance, live music and DJs, and 360 views of Tyre and the Mediterranean, El Boutique is a great place to hang out with friends or to enjoy a romantic night out in Lebanon.
10) Lounge and chill at Tyre’s beach resorts
Tyre’s beach resorts and lounges offer visitors private pools, waterparks, restaurants, bungalows, and lush gardens. You’ve got plenty of options for resorts in Sour; however, Turquoise Beach Resort and Tyros Resort have earned their ranks atop the most popular picks.
People Also Ask These Questions About Tyre, Lebanon
What are the top tourist attractions to visit in Sour, Lebanon?
Sour has many tourist attractions. Some of the top ones include but are not limited to the Tyre Hippodrome, Al-Bass Archaeological Site, Al-Mina Archaeological Site, and the Tyre Roman Necropolis.
Can Sour be a day trip from Beirut?
Yes, it is possible to visit Sour on a day trip from Beirut. The distance between the two cities is only about 80 kilometers, which can typically be driven in approximately two hours. It’s recommended that you stay overnight in Sour in order to see the top attractions of Tyre and the surrounding areas, such as Qana or not-too-distant Saida.
What are the best restaurants in Tyre?
The best restaurants in Tyre are a matter of taste, but some options include Aurelia Restaurant & Lounge, Tyros Restaurant, Al Forno, Al-Sultan Brahim, Pavo Rojo, and Diwan Al Sultan Ibrahim.