2-Day South Lebanon Itinerary: Tyre, Sidon, and Other Places To Go and Things To Do
Welcome to our 2-day South Lebanon itinerary!
South Lebanon is an underrated, overwhelmingly beautiful region. This history- and culture-rich part of the country is perhaps less visited by tourists than North Lebanon; however, its grandest cities, such as Tyre can rival Batroun and Byblos.
Part of the reason for this is that South Lebanon was once home to the Phoenicians, who grew prosperous from maritime trade — especially their famed purple dye. This laid the foundations for the majestic coastal cities that would later be built upon by the Romans and other civilizations to follow.
When you’re planning a trip to South Lebanon, you can expect to see serene beaches, ancient ruins, stunning landscapes, and peaceful villages. Even if you have limited time, you can experience a surprising amount of incredible places and things to do in just a few days in the south.
This South Lebanon itinerary includes:
Fun things to do in South Lebanon
Where to stay in South Lebanon
Restaurants in South Lebanon
And much more! So while this 2-day South Lebanon itinerary is mostly going to be spent in Tyre (also known in Arabic as Sour) and Sidon (also known in Arabic as Saida), we’ve got plenty of bonus places and activities in mind, along with answers to many frequently asked questions. Without further ado, let’s get this South Lebanon road trip started!
2 Day Lebanon Travel Guide Vlog
2-Day South Lebanon Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring Tyre (Sour)
As a tourist — or a Lebanese enjoying your country as a tourist for a few days, you’re likely driving from Beirut or further north. Fortunately, from just about anywhere in Lebanon, reaching the south is just a day trip out. From Beirut, Tyre, our first destination, is roughly 82 kilometers away. If you’ve ever been to California, the southern highway you’ll take towards Tyre feels oddly like cruising the Pacific Coast Highway, except that instead of passing Malibu, you’ll pass Phoenician port cities like Sidon (more on that in day 2) and Sarepta (known as Sarafand in modern times), where archaeologists found seaside kilns, pottery, and sarcophagi, and the last remaining glass blowing factory in Lebanon continues the ancient tradition to this day. After passing banana trees, orchards, and lush countryside, you’ll eventually arrive in Tyre, which should take between one and a half to two hours of driving from Beirut.
Tyre was once an island, which is why it juts out from the mainland. As you cruise into the old city, you’ll notice the port, the Christian quarter, and, if you go further, the seaside Roman ruins.
A room at Dar Alma & Dar Camelia Hotel
In our case, the first thing we did was to check into Dar Alma & Dar Camelia, a boutique hotel situated right on the Mediterranean. Just beyond the balcony is an ancient watchtower, so you get the best of rustic charm, history, and natural beauty all in one frame. However, if you’re looking for a place to spend the night in Tyre, you could also check out:
El Boutique Hotel (features a sunset bar and lounge)
Al-Yasmine Guest House (has deer, goats, and other animals)
Auberge de Tyr
Les Jardins de Tyr
Asamina Boutique Hotel
Walking through the Christian Quarter of Sour, Lebanon
After we checked into Dar Alma & Dar Camelia, we strolled through the Christian Quarter, with its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and lively pubs to the mina, which is in the opposite direction from the old port. If you walk for somewhere between 15 to 20 minutes, you can follow the coastline to arrive at the seaside ruins, the Egyptian Port. If you left in the morning and are in Tyre early enough in the day you should have plenty of time to see the Egyptian Port and Al-Bass archaeological site (further inland) in the span of day one. However, you could save Al-Bass for day two as we did. Both sites are a must-see.
At one point Tyre held such importance that it outgrew Sidon as the main Phoenician trading hub. When you go to the Egyptian Port, you can still get a sense of how special the city was and is. The Egyptian Port contains a mosaic path, a 2nd-century colonnade, a gymnasium, Roman baths, water cisterns, and a rectangular amphitheater.
The Egyptian Port of Tyre
Also, if you happen to love taking pictures and want to capture the Tyre seaside ruins at the most picturesque time, go right around 4 pm because it technically closes at 4:30 pm. The reason for this is that the sun begins to set, half an hour is enough time to explore this smaller site, and they’ll usually let you linger past 4:30 pm as long as you get in around 4:00 pm. As you explore the Egyptian Port, you can head by the sea and walk the public beach.
Alternatively, you could check out this site earlier in the day and then head straight to Al-Bass, or you could start the day at Al-Bass and then head to the Egyptian Port. Al-Bass Archaeological Site contains a sprawling necropolis with magnificent sarcophagi, a gargantuan Hadrian’s Arch, and the largest Roman hippodrome in the world.
Roman Hippodrome in Tyre, Lebanon
After you wrap up exploring the Roman ruins of Tyre, head back to the old town. Whether you want to grab dinner at Le Phenicien, Al Fanar Restaurant, or Al Fakhoury, you’ve got your pick of Lebanese, Italian, fresh seafood, and even more, all conveniently in one area. We went to Aurelia, a trattoria located along the old harbor. We were, quite frankly, shocked at how good the food was. We ordered grilled octopus and lemon chicken with capers on it. The pizza is also incredible — especially if you love a thinner crust and a ton of flavor. Afterward, grab a drink at Tavolino or stroll the old city before resting up for day two in your hotel.
Day 2: Venture from Qana to Sidon
Qana, a village known best for its religious and historical significance, is roughly 10 kilometers southeast of Tyre. It takes about 15 minutes to reach this biblical town by car. Qana is reportedly the site of Jesus Christ’s first miracle in which he turned water into wine at a wedding in the village. He is also said to have healed a blind man and raised a dead child in Qana’s grotto, making it a popular pilgrimage site for Christians and people with a love for biblical history. Additionally, Qana is the site of the infamous Qana Massacre for those who are interested in visiting a more recent conflict zone with reverence.
Alternatively, you could take a trip down to Naqoura to enjoy the white limestone cliffs and virgin beaches, or spend extra time at Tyre’s nature reserve or public beaches, laying out, swimming, and diving in the Mediterranean.
On our second day, we chose to take a second look at the Roman ruins before departing for Sidon, the epicenter of Phoenician civilization prior to the rise of Tyre once upon a time. In fact, the Bible often referred to the Phoenicians as “Sidonians”, owing to the importance of Sidon as its strongest city-state in that era.
Sidon Sea Castle
One thing you will notice when you visit Sidon is that it is more chaotic than Tyre. Tyre has an ambiance that feels somewhat similar to the perfectly blended old-world charm and lively modernity of Batroun and Byblos, while Sidon is a grungier, busier city. This does not make it necessarily less grand or special than Tyre, but it’s something to be mentally prepared for just so it doesn’t catch you off guard. Having said that, Sidon is safe, tourist-friendly, and astoundingly rich in history.
Saida’s most famous attraction is far and away the Sidon Sea Castle, a Crusader-era fortress built atop a long-destroyed Phoenician temple devoted to the god Melkart. The Sidon Sea Castle is conveniently located along the coastal road and the sea, as its name suggests. After the Crusaders built it, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times over by the Mamluks and put to use as a military barracks, prison, and now, a tourist attraction.
Sidon Sea Castle interior
Nearby to Sidon Sea Castle is St. Louis Castle, another vestige of the Crusader era in Lebanon. Perched atop Murex Hill — a mound of discarded Murex shells used to make the purple dye that made the Phoenicians wealthy merchants, St. Louis Castle was built in the 13th century in honor of King Louis IX who paid for its construction.
This Crusader castle, which played a key role as a military base for Christian forces, features outer walls, an inner keep, three levels, and the remnants of a deep moat. It was used by Muslim rulers, the Ottoman Empire, and the French during each of their respective reigns over the region.
Each of these stops should take a relatively short time to explore unlike Tyre’s archaeological sites, which almost demand you absorb every detail and stroll at your leisure. Fortunately, this will give you more options — especially, if you left Tyre early enough in the day.
If you’re hungry by this point, you’ve got several solid dining options in Sidon, including:
Beit Al Samak
Saida Rest House (it’s also a seaside restaurant)
Shawarma w Saj (if you’re in the mood for Lebanese street food)
After you’ve grabbed lunch or early dinner, wander the labyrinthine Saida souks, which boast the Sidon soap museum, the Khan el Franj, and the Ottoman-style Debanne House Museum. Additionally, you can visit a 13th-century Mamluk mosque, Grand Omari Mosque.
One of the final stops on the Sidon part of this South Lebanon travel guide is the Temple of Eshmoun, one of the only remaining Phoenician sites in Lebanon (along with the Phoenician Wall in Batroun and a couple of other minor temples). The Temple of Eshmoun, a temple dedicated to Eshmoun, the Phoenician god of healing, is located near the Awali river. Truthfully, the site is not as well-preserved as such a significant place should be; however, the temple complex also celebrates the goddess Astarte and has several large structures intact. In ancient times, it was believed the temple served as a sort of hospital in addition to its purpose for worship.
That just about wraps up the second day of your 2-day South Lebanon travel guide. If you’re looking for something to do with another four or five days, so you can pack a whole week of fun into your Lebanon trip, check out our 4-day North Lebanon itinerary!
4-Day Lebanon Itinerary
People Also Ask These Questions About South Lebanon
What are some popular tourist attractions in South Lebanon?
South Lebanon has many popular tourist attractions. For instance, Tyre has several of them, including Tyre's pristine public beaches, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, archaeological sites, and the largest Roman Hippodrome in the entire world. Additionally, tourists can visit Crusader, Muslim, and Phoenician sites in Sidon; Beaufort Castle near the Litani River; Nabatieh; and Qaraoun Lake for boating, fishing, and nearby hiking in the mountains.
What is the culture like in South Lebanon?
South Lebanon offers a diverse range of cultures, heavily influenced by geographical features and religion, such as by the region’s Sunni Muslim and Christian populations. Food, another important way cultures express themselves, is also varied in the region; however, Arab and Mediterranean cuisine are still the main flavors. Modern Lebanese and traditional Lebanese music can be heard throughout South Lebanon, and you can experience year-round festivals in places such as Tyre and Nabatieh. Pottery, embroidery, and weaving are traditional crafts the region is known for, and you can expect the people of South Lebanon to be warm and inviting.
What is the cuisine like in South Lebanon?
Cuisine in South Lebanon is composed primarily of dishes such as grilled meats, seafood, sweets, and mezze (small dishes like tabbouleh, fattoush, stuffed grape leaves, and hummus). As far as drinks, some popular beverages in South Lebanon include arak, an anise-flavored liquor, and fresh juice like orange, pomegranate, and lemon.
Is South Lebanon safe?
South Lebanon is safe for travelers; however, always check current travel advisories and events. The state of the country and the region is ever-changing in a political and security sense, so it’s key to just be prepared. Typically, it is not advisable to go near the Lebanese-Israeli border due to potential conflicts in these disputed borderlands. You should also bring your passport and identification in case you are stopped at checkpoints, a statement that can be said about travel through any region in Lebanon.