Lebanon
Activities and services nearby
Sodeco
Sodeco is a residential and corporate business area located in the heart of the city of Beirut within Achrafieh. It is characterized by winding streets, coffee shops and large apartment buildings. Sodeco is a prime location for investments, tourists and students as it is home to the National Museum of Beirut, Beirut Hippodrome and Saint Joseph University (USJ). Lebanon’s tallest tower, Sama Beirut, is located in the area and is a major city landmark. In addition, Sodeco Square, a commercial center within Sodeco, hosts important company offices, a wide range of shopping facilities and a movie theatre.
Downtown Beirut
Downtown Beirut, also known as the Beirut Central District, is located in the center of the city and is easily accessible from all parts of the country. It is a historical area with great importance and has a traditional focus on business, finance, culture and leisure. Society’s coexistence is highlighted by the presence of both the Mohammed Al-Amin mosque and the Saint George Maronite Cathedral next to each other, both prominent features of the city’s skyline. Downtown Beirut has Beirut’s biggest shopping strip, Beirut Souks, which hosts more than 200 shops. Zaitunay Bay is also located at the Beirut Marina close to Downtown and is a waterfront boardwalk composed of a variety of restaurants and cafes, retail stores, activity centers and yacht club. Saifi Village, located in Downtown Beirut as well, is a residential upscale neighborhood popular for its picturesque streets, lavish and colorful apartments, art galleries, artisan shops and designer boutiques.
Gemmayze
Gemmayze, also known as Rue Gouraud, is a residential street filled with apartment buildings from the 1950s that has transformed into a commercial and popular area for young people. With its narrow streets, Gemmayze still manages to preserve its traditional Beirut scene with its hole-in-the-wall stores and vintage stairways. Mar Mikhael is a neighboring street to Gemmayze that has recently emerged as a great place for a night out. It is recognized as trendy for its savory culinary scene, art galleries, bars, pubs, colorful cafes, restaurants and lounges.
Hamra
Hamra Street, a famous street in Beirut, is renowned as the lead economic and diplomatic hub in the city of Beirut. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hamra Street or Rue 31 was the main street for plenty of happenings such as intellectual movements and academic activities. Until today, Hamra holds the two most known universities in Beirut, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU). Nonetheless, on the leisure side, Hamra nowadays is a popular tourist spot with its endless cafes, restaurants, theatres and new upscale bars.
Raouche
Raouche is a residential and commercial 10 km seafront promenade in Beirut, known for its numerous restaurants, upscale apartments and cliff-side cafes. Lined with palm trees, the area is popular for its seaside sidewalk called the Avenue de Paris, especially on weekends and evenings where the pavement is crowded with cyclists and joggers. Off the coast of Raouche, two huge rock formations known as the spectacular Pigeon Rocks can be viewed. It is a romantic spot for couples looking to watch a beautiful sunset and a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Harissa
Harissa is a beautiful village in the Keserwan district of the Mount Lebanon Governerate, famous for its panoramic view of the city lights at night. It is accessible from the coastal city of Jounieh either by road or a nine-minute ride on the Telepherique. Our Lady of Lebanon, an important Lebanese pilgrimage site and church, attracts both pilgrims to the shrine and tourists who simply want to enjoy views of the bay of Jounieh. A common tourist recommendation is to go on a day roadtrip to the famous Jeitta Grotto, a cave considered as one of Lebanon’s greatest landmarks, then pass through Harissa and continue on to Byblos.
Byblos
Byblos, famous for its rich history derived from the Phoenicians, is a Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate. Byblos is home to plenty of historical buildings such as the Saint Jean-Marc Church, Byblos Castle, Byblos Wax Museum and Byblos Fossil Museum. During the day, the Old Souk is filled with small local shops that sell traditional souvenirs and crafts; while at night, the scene shifts to cozy bars and cafes. It is a main tourist spot especially in the summer where the Byblos International Festival is held. At the Jbeil fishing port, the best outdoor seafood restaurants and cafes are found where visitors can take a quick boat ride after their meal.
Faraya
Faraya, which stands for the land of fruits and vegetables, is a famous village located in the Keserwan district of the Mount Lebanon Governorate. In the summer, the annual Mzaar Summer Festival is held there, gathering people from all over Lebanon for a social and cultural event. In the winter, however, Faraya is known for its cold climate due to its elevation of an average of 1,850 meters above sea level. For this reason, it is a popular ski destination in the winter with cozy chalets and trendy restaurants in the area.