The capital of Lebanon has become a discovery for me. The striking mixing of the West and the East, a rich historical heritage, designer boutiques and magnificent mosques, bright nightlife and buildings with traces of shelling, preserved since the war. There are dozens of more interesting places and outside Beirut - beaches and ski resorts, the ruins of the ancient cities and natural reserves. In just 2-3 hours you can reach all the sights of the country.
Where to start a familiarity with Beirut? Walk through the area of Ashrafieh. This hilly residential and commercial district is littered with beautiful traditional French and Ottoman houses, as well as high-altitude office buildings. In this area there is a national museum with a collection of Phoenician and Egyptian artifacts and SURSOCK MUSEUM. Initially, Nicholas Sursoka Museum was the Palace of the Aristocratic Family of Sursok, and now there is one of the most delightful art galleries. You can look at the restaurant owned by the LE Bristol Hotel, located in the historic villa of Linda Sursok to admire the chic interior of the 19th century in the Mauritan style.
Visit Mohammed Al-Amin's Mosque on the Martyrs Square and Al Omari Mosque. In 1291, Mamluki on the site of the ancient ruins of three churches of different eras, created the beautiful Grand Al Omari Mosque from sandstone, which is worth it today.
To admire the sunset, sea and rocks, as well as see the daily life of ordinary Beirut inhabitants, go to the Corniche and Rausha embankments. Here they catch fish and run, smoke hookah and traded out street food. Immediately famous pigeon rocks or RaouChe Rocks. The photo look charmingly, and in real life you do not feel comfortable due to the huge amount of garbage left by tourists and locals.
Gourmets Direct road to SOUK ET-TAYEB farmers market, passing on Wednesday and Saturday, in order to try all the variety of Lebanese cuisine and street food with a tint of local flavors and acquire a fresh baking, fruits and vegetables.
Outside Beirut, it is impossible not to visit Biblos and Baalbek. A trip to Biblos looks a step back in time. Old Fort and Marina, Temples, Amphitheater and Jbeil Souk Market - Not a complete list of attractions of the city leading their history from 5000 BC!
Baalbek - Ruins of the Ancient City, one of the most valuable historical wealth of Lebanon. And although many locals consider this region in dangerous, the number of tourists in Baalbek does not decrease.
This is only a small part of what can be seen in Beirut and its surroundings, and there is still an area of pool and American University of Beirut, Jeit Grotto and the Monumental Statue of the Virgin Mary on Mount Harissa in Junia, the Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve and Tripoli.
Much in Lebanon causes admiration, but there are also disadvantages that can spoil the impression of the trip. It is a terrifying dirt and a heap of garbage in some places, these are annoying beggars, these are colossal and constant traffic jams and very high prices.