Discovering Sidon & Beaufort Castle: Journey Through Time &Beauty
Sidon
About
Embark on a journey through time and beauty as we explore Sidon and Beaufort Castle. In Sidon, one of the world's oldest cities, we'll wander through bustling souks and uncover ancient treasures like the Sidon Sea Castle. Then, we'll ascend Mount Lebanon to behold the awe-inspiring Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortress steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Join us for an unforgettable adventure through Lebanon's rich heritage and natural wonders.
Highlights
8 hours
Offered in Arabic (العربية) & English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
8 hours
Offered in Arabic (العربية) & English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Private transportation
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour leader
Air-conditioned vehicle
Gratuities
Lunch
Important Information
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Specialized infant seats are available
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
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Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
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Sidon, one of the oldest Phoenician cities, was founded in the 3rd millennium BC and became prosperous in the 2nd. Sidon was famous for its purple dyes and glassware and Jesus visited it. During the Crusades, Sidon changed hands several times and was destroyed and rebuilt.
2 hours
2
Crusaders Sea Castle
The Sidon Sea Castle was built by the crusaders in the thirteenth century on a small island, connected to the mainland by a causeway, as a fortress of the holy land. It is one of the most prominent historical sites in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely destroyed by the Mamluks in 1291 and was later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century.
Old prints of the fortress show it to be one of great beauty, but little remains of the embellishments that once decorated its ramparts.
30 minutes
3
Khan al-Franj
Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions. It was built in the beginning of the 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II to be a hotel for ambassadors and a center for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France.
The hotel soon became a center for literature, religion, history, industry and diplomacy. It became a home for culture and civilization.
This is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.
15 minutes
4
Soap Museum - Saida
The Soap Museum is a museum in Sidon specialized in Levantine soaps
The soap workshop was originally built in Sidon by the Hammoud family in the 17th century.
The Soap Museum traces the history of soap making in the region, its development and manufacturing techniques. Visitors can see a demonstration of how traditional olive oil soaps are made and learn about the history of the "hammam" (bath) traditions.
A historical section of the museum introduces artifacts which were found during onsite excavation and which include remains of clay pipe heads dating from the 17th to 19th century as well as pottery fragments. The Museum building is an old soap factory built in the 17th century, although containing parts thought to date back to the 13th century.
30 minutes
5
Sidon Souks
The souk of Sidon is the center of all the commercial activities of retail, as well as craft industry.
The souk is a maze of narrow alleyways with small kiosks, shops and cafes, street merchant, butchers, grocers, shoe-makers, tailors and jewelers.
15 minutes
6
Beaufort Castle
Beaufort Castle stands on a rocky crest above soaring 300-meters, overlooking the Litany River in South Lebanon, and 100 kilometers from Beirut. Beaufort Castle, in Arabic Qalaat el-Shekif, is a mighty fortress standing on a strategic site on the roads of Tyre and the South, but is first and foremost a military stronghold defending the extreme north of the kingdom of Jerusalem.
Beaufort is part of the national heritage. Despite the exterior ruin and the damage caused throughout the long years, the inside is well preserved and in any case the view is superb. The castle is a storehouse of our history.
1 hour
Discovering Sidon & Beaufort Castle: Journey Through Time &Beauty
Sidon
Select Date & Travelers
From
$100.00
Price varies by group size
About
Embark on a journey through time and beauty as we explore Sidon and Beaufort Castle. In Sidon, one of the world's oldest cities, we'll wander through bustling souks and uncover ancient treasures like the Sidon Sea Castle. Then, we'll ascend Mount Lebanon to behold the awe-inspiring Beaufort Castle, a medieval fortress steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Join us for an unforgettable adventure through Lebanon's rich heritage and natural wonders.