We’ve said it once before, Beirut truly is the Paris of the Middle East – but there’s so much more to see and do in Lebanon. Here are four of our favorite day trips from Beirut, from stunning hikes to hidden cities and beach towns.

Despite being a small country, Lebanon’s geography is wild and offers a little bit of everything for all types of travelers. Let’s breakdown these day trip itineraries from Beirut by region.

Day trip to Al Chouf/Al Shouf

Start your first day trip to Al Shouf at the Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. Dubbed as the largest nature reserve in Lebanon, Al Shouf is home to some of the oldest documented forests in the world. Mostly known for its ancient cedars, some estimated to be around 2,000 years old, Al Shouf is a popular destination for morning hikes and trekking with several trails ranging from easy to difficult. Note that there are several entry points due to the enormity of the land but all lead you to the same trails. Check out how to get to the Al Shouf Nature Reserve here.

You can also enjoy freshly made cedar honey at several of the visitor’s centers and opt to purchase the sweet souvenirs to take home.

As you exit the Nature Reserve, you will drive through several small villages one of which being Ain w Zain. There you can explore the Ain Wazein Grotto or caves, and especially the natural formations that resulted from the accumulation of water under pressure! The Grotto was only discovered recently in 2003 and took 3 years of preparation to accept visitors.

Next, head over to the royal Beiteddine Palace. Built in the 19th century, this palace has seen several empires come and go. It was built by the ruler Emir Bashir II, and was used by the Ottomans. Under the French mandate, it functioned as a government building. More recently, it was declared as the president’s official summer residence and we fully understand why! The architecture is incredible and its preservation is even more impressive.

If you’re yearning for a mid-day pick me up, head over to Mir Amin Palace Hotel & Restaurant. For such a luxurious place I was surprised by the great prices, and amazing mountain top views.

From the ancient palace take a detour to visit the very obscure Qasr Moussa. From its name, one can assume that its yet another glorious castle but the truth is this castle is really a bitter façade. Here’s a story of a man that dedicated 60 years of his life to building his own castle to impress a girl, yes that’s right it was all for a girl who had rejected him in the past. Qasr Moussa is probably one of the most bizarre attractions I’ve ever visited, and highly reminiscent of Robert Ripley’s collections. Probably the strangest little detail in the castle is the front gate that has two entrances one smaller than the other. The small one specifically made for the girl, so she can bow down if she were to ever enter the building. The site holds a massive collection of ancient weapons, tools and jewelry in addition to several exhibitions of the founder Moussa Al Maamary’s personal sculptures. It is in the end, a sight to see.

Wrap up at Qasr Moussa and step back in time in the town of Deir Al Qamar. Once the capital of the Emirate of Mount Lebanon under the Ottoman Empire, this historic town is a pleasant glimpse of how simple powerful cities once were. Although there are several attractions such as the palace, the souqs, and museums my favorite was strolling through the old neighborhoods. Keep scrolling to see why for yourself!

In disguise as a restaurant, the Baakleen Waterfalls (sometimes spelled Baakline) are the perfect way to end your day trip to Al Shouf. You must enter the Shallalat Al Zarka restaurant to reach the falls, and quite frankly after a long day touring Al Shouf this is a perfect way to finish off. Depending on what time of the year you’re visiting, you may even get to enjoy a swim in the falls.

Day trip to the South of Lebanon

The diversity of Lebanon is remarkable, and the South is no different. Start off your day trip to the south by visiting Saida and finish off in Tyre. Here’s exactly how to do that.

Only 45 minutes outside of Beirut is the city of Saida or Sidon, the third largest city in Lebanon. Saida gets its name from the Phoenician word for fishing town, and that it is. As you enter the town you’ll be greeted by the Sidon Sea Castle, which was built by the Crusaders in 1228.

Enjoy breakfast or lunch at the waterfront Saida Rest House. Then catch a motorboat to a Zireh Island, where you’ll find many locals enjoying a swim – if you’ve got time and are up for it join them!

Make sure to enjoy the promenade through the historic souq or market and marvel at the unique architecture and many wooden windows.

Through the souq you’ll reach Khan El Franj, essentially the living and trading quarters for French merchants in the 16^thcentury.

We couldn’t fit everything in our half-day itinerary, but if you do spend more time in Tyre check out the Soap Museum and the Debbane Palace. 

Drive another 45 minutes further south and you’ll reach Tyre, or a town locally known as Sour (pronounced soor). Tyre is a prominent tourist destination in Lebanon but also embraces a rich history. Originally, the city had two harbors, which is why it was important historically.

The Romans heavily fortified the city in the 2^nd century and you can visit those remains today at the Tyre Necropolis.

Head closer to the port and downtown and walk through the colorful and photogenic Christian quarter.

Frankly, spending a half-day in Sur/Tyre doesn’t do it justice and we highly recommend staying overnight instead. Here are our top hotel selections in Tyre.

Dar Alma– imagine a luxurious summer day in Mykonos, Greece but instead in Tyre, Lebanon. Dar Alma gave us all the Greek island vibes and if you aren’t spending the night then at least enjoy a snack at their beachfront restaurant. Unfortunately, Dar Alma books up pretty fast so here are alternatives also in the Christian quarter El Boutique Hotel and Dar Camelia.

Now if you’re feeling wildly adventurous and got time to spare, I suggest going even further south to the very border of Lebanon and checking out Al Naqoura. There are two great things to do in this small city. Our favorite was trekking down to the Naqoura Sea Wall – although you must be very careful as you cross the narrow wall. This was certainly tricky to find and after several trips up and down the highway, our best tip is to look for the Tyros Resort. The resort’s entrance forks and towards the left side is a small trail to the sea wall.

The second great thing to do in Al Naqoura is gifting yourself a wondrous sunset view at Amwaj Al Bayyada (known online as the Bayada Rock cafe).

Day trip to the North of Beirut

This is for the hiking and nature lovers out there. Do not miss visiting Jabal Moussa! Another biosphere reserve an hour north of Beirut. In less than 30 minutes of hiking, you can reach a stunning viewpoint of the emerald Ibrahim River running through the reserve. Another 30 minutes will get you to the edge of the water, although in my opinion the view is better from above.

Moving along with our water theme for this day trip, visit the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, also known as Balou Balaa, which was named as one of the best waterfalls in the world. Here you can witness meltwater dropping 250 meters through several layers of rock formations and dumping into a cave. This day trip is best in the spring or early summer when the water is abundant and you can see the full cycle.

Depending on what you visit the gorge, you might be lucky and get a chance to ride the small cablecar. And the views are spectacular!

Certainly not as impressive as the Baatara Gorge is the Afqa Waterfalls, but a fun place to visit in its own way. The Afqa waterfalls are under construction to better accommodate visitors, however, it’s a refreshing place to take a dip and enjoy the remnants of the ancient Roman aqueduct.

Day trip further North to Byblos & Al Batrun

We loved our day trip here so much that we dedicated a full post on what to do in Byblos, which you can find here! Byblos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its bustling market, ancient remains and cozy architecture.

Saving the best for last, and possibly one of our new favorite cities – Al Batrun. This destination is an often-visited beach town and tourist destination for locals. There isn’t a ton of sites to see, but a plethora of relaxing seaside activities, restaurants and boutiques. Here’s what to do in Al Batrun.

Let’s start off by some of the landmarks of the town, the first and most famous is the “Our Lady of the Sea Church” residing by the ancient Phoenician Wall that was once built for protection from the tidal waves. A very picturesque attraction right by the water.

Further up the coastline, you can spot the ruins of Maqaad el Meer or The Prince’s Seat Rock.

From there venture into the old souq. Although not as lively as others souqs it surely has its own charm. You’ll be very close to the port where you can get a glimpse of the intricate Mar Estephan Cathedral.

Throughout the old town, you’ll find it worth taking a stroll through the many historic buildings and neighborhoods. So old, that recently the Lebanese government purchased 7 historic homes and transformed them into small museums dedicated to the country’s emigrants. The project was named the Lebanese Diaspora Village and includes dedicated spaces memorializing emigrants from Canada, USA, UAE, Mexico, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Africa, Australia and Russia.

Onto where to eat while visiting Al Batroun. There are several notable establishments but our favorites were Chez Maguy, for their impeccable oceanfront views, Barrio 67, which is located in the heart of the old souq, Colonel Beer brewery for their open beer-garden.

And last but not least Hilmi’s House of Lemonde. Hilmi’s is a 100 year old family business that has been flourishing in Al Batroun since it’s inception, and quite frankly it was some of the best lemonade I’ve ever had!

If you’re looking for relaxing activities while in Al Batroun, check out Darma Ji Guesthouse & Yoga Studio. The space is wonderfully decorated and very soothing – a great way to wrap up your day in the beach town. 

Now, the truth is this isn’t really a day trip. You’re going to want to stay overnight and probably several nights. So here are our suggestions for the best boutique accommodation in Al Batrun.

Owned by the same family are Blue Bird apartment rentals and the luxury Blue Marlin beach house. A great boutique hotel option is L’Auberge de La Mer just a few steps away from the old souq. Nearby, there’s also the stunning Blue Moon studio here.

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