City: Beirut
Top Things to do in Beirut
What to do and see in Beirut, Lebanon: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Often called "Paris of the Middle East", Beirut is a thriving hotspot for shopping, socializing and sightseeing, despite many wars and unrest. The city has been rebuilt several times, with modern architecture sharing space with Ottoman and colonial French buildings. Bustling streets such as Hamra and Ashrafieh provide hopping nightlife while the National Museum and the Gibran Museum give visitors a taste of the city's history. The Corniche is the place for activities like jogging and biking.
Restaurants in Beirut
1. Cathedrale Saint Nichan des Armeniens Orthodoxes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Standing on a dominant hill next to the Grand Sérail building, Saint Nichan is the cathedral church of the Armenian Orthodox community of Lebanon. It was built in 1938 in the typical Armenian church architectural-style, but with some Art Déco features. It is surrounded by a small garden with good views of the Lebanese mountains. The cathedral was restored in 2004.
2. Cathedrale St Elie des Grecs-Catholiques
3. Saint-Maron Eglise
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Dedicated to the founder of the Maronite sect, Église Saint-Maron (Knisset Mar Maroun in Arabic), lies at the edge Gemmeyzé and Saifi Village. It was likely built in the late 19th century using the traditional stone architecture of the area. The beautiful interior, with its use of ablaq (i.e. bi-coloured) arches, is reminiscent of Moorish and Pisan architecture. A rather impressive crystal chandelier illuminates the centre of the nave.
4. Evangelical Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
Originally built in 1869 by Evangelical Anglo-American Missionaries on the site of an Ottoman-period girls' school, the National Evangelical Church was the earliest Protestant church to operate in Arabic. The Evangelical Anglo-American Missionaries first arrived in Lebanon in 1848 and proceeded two decades later to build this church. It is located on a high hill in downtown Beirut, near le Grand Sérail, and its clock tower is visible from other parts of Beirut.
