City: Beirut
Top Things to do in Beirut
What to do and see in Beirut, Lebanon: The Best Things to do
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. Mim Museum - Mineral Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 307 reviews
mim is a private mineral museum in Beirut, Lebanon. It exhibits more than 1800 minerals, representing some 400 different species from over 70 countries. Created by nature itself, those works of art with their breathtaking aesthetics were formed in earth’s crust millions of years ago. Mr. Salim Edde has built up this collection starting 1997. You can discover pieces originating from a number of renowned collections --both old and more recent-- as well as from the major mining discoveries of our era. The mim collection is now considered to be one of the world's paramount private collections for the variety and quality of its minerals. A didactic circuit, accompanied by screens displaying films and scientific applications of mineralogy, will reveal a world of unsuspected marvels--priceless both from an aesthetic and scientific point of view. Mimodactylus libanensis “mimo”, the fossil of a pterodactyl is featured in a special wing. This one-of-a-kind complete specimen in the Middle-East was found in Lebanon. It is promoted by means of state-of-the-art modern techniques: a hologram, an auto-stereoscopic movie, a full-scale reconstitution and a game “fly with mimo” – an entertainment that delights children and adults. Moreover, mim hosts a thematic exhibition of 200 marine fossils. “Fish’n’Stone” was organized with the collaboration of Mémoire du Temps. Known throughout the world, those fossils were quarried in the Lebanese mountains. The history of the fossil formation is shown through an animation that submerses you in the marine life – a time capsule that takes you in a journey to some 100 million of years ago.
Reviewed By Ana_L_23 - Navan, Ireland
As a Mining engineer, I have visited several museums of this kind in the World, and I have to say, this is the best, so far. Very good collection, excellent way how minerals are displayed, and amazing interactive screens where we can learn everything about the minerals. You can easily spend hours there. Good place to take the kids. And maybe one of the top sites in Beirut.
2. American University of Beirut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 771 reviews
Reviewed By ofolokekolo - Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Located between a very busy city street and the Corniche, this beautiful garden forest offers to visitors the opportunity to enjoy the perfect match between arquitectura and nature, while being energized by the presence of young students all over the place. I spent almost 3 wonderful hours enjoying the environment and relaxing my mind between forest and sea view. The access It is totally free but your passport is required! Does miss it in your next visit to Beirut!
3. National Museum of Beirut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,479 reviews
Reviewed By TravelerMaria22
Fabulous building, beautiful well archived and explained collection, a lot of history on display, friendly staff, great museum shop. One of the best museum I have ever visited.
4. Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 786 reviews
Reviewed By jeanphonse1 - Ottawa, Canada
Beautiful Islamic architecture. The imam of the mosque makes a historical introduction about the building and the surroundings in Beirut
5. Zaitunay Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,125 reviews
The Zaitunay Bay certainly exceeds all expectations and transcends the national borders to further polish Lebanon’s image and allow it to assume its rightful position as a touristic destination, but more importantly, as an exclusive and luxurious destination rivaling the best the world has to offer. Being the go-to place for all the Lebanese, Zaitunay Bay also inevitably is a prominent touristic destination. A must-see destination offering an array of various, cultural, leisure and social activities which finally brings back those faded photographs of Lebanon into the new millennium.
Reviewed By kavishand
Nice marina with a beautiful view and has a severel cafes and restaurants to experience the Lebanese cuisine and lifestyle. Nice place to visit.
6. Pigeon Rocks in Raouche
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,149 reviews
Reviewed By DG_global - Montreal, Canada
People gather along the Corniche across from Raouché Rocks to watch the sunset. Spectacular. We were lucky to have a great seat at Bay Rock cafe to watch sun go down. We ordered a 1/2 bottle of Rosé wine and it was 2 for 1 so we got a full one. Perfect.
7. Corniche Beirut
8. Hamra Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,382 reviews
Reviewed By NivesM50
A lively place both by day and by night, with a few interesting restaurants and patisseries, and on the adjacent street is the cult Barbar, perhaps the most popular fast food in Beirut ... There are interesting cafes in the neighboring streets, some with live music and a great atmosphere ...
9. Beirut Souks
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,729 reviews
Reviewed By 956lolam - Princeton, United States
The soups are very pleasant place to walk around and enjoy the scenery, there are a lot of amazing stores and various sections or you could walk around and there’s dining options as well it’s a really really nice place to go and spend time. I went there during the day because there were some protest at night so I haven’t gone there at night, but I went during the day and everything is fine, the stores are open, everything is peaceful and good and normal.
10. Gemmayzeh Street
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 625 reviews
Described as the "Greenwich Village" or "Soho" of Beirut, Gemmayze is a residential neighbourhood that has emerged as one of Beirut's trendiest districts. It is bordered by Saifi Village/Downtown Beirut to the west and Achrafieh to the south and its main thoroughfare, rue Gouraud, contains many popular restaurants and bars. The district has some beautiful traditional as well French-mandate architecture and is charming day and buzzing by night.
Reviewed By Joseph52
Going one year to the school in Gemmayzeh, I recall the street as sad and grim They transformed it to a major alley full of lights, restaurant and night clubs, just amazing and a must during your visit to Beirut.
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