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A Lebanese Blog

Tag: tourism

  • La Nuit des Musées 2025 in Lebanon

    After a six-year break, La Nuit des Musées is officially back in Lebanon this summer! Today, July 29, 2025, museums across Beirut and several other cities will open their doors to the public free of charge from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

    This initiative is organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Directorate General of Antiquities, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for residents and tourists alike to rediscover the country’s rich heritage.

    List of Participating Museums:

    📍 Beirut Museums

    • National Museum of Beirut
    • Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum
    • MIM Museum (Mineral Museum)
    • AUB Archaeological Museum
    • AUB Geology Museum
    • Museum of Lebanese Prehistory
    • BDL Bank Museum
    • Villa Audi – Mosaic Museum
    • Nuhad Es-Said Private Museum (Pavillon Nuhad Es-Said)
    • USJ Oriental Library
    • French Institute Gallery – Beirut

    📍 Jounieh

    • USEK Archaeological Museum

    📍 Byblos (Jbeil)

    • Aram Bezikian Museum
    • Byblos Site Museum (Byblos Castle)
    • MACAM – Modern and Contemporary Art Museum
    • Memoire du Temps – Fossil Museum
    • Fondation Louis Cardahi – LAU Byblos

    📍 Tripoli

    • Citadel of Saint Gilles Museum (Tripoli Castle)

    📍 Saida

    • Debbane Palace
    • Khan el Franj
    • The Soap Museum
    • Hammam Al Jadeed
    • Khan Sacy

    Whether you’re into archaeology, fine art, science, or contemporary installations, this is your chance to explore Lebanon’s cultural treasures in a whole new way at night and totally for free.

    This night is also a great opportunity to bring the kids, go on a fun educational outing with friends, or enjoy a different kind of date night. La Nuit des Musées isn’t just about exhibits, it’s a celebration of our shared culture, creativity, and resilience.

  • Lebanon’s Forgotten Train Stations – A Journey Through Time

    Lebanon’s historic railway network was once the artery of regional travel, connecting Beirut to Damascus, Haifa, Tripoli, Rayak, and beyond. Established under Ottoman rule in the late 19th century, it remained operational until the mid‑1970s, when the civil war and rising car ownership brought its decline.

    Beirut – Mar Mikhael Station

    • History & architecture: Opened in 1895, this French-designed station featured high ceilings, a mechanical clock, three platforms, repair facilities, and a rail yard. Services ceased in 1975/76.
    • Post-war revival:
      • In 2014, it was transformed into a popular outdoor bar and events venue. A rusting steam locomotive serves as a DJ booth, blending nostalgia with contemporary urban culture.
      • In 2023, UNESCO and Italy pledged €2 million for its restoration.

    Tripoli Station (El‑Mina)

    • Landmark origins: Built in 1911, this station linked Lebanon with Homs and served as the terminus for the Orient Express during the 1920s–40s.
    • Current state:
      • A war-scarred but hauntingly beautiful site, housing vintage German G7 and G8 locomotives (1895–1906), decaying platforms, and graffiti-adorned walls.
      • It briefly reopened in 2011 for public visits but remains largely neglected.

    Rayak Station – Bekaa Valley

    • The railway hub: Opened in 1895, Rayak was Lebanon’s largest station—featuring repair shops, workshops, a hotel, telecom offices, lounge areas, and even a post office and military center.
    • Decline & proposals:
      • During WWII, it served the French Air Force; during the Lebanese Civil War it was seized by Syrian forces, with some buildings used as detention centers.
      • A proposal in 2010 to convert it into a railway museum failed due to lack of political support.

    Other Stations Along the Coast & Mountains

    • Jamhour & Araya: Jamhour station now serves as a private home; Araya station is draped in greenery and occasionally used as a film location.
    • Aley & Sofar:
      • Aley’s station has been converted into an office for railway authorities.
      • Sofar station which is located near the Grand Sofar Hotel.
    • Bhamdoun Station:
      • Built in 1898, it was central to local development and tourism. It closed in 1983, and bullet-marked ruins remain beside a new highway.

    Suggested Itinerary for Railway Explorers

    1. Beirut Mar Mikhael – start with urban history, nightlife, and architecture.
    2. Drive out the Damascus Highway – passing through Jamhour, Araya, Sofar, Aley, and Bhamdoun for contrasting ruins and hidden stories.
    3. Rayak Station – finish in Bekaa, where the magnitude and tragic industrial heritage linger most visibly.
    4. Tripoli Station – if heading north from Beirut, explore El‑Mina’s overgrown platforms and Orient Express relics.

    Photos via SOBeirut and Moovtoo

  • MEA to Launch Lebanon’s First Low Cost Airline – Affordable Travel on the Horizon?

    Big news is on the horizon for Lebanon’s aviation scene! Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, has announced its intention to launch a new low-cost airline, bringing hope for more affordable travel options to Europe and the region.

    A Fresh Option for Lebanese Travelers

    For years, Lebanese travelers have been calling for cheaper flight options, and now, MEA is responding. The airline plans to establish a fully-owned low-cost subsidiary, set to launch within the next two years with an initial fleet of four aircraft.

    Early destinations are expected to include European hubs like Germany and Denmark, as well as popular regional cities such as Egypt. This could make spontaneous weekend getaways, family visits, and budget-friendly trips much more accessible.

    A Brighter Future for Lebanon’s Travel Sector

    This move comes at a time of broader discussions about upgrading Lebanon’s aviation infrastructure. Plans are in place for a second terminal at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, though construction has not yet started. Additionally, there’s been increasing talk of reactivating Klayaat Airport (Rene Mouawad Airport) in the north, which could soon offer an alternative airport option for travelers.

    • A low-cost airline,
    • A second terminal in Beirut in the future,
    • And the possible reopening of Klayaat Airport
      This combination could be a game changer for Lebanon’s tourism and economy.

    Not only would these developments help cut down travel costs, but they could also encourage more tourists to visit, more expats to return more often, and more opportunities for regional travel.

    What to Expect

    While the details are still unfolding, travelers could benefit from:

    • Lower ticket prices to key destinations
    • More flight options beyond just Beirut
    • Improved travel infrastructure for smoother journeys
    • A positive boost for the tourism industry

    MEA is already forecasting strong growth in passenger numbers, and these developments could make Lebanon a regional travel hub once again.

    Between the upcoming low-cost airline, the planned second terminal, and Klayaat Airport potentially reopening, Lebanon’s skies are looking more open than ever. This is an opportunity to make travel affordable, promote tourism, and reconnect Lebanon with the world in a much easier way.

  • Lebanon Nature Reserves Are Open For Free This Sunday

    Minister of Environment Fadi Jreissati announced earlier this week that Lebanon’s nature reserves will be open for free to the public on Sunday March 10th for the occation of the National Day for Nature reserves.

    Access to the nature reserves isn’t much anyway, as I recall paying around 5,000L.L when I went to Arz El Shouf few years ago, but the announcement comes as a reminder for us all to actually go and learn about the value of these reserve with all the biological diversity they encompass.

    Here’s a list of the available nature reserves in Lebanon from Wikipedia and new other sources:

    • Ehden Forest
    • Nakheel Islands
    • Cedars of Tannourine Forest
    • Chnaneer
    • Arz Jaj
    • Bentael natural reserve.
    • Al Yammouna
    • Arz El Chouf
    • Tyre coast
    • Houjeir Valley
    • Karm Shobat
    • Nature reserves of Ramiyah, Kafra, Beit Leef and Dibil.

    Photos via lebanontraveler.com

  • 40 Art Galleries and Museums in Beirut With Their Locations

    It goes without saying that Reddit has some pretty awesome content that can make even the most boring days more interesting. And for those with interest in Lebanese related stuff, there’s a fairly active subreddit (/r/Lebanon) with daily updates, vintage photos, interesting videos, and more…

    One interesting contribution I came across today is a “cutural map” of Beirut by /u/EDBTZ0323 with locations for 40 prominent museums and art galleries in the city. I imagined it would be quite useful for art lovers and tourists alike and so I thought of sharing it here and you may check on this link.

  • #UberTOUR: Plan a Day Long Trip in Lebanon for $50

    Over the last few months I’ve been relying more on Taxi Hailing apps such as Uber to get around Beirut especially when I’m out with my kid and don’t really want to care about finding a parking spot. The apps are quite convenient and frequently run promo codes, so you end up riding most of the time at a discounted rate.

    A new offering by Uber recently caught my attention so I thought of sharing it here. In an attempt from them to promote tourism within our country, they’re offering what they call the UberTOUR between August 28th and September 11th which basically allows you to hire a driver for 7 hours to take you wherever you want around Lebanon for a $50 flat rate. You can also extend the trip for a maximum of 3 hours at $7.2/hour.

    $50 might sound like too much for some, but when thinking about the gas price and the less stress you have to endure in weekend traffic, in addition to the fact that you can share the ride with a couple of friends, I guess it quickly becomes to sound very reasonable!

    If you intend to use the service simply open the app during the above mentioned period and make sure choose to slide to “UberTOUR” to request an Uber and enjoy your next outing!

  • Awesome Aerial Video From Around Lebanon

    I know YouTube is infested with Lebanese drone shot videos but some just stand out and are too good not to share. The one below is produced by Dark Matters and is available in UHD resoultion, so if you have a suitable display and a hopefully fast connection just let it load in 4K and enjoy the cool shots and music.

  • Five Tourists Lip Synced Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You While Touring Lebanon

    I just bumped into this video on YouTube showing five tourists who documented their journey around Lebanon in an unusual way. They compiled several segments of themselves lip syncing and dancing to the tunes of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You.

    The best thing about the video is that it was shot using a smartphone with no pretentious acting or moves all while showing some nice places around the country, so not much energy was put into it but the resulting video was still pretty cool to watch.

    Among the places that show are Raouche, Jbeil, Batroun, Saida Castle, Saida Old Souk, Harissa, and Baalbeck. I believe if this goes viral then it can easily become one of the best promotional videos for Lebanon!

  • Casino Du Liban Documentary by George Ghanem

    We’re definitely lucky to have somebody like George Ghanem producing documentaries about the recent history of Lebanon for our generation. He has so far produced and contributed in several good documentaries about Lebanon and remarkable Lebanese politicians such as Koullouna Lil Watan, Zaman Rafic Al Hariri, Lady of the Palace and others.

    His most recent work deals with Casino Du Liban and it aired last weekend on MTV in two episodes. Just like Ghanem’s previous documentaries this one was also quite enjoyable as it introduced us to how the casino was established and quickly became a point of attraction until the Lebanese civil war intensified which eventually led to closing it down in 1989 and then reopening it later in 1996. The documentary also of cited the challenges that faced every appointed general manager due to political interference.

    I highly recommend you check it out if you missed it on TV. The two episodes are available on MTV Lebanon website in HD.

    Part 1
    Part 2

  • Tyre Set a World Record for The Largest Fruit Cocktail Cup

    Just when you thought the craze for breaking food related world records is over in Lebanon, a new Guinness record was set in Tyre for the largest fruit cocktail cup that was 2.35m long and weighed around 1 tonne as part of the city’s shopping and tourism festival.

    I really don’t understand why municipalities keep on organizing such event a I personally find them to be really meaningless. At the end it isn’t like the cup is going to last for a whole month there to attract people to the city and really help boost their festival..!