Full-Day Private Tour: Phoenician Cities Sidon Tyre and Maghdouche - From Beirut

Experience two of the most famous Phoenician cities in Lebanon on this full-day guided tour from Beirut. Explore the second largest city ‘Sidon’, the Queen of the Seas ‘Tyre’, as well as Our Lady of Mantara in Maghdouche village. Make the most of your time traveling in an A/C modern vehicle with the personal attention of an expert guide.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sidon - Sidon is an ancient Phoenician city-state situated along the southern coast of Lebanon. It ranks as the third largest city in the country. Renowned for its port facilities since the Phoenician era, ancient Sidon was a thriving, enterprising, and vibrant town, admired and envied by many across the Mediterranean.

  • Crusaders Sea Castle - Constructed in 1228 atop a Phoenician temple, the Sea Castle was built by the Crusaders to protect Saida’s harbor. It stands as a fortress on a small island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. Typical of Crusader architecture, the castle incorporates recycled Roman stones and columns.

  • Khan al-Franj - Khan El Franj in Sidon is an old type of accommodation where travelers and traders could rest and store their goods and animals. Located a short walk south of the Sea Castle, Khan al-Franj was built by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century, providing merchants with a one-stop place for buying and selling cotton and silk. The ground floor served as a marketplace, while the upper floor offered resting quarters for the merchants.

  • Sidon Souks - Explore the traditional souks of Sidon, rich with historic buildings and local shops.

  • Tyre Hippodrome - Part of the Al Bass archaeological site, this well-preserved Roman hippodrome was constructed in the 2nd century AD. It measures 90 meters in width and 480 meters in length, with a capacity of about 40,000 spectators, and was designed for chariot races.

  • Ruins of Tyre - Necropolis - At the entrance of the Al Bass site lies the necropolis of the city from the Roman era. This extensive funerary complex features hundreds of ornate stone and marble sarcophagi, as well as collective tomb structures, several of which still contain bones.

  • Maghdouché - A shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary is located in the village of Maghdouché, near Sidon in southern Lebanon. Known as “Our Lady of Awaiting” or “Mantara,” it is believed that the Virgin Mary waited in a grotto here for Jesus to return from his preaching with his disciples.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Professional Guide
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Location
Sidon
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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Yamareb
Jul 11, 2023
Sidon and Tyre - There are incredible spots! Full of history and life. Rita was full of knowledge. We were very glad to be there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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