Embark on a private half-day tour to Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city. Explore historical sights, cultural highlights, and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this coastal city.
Embark on a private half-day tour to Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city. Explore historical sights, cultural highlights, and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of this coastal city.
- Tripoli - Tripoli, known in Arabic as Ṭarābulus, is a city and port in northwestern Lebanon. Situated on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Abu Ali River, it is located 50 miles (80 km) north-northeast of Beirut. Tripoli is an ancient city dating back to the Phoenician era and is one of Lebanon’s oldest cities, alongside Byblos, Tyre, and…
- Tripoli - Tripoli, known in Arabic as Ṭarābulus, is a city and port in northwestern Lebanon. Situated on the Mediterranean coast at the mouth of the Abu Ali River, it is located 50 miles (80 km) north-northeast of Beirut. Tripoli is an ancient city dating back to the Phoenician era and is one of Lebanon’s oldest cities, alongside Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon. Forty-five buildings in the city, many from the 14th century, are registered as historical sites. Twelve mosques from the Mamluke and Ottoman periods have survived. Secular buildings include the hammam (bathing-house), the souks, and the khans, which form a cluster of various trades.
- Citadel Saint Gilles (Qal’at Sinjil) - Overlooking Tripoli is the imposing Citadel of Tripoli, known as Qal’at Sinjil (Saint Gilles), which has been renovated and altered many times throughout its history. Today, the castle features an octagonal Fatimid construction converted into a church by the Crusaders, some Crusader structures from the 12th-13th centuries, several 14th-century Mamluke additions, and Ottoman additions from the 16th century. The current state of this massive fortress (140 meters long and 70 meters wide) is largely due to extensive restoration work by Mustafa Barbar Agha, the governor of Tripoli at the beginning of the 19th century.
- Al Mansouri Mosque - Begun in 1294 and completed in 1315, the Great Mosque or Al Mansouri Mosque was built on the ruins of the 12th-century Crusader cathedral of St. Mary of the Tower. Its large courtyard is surrounded by a vaulted prayer hall. Inside, elements of Western architecture from the old church can still be seen, including the northern entrance and the Lombard-style bell tower, which was transformed into the minaret. The many foundation plaques and decrees inscribed in the Great Mosque not only inform us about the building but also reveal details of daily life during the Mamluke period.
- Taynal Mosque - Taynal Mosque, built in 1336 by Saif Ed-Dine Taynâl on the site of a ruined Crusader church, is an important mosque. The adjoining domed mausoleum holds the tomb of the founder. Some elements of the original structure were reused in the mosque, such as the two rows of granite columns with late Roman capitals, which stand in the middle of the first prayer hall. The entrance of the second prayer hall is a unique example of architectural decoration in Tripoli during the Mamluke era.
- Souk Al-Harajb - Tripoli’s souks are marvelous, allowing visitors to step into a unique, busy, and colorful universe and gain insight into centuries-old traditions. Meandering through the souks with their lively passageways and small hidden alleys, filled with a plethora of smells, sounds, and colors, is like stepping into a theater filled with fantastic characters, props, and stories. There are nine souks in total in Tripoli: Attareen, Bazerkan, Haddadin, Haraj, Kameh, Koundarjiyeh, Nahhasin, Samak, and Sayyaghin. Besides the food souk, which offers plenty of fresh produce as well as meat, fish, and much more.
- Khan Al-Khayyatin - The Khayyatin Khan is part of Tripoli’s souks. It is a long rectangular building, about 40 by 80 meters, with a covered central courtyard and shops on either side. As the name Khan al Khayyatin implies, the khan housed and still houses tailors and other related trades such as needles, thread, and sewing machines.
- Tripoli Soap Factory Khan el masriyen - The Khan As Sabon (Soap Khan) was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century. Originally intended to serve as a military barracks to garrison Ottoman troops, it was purposely built in the center of the city to enable the pasha to control any uprising. It is a large rectangular structure with two-story arcaded corridors running around a fountain courtyard.
- Hammam Al Jadid - Hammam El-Abed is the only functioning hammam in Tripoli, probably built at the end of the 17th century. It has the typical pierced domes of Mamluke and Ottoman-era public baths. The interior, with its cushions, central fountain, and traditional fittings, is a living museum.
- Hammam al-Jadid - Hammam Al-Jadid, built around 1740 and called the “New Bath,” is the largest hammam in Tripoli. Although it has not been in operation since the 1970s, its faded grandeur still stirs the imagination.
- Ezzeddine Hammam - Hammam Izzed-dine is a public bathing house given to Tripoli by its Mamluke governor ‘Izz ed-Dîne Aybak. The governor, who died in 1298, is buried in a mausoleum beside the hammam. The Hammam ‘Izz ed-Dîne was in continual use until recently and is now under restoration.
- Rachid Karami International Fair - On the grounds of the Tripoli International Fair (Rashid Karameh International Exhibition Center) in Lebanon, one finds one of the five largest exhibition centers in the world. The 15 structures, designed by legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in 1963, remain unfinished due to the project’s abandonment during the country’s civil war in 1975.
- Hallab 1881 - Since 1881, and originating from Tripoli, Abdul Rahman Hallab has been a pioneer in the world of Lebanese sweets. Today, “Kasr El Helou” is considered one of Tripoli’s most renowned landmarks, visited by thousands of people from all parts of the globe.
- El Mina Port - Al-Mina is a coastal town in Tripoli. It occupies the location of the old Phoenician city of Tripoli and acts as the harbor city for modern neighboring Tripoli. It has nine islands, four of which have been declared natural reservations to help breed fish and preserve their natural habitat.
- Private transportation
- Tour Leader
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Private transportation
- Tour Leader
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Entrance fees to the sites
- Lunch
- Entrance fees to the sites
- Lunch
Embark on a captivating journey through history and culture with our Private Half-Day Tour to Tripoli from Beirut. Nestled in the heart of Lebanon, Tripoli beckons with its rich tapestry of ancient landmarks, bustling markets, and vibrant local life. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, delve into the secrets of this enchanting city as you wander…
Embark on a captivating journey through history and culture with our Private Half-Day Tour to Tripoli from Beirut. Nestled in the heart of Lebanon, Tripoli beckons with its rich tapestry of ancient landmarks, bustling markets, and vibrant local life. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, delve into the secrets of this enchanting city as you wander through its labyrinthine streets, marvel at its architectural wonders, and immerse yourself in its storied past. From the imposing Crusader fortress to the bustling souks brimming with exotic treasures, this personalized tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Tripoli’s captivating allure.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.