Recently Viewed
Small Group Tour to Tripoli and Batroun: Explore the Rich History and Architecture
Tripoli
Embark on a small-group tour to Tripoli and Batroun in Lebanon. Explore the rich history and architecture of Tripoli, visit the old Phoenician city of Al Mina Tripoli, and discover the ancient city of Batroun. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- 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 12th-13th century Crusader structures, several 14th century Mamluke additions, and modifications made by the Ottomans in 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 provide information 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 to the second prayer hall is a unique example of architectural decoration in Tripoli during the Mamluke era.
- Souk Al-Harajb - The souks of Tripoli are marvelous, offering visitors a chance to step into a unique, busy, and colorful world and gain insight into centuries-old traditions. Wandering through the souks with their lively passageways and 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 more.
- Khan Al-Khayyatin - The Khayyatin Khan is part of the Tripoli 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 features 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.
- 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.
- Hallab 1881 - Since 1881, 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 around the globe.
- El Mina Port - Al-Mina is a coastal town in Tripoli, occupying the location of the old Phoenician city of Tripoli and serving as the harbor city for modern neighboring Tripoli. It has nine islands, four of which have been declared natural reserves to help breed fish and preserve their natural habitat.
- Batroun - Batroun is one of the world’s oldest cities. Located along the Mediterranean coast in northern Lebanon, this city is known for its ancient castles and churches, quality citrus fruits, beaches, and modern nightlife. Batroun was a Phoenician metropolis established more than three millennia ago.
- Phoenician Wall - The ancient Phoenician sea wall was originally a natural structure composed of petrified sand dunes. The Phoenicians gradually reinforced it with rocks, and the wall as it stands today took its present shape in the first century BC. The Phoenicians used this wall as protection against sea storms and invaders, while during Roman times it also functioned as a quarry. The wall is 225 meters long and 1 to 1.5 meters thick. Parts of it have crumbled, but what remains still stands as a bulwark against the sea for the residents of the ancient city.
- Hilmi’s House of Lemonade - Hilmi’s lemonade is the perfect blend of sweetness and zest, made with fresh ingredients. Hilmi’s has been making lemonade since 1888. It also offers delicious smoothies and ice cream, all made in-house using fresh produce and locally sourced goods.
What's Included
- All entrance fees
- Lunch
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Tour leader
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Discover Tripoli and Batroun on a captivating all-inclusive small-group tour. Explore Lebanon’s second-largest city, visit iconic landmarks like Citadel St Giles, vibrant souks, and historic mosques. Immerse yourself in history and culture, marveling at Crusader- and Mamluk-era architecture. Journey to Al Mina Tripoli, steeped in Phoenician heritage, then to Batroun, one of the world’s oldest cities. Enjoy a delicious lunch and return to Beirut after a memorable exploration of these fascinating locales.
Location
Tripoli
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
More activities from this operator
