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| Walking along the Corniche . |
Only a few years ago, Beirut was synonymous with the civil war that ravaged the country and its people for 15 years. Yet, before the war, Beirut was known as the Paris of the East. Today, the city is dusting itself off and rising to the challenge of rebuilding itself as a thriving metropolis.
Casino Du Liban
With a population of 1.5 million, Beirut is the capital of Lebanon as well as its largest city. Thanks to its excellent port, it has been an important centre of trade for some 7,000 years. Seafaring Phoenician merchants from Byblos expanded the city. Beirut was taken by the Arabs in the 7th century, the Crusaders in the 12th, the Mamelukes in the 13th and the Ottomans in 1516. After WWII, Lebanon fell under French rule and Beirut was declared the capital city. Standing at the crossroads of the East and West, it soon became a centre of arts and culture, attracting many European residents with its vibrant opera, music and theatre scene as well as many restaurants and hotels. The Casino du Liban welcomed elite figures from the Arab and European high society and aristocracy. Lebanon became independent in 1943; some 30 years later, it found itself mired in a bitter civil war that would last until 1989. The hotels closed, the restaurants sat empty and the European population fled. Nevertheless, the city is determined to embrace the future. Today, Beirut is undergoing a rapid and massive reconstruction. Completely flattened during the war, the Centre Ville (Downtown) is being rebuilt from the ground up by a large corporation called Solidere. Millions of tons of rocks have gone into constructing a breakwater that will protect the old port area, the new marina and the new coastal road. And that is just the beginning...
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| Place De L'Etoile |
Place De L'Etoile
The most popular venues in the Centre Ville are located on the Place De L'Etoile. Cafes, restaurants and patisseries have opened in its restored buildings. It is hard to believe that only a few years ago, this lively square was filled with the sound of ringing gunshots. Monot Street in the region known as Achrafieh is the centre of Beirut's vibrant nightlife that rivals that of any city in Europe. If you want to enjoy a leisurely stroll, head to the Corniche. Those interested in history and archaeology must visit the National Museum that reopened in 1999. During the war, the museum director personally wrapped thousands of objects and put them into storage in order to protect them from harm. After the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri on February 14, some feared that Lebanon would return to its war-torn days. Instead, Beirut's squares were filled with Lebanese calling for peace. Like the mythical phoenix, Beirut is rising from its ashes.
Beirut Guide
How to get there
THY and Middle East Airlines have four direct flights a week from Istanbul to Beirut.
Visas
People of all nationalities need a visa to enter Lebanon. If your passport has an Israeli stamp or visa, you will not be given a visa.
Telephone dialling codes
Lebanon: 961. Beirut: 1.
Currency
Lebanese Pound or Lira. 1 EUR=1945 Pounds 1 USD=1514 Pounds, 1 YTL=1124 Pounds
Climate
Beirut has a typical Mediterranean climate. Snow can be found on the country's mountains as late as April. The Bekaa Valley has a typical inland climate.
Where to stay
Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel: 5* A glamorous, luxurious and popular hotel. The café-bar on the ground floor is always full. Famous for its buffet dinner featuring French, Japanese, Italian and Lebanese fare. Minet El Hosn, Phoenecia Street. Tel: 961 1 369 100. phoenicia@interconti.com Hotel Albergo: (special) Located in one of Beirut's oldest and loveliest neighbourhoods. 33 romantic suites. 137 Abdel Wahab El Inglizi Street. Tel: 961 1 339 797. www.albergobeirut.com Crown Plaza Hotel: 5* Located in Hamra, Beirut's lively business and shopping district. The bar on the top floor has a great view. Tel: 961 1 754 755. www.cpbeirut.com Radisson SAS Martinez Hotel: 4* Located downtown. New, comfortable rooms. Ain El Mreyseeh Area. Tel: 961 1 368 111. www.beirut.radissonsas.com Legend Hotel: 4* In a new neighbourhood and near the newly opened shopping centres. Verdun, Ain El Tineh. Tel: 961 1 860 110
Where to eat
Abdel Wahab: Located in Achrafieh, the centre of Beirut's nightlife. A great place to try Lebanese cuisine. An elegant and popular restaurant. Abdel Wahab El Inglizi Street, 51. Tel: 01 200 550. Al Mijana: With its spacious garden and beautiful decor, this is one of Beirut's most popular venues. We recommend the set menus that feature select fare from the Lebanese cuisine. Abdel Wahab Street, Achrafieh, Beirut. Tel: 01 328 082. Burj El Hamam: Considered by many to be the best Lebanese restaurant in Beirut. Famous for its grilled quail. Broumana Main Road, Broumana. Tel: 04 961 948.
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* Daily tours of the ancient cities of Baalbek, Byblos and Sidon leave from Beirut. Baalbek is home to the largest ruins of Roman temples in the world, Byblos is the 'oldest continuously inhabited city in the world' and the Alexander Sarcophagus in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum was found in Sidon. * On the way to Baalbek, make sure to try some Bekaa wines in the wine cellars of Zahle, the most important city in the Bekaa Valley. Ksara wines are particularly famous . * One night, try your luck at the Casino Du Liban, a charming Lebanese institution. * Fossils collected in the Lebanese mountains are sold in the old market in Byblos. * To see the monumental cedar trees that have become a symbol of Lebanon, visit the national park near the city of Bcharre. 12 cedar trees in the park are over a thousand years old. * The covered bazaar in Tripoli is a hive of activity. |
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