Sights in Beirut

Beirut sights include historical monuments, religious sites and natural attractions. Beirut is a bustling city which is is located near the ocean. Beirut is the capital of Lebanon. The city is equipped with all the necessary tourist amenities and Beirut has a port and an International airport.

Roman Historical Sites

The remains of St. George Maronite Cathedral consists of five columns. These columns were discovered in 1963 and they are a historical site. Located near Bank Street are the remains of Roman baths. These were discovered in 1968 and restorations were done in 1997. In ancient times, the Roman baths were used by the surrounding community. By the Parliament Building are the remains of columns which were found in 1968.

Jeita Grotto

This natural wonder consists of 2 grottoes. Inside is natural artwork. Photography is not permitted inside. Jeita Grotto can be reached by road. The road is busy on Saturdays.

Teleferique

This religious site is located 15 minutes from downtown Beirut. It can be reached by road or by cable car. There are beautiful views of Jounieh Bay.

Museums

The National Museum is a large museum with over 1,300 items on display. Artifacts date back to prehistoric times. A visit to the museum is an educational outing which will help tourists learn more about local history. Sursock Museum is located in a building that was constructed by the Sursocks in the 19th century. It is now owned by the government. The museum exhibits consist of a variety of art. Displays include Japanese and Islamic art. There are permanent as well as temporary collections on show. For children an outing to Planet Discovery offers a fun filled and educational day out. Planet Discovery has a science museum. Children can participate in workshops and conduct a variety of experiments. Performances are held at Planet Discovery.

Baalbeck

Baalbeck consists of Roman temples that were constructed during ancient times. The temples are well preserved. The massive size of the temples show the Roman empire's power and wealth. The temples honor the gods of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. The architecture has both Roman and local influences.

Al-Omari Mosque

This popular attraction draws international tourists. It is a reflection of the multi- cultural nature of the city. The mosque is easily reached by transport services. It was built in the 13th century and is well preserved. The mosque was built on the ruins of a church and it was possibly once the site of a Roman temple. The mosque was damaged during the civil war but it has been restored since then.