Friday 18 March 2016

LEBANON: Beirut City

Beirut is the capital city of Lebanon - a country that is located in the Middle East at the crossroads of the Arabian hinterland and the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon's largest city deserves much attention due its historical and geographical landmarks. The city boasts of warm-hearted hospitality, eateries offering delectable delicacies, seductive beaches with clear water, and various other entertainment and picturesque spots.

If you are a tourist, then it is important that you understand where is Beirut located. It is about 58 miles (94 km) north of the Lebanon-Israel border. The city is flanked by Lebanon mountains on the southeast and has a triangular shape due to its geographic location between two hills: Al-Musaytibah and Al-Ashrafieh. Beirut is located on a peninsula at the midpoint of the Mediterranean coast in Lebanon. The coast contains sandy shorelines, rocky beaches, and cliffs that lie beside one another. Rafic Hariri International Airport is situated on the southern suburbs of the country. Moreover, the Port of Beirut, located at northern part of the city, also serves as an entry point in the city.

Want to know where is Beirut's best tourist spots and entertainment sites?? Beit Mery is the most popular summer retreat that offers picturesque views of Beirut city center and the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can also view ancient relics of the past in the area including remains of various small ancient Roman sanctuaries. During summer months, visitors can also enjoy boat tours around the Pigeon Rocks, which is the city’s most famous natural landmark. Corniche in Beirut is a great spot for a stroll during the afternoon with the waterfront promenade lined with cafés offering nargileh pipes or hookah.

Then there is the National Museum in Beirut that offers an assortment of artifacts and national treasures including bronze Phoenician statues. Phoenicians who lived in the city during the first Millennium B.C dominated the sea trade in the Mediterranean region a thousand years before the Portuguese.

The Heritage trail is another great attractive spot in Beirut. It is a 2.5 km walking circuit that connects the historical places of interests, archaeological sites, and monuments and reflects rich past of the city. The trail starts and ends at the City History Museum located on the ancient Tell Area.

Other points of interest in Beirut include the Beirut Art Center, Archaeological Museum showcasing ancient pottery and flint stones, the René Moawad Garden, the Sursock Museum, Beirut Art Center, lime stone caves at Jeita Grotto, and Souk El Tayeb - an open air market that offers Lebanese pastries, homemade pickled vegetables, olives, fruits, rose water, Markook bread, and various other delicacies. Now that you know where is Beirut, why not make the city you next tourist destination.

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