Saida and Tyre Tour: A Journey Through Time and Culture
Embark on a journey to two of Lebanon’s most historic coastal cities, Sidon (Saida) and Tyre (Sour). Our expert guides will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a tour that dives deep into Lebanon’s rich history and cultural treasures. Explore Sidon’s ancient sites, lively souks, and unique landmarks before heading to Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its archaeological wonders and historical ruins.
ITINERARY
Stop 1: Sidon (Saida)
Begin your tour in Sidon, one of the world’s oldest Phoenician cities. Known for its traditional crafts like soap and glassmaking, Sidon holds deep cultural and religious significance, being visited by historical figures such as Jesus. Despite destruction during the Crusades, the city was rebuilt and continues to thrive today.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop 2: Crusaders’ Sea Castle
Explore Sidon’s iconic Sea Castle, constructed in the 13th century on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Built by the Crusaders, this fortress offers beautiful views of the sea and stands as a monument to Sidon’s historical significance.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop 3: Khan al-Franj
Visit Khan al-Franj, a historic caravanserai built in the 17th century by Emir Fakhr al-Din II. Once a hub for traders, ambassadors, and travelers, Khan al-Franj is now a center for culture and art with its traditional courtyard and galleries.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop 4: Soap Museum
In the heart of Sidon’s Souk, step into the Soap Museum, an old factory established in the 17th century by the Hammoud family. Learn about traditional Levantine soap-making techniques and browse beautifully crafted soaps to take home.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop 5: Debbane Palace
Continue to Debbane Palace, an exquisite 18th-century Ottoman mansion. Perched above the bustling streets of Sidon’s Old City, this palace showcases elegant reception rooms, vibrant stained-glass windows, and intricate mosaic tiles, making it a unique architectural gem.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop 6: Sidon Souks
Stroll through the lively Sidon Souks, where traditional crafts, small kiosks, authentic restaurants, and jewelry shops offer a glimpse into the city’s vibrant commercial life. The souks are known for their traditional architecture and warm hospitality.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop 7: Tyre (Sour)
Next, we head to Tyre, an ancient Phoenician port city renowned for its purple dye made from murex sea snails. Tyre is home to remarkable archaeological sites, including “Al-Bass” and “Al-Mina,” the ancient Hippodrome, and an array of historical ruins that speak to its storied past.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop 8: Al-Bass Archaeological Site
Visit the Al-Bass Archaeological Site, a vast complex featuring a well-preserved Roman Hippodrome, a 2nd-century Roman road, a triumphal arch, and a sprawling necropolis. The site offers a glimpse into Tyre’s grandeur during the Roman era.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop 9: Tyre Hippodrome
Explore Tyre’s Roman Hippodrome, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 2nd century AD. It is one of the largest and best-preserved Roman hippodromes in the world, showcasing the scale and splendor of ancient Roman architecture.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop 10: Ruins of Tyre - Necropolis
Discover Tyre’s ancient Necropolis, where hundreds of stone and marble sarcophagi from the Roman and Byzantine periods are laid to rest. Some of the sarcophagi are adorned with Greek inscriptions and artistic depictions from works like Homer’s epic poems.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop 11: Egyptian Port
Pass by the Egyptian Port, one of Tyre’s ancient harbors. This southern port, once a bustling hub, is now a busy fishing area where you can still spot remnants of a 750-meter-long mole and ancient underwater structures.
Stop 12: Old Souk’s Heritage Square
End the day at Tyre’s Old Souk, an architectural treasure brimming with life. Wander through the souk’s winding alleys, lined with shops selling gold, copper, vegetables, antiques, and traditional foods like foul and hummus.
Duration: 15 minutes
Know Before You Go:
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Price: Covers private groups of 1-4 people
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Larger Groups: Contact us for custom pricing
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Inclusions: Private air-conditioned vehicle, tour leader, hotel pickup & drop-off
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Exclusions: Lunch, entrance fees, insurance
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