Private Beiteddine, Moussa Castle, Deir el Qamar & Sidon Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. 9:00 AM — Pickup from your Beirut hotel Your friendly knowledgeable driver meets you at your hotel and heads southeast into the beautiful Chouf Mountains — pine-forested ridges rising above the Lebanese coast as you climb toward Beiteddine.

   Passes by

2. Beiteddine Palace — a jewel of Lebanese heritage Arrive at one of the most impressive palaces in the entire Arab world — built between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the powerful ruler who unified Lebanon's mountain communities. Three beautifully decorated interconnected courtyards with hand-cut tilework, carved cedar-wood ceilings, and ornate reception halls give you a wonderful sense of Lebanon's royal history and craftsmanship. Do not miss the underground museum beneath the palace — home to Lebanon's finest collection of Byzantine mosaics, floor panels of extraordinary colour and beauty that most visitors are delightfully surprised to discover. Today the palace serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President.

   1 h

3. Moussa Castle — one man's extraordinary dream Just minutes from Beiteddine is one of the most charming and most unique attractions in all of Lebanon. Moussa Castle is a full-scale medieval castle built entirely by one Lebanese man — Moussa Maamari — who spent sixty years constructing it by hand, stone by stone, after a teacher mocked him as a boy saying he would never amount to anything. The castle is filled with hundreds of life-size wax figures depicting scenes from Lebanese history, village life, and Ottoman-era traditions. A short but genuinely delightful visit that surprises and charms every visitor — young and old alike.

   30 min

4. Deir el Qamar — Lebanon's charming first capital A short drive brings you to Deir el Qamar — meaning "Monastery of the Moon" — one of the most beautifully preserved villages in Lebanon and the country's first capital under the Ma'an dynasty. Wander the cobblestone central square framed by honey-stone mansions dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. A mosque and a church stand peacefully side by side — a heartwarming symbol of the Lebanese coexistence that this village has embodied for centuries.

   30 min

5. Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church Visit the elegant 17th-century mosque built by the visionary Druze emir Fakhreddine II — one of Lebanon's founding fathers — and the hilltop Maronite church offering lovely panoramic views over the Chouf valleys below. Two beautiful places of worship metres apart, perfectly representing Lebanon's diverse and harmonious heritage.

   30 min

6. Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional A wonderful opportunity to enjoy a traditional Lebanese mountain lunch at one of Deir el Qamar's charming restaurants — generous mezze, grilled meats, and fresh mountain bread with beautiful valley views. A relaxing break before heading down to the coast.

   1 h

7. Sidon Sea Castle — a Crusader fortress on the water Arrive in Sidon — one of the oldest cities in the world — and begin at its most iconic landmark. The 13th-century Crusader sea castle sits on a small island just off the coast, connected to the shore by a narrow stone causeway with the Mediterranean sparkling on both sides. Walk through its vaulted halls and enjoy the wonderful sea views from the ramparts — your driver shares the fascinating story of the Crusaders, Mamluks, and Phoenicians who all left their mark on this remarkable city.

   30 min

8. Sidon Old Souks — a living medieval market Step into one of Lebanon's most authentic and most atmospheric traditional markets — stone-vaulted alleyways where spice merchants, goldsmiths, and artisan workshops have operated for centuries. A genuinely charming and immersive experience that gives you a real feel for traditional Lebanese commercial life, completely unchanged from the Ottoman era.

   15 min

9. Sidon Soap Museum — fascinating & unique Visit the world's only museum dedicated to the ancient art of olive oil soap-making — a craft that Sidon has practiced continuously for over a thousand years. Housed in a beautifully restored building in the old city, the museum tells the full story of this remarkable tradition in a way that is engaging and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

   15 min

10. Khan el Franj — the grand Silk Road caravanserai End your time in Sidon at the beautiful 17th-century caravanserai built by Emir Fakhreddine II for European merchants trading along the Silk Road. Wide arcaded courtyards, elegant vaulted galleries, and carved stone facades make this one of the finest Ottoman buildings in Lebanon — a wonderful final image of a city that has been at the heart of Mediterranean trade for three thousand years.

    15 min

11. Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:30 PM Your driver brings you comfortably back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a wonderful full day through the Chouf Mountains and the ancient coastal south of Lebanon.

    Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Beirut

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 442 experiences we list in Beirut.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Beirut

Beirut is Lebanon's capital on a Mediterranean headland, a Phoenician port city with Roman remains and mountains rising close behind.

Beirut juts into the Mediterranean on a rocky headland, with the snow-streaked peaks of Mount Lebanon rising behind. Founded by the Phoenicians, it became the Roman city of Berytus, famed for its school of law, and the remains of Roman baths lie in the city centre. The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, with its blue domes, and the nearby churches of St George show the mix of faiths.

Top-ranked sights in Beirut: Jeita Grotto, Our Lady of Lebanon (Notre Dame du Liban), Byblos (Jbeil).

See all 442 experiences in Beirut