Sidon, located 40 km from Beirut, is a small but important port city with a population of about 170 thousand people, drowning in the greenery of citrus trees and banana groves .More than two thousand years ago, however, Sidon was one of the most important cities of the powerful state of Phenicia, who became rich on trade with Egypt and was famous for its magnificent glass products .Traces of a long and generous event in the history of Sidon can be seen everywhere - in the intervals between the poor houses of its inhabitants ancient ruins suddenly appear, and the entrance from the sea reliably protects the Sea Fortress of the 13th century .2 km from Sidon there are perfectly preserved ruins of the Phoenician temple of the god Ashmun with the fantastic beauty of the throne Astarte .Well, if you are more attracted by local flavor than history, welcome to the only one in Lebanon and a very interesting Soap Museum .

Sidon is not a tourist town at all - locals do not pay any attention to the Phoenician ruins, nor to the tourists who survey them. So a trip to Sidon is also a great way to feel like an archaeologist-pioneer on the remains of ancient cultures, and to look at Lebanese life from the inside.

How to get to Sidon

To get to Sidon on its own is easy - from Beirut, from the Cola transport station, buses and minibus-services are regularly sent here. Buses of the transport company Zantout start every hour from 6 am to 9 pm. The journey time is about 30 minutes, the journey will cost 2500 LBP. More nimble minibuses leave for Sidon every 10-15 minutes from 6:30 to 20:30 and charge passengers 1,500 LBP "from the nose". A trip by shuttle bus will cost 6000 LBP; They are sent as soon as all passenger seats are occupied, but you do not have to wait long.

Also, Sidon is connected by a stable transport connection with Tire - on the route there are the same buses - regular and mini - and "services". Travel time - from 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Search for air tickets to the city of Beirut (nearest a / p to Sidon)

Transport in the city

All the main attractions of Sidon are located in the old town, and between them you can easily move on foot. Municipal transport is presented in the city of a taxi, about payment in which it is necessary to agree before landing.

2 km from Sidon are the well-preserved ruins of the Phoenician temple of the god Ashmun with the fantastic beauty of the throne of Astarte.

Sidon hotels

In view of the low popularity of Sidon as a place for the deployment of tourists (most come here "one day"), hotels in the city are few, noteworthy - exactly two .If you have a desire to spend the night in Sidon, pay attention to the Al-Qalaa Hotel, which occupies an old renovated building opposite the port .Interiors are stuffed with rarities, on the roof there is a wonderful cafe with a panoramic view of the harbor .Ask for such a luxury of only 100 USD for a "double" .The second profitable house of Sidon is called "Yakub", it can boast no less than a solid history of 200 years, clean and comfortable rooms and more than an acceptable fee of 90 USD for a double accommodation .

4 things to do in Sidon
  1. Climb the defensive wall of the Sea Fortress and admire the Roman columns lying on the seabed.
  2. Buy a kilo or two of sandy biscuits "saniura" in the old market.
  3. Sit on the guarded sphinxes of the throne Astarte in the temple of Ashmun, and feel yourself the object of worship.
  4. To understand that soap is not just soap, but a whole philosophy, in the Museum of soap.

Cuisine and restaurants in Sidon

The main place of concentration of snack bars in Sidon is the embankment "Cornish". Tourists here are waiting for a lot of eateries, where they serve falafel, grilled fish and seafood and snacks "meze". The most popular local snack bar is Abu Rami. You can also grind the worm in the maze of the markets of the old city, and dine "in taste" - in the restaurant "Rest House", where you will be "rolled out" the longest menu of local specialties. View of the Sea Fortress and the sea itself - included.

Types of Sidon

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Sidon

Sea outpost Sidon - built in 1228 on a separate island on the outskirts of the harbor Sea Fortress. Once on the island rose the Phoenician temple of Melkart (the "predecessor" of Hercules), and later the crusaders captured the advantageous place - they built the fortress. From the fortress walls you can see the remains of columns of pink granite, resting on the seabed.

Old Sidon - the intertwining of narrow streets of the covered market "bough", arched passages from scattered here and there skeletons of medieval buildings - stretched behind standing along the embankment modern houses. In the old town there are more than 60 monuments of historical significance, however, most of them are nothing more than ruins. The first thing here is to go on a shopping tour of the "bitch", where artisans still work exactly the same way as their distant ancestors did about 28 centuries ago.

Do not miss the chance to buy here the orange water and the traditional shortbread cookie "sanyura."

Khan el-Franz ("hotel of foreigners") - the most beautiful thanks to a careful restoration of a sample of medieval inns; it was built by Fahreddin in the 17th century. Here you can admire the tiers of arches supporting the floors and the spacious rectangular courtyard with a fountain in the center, as well as learn more about the restoration of old buildings in the Foundation for Preservation of Architectural Heritage located here.

Another pearl of the old Sidon is the magnificent Debbane Palace, built in 1721. It is worth paying attention to exquisite interiors in the style of the Mamalyuk dynasty - walls and ceilings painted with painted tiles from the cedar tree, as well as interesting artifacts presented in the walls of this palace museum.

A small but absolutely charming Soap Museum is located in the building of an old soap maker in the 17th century. The exposition tells in all details about the subtleties and wisdoms of the "savonification" process - the production of soap, for the uninitiated; which is especially pleasant - explanations in English. Here you can drink a cup of coffee in a cozy cafe and buy a "true" soap for "proper" washing.

Religious architectural monuments of Sidon - the most beautiful mosque of Omari (13th c) and the oldest mosque in the city - Bab al-Saray (beginning of the 13th).

Temple of Eshmun

Located 2 km north-east of Sidon, the temple of Eshmun (7 in BC) is a magnificent (for the past 28 centuries, of course) the surviving ruins of the ancient Phoenician cult building dedicated to the god-healer and part-time patron Sidon Ashmun .The archaeological park includes, in addition to the temple itself, the remains of outbuildings and handicraft shops nearby..Most of the buildings surrounding the temple belong to later periods - their "authorship" is attributed to the Persians, Romans and Byzantines, but the indisputable masterpiece of the temple - the throne of Astarte with two winged sphinxes - the fantasy and hands of the Phoenicians .Pay attention also to interesting mosaics - these are one of the first examples of intricate art of stone "painting" .

You can get to the Ashmun temple from Sidon by taxi for 10,000 LBP, a minibus for 2000 LBP or a minibus for 1000 LBP. The last two modes of transport will land you at the turn of the road, from where the remaining 1, 5 km to the ruins will have to be made on foot - the path lies among the gardens and vegetable gardens and the walk itself will be a pleasant experience. The entrance to the archaeological park is free; Opening hours - from 8am to sunset.