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Central business district in Beirut Governorate, Lebanon
Photo: The original uploader was Radi83 at French Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Downtown Beirut is the central district of Beirut, with its outdoor cafes restaurants and high end designer stores. The inner area around Nejmeh Square is pedestrian-only. Ashrafieh is to its east, while Hamra, Ras Beirut, Manara and Rawcheh to its west. The Beirut Marina (the Cornich starting point) is only a short walk away. Some people complain that the area is over-priced, and that it caters more to tourists from the Persian Gulf than to the locals.
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The renovated central square, with the famous clock tower built during the French Mandate.
Synonymous with political demonstrations, Martyr's Square has a very rich history, from its establishment as a memorial to those executed during Ottoman rule, to serving as the demarcation line during the civil war. It is home to a bullet-holed martyr's statue. Occasionally out-door art exhibitions are featured here.
The French Mandate historic city center, which was destroyed during the civil war, then renovated and transformed into a chic high-end shopping and cafe quarter.
This is a newer neighborhood just east of downtown with traditional architecture and shops featuring design oriented products such as fashion, decor, and furniture. On Saturdays, the Souk el Tayeb, farmer's market is a great place to buy local, organic produce.
A tribute to the noted Lebanese writer and poet, this park space is often the site of civic demonstrations, as it's close to the UN house and other government buildings.
Children's science museum.
Army road, Zokak el Blat, Private historic art museum that includes ancient books, pottery, carpets, religious icons, antiques, jewelry.
Fine Art
Behind Bank Street are remains of the Roman Bath which once served the city’s population. It was discovered in 1968-69, and underwent a thorough cleaning and further excavation in 1995-1997.
Government Palace
Constructed in 1853 as an Ottoman military barracks, this building was the headquarters of the French governor during the French Mandate. After Lebanon’s Independence, it became the site of affairs for the prime minister. Adjacent to it is the Hamidiyyeh Clock Tower. Just a place to walk by.
Until the civil war in Lebanon this Greek-Orthodox church, built in 1767, was the oldest functioning church in Beirut. The decorations on its walls were lost during the war. The cathedral has been restored.
This mid-19th-century Greek-Catholic church with its vaulted interior was once decorated with a marble iconostasis.
Inaugurated in 1863, this church served the foreign community of the Latin rite in Beirut.
Church built in 1867 by a group of Evangelical Anglo-American missionaries.
Emir Bechir Street, Downtown Beirut. Built in 1888, the style of this church is neo-classical. The cathedral was completely restored in 2000.
Built as the Crusader Cathedral of St. John (1113-1150 AD), it was transformed into the city’s Grand Mosque by the Mamlukes in 1291.
Built in 1517 by Mohammed Ibn Al-Arrak Addimashqi as an Islamic law school, it continued as an Islamic sanctuary into late Ottoman times. It was rediscovered during the post-war clean-up process in 1991.
Bab-Es-Saray Mosque
This was built by Emir Mansour ‘Assaf (1572–1580) on the site of the Byzantine Church of the Holy Savior. Located opposite the Municipality Building.
The Amir Munzer Mosque was built in 1620 on an earlier structure. Also called Nafoura (fountain) Mosque, there are eight Roman columns in its courtyard.
This mosque was constructed in the mid-19th century and named after the Ottoman Sultan Abdul-Majid I (1839–1861).
Beirut's goliath blue mosque, with lots of minarets, built only in 2008. Maybe in a token symbol of friendship, this and the Saint Georges Maronite Cathedral sit side by side.
Built in 1925, this is the main synagogue of Beirut.
Downtown Beirut Lenanon
Information about Beirut.
One of the most happening nightlife spots in Beirut. Playing jazz, pop, ethnic, belcanto.
Rooftop bar, overlooking downtown and the mountains.
A popular club.
An upstairs bar with many events.
A budget option. The hotel is situated two minutes' walk from Downtown and also very close to the Charles Hellou bus station. All rooms have satellite TV and A/C. Dorm beds are US$17, single room $30, double rooms are between 35 and $50. They also have a four-bed room for $70. Expect the owner to charge you for toilet paper and use of internet. No kitchen and no discount available for longer stay.
An excellent budget and value for money option in Beirut. The hostel is a part of an Arabic language school and is involved in a series of artistic and educational activities. Dorm beds 18, 16, $12 (daily rate for a day stay/ for a week stay, for a month stay), single $41, double $45. Internet, breakfast and drinking mineral water are included in the price.
5 stars
Striving to be the best hotel in Beirut.
A huge mall in downtown featuring high-end international brand stores such as H&M, Diesel, and Dolce & Gabbana. There you can also find shops of some of the best watchmakers including Rolex, Omega, Officine Panerai and Jaeger-LeCoultre. The architecture of the mall is stunning and it's mostly outdoors.
Offering a wide range of international cosmetics and perfume brands, nail bar, professional hairdressers and stylists.
A store selling nuts and speciality Lebanese sweets.
A four story haven for books, music, movies, and electronics. International and local music/movies are on sale.
Toyshop
Getting to downtown from other parts of Beirut or one of the bus stations is easy. Hop in any taxi/service and ask for either "Downtown" or "Solidere".
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Beirut · International · BEY
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