Sidon & Tyre Day Trip from Beirut: Crusader castles & souks
What do three UNESCO towns and a monastery reveal about Lebanon in one day?
You visit three heritage sites (Tyre Castle, Sidon Sea Castle, and Maghdouche church) with a licensed local guide who speaks English and French. Lunch, all entry fees, and hotel pickup from Beirut are included. Plan for a full day out. That's what lets you move through three towns without rushing or organizing transport yourself.
Step-by-step itinerary
Visit Tyre, Sidon, and Maghdouche
- Visit the Castle of Tyre
- Visit the Sea Castle of Sidon
- Visit the old souks and soap museum
- Visit Our Lady of Maghdouche
- Tyre Entry included 1h
- Sidon Entry included 30m
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Beirut, a professional English and French-speaking guide for the full day, entrance fees to Tyre Castle, Sidon Sea Castle, and Maghdouche church, a set Lebanese lunch with mezze, a main dish, fruit or dessert and a soft drink, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
Times
- Monday and Thursday 08:30
Last departure this season: 4 Jan 2027
Another day? ›Before you book
Operated by Nakhal & Cie
Prices and times updated 9 days ago
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The experience
So you've got eight hours and you want to actually see something, not just drive past it. The route south from Beirut hits Tyre first, where the Crusader Castle sits right on the water, and your guide will walk you through what's left of the fortifications and explain why this place mattered so much. It's a UNESCO site, which means the restoration work is real, and you can feel the difference between what's been carefully rebuilt and what's just old stone. After that you're in Sidon, where the Sea Castle rises out of the harbor like something from a postcard, and then there's the old souks: narrow, crowded, the kind of place where you stop and actually look at how people live and work, not just photograph it.
Lunch happens somewhere in the middle, and it's a set menu of Lebanese mezze, a main dish, fruit or dessert, and a soft drink. Nothing fancy, but it's real food, the kind locals eat. Your guide is licensed and speaks English and French, so there's no guessing what you're looking at or why it matters. The third stop is Maghdouche, where the Al-Saydeh Ancient Church sits on a hillside, and the whole thing has this quiet, spiritual weight to it that catches people off guard. The drive itself is part of the day. You're moving through the Lebanese coast, seeing how the landscape changes, and your guide fills in the history as you go.
Pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying in a Beirut hotel, not Airbnb or hostels, just hotels in the city proper. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in summer. You're out for the full day, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, but this is the kind of trip where you actually absorb something instead of just collecting checkmarks.
Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see three major Lebanese heritage sites in one day without arranging your own transport or guide: the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled. Expect to be out for the full day with walking at each stop. That's what makes fitting three towns and lunch into one trip possible.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
Is lunch included in the price?
Yes. Lunch is a set menu of Lebanese mezze, a main dish, fruit or dessert, and one soft drink.
Do I need to arrange my own transport?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut are included. This applies only to guests staying in hotels within Beirut city, not hostels or private apartments.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. Entry to all sites mentioned in the itinerary (Tyre Castle, Sidon Sea Castle, and Maghdouche church) is included.
Is this suitable for people with mobility concerns?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, but it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the full-day nature and walking involved.
Can I book this if I'm staying in an Airbnb?
Pickup and drop-off are only included for guests staying in hotels within Beirut city. If you're in an Airbnb or private apartment, you would need to arrange your own transport or contact the operator about alternatives.
What is the itinerary order?
The day includes visits to Tyre Castle, Sidon Sea Castle, the old souks and soap museum in Sidon, and Our Lady of Maghdouche church. Lunch is included during the day.
Sidon & Tyre Day Trip from Beirut: Crusader castles & souks
8h · EN · FR
from US$ 110 per person
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