BeirutA city with different shades is thestatement that suits Beirut toperfection. It has everything- amystical past, a happening andmodern lifestyle and a sense offreedom and fear, at the sametime.

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Famous For : NightlifeThings ToDoCitMetropolitan

Walking through the streets of Beirut isaltogether a different experience. Each lanepromises an unique experience- reminiscentfrom the past, colourful and youngcontemporary life, salvation or a heady mixof all these. It also has the distinction ofbeing one of the cities where you canexperience the most open gay scene.

Beirut Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/beirut page 1

When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-beirut-lp-1198325

JanCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 17.4°C Min: 10.9°C Rain: 132.7mm

FebCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 17.6°C Min: 10.8°C Rain: 114.3mm

MarCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 19.8°C Min: 12.5°C Rain: 61.4mm

AprCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 22.8°C Min: 15.1°C Rain: 25.0mm

MayPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 25.5°C Min: 18.4°C Rain: 12.8mm

JunPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 28.0°C Min: 21.7°C Rain: 2.0mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 30.1°C Min: 24.2°C Rain: 0.4mm

Aug

Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 30.7°C Min: 24.9°C Rain: 3.9mm

SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 29.7°C Min: 23.7°C Rain: 6.7mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 27.5°C Min: 21.0°C Rain: 47.0mm

NovCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 23.4°C Min: 16.3°C Rain: 94.3mm

DecCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen,umbrella.Max: 19.4°C Min: 12.7°C Rain: 128.0mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-beirut-lp-1198325

1 Zaitouna Bay

Marina Towers, Beirut, Lebanon

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You will be welcomed by cheerful faces,animated conversations and amazing viewswhen you walk your way to Zaitouna Bay,one of the most popular attractions ofBeirut. This recently opened promenade isbuilt on waterfront land and has been a hubof activities since then. The upper andlower promenades are home to a number ofthings like several restaurants and cafes, 2activity centers and 5 boutiques and theentire area remains flocked by locals andvisitors all day long. It has something foreveryone, you can come here to savoursome of the finest dishes or be a part of thevarious cultural festivals, exhibitions,concerts and events which are held hereregularly. So, next time you are in Beirut,make sure you come and discover all thisand more by yourself.

2 National Museum of Beirut

Museum St, Beirut, Lebanon

Started as a small group in 1919, today the

museum is one of the most prominenttourist attractions in Beirut with a collectionof more than 100,000 objects of differenteras. It was officially founded as the nationalmuseum in the year 1942 by the thenPresident, Alfred Naqqache. However it gotclosed during 1975 at the time of Lebanesewar. As Beirut was divided into two oppositegroups, the museum as well as thedirectorate general of antiquities wereconsidered as the demarcation line, whichwas referred to as Museum Alley during thattime. The national museum witnesseddestructions as a result of several firefightsand eventually it got closed down.

In 1992, the first plan for museumrestoration was conceptualized and its re-construction and renovation work startedon a massive scale. The museum wasundertaken by the Directorate General ofAntiquities, National Heritage Foundationand the Ministry of Culture. The famousFrench architect and planner, Jean-MichelWilmotte, was roped in to redesign thelayout of museum. It became fully functionalin the year 2011 after several years ofplanning and hard work.Talking about its amazing collection, you willfind a range of artifacts belonging to LowerPaleolithic (1M.-150.000 BC), Neolithic(9000–3200 BC), Bronze Age (3200–1200 BC),Iron Age (1200 – 333 BC), Hellenistic period(333 – 64 BC), Roman period (64 BC – 395AD, Byzantine period (395 – 636 AD) andArabic period. It is like a storehouse where

you will almost everything which is relatedto history. So, make sure it is included inyour must visit places list.

3 Nicolas Sursock Museum

Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon

Opened in the year 1961, Nicolas SursockMuseum was directed by Ibrahim M.Beyhum, an avid collector of artwork. It isconsidered to be one of the finest examplesof the majestic Lebanese architecture whichis loosely influenced by Venetian, Ottomanand Italianate architecture. This museumwas a private property of Nicolas Sursock,who belonged to one of the most famousaristocratic families of Beirut. After hisdeath, the villa was undertaken by theBeirut government and it was convertedinto a museum according to Nicolas's will.Talking about the collection, the museumhas over 5000 beautiful pieces of artincluding glassware, iconography, ceramics,sculpture and paintings from 18th, 19th, and20th centuries. It also has a dedicated to

section for Islamic art and Japaneseengravings. With so much to explore andlearn, its time to drop in and enrich yourselfwith an artistic and cultural dose of history. 

4 Beirut Art Center

Jisr El Wati - Off Corniche an Nahr,Beirut, Lebanon

This non-profit organisation is like a one-stop solution for creating, presenting andpromoting local as well as internationalmodern art via paintings, exhibitions,concerts, workshops and more. Opened inthe year 2009, the art center has been anideal platform for local and regional artistswho face difficulties in pursuing theirpassion due to financial constraints, toshowcase their talent.Along with the exhibition hall, Beirut ArtCenter has a mediatheque, bookshop,screening & performance room for theartists. People here are also involved inconducting a plethora of activities includinglectures, video projections, workshops,concerts and performances for differentsections of people. With all these thingsunder its umbrella, the place is a hub of artlovers and artists alike.

5 Matignon Art Gallery

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Sin El Fil, Horsh Tabet, Gedco Centre,Beirut, Lebanon

Opened in 1995, Matignon Art Gallery hasbeen playing a perfect host to several artistsand almost an all-inclusive collection ofgreat artwork from every part of the globe.The place has something for every art lover,be it paintings, watercolors, lithographs andengravings from national as well asinternational artists. However, the majorattraction of this art gallery is that you willfind wood frames in all shapes and styles,including classical, modern as well as otherforms.

They have a nice collection of paintings andprints as well; impressionist, vintage,oriental,  ethnics, classical andabstract. The stuff here is specially designedfor bigger projects like restaurants, hotels,country clubs, banks, villas, spas, banks aswell as aesthetic centers.  

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-beirut-lp-1198325

1 Kampai Restaurant

Palladium building, Minet El Hosn,Downtown, Beirut, Lebanon

+961-70-315215

An Asian fusion eating joint right in the heartof Beirut city, Kampai Restaurant makes fora delightfully scrumptious change from theusual Lebanese and Mediterranean fare.Elegant with an open kitchen where you canwatch the chefs create their culinary magic,Kampai lays out quite a spread of food thathas just the hint of familiarity before theunique blend of flavors leaves youenthralled.

At Kampai, do try out their signature starterdish 'Kampai Honey', shrimp with honeysauce and shredded cabbage along withtheir sushi starters. For mains, Thomyumsoup with chunks of mussels, prawns andsquid is one good option along withsteamed edamame beans.

2 Lalola

Chehade Str, Tabaris, Beirut,Lebanon

Come down to the Lalola restaurant to tryout some of thebest Japanese and Italian foodin Beirut. The menu offers delicious sushi,homemade pizzas, pastas and many otherdelectable food to tickle your taste buds.The sitting arrangement is very cozy to makeyou feel comfortable and the service isabsolutely perfect. 

3 Bella Vita Cafe

Arjaan Rotana Hotel, Raouche,Beirut, Lebanon

+961-1-782222

A delightfully cosy cafe that simply begs tobe ensconced in with a cup of cappuccinoand a pastry or two, Bella Vita Cafe makesfor the perfect spot for your daily espressoand snacks fix.A local favorite, especiallywith the student and academia crowd, BellaVita Cafe is where you can sit back andindulge in the warm glow that spreads over

you as you sip the frothy aromatic coffee ortake the opportunity to connect with localsseated on the next table and join in theirdaily banter.

If you are more of a tea person, then worrynot, there is quite a selection of fragrantteas to choose from. Sandwiches, salads,smoothies, shakes and confectionaries arethe other menu offerings at Bella Vita Cafe.

4 Babel Bay

Zaitunay Bay, Beirut Marina, Beirut,Lebanon

+961-1-370846

Tucked away in the bustling lanes of BeirutMarina, Babel Bay is your typical restaurantthat offers a true experience of Lebanesefood and its culture. The menu card hereboasts of delicious local preparations whichare so tempting that they will leave youyearning for more. Even though they

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specialise in traditional Lebanese cuisine,they take an unique approach in the dishesthey bring to your table.

With excellent views of the sea, interestingdecor, a well-stocked collection of premiumspirits and an exclusive menu, therestaurant surely deserves a visit.

5 Mayrig

Mansour building, 282 Pasteurstreet, Beirut, Lebanon

+961-1-572121

An Armenian restaurant serving traditionalArmenian cuisine with flavorings fromMediterranean culinary traditions, Mayrigwill delight your taste buds with its uniquetake on Armenian delicacies. Setting off yourappetite with its homey, cozy ambience,Mayrig has quite a following with the localsand returning visitors to Beirut alike.

Usually crowded with local Armenianpopulace and bustling with the energy ofmeal time banter and locals catching up,Mayrig has quite a selection of classicArmenian dishes, but if you are unfamiliar

with Armenian cuisine then go ahead withthe staff's recommendations. Be sure to givetheir Fishnah kebab, grilled kebab toppedwith wild sour cherries and Sare bourma,Armenian style walnut pakhlava for dessert.

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Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-beirut-lp-1198325

SeeA: Zaitouna BayB: National Museum of BeirutC: Nicolas Sursock MuseumD: Beirut Art CenterE: Matignon Art Gallery

FoodF: Kampai RestaurantG: LalolaH: Bella Vita CafeI: Babel BayJ: Mayrig