Sidon is the third largest city situated in the southern part of Lebanon on the Mediterranean coast. The city is located to the south of the capital city of Beirut. Along with Tyre, Tripoli, and Byblos, Sidon was one of the most important Phoenician cities in ancient times. The Greek poet Homer had praised the craftsmanship of the skill of the people here in producing purple dyes, glass, and embroidery.
Aside from these, there are also a number of other places to visit in Sidon such as the Castle of Saint Louis and the Murex Hills. The Castle of Saint Louis was once the most impressive castle for years, although it is now in ruins. Meanwhile, Murex Hill located in Sidon is one of its kind, as it an artificial structure that is 50 meters long and 100 meters high. The large portion of this artificial hill is covered by a cemetery. Other places to visit in Sidon include the Sidon Resthouse located on the waterfront, next to the Sidon Sea Castle. It is home to a Lebanese restaurant and is on the list of things to do in Sidon of many tourists as it is considered to be the best for enjoying food and refreshments in the city. Visiting the Bahaa El-Dine Mosque is also among the things to do in Sidon as it is truly a masterpiece of architecture, resembling the style of Istanbul’s famed mosques from Ottoman times. if you want to go for a cruise, head towards Ziri which is a small island near the coastline of Sidon that is ideal for day picnics and even swimming. Viewing the Largest Lebanese flag ever, is also not to be missed among the things to do in Sidon during your stay in this city.
The sea castle of Sidon is actually a fortress which was erected by the Crusaders in the early 13th century. It is located on a small island which is linked to the mainland through a causeway and was once the site of a temple to the god Melkart. Even though the castle was destroyed by the Mamluks it was rebuilt once again in the 17th century the ruins of which can still be visited today. Once you climb to the top you can get a pretty good view of the port and the older parts of the city.
At present, Sidon only comprises of two towers that are connected with each other by a wall. In the outer one, Roman columns were installed as reinforcements, but it is the west tower which has stood the test of time the best. Even though little remains of the decorations that were part of the ramparts in days of yore, there is still a lot to see in the ruins. During favorable weather conditions, you can also see a number of rock granite columns lying on the sea floor which surrounds the castle. All in all, the castle is worth a visit if you are an avid historian or a tourist.
A highlight of the souq zone is the Khan el-Franj (Inn of the Foreigners), the most wonderful and best saved of all the limestone khans worked by Fakhreddine (Fakhr advertisement Din al-Maan II) in the seventeenth century. The magnificently reestablished civility of the Hariri Foundation comprises of vaulted arcades encompassing an extensive rectangular yard with a focal wellspring. It now houses Sidon's vacationer office and the ateliers of some craftspeople. Tourists can enjoy the wonders of nature’s creation at the Khan Al Franj.
The Debbane’ Palace Museum is one of the most famous places in the world. It has been home to some of the finest artifacts in the Middle East. The start of the journey for the tourist is from the Souq by means of a tall staircase set apart with a sign, this previous Ottoman noble's building worked in 1721 has unpredictable Mamluk enrichment, including tile work and cedar wood roofs, and different chronicled shows and a sense of the rulers and nobles who have inhabited the building.
The Sidon Soap Museum is a historical center in seaside Lebanese city Sidon. It follows the historical backdrop of cleanser making in the area in terms of its advancement and assembling techniques. Visitors can see a showing of how customary olive oil cleansers are made and find out about the historical backdrop of the "hammam" (shower) conventions. A chronicled area of the historical center presents relics which were found hidden on location removal and which incorporate stays of dirt pipe heads dating from the seventeenth to nineteenth century and also ceramics sections.
Accepted to remain on the site of an old Philistine sanctuary, the site was utilized by the Byzantines to erect a congregation in the fifth century; however after the Muslim triumph in the seventh century, it was changed into a mosque. Depicted as "lovely" by an Arab geographer in the tenth century, the Great Mosque of Al Omari minaret was toppled in a seismic tremor in 1033. In 1149, the Crusaders constructed a house of God devoted to John the Baptist, however it was for the most part obliterated by the Ayyubids in 1187, and afterward revamped as a mosque by the Mamluks in the mid thirteenth century. It was wrecked by the Mongols in 1260, was soon reestablished just for it to be annihilated by a seismic tremor toward the end of the century
Blessed with a history that dates back to the beginning of time, with a spectacular coastline that extends 200 kilometers from North to South and 300 days of warm and beautiful sunshine, Lebanon is home to some of the most stunning diving sites in the world, and Sidoun (located off the Saida coast) is one of them. The submerged valley extends from Beirut to the Bay of Jounie, which creates interesting underwater cliffs, drop-offs, and rocky gorges for divers to explore. The beautiful coast was discovered when Mohammad El Sarji, the president of the Lebanese Professional Divers Union; launched a diving expedition. An extraordinary discovery was made in this expedition, uncovering a gorgeous under-water island city that was literally lost in the depths of the sea near the Saida coast.
The mystic deep waters of the present Sidon (or Saidoun) the old Phoenician city that marked most of the Antiquity. As per history, the city was struck by a powerful earthquake that devastated three fourths of the city. Tidal waves were triggered by the earthquake, which covered the coastal city and the Saidoun Island under water for over centuries. Tourists from all over the world visit Lebanon to have a relaxing time at the shimmering coastline of Lebanon and make their vacations memorable.
Sidon is the third-biggest city in Lebanon. It is situated in the South Governorate of Lebanon, on the Mediterranean drift, around 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Tire and 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital, Beirut. In Genesis, Sidon is a child of Canaan, a grandson of Noah. Its name agrees with the advanced Arabic word for 'fishery but the star attractions of the city are its Oriental Sweets of Sidon. The sweets are made using age old family recipes that have passed down over generations and are embedded in the culture.
The Temple of Eshmun is a stunning age old place of worship which has considerable historical significance. The temple looks mysterious. Its entry chambers are nicely crafted and the site has been in use for worship ever since the 7th Century BC. The sanctuary is made up of a grand court and an esplanade. The construction inside uses abundance of limestone and offers a point of view on different architectural influences prevalent. Tourists can take a guided tour of the place and take pictures.
The Sidon Old Souk is a nice and hustling place in the eastern Middle Eastern city. The locality is known for the wide array of shops on offer. Everything from clothes to under garments to food and to drinks are available. Tourists can also take a tour of the street to enjoy the famous Lebanese cuisine and the other attractions which can be found on the street. This is a rival of the Oxford Street in London in terms of its importance.
The Saint Louis Castle is one of the oldest military settlements in the area. Despite being completed with renovations on the 17th Century, the fortress was once a Fatimid fortress before it was captured and then changed. The fortress was home to French crusaders. The location to this fort is such that it can grab a proper view of the surrounding localities which was a benefit militarily and for tourists it is a good chance to get to explore the inside of the fort and the stunning localities.
