Beirut, Beiteddine Palace & Deir el Qamar Small-Group Tour
Description
Lebanon's capital and its most magnificent mountain palace — together in one full day, with all tickets and lunch included and nothing extra to think about. This small-group tour begins with a panoramic morning in Beirut — the seafront, the historic downtown, the mosques and cathedrals that define the city's layered identity — before heading into the Chouf Mountains for Beiteddine Palace and the perfectly preserved Ottoman village of Deir el Qamar. It is the ideal single-day introduction to Lebanon for first-time visitors — covering the country's most iconic urban landmarks in the morning and its most beautiful mountain destinations in the afternoon, guided throughout by a professional expert who brings every stop to life.
Tour Options
Itinerary
8:30 AM — Hotel pickup, Beirut Your professional guide meets you at your Beirut hotel and the morning begins immediately — Pigeon Rocks and the seafront are just minutes away.
Pigeon Rocks & Beirut panoramic tour Begin at Beirut's most iconic natural landmark — the towering Pigeon Rocks rising from the Mediterranean at Raouche — before a guided panoramic tour through the city's most celebrated landmarks. Your guide narrates the history, the architecture, and the stories behind each stop as you move through Beirut's most historically charged streets.
Arrive at one of the most magnificent palaces in the Arab world — built by Emir Bashir II between 1788 and 1840 as a statement of Lebanese cultural ambition and political power. Three grand interconnected courtyards decorated with hand-cut geometric tilework, carved cedar-wood ceilings, and painted reception halls open before you. Beneath the palace, an underground museum houses Lebanon's finest collection of Byzantine mosaics — floor panels of extraordinary colour and detail. Today the palace serves as the summer residence of the Lebanese President and hosts the internationally celebrated Beiteddine Art Festival. Your guide brings the full story of Emir Bashir and his remarkable palace to life.
Drive down to Deir el Qamar — meaning "Monastery of the Moon" — one of the most enchanting and best-preserved villages in Lebanon and the country's first capital under the Ma'an dynasty. The central square is framed by honey-stone mansions dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, a Druze palace, and public buildings that speak of former political importance. A mosque and a church stand metres apart in the same square — the quiet, enduring coexistence that defines Lebanon at its most harmonious.
Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church Visit the 17th-century mosque of Fakhreddine II — the visionary Druze emir considered one of the founding fathers of modern Lebanon — before climbing to the hilltop Maronite church with sweeping views over the Chouf valleys below. Two places of worship, metres apart, centuries of shared history between them.
Lunch in Deir el Qamar — included A generous Lebanese mountain lunch at one of Deir el Qamar's traditional restaurants — stone-vaulted dining rooms and terraces serving mezze spreads, grilled meats, and fresh bread with Chouf valley views. Fully included in your tour price — nothing extra to pay.
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:00–6:00 PM Mountain drive back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a full day that moved from the capital's iconic streets to the grandeur of a mountain palace to Lebanon's first capital, with every ticket and every meal already taken care of.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
we pick up travellers from all hotels and destination near Beirut
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
A great tour , the palace of Beiteddin is a spectacular piece of architecture & the village of Deir el Qamar has a lovely atmosphere. I was lucky enough to sit down with some locals in Deir el Qamar and have a refreshing Lemonade. The tour finished with a visit to Matyr Square Beirut & visiting the historical Mosque & St Georges Cathedral. To the guide Paula she is what the country is about, warm, caring with a wonderful sense of humour and her knowledge is incredible. Do this tour !
Beautiful places to visit - learnt a lot and saw some amazing sights. Albert our guide was great fun, very knowledgable and accommodating. I recommend this tour. My third with this company, I wish I had more time on this trip to do them all.
Thank you so much for your continued trust and support! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the tour and had fun with Albert. We can’t wait to welcome you back for more amazing experiences whenever you have more time!
Second day of our stay in Lebanon! A day filled with new beautiful places and unforgettable experiences! Thank you very much Hassan!!!
Thank you, Vanya! We're so glad you enjoyed your second day exploring Lebanon with Hassan—he’ll be happy to hear your kind words!
Highly recommended trip to discover both cities in one day. Starting in Beirut, the vibrant capital, we immersed ourselves in its bustling streets, discovering a blend of modernity and ancient charm. Moving to Beiteddin, the journey took us to the splendid Beiteddin Palace, a masterpiece of Lebanese architecture nestled in the picturesque Chouf Mountains. The intricate mosaics, elegant courtyards, and lush gardens reflected the opulence of Lebanon's Ottoman era rulers, making it a highlight of the trip. Deir el Qamar enchanted with its well-preserved medieval architecture and tranquil atmosphere. Wandering through its narrow stone alleys, we explored ancient churches, traditional Lebanese houses. Throughout the tour, our guide Albert was patient, polite and shared insightful narratives, adding depth to each site's significance. this guided tour provided an unforgettable glimpse into Lebanon's past and present. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of Lebanese culture.
ThisI ended up being a solo tour with Rita. Seein Beirut, the history behind pigeon rock, the cathedral and the Beirut museum. How artifacts were found protected. In Beitteddine She explained the history in such a way I was able to piece together something I learned in another country and to find it began and ended in Lebanon. It was incredible.
Highly recommended. Was a wonderful and knowledgable tour with a small group, private car, homemade style lunch and flawless guide, all good. Thanks.
Rita is a great guide! She knows a lot and takes care of everything. If you go on a trip with this company you are lucky if she is on it! The other trips they offer are in my opinion more interesting and impressive, compared to the others this one is a little bit boring.
Excursion to Beiruth History Museum. Visit the Beit El Deen Mountains, Mount Beirut, food and return to downtown Beirut to visit Down Town. Our guide Georgette, very professional and knowledgeable about the history of your country. Choffer Mounaff, very correct. We'd already made a move with him. Everything great!! The visit is very interesting, especially the first and last part of the tour. It helps to understand the current situation in this country. Get better, today's food joint. The food is not bad, but it is a roadside bar neither attractive nor especially recommended.
