Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche Small-Group Tour | Lunch Included
Description
South Lebanon holds some of the most extraordinary historical and spiritual landscapes in the entire Middle East — and this small-group tour brings the best of them together in a single day from Beirut, with lunch included and nothing extra to organise. Begin in Sidon — one of the oldest cities in the world — at a 13th-century Crusader sea castle, the world's only soap museum, a living medieval souk, and a grand Silk Road caravanserai. Continue south to Tyre — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — where the Al-Bass Archaeological Complex reveals one of the most complete Roman urban landscapes anywhere in the Mediterranean: hippodrome, colonnaded street, triumphal arch, and ancient necropolis all within a single extraordinary site. End the day at Maghdouché — a hilltop sanctuary where the Virgin Mary is believed to have waited while Jesus preached in Sidon, revered by Christians and Muslims alike. Three destinations. Three thousand years of history. Lunch included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
8:30 AM — Departure from Beirut Your professional guide meets you at your Beirut hotel and heads south along the Mediterranean coastal highway toward Sidon — the ancient Phoenician road that once connected the greatest trading cities of the ancient world.
Begin at Sidon's most iconic landmark — a 13th-century Crusader fortress built on a small island just off the coast, connected to the shore by a narrow stone causeway, its towers rising directly from the Mediterranean. Walking through its vaulted halls, your guide recounts the dramatic story of Crusader occupation, Mamluk sieges, and the Phoenician harbour that once made Sidon one of the most powerful trading cities of the ancient world. The sea views from the ramparts are among the finest on the Lebanese coast.
Step into one of Lebanon's most authentically preserved traditional markets — narrow stone-vaulted alleyways where spice merchants, goldsmiths, fabric traders, and artisan workshops have occupied the same spaces for centuries. Unlike the restored souks of Beirut, Sidon's old market is entirely real — alive, trading, and unchanged in its essential character from the Ottoman era. A sensory experience that most visitors remember as one of the highlights of their Lebanon trip.
Visit the world's only museum dedicated to the ancient art of olive oil soap-making — a Sidonian craft practiced continuously for over a thousand years. Housed in a beautifully restored khan within the old city, the museum traces the full journey from olive grove to finished soap cake, with exhibits showing the traditional methods that made Sidon's soap famous across the Mediterranean world and as far as Europe.
End your time in Sidon at the grand 17th-century caravanserai commissioned by Emir Fakhreddine II to accommodate European merchants along the Silk Road — wide arcaded courtyards, vaulted galleries, and carved stone facades that make Khan el Franj one of the finest pieces of Ottoman-era architecture in Lebanon.
Arrive in Tyre and enter one of the most complete and most atmospheric Roman archaeological sites in the entire Mediterranean world. The Al-Bass complex reveals ancient Tyre in extraordinary detail — a monumental triumphal arch marking the entrance to a colonnaded street that once lined the main road into the city, flanked by sarcophagi and tomb monuments from the ancient necropolis. Beyond it, the Tyre Hippodrome — one of the largest ever built in the Roman world, seating up to 20,000 spectators for chariot races on its 480-metre track. Walking the full length of the hippodrome today, past the original starting gates and turning posts, is one of the most immersive Roman experiences in the Middle East. Your guide brings the full story of Phoenician and Roman Tyre to life within this extraordinary landscape of ancient stone.
Lunch in Tyre — included A well-earned lunch at a local Tyre restaurant — fresh Lebanese mezze and seafood served steps from the Mediterranean, with the ancient city as your backdrop. Fully included in your tour price.
The day's final and most spiritually resonant stop — the hilltop village of Maghdouché, where Christian tradition holds that the Virgin Mary waited in a cave while Jesus preached in nearby Sidon. The name Mantara means "the one who waits" in Arabic — and the cave sanctuary here has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, revered equally by Christians and Muslims across Lebanon and the wider region. The Basilica of Our Lady of Mantara stands above the ancient cave, and the panoramic views from the hilltop over the southern Lebanese coast and the mountains of the interior offer a fittingly serene and beautiful end to a day that began at the edge of the Mediterranean in Sidon.
Return to Beirut — approx. 5:30–6:00 PM North along the coastal highway back to Beirut with drop-off at your hotel — completing a full day through the Phoenician, Crusader, Roman, and sacred landscapes of South Lebanon, with every meal already taken care of.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up travelers from any Hotel, Airbnb or Residence in Beirut
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(44)
It was a lovely day out to see the southern part of Lebanon. Paula, our guide, is knowledgeable and friendly. I learnt so much about the history and recent development of Lebanon during our journey. By the way, lunch was wonderful with good companies.
Very interesting day with mike, who was well-known not only with roman and islamic history, but also with Lebanon aa a whole in the recent past years. Thank you very much!
I got to see all these places of the South thanks to my driver Albert who also helped me get to the Saint Nicholas church in Sidon. I liked a lot our conversations in the car and he was very helpful to answer my questions about my trip to Lebanon in general. The people from the company know the historical and cultural landmarks and get you to see them in just a day. By evening you are back in Beirut, something very convenient for me. I recommend it 100%.
This was my second tour with Lebanese Travel Agency and, once again, it was an amazing experience. Albert guided us through Sidon and Tyre, including the old market, and shared priceless insights throughout the day. His presence, knowledge, and kindness made the tour truly special. Mateo also gave clear and detailed explanations at each site, showing great preparation and passion. As always, lunch was included — we ate at a local restaurant where the food was both abundant and delicious. You can really feel how much they care about their work. Thanks to them, Lebanon became an unforgettable memory for me.
Thank you! We’re so happy you had another amazing experience with us. Albert and Mateo will be overjoyed to hear your kind words. We’re thrilled Lebanon has become such a special memory for you!
I'm very excited. Albert our tour guide is one of the best tour guides I have met so far. You can feel he loves his job. The tour was very well organized and the food was very delicious. I would recommend the tour at any time.
Vielen Dank für Ihre tolle Bewertung! Es freut uns sehr, dass Ihnen die Tour und Alberts Führung so gut gefallen haben. Wir würden uns freuen, Sie wieder bei uns begrüßen zu dürfen!
It was a great trip, the guide is very professional and the offer was good. I think it is a good time to visit Lebanon. I would recommend this tour firm and go with them again.
Thank you, Jason! We're so glad you had a great time and appreciated the tour. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we’d love to see you again on your next visit to Lebanon! 🌟
Wow!!! First of all the scenery and views from the mountains and the sea are stunning!!!! The history is fascinating! You are literally walking back in time through the gorgeous ancient alleys of the city. The castle and ruins on the water are spectacular along with all the ancient sites. My guide Lucy was knowledgeable and great to spend the day with. I appreciated having a small group. 10 out of 10 :) highly recommend :)
Thank you for the amazing review! We're so happy you enjoyed the tour and the stunning sites. Lucy will be thrilled to hear your kind words. Hope to welcome you again soon! 😊
Lucie was our tour guide and was a fantastic and excellent guide taking us through the various ruins and exploring the streets of Sidon and Tyre. Exploring the various markets, churches and eating loads of different types of foods was a wonderful experience. Truly a fantastic trip highly recommended!
Dear Christopher Thank you for your glowing review of the "Guided Small-Group Tour to Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche with Lunch." We're thrilled to hear that Lucie provided you with an exceptional exploration of these historic cities. Delving into the ruins, wandering through the vibrant markets, and sampling diverse local cuisines truly encapsulate the rich tapestry of Lebanese culture. Your enthusiastic recommendation is greatly appreciated and inspires us to continue delivering memorable experiences. We look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon! Warm regards, Lebanon Tours and Travels
I really enjoyed professionalism and attitude of the guides, and I have travelled with two from Lebanon tours. This tour was with Albert, and it was a big pleasure to be with him during all journey. He will explain everything in a lot of detail and make sure you are happy. For example, if you would like to buy some fruits, he can help and find the good spot. Overall the tour was interesting, I would advise to go to Byblos and Harisa first of you are short on time. Traveling to the south of Lebanon is scary, but we did just fine.
My first day in Lebanon started with a tour heading south. I was in safe, friendly and warm hands with Hassane my tour guide. I have been learning Arabic and felt immediately comfortable practicing as Hassane was happy to know and encouraged me! The drive was fun, with little stop offs at local shops and stalls. It was a pleasure to meet locals, Hassane helped translate and encouraged me to engage with the people on how they live and work. The archeological sites are magnificent, combined with the passionate knowledgable tour guides who work hard to make things clear and answer all questions. It was a privilege to learn about the current state of Lebanon as well as the ancient sites. If you are considering a tour in Lebanon please do not look further. If you are lucky, you will receive the hospitality of Hassane too. I am a busy project manager in the UK and needed a break, this tour was an example of smooth process, accommodating people and special encounters with a seamless door to door trip. It was a tremendous pleasure!
