Traveling to Sidon in Lebanon

Holiday In Lebanon

Sidon (also called Saida) has all the makings of the perfect holiday getaway. The white sand beaches, freshly caught seafood, and a history stretching back centuries would literally check off the boxes of most tourists. But what has travelers canceling their plans on visiting Sidon is the fact that this Mediterranean paradise is located in Lebanon.

It wasn’t too long ago when Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, was championed as the Paris of the East. Even to this day, Beirut is still the center for art, fashion, and music in the Middle East and abroad. So why then does the name Lebanon strike fear into the hearts of so many tourists? Years of Civil War, extremism, and rivalry with their southern neighbors of Israel all contribute to Lebanon’s low tourist numbers.

Even though Beirut and Lebanon as a whole are often used as the butt of every joke describing a holiday from hell, the country and cities such as Sidon exist as one the biggest unspoiled paradises along the Mediterranean. After you surmount your initial reservations, you will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime.

Looking for more castles and beaches in Lebanon? You won’t want to miss Byblos!

How To Get From Beirut to Sidon

Lebanon is a small country with only about 225km of coastline stretching from North to South. Rather than spending the night in cities such as Sidon, Tyre, or Byblos, many tourists will elect to do day trips from Beirut. Due to the capital’s central location, it is quite easy to do a day trip to Sidon. Not to mention you will have trouble finding budget accommodation in Sidon. Basing yourself out of a hostel in Beirut is the easiest way to save money.

Before you can head out on your adventure to South Lebanon, you will first have to figure out how to get from Beirut to Sidon. Local buses to Sidon leave from the Cola Intersection in Beirut. You will find tons of mini-vans parked by the side of the road under the overpass. The price to get from Beirut to Sidon is about 2,000 LBP (1.30 USD) These vans to Sidon only leave when full. Therefore you will want to be sure to head to the bus stand early to ensure you make the most of your day trip. The journey from Beirut to Sidon will take about 45 minutes depending on traffic.

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What To Do In Sidon

Being on the coast of the Mediterranean, Sidon has seen its fair share of visitors. All of which have left their mark on Lebanon, thus creating a totally unique mix of cultures ranging from the Persians and the Greeks to the French and the Turks. Caught in the middle, the local Arabs have constantly adapted to the changing face of Lebanon and made it their own.

Sidon’s Old Souq is one of the best places in town to get a more candid look at the people of Lebanon. Selling everything from clothing to spices, the lines of stalls follow the arrow alleyways weaving through the city. With its old stone walls and labyrinth of backstreets, you can easily get lost in the heart of Sidon. Although closed on Friday, you can still imagine stepping back in time to an age of lawless bazaars and traders embarking out on the great Silk Road.

To truly immerse yourself in traditional Arab culture, you will have to visit Nizwa in Oman!

Qala’at al-Bahr: Sidon’s Crusaders Sea Castle

The one place in Sidon that probably had you sold on the idea of making the trek outside of the comfort of Beirut is the Crusaders castle. Emerging from the sea right on the edge of Sidon’s Old Souq, you will find the centuries-old causeway leading to the entrance of this unique fortress.

With a history stretching back to the times of the Greeks, these ruins have gone through several transformations. Originally a Phoenician temple occupied the island, but gradually the place of worship developed into a bastion of war. From the Crusaders to the Arabs, each occupier left their mark and expanded this coastal fortress. After centuries of renovations and falling into disuse, the Crusader’s castle lays in the state we find it today.

The price to visit the sea castle is 4,000 LBP (2.65 USD). After you pay the fee you will have free reign of the fort, leaving you free to explore and climb all over the castle walls.

Is traveling to Lebanon safe? You can read my full opinion here!

The Beaches of Sidon

If guns were never taken up and bombs never fell on Lebanon, the story of Sidon would be quite different. Despite a rough history and fresh wounds, the Lebanese are still a people who love life. While the Souq is the best place to get a candid look at the hustle and bustle of Sidon, the beach is where you can find the locals truly letting their hair down. Along Sidon’s Corniche, you will even find young couples slowly strolling along the coast and kids flocking to cotton candy sellers.

With families smoking hookah in the shade of umbrellas, children frolicking in the sea, and teenagers playing volleyball on the beach, this is not one of the scenes you would commonly see of Lebanon. Located within walking distance of both the Old Souq and the Crusaders Castle, you can kick off your shoes after hours of wandering the city and sink your toes into the soft sands of Sidon.

To see Arab culture truly come alive, you will want to be sure to visit the livestock market in Nizwa Oman!

Backpacking to Sidon

Other than the ancient souq, Crusaders Castle, and the beaches, you still have several other things to keep you exploring other parts of Sidon. Places such as the Soap Museum, Debbane Palace, and Bab al-Soray Mosque are great places to pin on the map. But the journey wandering the streets of Sidon is sure to leave a more deep impression on you than the museums and the palaces.

Being in South Lebanon and home to Hezbollah, Sidon usually sees some of the largest bombardments from Israel. Although an attack hasn’t happened in years, you will still find a stunning contrast with the potholes in the city of Sidon and the charming youthful streets of Gemmayzeh in Beirut.

Despite Sidon’s rather rough history, it still lays as a diamond in the rough. As the war continues to ravage Syria and Iraq, it is hard to see new life being pumped through the veins of Lebanon. It is only a matter of time, however, before the shadow of war that shrouds the beaches and history of Sidon is dispersed and the beauty of Lebanon is unveiled to the world.