Discovering the Charm of Tripoli: A Guide to Exploring the City
Why visit Tripoli?
Tripoli is a small city located in the north of Lebanon. Although, this small city is not visited by many tourists this is what makes it such a great place to visit. If you want to see something different from all the ancient ruins Lebanon has to offer, then a trip to Tripoli is perfect for you. Tripoli has something for everyone, from the colourful, medieval souks to the modern-day beautiful port town of El Mina, and if you love to escape the crowds of tourists then you will fall in love with this city.
How to get here?
To get to Tripoli you should take the Connexion buses which depart near the car park of the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque in Beirut as there is currently no official bus station for buses going up north. You will see they are clearly labelled as connexion buses and are either white or yellow colour. You can find the times they depart on their Facebook page here. You can buy a ticket on the bus so don’t worry about buying a ticket beforehand. This journey should cost you around $2-3 each way. When returning to Beirut you will need to get the bus from the Connexion bus station in Tripoli which is clearly labelled. You will need to buy a ticket before you get on the bus from the bus station here.
Top things to do:
Tripoli Citadel:
The Citadel is located on a hilltop overlooking the city of Tripoli and its official name is the Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles. It gets its name from Raymond of Saint-Gilles who was a crusader commander who played a part in the citadels enlargement in 1103 AD. It has been reconstructed over the years by the Crusaders and the Ottomans. Unfortunately, very little of the original structure survives today, however, it is still an impressive piece of architecture that has been very well preserved. Make sure to go to the top of the citadel where you will see stunning views over Tripoli.
It is still in use today by the Lebanese Army, and you may see tanks and armed guards standing outside the citadel or even wandering around the citadel but don’t be alarmed as you are allowed to wander around.
It is also completely free to enter.
Taynal Mosque:
Located on the left bank of the Kardisha River, this beautiful mosque is one of the most important historic and religious monuments in the city. Its construction was ordered by Amir Taynal, the Mamluk governor of Tripoli, and was completed in 1336. A mausoleum was attached to the mosque which was intended for him but in the end, he was never buried there.
Souks:
A trip to Tripoli is not complete without visiting the busy and colourful medieval souks which are located all over Tripoli. It is fun to just meander through the old streets and gain an insight into the old traditions of Tripoli. There are 9 souks in total in Tripoli which sell things such as fish, meat, bread, mattresses. gold, soap, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
If you are lucky you will come across the Alley of Secrets situated below the Citadel. This is made up of fortified edifices as it used to be part of the defence line. Back in the day, the Red Gate on top would be locked at night.
El Mina Port:
El Mina is a coastal town neighbouring Tripoli and is one of the oldest cities in Lebanon. It has a beautiful harbour with a wide promenade which is the perfect place to enjoy a nice stroll and embrace the views over the Mediterranean Sea. There are lots of nice restaurants and shops so take some time to relax and enjoy the Middle Eastern sun here. As well as this, some of the buildings around El Mina have pretty colours and interesting architecture as well as cute church being located here which you can wander inside.
Clock Tower:
One of the most recognisable sites in Tripoli is its clock tower. This was built in 1902 as a gift to the locals from the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II. It stands at a height of 30 metres and has a beautiful design that is worth having a stroll past.
Tripoli Soap:
Tripoli is most famous for its old soap making industry. They use extra virgin cold pressed oil from the groves of Koura and Akkar. One of the key soap makers in Tripoli is called Mohammad Sharkass who works in Khan Sharkass. He learned the trade from his father and keeps the family business running which dated back to the 14th century. You can buy hand-carved soap and things like heart-shaped prayer beads.
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