Exploring Sidon: Unveiling the Wonders of Lebanon’s Historic Gem
Why visit Sidon?
Sidon is one of the most important Phoenician cities and may be one of the oldest, dating back to 4000 BC. A great trading empire was born in Sidon and you can still see the remanence of the trading empire by wandering around the old souks. The bustling streets and maze of alleyways make you feel as though you have been transported back in time. And not to forget the beautiful Sea Castle which dominates Sidon’s promenade. Although Sidon may not have as much to see as other cities in Lebanon, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy Lebanese cuisine and culture.
How to get here?
Regular buses leaving to Sidon from Beirut and Tyre and this journey will cost you around $1 from either city. From Beirut, you will need to go to Cola bus station to catch the bus to Sidon and from Tyre you can catch a bus from the main bus station.
Top things to do:
Sidon Sea Castle:
This castle was built by the crusaders in the 13th century and was built as a fortress of the holy land. This is one of the most famous sites in Sidon, so make sure you take some time to visit it. The castle consists of two towers connected by a wall and in the outer wall, old Roman columns were used as reinforcement which is often seen in buildings which were built near Roman sites. You can find an old winding staircase which leads to a roof where a small, domed Ottoman-era mosque can be seen. As well as wandering around the castle, you can see stunning views of the promenade of Sidon from the castle, and if you go at the right time you can embrace the views with the call to prayer in the background.
Soap Museum
The soap factory dates back to the 17th century and was acquired by the Audi family in the middle of the 19th century and has since been restored to the Soap Museum.
In this museum, you can learn about how soaps were traditionally made with ancient tools and see hammam objects on display. Lebanese crafts and soaps are being sold here that you could buy as a gift or souvenir.
Souks
The souk dates back to the Phoenician era and is made up of a beautiful maze of alleys where shops sell handmade products, traditional artefacts, clothes, local products, and foods.
The souks are a great place to wander around and embrace the local culture of Sidon as well as a good place to buy souvenirs that you may want to bring home.
St Nicholas Church
St Nicholas Church was built in the 8th century and features a shrine that is believed to be the meeting point of Saint Paul and Peter. The church is composed of a modestly sized hall made of ancient stone and another room built around the shrine where the two apostles met. It is a nice church which is located in a street just off from where the souks are so it is a pleasant place to drop by and have a look.
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