Crusaders Sea Castle

From your hotel in Beirut, with smile you are picked up in the morning at 8:15 am for a day tour. Travelers will explore the ancient Phoenician city of Sidon which it has been of great religious, political and commercial value to the region, it is said to be inhabited since 4000 B.C. Our first visit in Sidon will be to the Crusaders Sea Castle.

Sidon Souks

After that and Between the Sea Castle and the Land Castle ("St. Louis" Castle), there stretch old Souks (markets) that have maintained their beautiful buildings and commercial role. Nearby, a repair process is observed as well as small crafts shops. In the old Souk, there are vaulted alleys that are 14 kilometers long and not far from the Sea Castle is the picturesque vaulted souk of Sidon, where workmen still ply their trades. On the edge of the souk is a traditional coffee house where male clientele meet to smoke the narguileh (water pipe) and drink Turkish coffee. Fishermen sell their latest catch at the market near the port not far from the souk's entrance. As you enter el-Shakiriyya market, there is Debbaneh Palace, where a roofed narrow stairway leads to the internal yard of this old building built in 1721. The building has maintained its Ottoman Arab architectural features.