Place de l'Etoile

Beirut

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Named for the starburst formed by the radial streets of the main square, Place de l’Étoile seems to either be totally empty or rammed with families with children on rented tricycles with attendant uniformed nannies. If your kids don't go in for archaeology, this is a good place for them to run wild. Once a traditional Levantine souq, the stalls and cafes were razed during the Lebanese civil war (like much of the rest of downtown), having since been replaced by overpriced cafes.

The 1930s Rolex clocktower was a pre-war gift from Lebanese-Mexican billionaire Michel Abed. Downtown gets shut in by guards after midnight, but opening hours in the morning are flexible.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • The Beirut National Museum, Lebanon.

    National Museum of Beirut

    1.4 MILES

    Located on the former Green Line, this is Beirut's major cultural institution. Its impressive, magnificently displayed collection of archaeological…

  • Cedars growing at 6,000 feet in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon.

    Shouf Biosphere Reserve

    19.19 MILES

    The largest of Lebanon’s three natural protectorates, comprising an incredible 5% of the total land area, this is the largest natural cedar reserve in the…

  • Celestine, Beirut Mineral Museum exhibit, Lebanon.

    MIM

    1.29 MILES

    Under the St Joseph university, this atmospheric and beautifully designed museum presents an extraordinary collection of exquisitely selected and…

  • The main square in Deir Al-Qamar, Lebanon.

    Main Square

    14.13 MILES

    The main square is a showcase of fine Arab architecture, including the Mosque of Emir Fakhreddine Maan, built in 1493, and, behind it, a cobbler's souq…

  • St George Crypt Museum

    St George Crypt Museum

    0.06 MILES

    When a bomb fell on the Orthodox cathedral in 1975, the only silver lining was that it revealed these ruins beneath. Though the area is small, an…

  • Saida Souq

    Saida Souq

    24.25 MILES

    Along with Tripoli's, Saida's old city is Lebanon's most characterful and authentic souq area. It's a delight to wander the narrow lanes, ducking into…

  • Beiteddine Palace

    Beiteddine Palace

    14.54 MILES

    Sitting majestically on a hill surrounded by terraced gardens and orchards, Beiteddine Palace is one of the highlights of the Chouf Mountains. This…

  • Byblos Archaeological Site

    Byblos Archaeological Site

    17.44 MILES

    A well-restored Crusader castle dominates Byblos' atmospheric archaeological site, which incorporates Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Greek and Roman ruins –…

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Nearby Beirut attractions

1. St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral

0.04 MILES

This was built in 1767 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. In 1975, during the civil war, a bomb fell here and unearthed the ruins of a…

2. St George Crypt Museum

0.06 MILES

When a bomb fell on the Orthodox cathedral in 1975, the only silver lining was that it revealed these ruins beneath. Though the area is small, an…

3. Cardo Maximus

0.09 MILES

The 'cardo maximus' was the principal north–south street of a Roman city, and you can see the evocative remains of Beirut's cardo maximus between the city…

4. Al Omari Mosque

0.09 MILES

Built in the 12th century as the Church of John the Baptist of the Knights Hospitaller, this attractive building was converted into a mosque in 1291. It…

5. Roman Baths

0.1 MILES

The largest outdoor sight in downtown Beirut hearkening back to the days when the city was a centre of Roman law, the baths here underwent a major…

6. Maronite Cathedral of St George

0.12 MILES

The neoclassical facade of this late 19th-century cathedral, next to the Mohammed Al Amin mosque, was inspired by the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore in…

7. Mohammed Al Amin Mosque

0.14 MILES

Now the city's major landmark, this huge, striking amber-coloured blue-domed mosque near Martyrs Sq was opened in 2008 and has four minarets standing 65m…

8. Grand Serail

0.21 MILES

The Grand Serail, a majestic Ottoman-era building that has been restored to its former grandeur and is now the Prime Minister's base, is a splendid…

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