Festival

Horse Racing

The racing facility in Beirut is officially known as Hippodrome Du Parc De Beyrouth. Each morning, over 700 horses train on the tracks from dawn till 8:30am, after which the premises are open to the public. Weekly races are held all the year round with an average of 10-12 horses per race. Races take place on Sundays, starting at 12:30pm. The races attract a dedicated betting crowd. Foreigners should join the fun in the afternoon for free entrance (passport required).

City guide

Overview & visitor information

During the months of July and August, the races are held on Saturdays.

Venue: Hippodrome Du Parc de Beyrouth Date: July –August (Saturdays only) Timings:1:30pm www.beiruthorseracing.com

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Mzaar Winter Festival

Activity

The Mzaar Winter Festival, an event that started just three years ago, sees hordes of ski fans gathered on the Refuge terrace of the InterContinental Mzaar to witness an authentic ski show. International and Lebanese skiers and snowboarders present impressive, competitive displays. Prizes are awarded for the Best Jump.

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The Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts

Activity

The Al Bustan Festival is an important cultural event with 30 performances spanning five weeks from Feb to March. This festival takes place primarily at the Emile Bustani Auditorium and also at the Crystal Garden glass conservatory at Al Bustan Hotel in the village of Beyt Meri in picturesque surroundings of pine trees and flowering gardens. The performances include opera-symphonic, choral and chamber music, dance, theatre, solo recitals, oriental music, Russian ballets and jazz.

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Beirut Fashion Week

Activity

Beirut Fashion Week is a week-long extravaganza of the latest in style in ready-to-wear collections for the fashion conscious. Latest trends in bridal gowns and footwear are also part of the collections that are showcased by designers of national and international repute. Fashion shows are held through the week. The Fashion Week provides a platform for trade professionals to network and grow in terms of creativity and business.

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Beirut International Tango Festival

Activity

The Beirut International Tango Festival showcases Argentine dance in its authentic form to the American University of Beirut. This festival gives an opportunity to take a dance class, catch a typical tango quartet concert and head to El Derwendi restaurant for the nightly milonga club nights and shows.

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The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental-Arabic Music

Activity

The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental-Arabic Music conducts concerts with a local flavor. Led by Lebanese Conservatory director Walid Gholmieh, they perform a season of concerts in the Pierre Y Aboukhater Amphitheatre at Saint Joseph University, Beirut.

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The Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra

Activity

The Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra presents a string of classical concerts led by the founder Dr. Walid Gholmieh, conductors Wojciech Czepiel, Harout Fazlian and Michel Khairallah who, along with world renowned classical music composers, hold audiences spellbound with their wide repertoire of music.

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The Garden Show and Spring Festival

Activity

Exotic plants and sweet scented flowers assail your senses at the annual Garden Show and Spring Festival which is held at the Beirut Hippodrome. This is an event that delights thousands of garden lovers. Interspersed among the foliage on display are stalls selling garden tools and accessories, garden furniture, crafts, and healthy food. Various gardening courses are also on offer at this show and you can attend conferences and workshops too. In addition, there are a number of competitions in which local florists compete. Apart from the general public, the Garden Show is enthusiastically attended by gardening amateurs, landscapers, architects, designers, horticulturists and municipalities.

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Baalbeck International Festival

Activity

The Baalbeck International Festival is one of the oldest and most well known cultural events in the Middle East. The performances at the festival take place at the temples in Baalbeck which are the largest Roman temples ever built and also the best preserved. The unique historic setting in Bekaa Valley provides the background for a variety of presentations. Each year, over 40,000 spectators watch performances in classical music, opera, jazz, modern world music, rock and pop music as well as ballet and theater.

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Ramadan

Activity

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, is the month of fasting and visitors to the city can experience the aura that is associated with it. People fast from dawn to dusk and in the evening when the air resonates with the call for prayers, they all eat together. Hotels and restaurants arrange special iftar meals and shops offer festival discounts. Out of respect to Lebanese Muslims, it is advised that visitors do not eat and drink publically during this time.

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Beirut International Film Festival

Activity

The Beirut International Film Festival is organized by the Beirut Film Foundation. Lebanese cinema has great political and cultural significance for Arab media and this festival aims to encourage an interest in films as well as serves as a platform for young talent from the Middle East. Full length features as well as short films in Arabic and French are screened and prizes awarded. Most films have a strongly political theme. International feature films are also screened. Question and answer sessions make this an interactive event.

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Nejmeh Square

road

This centrally located square in Downtown Beirut has been recently renovated. ‘Nejmeh’ means star, and it is so named because the six roads converging on the square resemble a star. The highlight is the famous clock tower dating from the French Mandate. It is one of the few historic structures that remain intact in Downtown. Other than that, the square is pretty mundane. You’ll naturally run across it while you’re downtown, no need to go out of your way to see it.

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Solidere Clock Tower

Tower

Located in Nejmeh Square (nejmeh means star, and is so named because the six roads converging on the square resemble a star) in Downtown Beirut, the Solidere Clock Tower is an iconic symbol of Beirut. It dates from the French Mandate and is one of the few historic structures that remain intact in Downtown. The tower managed to survive the civil war relatively unscathed.

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Group of Five Columns

Sight

The group of five columns located to the left of the St. George Maronite Cathedral, were once part of a grand colonnade of Roman Berytus. They were found in 1963.

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Roman Beirut

Town

The Roman city of Beirut met a traumatic end in the sixth century after a series of devastating earthquakes. As a result, there is little evidence of the city’s glorious Roman period. What little remains are concentrated Downtown.

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Roman Exedra

Sight

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Floor Mosaics

Sight

These mosaics came from a Byzantine church of the 5th century AD. They were moved from Khalde, south of Beirut to a site neat the National Museum in the 1950’s.

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Highly Carved Colonnade

Museum

This highly carved colonnade was discovered in the 1940’s between Nejmeh Square and the Great Mosque. They were once a part of the Roman Basilica. This group of five columns was moved and erected across from the National Museum in the 1950’s.

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Roman Baths

Building

The Roman Baths were lost to the city for several years and were discovered in 1968-69. It wasn’t until the 1995-97 period of reconstruction that they were fully discovered. Situated behind Bank Street, the site is surrounded by a garden which attempts to recreate the atmosphere of ancient Roman gardens. In addition, there is a small amphitheater for open-air concerts. Rue Riad El Solh, Beirut Central District (Downtown)

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Hamidiyyeh Clock Tower

Tower

The Ottoman Clock Tower was built on the grounds of the Grand Serail in 1897. It marked the 10th anniversary of Sultan Abdul Hamid II’s coronation. The need was felt for a public clock that would indicate the Muslim prayer timings. The clock that stands 25 meters tall was the tallest structure in Beirut at the time of its completion. The Clock Tower houses a huge bell weighing 300 kgs on its third floor. A set of 125 cast iron steps inside the tower’s shaft lead up to this bell. Four miniature neo-orientalist style balconies adorn this floor. Above these balconies are four large clock faces especially imported by the Ottoman embassy from France.

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Ottomon Military Hospital

Hospital

This military hospital right beside the Serail was built in 1865 by Sultan Abdul Aziz. From the period of the French mandate till the 1960’s it served as a courthouse. It was later converted into the of the Lebanese University but most parts of it were destroyed in the war. Completely renovated, it now houses the Council for Development and Reconstruction.

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Casino Mhanna

Casino Mhana is a two floor restaurant that serves incredibly delicious Lebanese meals. The raw meat dishes accompanied by arak, the traditional Lebanese liquor, are a specialty of this restaurant. The crowds on Sundays are a proof of its popularity and excellence. Cuisine: Lebanese Wadi Zahle, Autostrade Antelias, Beirut Tel: 00961 4 403 636

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Al Dente

Dining in luxurious surroundings is an experience in itself and if coupled with excellent food the entire experience becomes an unforgettable one. This high-end restaurant serves the best Italian food in the country and is the perfect place to go to for a special occasion. It is frequented by big businessmen and politicians. The risottos that melt in your mouth are Italian cuisine at its very best. The fresh pasta made on the premises is great on taste. Also try out the capellini with asparagus and white truffle oil. Cuisine: Italian 137, Abdel Wahab El Inglizi Street, Achrafieh, Beirut Tel: 961 1 202440

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Restaurant Mounir

Set in enchanting natural surroundings amidst pine and oak trees, a private vineyard, gardens, and waterfalls, Restaurant Mounir will hold you spellbound. A wide variety of the finest Lebanese food is served here including a large assortment of fresh seafood. Make sure to take a table at the window so you can enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the city of Beirut spread below. Cuisine: Lebanese Broummana Tel: 00961 4 873900

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Le Sushi Bar

Le Sushi bar is the place to go to for enticing dishes that will tickle your palate. In a new location with décor with understated elegance, the standard of excellence continues to draw diners who value quality and freshness. Try out their marinated salmon. Cuisine: Japanese Abdul Wahab El Englizi Street, Ashrafieh Tel: +961 1 338555, 337888

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Burj Al Hamam

Family-friendly

The oriental setting with a warm ambience and a variety of delicious Lebanese fare coupled with impeccable service, make this restaurant a much sought after one in Beirut. The house specialty, “kibbe nayye” (raw meat with bughral) is not to be missed. The beef kebabs or chicken liver cooked with pomegranate molasses is a must have. The restaurant is surrounded by gardens with a special one for children to play in. The large terrace makes a very pleasant seating option in summers. The restaurant location on a mountain gives you fascinating views of the city below. A smaller branch of this restaurant is off the highway. Cuisine: Lebanese • Burj Al Hammam Bldg. Mar Chaia Exit, Broumana Tel: +961 4 960058 • Dbayeh Highway, Labibeh Abou Jawdeh Bldg. Antelias Tel: +961 4 405325

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Casablanca

Casablanca has a beautiful setting in one of the few intact Ottoman houses on the Corniche. It has a great view of the Mediterranean. The Sunday brunch served there is quite popular. A lot of organic food is used and the wide variety of cuisines served there will make you want to come back for more. Make sure you book a window table so that you can enjoy the view to the maximum. Rue Dar El Mreisseh, Ain El Mreisseh Tel: 009611369334.

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Diwan Shahrayar

When legendary Lebanese cuisine is complemented with superb live oriental entertainment including belly dancing, the result is sheer magic. This restaurant, located in Hotel Le Royal, serves a sumptuous variety of mezze, grilled meats and traditional Arabic desserts.

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Dar Al Azrak

Drive a little out of Beirut and head to Dar Al Azrak for excellent sea-food in a beautiful restaurant on the edge of the cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The Lebanese mezze is equally delicious. Here you can enjoy the spectacular view at sunset as you listen to the waves thrashing the cliff below. A truly enjoyable experience. Reservations are recommended. Cuisine: Lebanese Cliff Byblos Byblos 00961 973 7379

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Bob’s Diner

A n authentic American experience with loud crowds, juke-box fifties style, and generous portions makes Bob’s Diner a great place to be. A rocking time, great fun and tasty food is guaranteed here.

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Roadster Diner

Delicious food, friendly staff and excellent service make this one of the most famous American diners in Beirut.