Beirut: Is it still the capital of Arab tourism?

Beirut is the largest city of the State of Lebanon and its political capital, which is inhabited by more than two million people according to statistics in 2008, and it is one of the most famous coastal cities in the eastern Mediterranean, with the backbone of Lebanese industry and trade, and it has a history that its people are proud of, as it was mentioned for the first time in the speeches of Amarna dating back to the fifteenth century BC, meaning that Beirut is one of the inhabited cities since ancient times, and the city of Beirut is considered one of the most influential Arab cities in The Arab world, because of its civilizational and cultural imprint, was increased by the presence of many Arab printing presses and publishing houses that were established in the nineteenth century, which made it a destination for Arab intellectuals next to its tourist splendor and the beauty of nature.

Beirut.. Paris of the East and the Mother of Laws

Beirut is the largest city of the State of Lebanon and its political capital, which is inhabited by more than two million people according to statistics in 2008, and it is one of the most famous coastal cities in the eastern Mediterranean, with the backbone of Lebanese industry and trade, and it has a history that its people are proud of, as it was mentioned for the first time in the speeches of Amarna dating back to the fifteenth century BC, meaning that Beirut is one of the inhabited cities since ancient times, and the city of Beirut is considered one of the most influential Arab cities in The Arab world, because of its civilizational and cultural imprint, was increased by the presence of many Arab printing presses and publishing houses that were established in the nineteenth century, which made it a destination for Arab intellectuals next to its tourist splendor and the beauty of nature.

History of the city

Beirut is the lady of the east coast, flooded by the sea since ancient times, and engraved with its memories between the coast and the great rock of Raouche, Beirut is a city of pine and the many wells that suffered from many conflicts throughout its history caused the disappearance of most of its monuments except for some huge granite columns. The city of Beirut was first mentioned in the Amarna letters as "Beiruta", where there was communication between "Akhenaten" the pharaoh of Egypt and "Ammonira" king of "Beiruta" in the early fourteenth century BC. History books indicate that the city of Beirut was established 5000 years ago by the Phoenicians to be a center for maritime trade, and because of its strategic location, kingdoms and empires fought over it throughout history, as it was ruled by the Phoenicians, Hellenists, Romans, Pharaohs, Persians, Arabs and Ottoman Turks, and it was not spared from the Crusades in the Middle Ages, nor was it lost sight of the French occupation in the twentieth century, and perhaps this last occupation was one of the reasons for naming the city of Beirut as Paris of the East because of its legacy A clear French imprint on the city, its inhabitants and their general culture.

Etymology

The name of the city of Beirut is due to the Aramaic language and means "pine", due to the density of pine forests scattered on its land, and there is another opinion that says that the word Beirut is due to the Arabic linguistic root "well", the Phoenician "Beiruta" and the Hebrew "Birut", all of which mean well, due to the spread of wells and springs on its land.

The most beautiful Arab cities

Beirut was famous as the most beautiful Arab capitals and one of the distinctive tourist destinations in the world until the civil war in 1975, which affected the number of visitors for a short period of time, but Beirut rose from the ashes to race the cities of the New World, and put its foot in the foreground, and scattered around it many names from the flower of the East to the Paris of the East, Beirut did not miss its appointment with the Hamidiya clock nor Martyrs' Square nor its will with the palace of "Sargis", in which it represents beauty and for which the sweetest melodies were played in a familiar voice The call to prayer when it sings for Beirut. From my heart, greetings to Beirut. And before the sea and the houses, to a rock as if it were the face of an ancient sailor. The city of Beirut quickly regained its splendor after a major reconstruction process that led to its rapid development until it became the second Arab city in terms of tourism in 2008, where $ 3.7 billion was spent to come immediately after Dubai as the best Arab tourist destinations.

The most important tourist attractions in Beirut

1- Harissa cable car

The Harissa cable car is located 26 km from the capital Beirut and its ride gives tourists a great opportunity to see the picturesque landscapes of the city from a high altitude, and it also provides a panoramic view of the houses and houses located at the foot of the mountains around the city. This cable car was created in the seventies of the last century and still works efficiently today.

2- Zaitouna Bay

Zaytouna Bay can be reached north of the coastal park road near the main Beirut Corniche, and it contains many wonderful tourist restaurants and cafes with a wonderful atmosphere to provide their services in a way that satisfies all tastes, and the bay contains many luxury yachts moored in front of the bay's pier.

3- Beirut Corniche

One of the most beautiful and distinguished tourist attractions in Beirut, it is 4 kilometers long, and provides a space for visitors to enjoy seeing the sea and the mountain peaks in the city.

4- Beirut Souks Mall

In the heart of Beirut, there is a group of international markets and stores that number more than 200 of the most famous stores in the world, which offer the best and most luxurious products. Most of those stores were rebuilt after the end of the Civil War to be better than they were before.

5- National Museum of Beirut

The Beirut National Museum is located in the Mazraa area of Beirut, and the collection of artifacts began in 1919 during World War I by a French officer named "Raymond Weil" until the number of artifacts reached 100 thousand pieces, but the museum's location at the points of engagement during the civil war in 1975 caused serious damage and was closed for several years, then it was restored and reopened in 1997 after a closure period of more than 20 years.

6- Ramlet Al Bayda Beach

It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Beirut, located on the southern side of the city, and there are many restaurants and cafes and many visitors visit it annually to enjoy lying on its white sand and swimming in its waters.

7- Raouche Rock

It is considered one of the landmarks of the coastal city of Beirut, two large rocks located near the shore of the Raouche area in the western sea of Peru. It is 36 meters high, and under it a tunnel through which boats can pass.

There is no doubt that Beirut is one of the Arab cities that deserve to visit at least once to enjoy the beauty of nature, as Paris of the East is still one of the most visited Arab capitals despite the difficulties it has gone through during the past few years, but this has not changed its position in the hearts of its visitors, Arabs and foreigners alike.

Now tell us have you ever been to Beirut?