Around Us

Smar Jbeil, Batroun

2.8 km

Smar Jbeil (Known also as Asmar Jbeil or Samar Jbeil) is a village located in the Batroun District in the North Governorate of Lebanon. It is located on a hill facing the Mediterranean sea at 500 m elevation. It is one of the oldest villages in Lebanon. In the Middle Ages, the Maronites took it as a refuge from their enemy’s attacks. The Castle was built in the center of the village, on a hill showing the entire neighborhood. Most of the historians recognize that the castle was built by the Phoenicians, and was under the Persian Empire control in 555 B.C. In the Middle Ages, the Maronites and their army the Maradaites took the castle as a refuge and it was the See of the First Maronite Catholic Patriarch Saint John Maron before he moved to Kfarhay. The Mardaites counterattacked their enemies from Smar Jbeil and they won the battle in Amyoun (30 km north) while defending their Patriarch. Smar Jbeil is one of the oldest villages in Lebanon according to Fr. Henri Lammens. It has a very old castle at the western entrance of the village built on a strategic hill, showing from its western side, the Mediterranean coast from Jbeil to Tripoli, and from its eastern side the mountains of Lebanon specially the famous Cedars of God mountain near Bsharri. The origin of the castle could be Phoenician.

IXSIR Winery, Batroun

3.2 km

Located on the hills of Batroun, this 17th century bastion of regional heritage was established by friends with a common passion for both wine and Lebanon. IXSIR is the culmination of their dream in creating a fine wine that will forever be associated with their fatherland.

IXSIR welcomes visitors to Basbina winery in the mountains of Batroun throughout the year. Experience what makes IXSIR different, the winemaking process, and most importantly, the ins and outs of our award winning Winery. You can enjoy a complimentary wine tasting session and choose to have lunch in the outdoor terrace.

Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday. Winter: 12pm to 4pm - Summer: 12pm to 6pm

Fees: Free entrance

Wadi Harba Hiking Trail , Batroun

5 km

Wadi Harba is 55 kilometers away from Beirut the capital of Lebanon. It's the valley separating Batroun from Jbeil. It spans from the seashore at the Madfoun bridge, all the way up to the Saint Joseph Monastery in Jrebta and the Elige hill in Kattara. 

Wadi Harba was the first habitat for Christians at the times of apostles, who crossed the old Roman road located at the sides of the valley.

According to some accounts, the apostles even stopped at the location for a while. Christianity spread in the valley in the first century BC and numerous churches, sanctuaries, monasteries and hermitages were built in the location, and it was long considered a preferred destination for Christian pilgrims.

Nowadays, ancient monuments and churches are being restored, to give the region back a long lost status as a pilgrimage destination.


 

White Beach, Batroun

6.2 km

Situated only 45 kilometers from Beirut, and 5 kilometers away from the sizzling nightlife of Batroun. Welcoming visitors from around the world serving and pleasing anyone looking for a smoothing escape. Located on the untouched shores of Batroun in North Lebanon, the White Beach family will serve your every need for a warm and uplifting escape. You’ll be pampered with the best of our traditional Lebanese cuisine while basking under the famous Mediterranean sunshine during summer, and fired up by our exquisite home cooked meals during winter.

Pierre & Friends, Batroun

6.2 km

Ranked as one of the best beach bars in the world, Pierre and Friends is a refreshingly cool getaway for a day filled with sun, food, and adventure. You’ll find lounge chairs sprawled along rocks and sand, where you can enjoy a bite of Lebanese food with your feet dangling in the water. Be sure to stick around for sunset, where you’ll be overwhelmed with scenic beauty just as the DJ begins to play infectious beach tunes. Once the music starts, you’ll be tempted to linger and turn your beach day into a fun-filled nighttime pursuit, complete with food, drinks, and dancing along to the beats of waves crashing against Batroun’s stunning shore.

Opening time: 9:44 PM till 3:00 AM

Batroun Town, Batroun

6.6 km

Batroun is located in the northern part of Lebanon and it's one of the oldest city in the world. 

The name Batroun derives from the Arabic al-Batroun, itself from the Greek, Botrys (also spelled Bothrys), which was later Latinized to Botrus. Historians believe that the Greek name of the town originates from the Phoenician word, bater, which means to cut and it refers to the maritime wall that the Phoenicians built in the sea to protect them from tidal waves.[1] Other historians[who?] believe that the name of the town is derivative of the Phoenician words, beit truna, which translates to house of the chief.

It's knows to be one of the major destination in Northern Lebanon for its beaches, night life and historic background. 

Beaches you must visit: Pierre & Friends - White beach - Loco Beach- O Glacee - Orchid beach resort - Baracuda beach

Colonel Beer Brewery, Batroun

7.1 km

The Colonel Beer Brewery is already one of the main destination in Lebanon. It's located in the center of Batroun, just walking distance from the pubs and restaurants. The brewery produces craft lager beer and distribute the products in Lebanon. 

The brewery features a large terrace pub where concerts, bands and many special events are held. The place is eco and pet friendly. It also hosts a restaurants with fast food menu.

The brewing process is visible from the pub through a glass separation and tours explaining the beer-making process to visitors are featured. Its eco-friendly structure is fascinating to see; it uses natural lighting and is made up of an interesting combination of eco-boards, recycled wood pallets, vertical gardens and a green roof.

Opening time: 5pm till 2am

Fees: Free entrance

Phoenician Wall, Batroun

7.6 km

Batroun was once one of the most important Phoenician cities in the region. The Greek name of the town originates from the Phoenician word bater, which means “to cut” and it refers to the maritime wall that the Phoenicians built in the sea to protect them from tidal waves, that still stand today. The sea wall was originally a normal structure composed of alarmed sand dunes. The wall is 225 meters long and 1 to 1.5 meters thick. Some parts of it still stands strong and some of it has crumbled, and is a must see for an authentic piece of Lebanon’s ancient history.

Mseylha Fort , Chekka

7.6 km

The Mseilha Fort is a fortification situated north of the city of Batroun in Lebanon. The current fort was built by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century to guard the route from Tripoli to Beirut.The fort is built on a long, narrow limestone rock near the Nahr el-Jawz River. Its walls are constructed with small sandstone blocks quarried from the nearby coast and built onto the edge of the limestone rock. The thickness of the walls ranges from 1.5 to 2 meters (4 to 6.5 feet). The larger limestone blocks are the only remains of an earlier structure probably built for the same defensive reason.

Opening time: 9 AM to 5 PM

Fees: No entrance fees

Batroun Old Souk , Batroun

7.7 km

Batroun is the southern gateway to the Northern Lebanon, it is located on the Mediterranean coast 50km north of Beirut and 30km south of Tripoli.

At Batroun you can visit the old city marketplace (nineteenth century), stoned with basalt between 2003 and 2004 .Its houses are distinguished by their vaults made up of Batroun’s sandstones. They are the achievements of a rich social class; bourgeois tradesmen and industrialists. The marketplace used to host a great number of shops, stores caravanserai, hotels and firms, above which were the dwelling-places of people.
 

Byblos Old Town, Byblos

11.3 km

One of the oldest continuously populated cities in the world is Byblos, Lebanon. Modern scholars state that it dates way back to 7,000 years ago and at the time, it was called "Gubla" and later "Gebal" while the coast in general was called "Canaan". We were given the name "Phoenicia" and the city's name was changed to "Byblos" after 1200 B.C. by the Greek.

This wonderful ancient city is still full of life 37km North of Beirut and is referred to as "Jbeil" in Arabic. Do not think twice about visiting Byblos because it is has every form of activity you can think of from restaurants to souvenir shops, hotels, bars, etc. Do not be deceived by the modern buildings and crowded streets because deep into the old town are excavated remains of the ancient city like the Crusader castle. If you wish to get a deeper understanding about Byblos and Lebanon's past, be sure to visit the Wax Museum near the Crusader Castle. Just 6km South of Byblos is Nahr Ibrahim. This valley of the ancient Adonis river is the wildest and most beautiful in Lebanon.

Byblos has risen as an upscale touristic focal point thanks to its ancient port, Phoenician, Roman and Crusader ruins, sandy beaches and the picturesque mountains that surround it. The city is known for its fine fish restaurants, open-air bars, and outdoor cafes. Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando were regular visitors to the cities and you can go on Yacht cruises into its harbor today, just as they did in the sixties and seventies.

Our Lady of Nourieh, Chekka

11.4 km

The story of Our Lady of Light shrine and monastery is celebrated throughout Lebanon, a country where Christianity has existed since Jesus first evangelized in Tyre and Sidon, and therefore, Lebanon is often considered part of the “Holy Land.” Some of the first Christian communities were set up in Lebanon during the time of the apostles.

It is believed that two sailors built the shrine in the 4th century. One winter night, on a very stormy sea, the two sailors found themselves in peril. They began praying, and the Virgin appeared to them as a light and guided them gently to the shore of Theoprosopon near modern-day Chekka in North Lebanon. The grateful sailors carved a cave in the cliff and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and called the shrine, Our Lady of Light. A Greek Orthodox monastery was built in the 17th century.The miraculous icon of the Theotokos has been venerated for centuries for having glowed with light to attract wayward ships

Opening time: 9 Am to 5 PM

Fees: No entrance fees

Byblos Old Souk, Byblos

11.7 km

In the southeast section of the historic city, near the entrance of the archaeological site, is an old market where tourists can shop for souvenirs and antiques, or simply stroll along the old cobblestone streets and enjoy the architecture. People sometimes go there just for a walk in the alleys of the souks, as it takes you back millions of years ago. The charm of this place will leave you breathless and you will be back for more. 

Opening time: Everyday from 9AM to 10PM

Fees: No entrance fees

Byblos Wax Museum, Byblos

11.7 km

The wax museum is located in Byblos, Lebanon. This museum displays wax statues and life scenes from the Phoenician era to the modern times.

The museum, which was originally opened in 1970, also provides exhibits showcasing Lebanese rural life.

Highlights include a lifelike statue of famed Lebanese author Khalil Gibran writing at his desk, two artisans creating colorful Phoenician glasswork, a statue of Alexander the Great prior to the burning of Tyre, a traditional Lebanese wedding scene, and a depiction of the 1916 revolt against Ottoman rule, which resulted in the execution of the leading revolutionaries on Martyrs' Square in Downtown Beirut.

Opening time: Everyday from 9AM to 6PM

St John The Baptist Church , Byblos

11.8 km

The construction of the church began in 1115, with additional structures added with time during the 12th and 13th centuries. Each one of the church's 3 naves end with a semi circular apse. In the 13th century, the Italianate-style cupla with an open air baptistery were added in the northwest corner. 
The church was given to the Maronite community by Emir Youssef Chehab during the 18th century. 

The church was severly damaged during the British bombardment in 1840 but it was restored later in 1947 and the bell tower was added. 
The architectural style of the church is roman but reflects the oriental Byzantine influence. In the garden to the west of the church are traces of mosaic paving of an earlier Byzantine church.

Opening time: Everyday from 8AM to 6PM

Fees: No entrance fees

Byblos Port, Byblos

11.8 km

Byblos Port is an ancient port in Byblos, Lebanon and is believed by the Lebanese to be oldest port in the world. Around 3000 BC, Byblos Port was the most important timber shipping center in the eastern Mediterranean. It was used by the Phoenicians to ship their local wine, Cedars of Lebanon and other wood to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt to be used in tomb construction and shipbuilding.

When visiting the Port, don't forget to pass by Pepe Abed fishing Club for the best sea food lunch you can ever taste.

Fees: 0

The Crusader Byblos Castle, Byblos

11.9 km

Byblos Castle was built by the Crusaders in the 12th century from indigenous limestone and the remains of Roman structures. The finished structure was surrounded by a moat. It belonged to the genoese Embriaco family, whose members were the Lords of Gibelet (as Byblos was called during Middle Ages). Saladin captured the town and castle in 1188 and dismantled the walls in 1190. Later, the Crusaders recaptured Byblos and rebuilt the fortifications of the castle in 1197. In 1369, the castle had to fend off an attack from Cypriot vessels from Famagusta.

The Byblos Castle has distinguished historical buildings for neighbors. Near it stand a few Egyptian temples, Phoenician Royal Necropolis and the Roman amphitheatre. These are testament to the varied and rich history of the town of Byblos.

Opening time: Everyday from 9AM to 6PM

Fees: LBP6000/pers

Baatara Waterfall, Laklouk

14.7 km

“Baatara Waterfall” or “Balou3 Bal3a” is a 250 meters deep natural sink whole that has been carved by water 160 million years ago. Visiting this place is a must. It is a considered a big attraction for hikers, professional photographers and tourists.

Laklouk Ski Resort, Laklouk

15 km

Laklouk had its first ski lift installed in 1958, followed by major enhancements to the slopes and the creation of a very qualified ski school. Unlike other resorts, the area surrounding the slopes is nearly free of buildings and construction.

Laklouk Lakes, Laklouk

16.4 km

Laklouk Lakes are something you don't want to miss when visiting Laklouk. The view from the top is outstanding and the scenery in general is worth taking a thousand pictures of. 

Tahet el Rih Beach, Anfeh

16.9 km

Tahet el Rih beach Anfeh is a simplified version of Greece with white/turquoise wooden cabins and chalets. Wooden bridges, passages and balconies border the sea to give the visitors a gorgeous view of the clear water. In addition, wind wheels are spotted among the white cabins and they serve to pump sea water for salt extraction.

The water underneath the cabins is crystal clear to the point that you can clearly see the rocks at the bottom of the sea.
Ta7et el Ri7 beach is a free entrance public beach in Anfeh , but most of the chalets are private.

This is a list of cafe and restaurants where you can sunbath, have a lunch or just chillax under the sun of beautiful Anfeh.

– Chez Fouad restaurant Phone 70/830 117
– 3al Ba7er restaurant Phone: 70/554417
– Salim sur mer Phone 03/330472
– Paralia Bar Phone 78/955 811
– Istira7et al Khal Phone 03/306585

Opening time: 9 AM to 1 AM

The Citadel of Anfeh, Anfeh

17 km

The Citadel of Anfeh is located on a peninsula that is 400-meter long and 100-meter wide. That peninsula is known as "Raas Anfeh". The citadel is considered a Crusader remain, but it was an important place for many other civilizations. Many historical things like old graves, mosaic pieces, olive presses, and salt pans can be found in and around it.The citadel is characterized by its rock-cut  trench (Al-Khandaq). Historically, the trench, covered with sea water, was used to separate the citadel from the land during attacks on the citadel. A movable bridge was used as a path from and to the citadel, and its rocky base still exists.

Opening time: Always open

Salt Marshes in Anfeh, Anfeh

17 km

Wide areas of Anfeh and its surrounding are covered by salines. Along the length of the bay, the salt marshes add a typically pretty note to the landscape, especially with the traditional wind wheel which pumps seawater. The production of sea salt is a staple of the local economy. “White gold”, as it is called, provides for an inexhaustible natural resource which can thus be extracted without endangering the environment.

Opening time: Always open