About
Sidon is an ancient Phoenician port city on Lebanon's Mediterranean coast, a short journey south of Beirut. Its long history as a seafaring town gives a visit a strong sense of age, and the city remains lively and lived-in today.
What to see
- Archaeological sites that reflect the city's Phoenician roots and the many periods that followed.
- The old port area, where the connection between Sidon and the sea that shaped it is easiest to feel.
- Traditional soap-making, a long-standing local craft still associated with the city.
Why visit
Sidon suits travelers interested in history and archaeology, and those who enjoy wandering through a working city rather than a purely preserved one. The coastline and the town's historic core make for a relaxed day or a stop on a wider trip along Lebanon's coast.
Visitors often combine a trip to Sidon with the surrounding region, drawing on the wider area's food, coastal scenery and other historic towns. Plan time for the archaeological sites and for the soap workshops, and allow room to simply walk the streets and the waterfront at an unhurried pace.