Joünié

Day Trips

Arrive at Jounieh’s airport or port and settle into your charming seaside hotel. Feel the gentle Mediterranean breeze as you unpack and freshen up for the day ahead. Wander out to the bustling Corniche to witness fishermen hauling in their morning catch.

Treat yourself to fresh mezze at a waterfront cafe while admiring the turquoise bay. Explore winding alleys filled with colorful street art and friendly locals selling sweets and crafts. Pause for a refreshing lemon mint juice under the shade of swaying palm trees.

As the sun dips below the horizon, take a leisurely walk along the lit promenade. Visit a cozy restaurant serving freshly caught seafood paired with local wine. End the night listening to live oud music drifting from a seaside lounge.

Catch the panoramic Téléphérique up to Harissa and marvel at breathtaking views of Jounieh Bay. Wander through shaded paths to the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon and soak in the serene atmosphere. Listen to the echo of bells from the basilica perched high above the sea.

Descend back to town for a traditional Lebanese lunch at a hillside restaurant overlooking the coast. Sample smoky grilled meats, fresh tabbouleh, and creamy hummus in vibrant outdoor seating. Engage with locals as they share stories of faith and folklore tied to the sanctuary.

Return to Jounieh for a sunset cruise departing from the marina, watching the sky turn pink over the water. Indulge in mezze platters on deck and toast with arak under starlit skies. Let gentle waves and distant city lights lull you into a peaceful evening.

Depart early for the sublime Jeita Grotto, a natural wonder of limestone caverns dripping with stalactites and stalagmites. Glide by boat across the underground lake to hidden chambers illuminated in soft, multicolored lights. Feel the cool mist and dripping water usher you deeper into this subterranean cathedral.

Continue to Byblos, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Wander the ancient souks and gaze at Crusader castle walls as you snack on sweet rose-flavored ice cream. Visit the harbor for a seafood mezze lunch while fishing boats bob gently on the waves.

Explore the restored old city streets as lanterns flicker and locals play backgammon under stone arches. Sip aromatic Turkish coffee in a centuries-old cafe and watch fishermen mend nets by lantern light. Return to Jounieh, full of history and magic, under a crescent moon.

Drive south to Beirut and start at UNESCO-listed Martyrs' Square, tracing the city's resilience through public art installations. Wander the nearby pedestrian Hamra Street, alive with bookshops, patisseries, and students chatting over espresso. Take in the layered architecture that blends Ottoman facades with modern glass towers.

Visit the National Museum of Beirut to admire ancient Phoenician artifacts and Roman statues. Pause for a light lunch of falafel wraps and fattoush salad at a nearby brasserie. Stroll along the beachfront Corniche to watch joggers and locals practicing Tai Chi.

Head to the trendy Gemmayzeh neighborhood, where colorful facades hide chic art galleries and craft breweries. Savor a rooftop dinner of lamb kofta and goat cheese fattoush under strings of glowing bulbs. Cap off the night at a speakeasy bar, sampling creative cocktails infused with local ingredients.

Enjoy a scenic drive north to Batroun, passing terraced vineyards and olive groves. Upon arrival, visit the famed Phoenician wall and the quaint old souk lined with lemon trees. Spend a leisurely hour sipping fresh lemonade under the shade of ancient arches.

Explore outlying fishing villages like Amchit and Enfeh, known for colorful boats and serene beaches. Sample village specialties—grilled mullet and mujadara—at a seaside eatery. Wander down narrow lanes where laundry flutters overhead and cats sunbathe on stone doorsteps.

Return to Batroun’s harbor for a sunset aperitivo at a cliffside bar, watching fishing boats head home. Gather with locals around a bonfire on the beach, roasting marshmallows and strumming the oud. Drift to sleep to the soft sound of waves lapping the shore.

Embark on a day trip to Tripoli, Lebanon’s northern capital of medieval architecture. Begin at the imposing Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, surveying the city rooftops from its towers. Stroll through the historic Khan Al Saboun soap souk, inhaling scents of olive oil and rosemary.

Taste Tripoli’s legendary sweets—baklava, maamoul, and knafeh—crafted by generations-old patisseries. Wander the Al-Mina port area, watching fishermen unload their haul. Enjoy lunch at a fish market restaurant where the catch is grilled to order.

Explore the labyrinthine old city, discovering hidden hammams and Ottoman-era madrasas lit by amber lamps. Relax in a traditional tea house with mint tea and backgammon boards. Return to Jounieh, reflecting on the day’s historic discoveries.

Depart for the Bekaa Valley, stopping first at Chateau Ksara for a guided tour of its underground wine cellars. Learn about centuries-old winemaking methods and sample robust reds and crisp rosés. Admire vaulted tunnels hewn from limestone, alive with rows of aging barrels.

Proceed to the Umayyad ruins of Anjar, exploring grand palaces and colonnaded streets echoing with history. Wander through the ancient marketplace stones and envision bustling traders from a millennium ago. Enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of sycamore trees amidst the ruins.

Return to Jounieh via the scenic mountain road as the sun casts golden light over terraced slopes. Sip a glass of local red as you watch the valleys grow dim. Relax in your seaside hotel, ears still ringing with the day’s echoes of history.

Rise early for a full-day excursion to Lebanon’s cedar forests, marveling at ancient trees blanketed in morning mist. Walk among gnarled trunks that have stood for thousands of years, breathing in crisp alpine air. Snap photographs of swaying branches against a cerulean sky.

Descend into the dramatic Qadisha Valley, following hiking trails past hermit caves and rock-cut monasteries. Take a break at a mountain terrace restaurant for lentil soup and mountain cheese flatbreads. Feel the powerful quiet of this UNESCO World Heritage Site envelop you.

Head back toward Jounieh, stopping at a roadside falafel stand for a quick snack. Arrive just before dusk to stroll the illuminated Corniche. Sip Turkish coffee in a seaside café and watch stars emerge over the Mediterranean.

Drive south to Tyre, exploring Roman hippodrome ruins as the sun warms ancient stones. Wander mosaic floors and arches that speak of Phoenician seafaring glory. Sample freshly made manakish with zaatar from a local bakery for breakfast.

Visit the sandy islets and Roman pools of Tyre’s coastline, then continue to the salty shores of Rachaya’s salt lake. Enjoy a picnic lunch of mezze and local bread on the windswept beach. Swim in the serene azure waters, discovering hidden coves.

As twilight falls, travel back to Jounieh in time for a night market visit. Browse stalls selling handcrafted jewelry and colorful kaftans under twinkling lights. Conclude with a glass of arak and fresh watermelon juice on your hotel balcony.

Spend your final morning lounging on Jounieh’s pebbled beach, dipping your toes in the warm Mediterranean. Indulge in a spa treatment at a seaside resort, emerging refreshed and sun-kissed. Savor a leisurely brunch of yogurt with honey and seasonal fruits.

Take a last stroll through Jounieh’s bustling souks, collecting souvenirs like hand-woven baskets and cedarwood carvings. Visit a seaside café for a final cup of strong Lebanese coffee and an order of kunafa. Watch fishing boats return to the harbor, nets filled for the final time.

Gather for a farewell dinner at a cliffside restaurant overlooking the bay, where lanterns twinkle on the water. Feast on mezze, grilled fish, and baklava while heartfelt toasts are made to your adventure. Watch the sun set in a blaze of orange and pink, sealing your memories of Jounieh.