Things to do in Tyre, Lebanon

Tyre Things To Do

Tyre is an ancient city in Lebanon, that dates back to as early as 2750 B.C. The Phoenicians settled the city. There are many ancient ruins, and many from the early Roman era as well.

Visit the Old City

The old city is southwest of the fishing port on the peninsula of Tyre. It is compact with a lot of buildings, some of which are very old. There are old mosques and churches in various places, and some interesting things to see. Since it is close to the Israeli border, it is somewhat volatile and restoration has not been as fast as in other areas. There is a very old Christian population here, and there is a Carmelite church and nunnery to visit.

Alleyways

Many places warn you to stay out of alleys, and often that is good advice. However, the old city has rows of alleys that are narrow, but still give you a taste of the city from years gone by. There are a lot of restaurants and small shops, and the area has not yet been developed for tourists, but it could be soon.

The Souq

The Souq is a marketplace of sorts, with a Middle Eastern flair. It may not be as ancient as that of some cities, but it does have the sense of the open market that is famous in this part of the world. You can find just about anything here. There is also a fruit and vegetable market on the north side of the peninsula of Tyre, facing the Sidon Harbor. You can meet local people here and get a real taste of local culture, as well as something good to eat. Meat and baked items are also sold at this market and this market is also more oriented towards tourists.

Roman Ruins

There is a section of Roman Ruins, from when the city was ruled by the Roman Empire and you can see how a Roman city was organized and planned. Also there is a section of Roman residential ruins, which shows how areas were developed for regular citizens. There are also several Roman arches and Roman baths to explore, as well as some archeological sites worth a visit.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things you can do in Tyre, Lebanon.