Market sights in Lebanon
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A
Souqs
The old covered souqs are the city's highlight, lying between the Sea Castle and the Castle of St Louis. This is where, in labyrinthine alleyways, shopkeepers ply their trades in workshops the same way they have done for centuries. Officially there are some 60 listed historic sites here, many of them in ruins, though renovation work is ongoing.
Scattered throughout the souqs are several coffeehouses and plenty of tiny canteens dishing out cheap, simple and tasty Arabic dishes; there are also a huge number of pastry shops where you can buy hot bread and biscuits. The delicious sanioura (a light crumbly biscuit) is a speciality of Sidon and the souqs are also famous for pro…
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Fishing Harbour & Souqs
Small, but bustling with activity, the fishing harbour is the most picturesque part of Tyre, with its brightly coloured wooden boats and old-fashioned boat repair shops. There are also a couple of fish restaurants and cafés that overlook the water and make a good vantage point for watching the scene.
Behind them, running from east to west, lie Tyre's Ottoman-era souqs, which aren't as extensive as those of Sidon and Tripoli, but are still lively and interesting to explore.
As you walk around the northern side of the harbour, you come to the city's Christian quarter, where there are six churches (one ruined) reflecting Lebanon's multitude of Christian denominations. They a…
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B
Souq al-Haraj
At the northern end of the old town is Souq al-Haraj, which is thought to have been built on the site of a Crusader church. Its high, vaulted ceiling is supported by 14 granite columns, two at the centre and 12 ranged around the sides, which are probably a leftover from the earlier structure. Today the souq specialises in mats, pillows and mattresses.
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C
Khan al-Askar
Just around the corner from Souq al-Haraj (at the northern end of the old town) is Khan al-Askar, which consists of two buildings joined by a vaulted passage. It is thought to have been built in the late 13th or early 14th century, and was restored in the 18th century.
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D
Khan al-Khayyatin
Beside Hammam Izz ed-Dine is the beautifully restored stretch of tailors' shops known as Khan al-Khayyatin . Built in the first half of the 14th century, it is one of the city's oldest khans.
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E
Cardo Maximus
The Cardo Maximus, evocative remains of a Roman-era market area should not be missed.
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