Things to do in Tyre (Sour)
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Al-Bass site
Al-Bass site On the landward side of Tyre, about 20 minutes on foot from the other sites, is the enormous Al-Bass Archaeological site. A colonnaded east-west road, possibly a continuation of the road at Al-Mina site, takes you through a vast funerary complex containing dozens of highly decorated marble and stone sarcophagi.
The more elaborate have reliefs depicting scenes from Greek mythology and Homeric epics. Most are from the 2nd and 3rd century AD, but some date back as far as the 2nd century BC, and there are Byzantine coffins from as late as the 6th century.A huge, triple-bay monumental archway stands further along the colonnaded street. Originally the gateway to th…
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Al-Mina excavations
In an impressive setting leading down to the ancient Egyptian (south) harbour, the Al-Mina excavations incorporate remains of Roman and Byzantine Tyre. Upon entering, a double line of columns to the right is thought to be part of the agora (market place). Further down is a long colonnaded road leading directly to what was the southern harbour. The marble sections of the pavement date back to the Roman era, while the black-and-white mosaic street is Byzantine.
To the right of the road, below a modern cemetery, are the remains of an unusual, rectangular arena, with five rows of terraced seating cut in to limestone. In the centre was a pool that may have been used for some k…
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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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Tyre Beach Nature Reserve
Established in 1998, this small reserve - cut in half by the Rachidiye refugee camp - is an important sanctuary for birds, endangered turtles, bats and other wildlife, as well as containing a beautiful stretch of golden sandy beach. The reserve is made up of two 'zones': the conservation area, which is open to the public every day except Sundays, and the recreation area, open all the time.
There is no entrance fee, but a donation is highly appreciated and goes towards continuing the reserve's valuable work. The northern portion of the reserve is open to the public for swimming. For more information, including hiking and route maps, visit www.destinationlebanon.gov.lb and …
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Holy Cross Cathedral
About a five-minute walk to the north of Al-Mina site, the remains of the Holy Cross Cathedral can be seen from the road. Foundations and granite columns are all that remain of the 12th-century building, giving scant indication of its importance in Crusader times. Beneath and around the cathedral is a network of Roman and Byzantine roads and other buildings, one of which may have been the original temple of Melkart, the ancient god of the city.
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Le Petit Phoenicien
Also known locally as 'Hadeed', after the family that owns and runs it, this is considered the best place for seafood in Tyre. With a nice location overlooking the water and friendly staff, it's a great place to linger over a long, languid lunch while watching the fishing boats. Along the same lines, though without the sea view, the Salinas restaurant, just next to Rest House, comes highly recommended by locals.
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Tyros Restaurant
This is a huge place that's extremely popular with locals, especially on weekends when it's advisable to drop in during the afternoon to book a good table in advance. It has a great atmosphere, the food is delicious and there's frequently live classical Arabic music on Saturday nights.
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Tanit Restaurant
Both the restaurant and its bar are very popular with locals and off-duty Unifil troops. It serves up an eclectic range of cuisine, from Chinese stir-fry to steak and salads. Located just around the corner from the port.
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