Believed to date from the 14th century when it was used by Egyptian merchants, this dilapidated khan is home to several friendly soapmakers, including, upstairs, one of the city's most famous businesses, Sharkass, which has been making olive-oil soap since 1803, and downstairs, Tripoli Soap, comparative youngsters dating from 1937. The city's soap is famous, and the family operations here will happily talk you through the process. The atrium is decorated with faded Lonely Planet quotes.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
2.13 MILES
An enticing blend of tradition and modernity, the web of narrow streets of Tripoli's port quarter makes for wonderful strolling. The Phoenician city stood…
24.58 MILES
A restored 12th-century Crusader castle surrounded by a 10m-wide dry moat is located just inside the entrance to Byblos' atmospheric archaeological site…
15.94 MILES
Producing a range of wines made with grapes from its three vineyards (one at Basbina in the hills above Batroun, one in Jezzine and another in the Bekaa…
13.1 MILES
From where the Qadisha road meets the valley floor, it's a 5km (1½-2 hour) walk to the serene still-working convent of Deir Qannoubin, probably the oldest…
0.02 MILES
One of the most beautiful buildings in the old city, this semi-open vaulted-roofed khan was formerly a Crusader hospital and is today a beautifully…
24.56 MILES
A well-restored Crusader castle dominates Byblos' atmospheric archaeological site, which incorporates Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Greek and Roman ruins –…
Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles
0.2 MILES
Towering above Tripoli and the river, this Crusader fortress was originally built during the period from 1103 to 1104. Burned down in 1297, it was partly…
16.21 MILES
According to his wishes, the body of poet and artist Khalil Gibran (1883–1931), author of the much-loved The Prophet (1923), was interred in the chapel of…
Nearby Tripoli attractions
0.02 MILES
Used from the 13th-century right up until 1975, this historic hammam is an extensive complex that is undergoing an elegant restoration. There's a…
0.02 MILES
One of the most beautiful buildings in the old city, this semi-open vaulted-roofed khan was formerly a Crusader hospital and is today a beautifully…
0.06 MILES
Gleaming brassware characterises this market street, just outside the cramped central area of the souq. You'll need plenty of tenacity and elbow grease to…
0.1 MILES
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…
0.1 MILES
In the centre of the souq, the Khan As Saboun was built in the 16th century and first used as an army barracks; since then, it has for generations…
0.11 MILES
Tripoli's gold souq gleams bright with jewellery displayed in dozens of shopfronts. There are some very high-quality pieces, though they are mostly traded…
0.12 MILES
This long straight souq is fragrant with perfumes and spices. It segues into the main food-selling portion of the market area.
0.15 MILES
On a little square in the vicinity of the Great Mosque, this religious school has distinctive black-and-white stonework and a beautiful inlaid mihrab …