Landmarks to Visit
What to Do and See in Batroun
Your Perfect Guide
Batroun Boutique Suites (BBS) are within a short walking distance from Batroun’s main sites, whether historical, cultural, or leisure ones. For those who are looking for a touristic tour in the area, the suites are only a short drive away from many top-rated tourist attractions. Of course, you can do other activities, starting from visiting tasty seafood, traditional, or fast food restaurants to doing different kinds of sport you can think of, including biking, hiking, surf, kayak or windsurf.
1. Old Souks
Dating back to the 19th century, the sand-stone souks, located in the northern part of old town, were established by the industrial and commercial bourgeoisie. They were fully renovated in recent years and are hosting currently a number of shops, bars, pubs, hotels, restaurants, and bakeries. Some handicraft industries are still present there too.
2. Saint Stephan’s Cathedral
This captivating church, overlooking the Old Port, was built in the beginning of the 20th century and designed by the Italian architect Giusape Maggiore. You can access it by walking through the narrow streets with no need for a car. It is a must-see place due to its impressive and beautiful architecture. Small churches are also nearby, including Saint Georges Church (1867) and Lady of the Square (1898).
3. Old Port
The port is located just next to Saint Stephan’s Cathedral. It serves as a hub for fishing boats and as a nice walking area for visitors and tourists at the same time.
4. Lady of the Sea Church
It is a Greek Orthodox chapel, built on the ruins of a Byzantine Church. Located few steps from the Great Phoenician Wall, it is a perfect spot for a prayer pause or a beautiful sunset view.
5. Phoenician Wall
The Wall extends on the seashore with 225 meters long and five meters high. It was used by Phoenicians to protect the city from storms and wars.
6. Roman Theater
This historic site is not open for public. However, visitors can notice its remains in the garden of a photography studio belonging to Jammal family.
7. Makaad El Mir
This landmark which means the “Prince’s Seat” in English is located southeast of the Phoenician Wall. It consists of a big rock that has a door and stairs through them a visitor can reach the top.
8. Hilmi’s House of Lemonade
Lemonade has a special history in Batroun, where inhabitants used to celebrate a yearly Lemonade event even before 1940s. This house hosts a lemonade museum and offers its guests different flavors of Lemonade. Batroun’s visitors can also taste Lemonade in different shops, cafes, and restaurants across the streets.
9. Mseilha Fort
The Fort is situated up north to the city of Batroun near the coastal highway. It was built by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century to guard the route from Tripoli to Beirut. The Fort is accessible for visitors after being renovated in recent years.
10. Mseilha Walkway
One of the best hiking spots of Lebanon, this 12 km walkway from Kfarhollos-Batroun, Batroun Village Club road, to Kaftoun village welcomes all visitors and adventurers. The walkway, is always open for public with free entrance. You will explore the beauty of the valley of Nahr El-Joz (Walnut River) and spend peaceful time at the heart of nature.
11. Saint Rafqa Monastery
The Monastery of Saint Joseph, Saint Rafqa’s Tomb, is in Jrabta, in the Batroun area. This religious attraction is a great place if you are looking for prayer, peace, and serenity. On the 10th of each month, you can visit it to celebrate a procession with the relics of Saint Rafqa around the monastery.
12. Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery
In this monastery located just few meters away from Saint Rafqa’s Tomb, you can visit the tombs of Saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858) and the Blessed Brother Estephan Nehme (1889-1938). From this place, you can also reach many beautiful villages of Batroun, rich of history and heritage.
13. Our Lady of Nourieh Monastery
This Greek Orthodox monastery is located in Hamat village on the top of a hill overlooking the sea. It is believed that the first old church of the monastery was built in the middle of the 6th century. It is one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage sites of Lebanon. Visitors can also drive shortly to access Saint Simon’s Church, another religious must-see attraction, especially to enjoy an additional panoramic sea view.
14. Wineries
Wine lovers have the chance to visit several wineries in the area of Batroun, including Batroun Mountains Winery, Ixir, Clos du Phoenix, Coteaux de Botrys, and Aurora Winery among others. Wineries usually offer self-guided tours free of charge or guests can book their guided-tour earlier to their visit to the place.
15. Balou Balaa
One of the most beautiful waterfalls of the world, as listed by the British daily newspaper the Gardian in 2019 in its list of “20 of the World’s best waterfalls”, this site is perfect to visit, whether for hiking, tourism, or enjoying the stunning nature.
1. Old Souks
Dating back to the 19th century, the sand-stone souks, located in the northern part of old town, were established by the industrial and commercial bourgeoisie. They were fully renovated in recent years and are hosting currently a number of shops, bars, pubs, hotels, restaurants, and bakeries. Some handicraft industries are still present there too.
2. Saint Stephan’s Cathedral
This captivating church, overlooking the Old Port, was built in the beginning of the 20th century and designed by the Italian architect Giusape Maggiore. You can access it by walking through the narrow streets with no need for a car. It is a must-see place due to its impressive and beautiful architecture. Small churches are also nearby, including Saint Georges Church (1867) and Lady of the Square (1898).
3. Old Port
The port is located just next to Saint Stephan’s Cathedral. It serves as a hub for fishing boats and as a nice walking area for visitors and tourists at the same time.
4. Lady of the Sea Church
It is a Greek Orthodox chapel, built on the ruins of a Byzantine Church. Located few steps from the Great Phoenician Wall, it is a perfect spot for a prayer pause or a beautiful sunset view.
5. Phoenician Wall
The Wall extends on the seashore with 225 meters long and five meters high. It was used by Phoenicians to protect the city from storms and wars.
6. Roman Theater
This historic site is not open for public. However, visitors can notice its remains in the garden of a photography studio belonging to Jammal family.
7. Makaad El Mir
This landmark which means the “Prince’s Seat” in English is located southeast of the Phoenician Wall. It consists of a big rock that has a door and stairs through them a visitor can reach the top.
8. Hilmi’s House of Lemonade
Lemonade has a special history in Batroun, where inhabitants used to celebrate a yearly Lemonade event even before 1940s. This house hosts a lemonade museum and offers its guests different flavors of Lemonade. Batroun’s visitors can also taste Lemonade in different shops, cafes, and restaurants across the streets.
9. Mseilha Fort
The Fort is situated up north to the city of Batroun near the coastal highway. It was built by Emir Fakhreddine II in the 17th century to guard the route from Tripoli to Beirut. The Fort is accessible for visitors after being renovated in recent years.
10. Mseilha Walkway
One of the best hiking spots of Lebanon, this 12 km walkway from Kfarhollos-Batroun, Batroun Village Club road, to Kaftoun village welcomes all visitors and adventurers. The walkway, is always open for public with free entrance. You will explore the beauty of the valley of Nahr El-Joz (Walnut River) and spend peaceful time at the heart of nature.
11. Saint Rafqa Monastery
The Monastery of Saint Joseph, Saint Rafqa’s Tomb, is in Jrabta, in the Batroun area. This religious attraction is a great place if you are looking for prayer, peace, and serenity. On the 10th of each month, you can visit it to celebrate a procession with the relics of Saint Rafqa around the monastery.
12. Saints Cyprian and Justina Monastery
In this monastery located just few meters away from Saint Rafqa’s Tomb, you can visit the tombs of Saint Nimatullah Kassab Al-Hardini (1808-1858) and the Blessed Brother Estephan Nehme (1889-1938). From this place, you can also reach many beautiful villages of Batroun, rich of history and heritage.
13. Our Lady of Nourieh Monastery
This Greek Orthodox monastery is located in Hamat village on the top of a hill overlooking the sea. It is believed that the first old church of the monastery was built in the middle of the 6th century. It is one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage sites of Lebanon. Visitors can also drive shortly to access Saint Simon’s Church, another religious must-see attraction, especially to enjoy an additional panoramic sea view.
14. Wineries
Wine lovers have the chance to visit several wineries in the area of Batroun, including Batroun Mountains Winery, Ixir, Clos du Phoenix, Coteaux de Botrys, and Aurora Winery among others. Wineries usually offer self-guided tours free of charge or guests can book their guided-tour earlier to their visit to the place.
15. Balou Balaa
One of the most beautiful waterfalls of the world, as listed by the British daily newspaper the Gardian in 2019 in its list of “20 of the World’s best waterfalls”, this site is perfect to visit, whether for hiking, tourism, or enjoying the stunning nature.