Batroûn

Day Trips

Stroll through Batroun’s centuries-old souks where merchants sell spices, textiles, and handcrafted trinkets. The narrow alleyways echo with local chatter and the scent of freshly baked bread wafts from small bakeries. Pause at a traditional café to sip aromatic Turkish coffee as the sun rises above the Mediterranean horizon.

Ascend the medieval El-Fadri Tower for panoramic views of the coastline and the red-tiled rooftops of the old city. Learn about the tower’s history and its role in safeguarding Batroun from pirate raids and Ottoman invaders. Afterwards, wander along the ancient city walls and photograph the rugged limestone cliffs framed by the azure sea.

Dine at a family-run restaurant in the old town, sampling fresh mezzes and locally caught fish grilled over charcoal. As night falls, join the lively throngs at Batroun’s beachfront bars, where you can taste artisanal craft beers while live bands perform. End the evening with a stroll along the moonlit promenade, listening to the gentle waves.

Head to Ras al-Abed public beach for a sunrise swim in the crystal-clear water. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to paddle along the rocky shoreline and discover hidden coves. Stop at a beach hut for a fresh fruit smoothie and admire fishermen casting their nets on the rocks.

Embrace adrenaline with jet ski rentals or try windsurfing as the coastal breeze picks up. Divers will find underwater caves and vibrant marine life waiting just offshore. Refuel with a beachside lunch of grilled halloumi and fattoush served under colorful umbrellas.

Stay until sunset for a magical sky painted in pinks and oranges, then join a seaside bonfire gathering with live oud music. Sample local skewers and flatbreads roasted over open flames while locals share stories of old fishing legends. Let the rhythmic beats carry you into a night of star-gazing by the waves.

Set sail from Batroun harbor aboard a traditional wooden boat and cruise towards the Palm Islands Nature Reserve. Watch for migrating sea turtles and dolphins playing in the open waters. The boat captain shares tales of ancient Phoenician seafarers who navigated these same routes.

Anchor near the islands and snorkel above submerged rock formations teeming with colorful fish. Explore the sandy beaches of Rabbits Island, tracing footprints of migratory birds along the shore. Enjoy a picnic of fresh cheese, olives, and lepé bread on the uninhabited islet.

Return to Batroun as the sun begins to dip, painting the sky in golden hues. Climb the basalt steps up to a cliff-top cafe for a plate of moujadarra and zatar pies. Watch fishermen’s silhouettes against the fading light before heading back to town for gelato.

Venture inland to the Qammoua limestone caves at dawn, guided by a local spelunker. Marvel at the grand caverns, stalactite formations, and underground streams that glisten in your headlamp’s beam. Learn about the cave’s ecological importance and resident bat colonies.

Continue along the coastal trail towards Saint Stephen Church, passing olive groves and fragrant wild thyme bushes. Stop at viewpoints overlooking the sea to photograph rugged cliffs and fishing boats below. Cool off with a homemade knafeh from a roadside vendor in a shaded grove.

Return to Batroun and settle into a rooftop terrace overlooking the bay for a mezze spread. Try dishes like moutabel, makdous, and batata harra while breezes carry the sea’s salt. Cap off the night with arak cocktails and tales from local sailors recounting epic storms.

Visit a family-run boutique winery on the outskirts of Batroun, set among terraced vineyards. Tour the cellars to see traditional amphorae and modern oak barrels used for fermenting local grapes. Sample three varieties of native Lebanese wines accompanied by fresh figs and goat cheese.

Drive to the nearby archaeological site of Qalaat al Baher, an ancient coastal fortification overlooking the vineyards. Walk its weathered battlements and imagine medieval skirmishes near the sea. Enjoy a shaded lunch under olive trees, featuring labneh-topped flatbreads and seasonal salads.

Return to the winery for a sunset tasting on the terrace with sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Pair your wine with a surprise mezze plate crafted by the vintner’s chef using garden herbs. Watch as stars emerge, illuminating grapevines in silvery moonlight.

Rise early at La Qatiche fishing port to meet local fishermen as they unload the day’s catch. Sample calamari and fresh sardines seared over charcoal on the docks. Learn to tie reef knots and help sort fish as sea gulls wheel overhead.

Head to a nearby seaside restaurant renowned for its seafood platters—octopus stew, grilled sea bass, and mackerel kibbeh. Take a stroll along the newly renovated promenade, stopping at artisan shops selling nets, sea glass jewelry, and driftwood art. Sip on homemade lemonade infused with mint and lemon balm.

Join a communal feast back at the port’s outdoor tables where locals share stories and belly-dancing begins. Enjoy generous servings of garlic prawns and vibriyeh rice under lantern-lit tents. Dance to dabke rhythms and toast with arak as fishing boats bob in the dark harbor.

Visit the Rachid Karami International Fairground, a Brutalist masterpiece by Oscar Niemeyer, early to beat the crowds. Explore its sweeping concrete curves and learn about Lebanon’s fairground history. Sketch your own interpretations of its architectural forms on provided pads.

Attend a contemporary art workshop at a nearby gallery showcasing Lebanese artists. Create your own mosaic tile or pottery piece under the guidance of a local artisan. Refuel with a light lunch of mana’eesh topped with labneh and zaatar.

Return to the fairground courtyard for an open-air concert or film screening under the stars. Sample street food stalls offering kafta sandwiches and sugarcane juice. End the evening at a pop-up bar with craft cocktails infused with regional herbs.

Take a guided hike through the Tadroun wooded hills, inhaling pine-scented air and spotting wildflowers. Learn about indigenous flora and fauna from your expert guide. Pause by a mountain spring to taste the pure, icy water.

Descend into the traditional village of Tadroun for a homemade mezze picnic prepared by a local family. Feast on muhammara, tabbouleh, and stuffed vine leaves in their olive grove. Engage in conversation about mountain livelihood and olive harvest rituals.

Join villagers around a bonfire for live folk music and dancing as the hillside cools. Sample freshly baked kaak rings and sweet tahini cookies with mint tea. Gaze skyward at an unpolluted canopy of stars.

Meet a master potter in his workshop and try your hand at shaping clay on a spinning wheel. Decorate your creation with traditional Phoenician motifs under his watchful eye. Learn about the region’s ancient ceramic heritage.

Participate in a Lebanese cooking class in a local home, preparing stuffed zucchinis, fattet hummus, and rosewater-infused rice pudding. Harvest fresh herbs from the garden and press olives for oil. Break for a communal lunch where everyone samples each other’s dishes.

Return to Batroun’s old harbor for a sunset boat ride as you dine on your culinary creations complemented by fresh mezze. Listen to the lapping waves and the occasional foghorn from distant ships. Toast to new friendships with a glass of pomegranate-infused arak.

Drive to the Hamat thermal springs nestled in a scenic valley for a rejuvenating soak in mineral-rich pools. Relax to the sound of trickling streams and lush greenery all around. Treat yourself to a gentle mud mask using local clay.

Return to Batroun for a fresh seafood lunch at the bustling marina. Then board a traditional dhow for a leisurely coastal cruise, stopping to swim in hidden grottoes. Sip iced mint tea as the wind tousles your hair.

Watch the sun dip below the horizon from the deck with a glass of prosecco or local wine. As darkness falls, head to a romantic table at a waterfront restaurant for a chef’s special of seabass en papillote. Listen to soft piano melodies drifting over the water.