Şaydā

Day Trips

Arrive in Şaydā at sunrise and settle into a seaside guesthouse. Enjoy a leisurely Levantine breakfast of fresh olives, labneh, and za’atar while gazing at fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. Feel the gentle Mediterranean breeze as you sip strong Arabic coffee.

Wander along the ancient corniche, watching fishermen mend their nets by hand. Explore the tree-shaded alleys leading to hidden hammams and local bakeries. Dip your toes in the clear waters and pick a shaded café for a mid-day tart of semsemieh.

Dine at a family-run fish restaurant on the waterfront, sampling grilled sea bass drizzled with lemon and olive oil. Listen to the call to prayer drifting over the waves as lanterns twinkle along the shore. End the night with a stroll under date palms, the castle walls illuminated behind you.

Climb the ramparts of the medieval Sea Castle just as the sun glints off its weathered stones. Learn about its Crusader origins and Ottoman restorations from a local guide. Breathe in salty air and sea spray at the battlements.

Cross the narrow causeway to Khan al-Franj and admire its ornately carved wooden galleries. Wander through merchant rooms now home to artisans crafting copperware and textiles. Sample a sweet ma’amoul pastry at a courtyard café shaded by fig trees.

Watch fishermen haul in their nightly catch while the castle silhouette darkens against the pink sky. Share mezza plates of hummus, baba ghanouj, and tabbouleh at a rooftop terrace. Toast to the day with arak and sparkling conversation.

Begin at the historic Soap Museum, tracing the ancient process of olive-oil soap making. Crush fragrant laurel leaves and smell basil-drenched molds. Interact with craftsmen still using millennia-old techniques.

Lose yourself in the labyrinthine souk, where copper trays and embroidered shawls vie for your attention. Haggle gently with vendors over inlaid jewelry and cedarwood boxes. Pause for fresh sugarcane juice from a street-side stall.

Dine at a hidden courtyard restaurant behind the souk, illuminated by tear-drop lamps. Feast on slow-cooked mujaddara and spiced lamb kebabs. Share stories with local shopkeepers over cups of mint tea.

Set out early for a scenic drive south to the ancient city of Tyre. Explore the UNESCO‐listed Roman hippodrome and seaside necropolis. Listen to the echo of chariot wheels in the stone grandstands.

Wander among mosaic-paved villas and public baths at the Al-Bass site. Dip into the shimmering shallows of Ras al-Bass coast for a quick swim. Refuel with a picnic of mezze on the grass-covered ruins.

Return to Şaydā for a rooftop dinner overlooking the glittering coastline. Order samke harra, a spicy baked fish specialty. Watch sailboats drift under a crescent moon.

Head to a quiet stretch of sandy beach just north of town for gentle waves and sun-drenched relaxation. Stretch out on a palm-thatched lounger with a good book. Cool off periodically with dips in crystal-clear water.

Snack on fresh figs and fouara served by a mobile vendor. Try paddleboarding along the calm lagoon. Marvel at the glint of sun on the terracotta roofs of Şaydā across the water.

Rejoin the town for an alfresco dinner at a seafood shack on the sand. Feast on tagliatelle tossed with clams and cherry tomatoes. Share laughter and local music at a bonfire lit by the tide.

Tour the ornate Debbane Palace and admire its painted ceilings and tiled courtyards. Learn about the Ottoman family who once hosted sultans here. Wander beneath scented orange trees in the inner courtyard.

Join a hands-on cooking class in a nearby farmhouse kitchen. Roll phyllo for warm spinach fatayer, grind spices for za’atar, and knead dough for manakish. Relish your creations alongside zingy fattoush salad.

Share a communal meal under lantern-draped vines as locals play the oud. Toast to new friendships with sweet arak-infused lemonade. Stroll back through moonlit lanes lined with bougainvillea.

Set off by bike through rolling olive groves outside Şaydā at dawn. Watch locals harvest ripe olives by hand. Pause beneath gnarled trunks to learn about the region’s legendary oil presses.

Picnic on crusty flatbread, labneh dip, and fresh fruit among ancient trees. Cycle to a hilltop viewpoint for panoramic vistas of the blue sea. Return via winding country roads, stopping at a beekeeper’s hut to sample fragrant thyme honey.

Refuel at a roadside tavern with hearty shank stew and rice pilaf. Share anecdotes with fellow travelers over cardamom-scented coffee. Drift off to sleep to the murmur of cicadas in the night air.

Revisit Al-Bass to study intricate floor mosaics and towering columns. Capture photos of the rose-hued stone against the morning light. Imagine daily life in a Roman port city.

Browse the crafts market at the site’s perimeter for handwoven rugs and palm-woven baskets. Chat with artisans about dyeing techniques using pomegranate skins. Sip pomegranate iced tea as you haggle for the perfect souvenir.

Return to town for a mezze crawl, tasting mujadara, moutabbal, and warak enab. Rotate between bustling cafés, sampling a different dish at each stop. End with a creamy knafeh dessert, its sweet cheese and crisp pastry warmed at your table.

Catch a local fishing boat to Arwad Island, Syria’s only inhabited island. Explore its sandy streets and Ottoman-era houses. Listen to fishermen mend nets and repair wooden skiffs.

Wander to the island’s fortress ruins for sweeping sea views. Drop anchor at a quiet cove for a seaside lunch of grilled calamari and fattoush. Snorkel among starfish and small schools of silver fish.

Return to Şaydā as the sun melts into the horizon. Dine on shawarma eats and fresh tabbouleh at a waterfront stall. Cap off the night with sweet semolina halawet el-jibn and a starlit stroll.

Sleep in before a late seaside brunch of shakshuka and warm pita. Wander the morning fish market, observing lively auctions. Savor a glass of lemon-mint juice as the town wakes around you.

Board a traditional Lebanese sailboat for a gentle Mediterranean cruise. Drift past hidden coves and dramatic limestone cliffs. Enjoy an array of cold mezze and chilled white wine on deck.

Disembark for a farewell banquet at a candlelit terrace overlooking the harbor. Feast on whole roasted lamb, roasted vegetables, and saffron rice. Raise a final toast with local friends to memories made under Şaydā’s golden sky.