Profile of Lebanon

Hidden Lebanon

Festivals

Lebanon Tours

For travelers whose motto is “to live is to shop,” Lebanon is the destination in the Middle East. The Lebanese have an eye for style and design, and this flare is seen in the wide range of products available in Lebanon. In Beirut, you can find all the famous, cutting-edge designers in both clothing and furniture from all over the world. There is also a very trendy, home-grown echelon of Lebanese fashion and furniture designers, artists, and photographers whose work should be checked out at the many galleries and shops throughout the city. For clothes lovers, trying on the latest outfits and accessories in Beirut is very much like doing so in New York, London, Paris, or Rome. Visit the large trendy shopping centers in the Verdun area, check out the designer stores in the Solidere area, or take a stroll along Rue Hamra – a shopping-lover’s paradise.

Lebanon boasts an eclectic blend of traditional handicrafts, including beautiful hammered trays with arabesque designs, serving cutlery with handles made from animal horn, engraved wooden boxes and furniture, jewelry, pure olive oil soaps, and many other items. In Beirut, visit artisanat shops, such as L’Artisan du Liban (on Rue Clemenceau near the Gefinor Center) or La Maison de l’Artisan (at the eastern end of the Corniche in Ain Mreisseh), for a wide array of beautiful handicrafts. The traditional souqs (covered markets) in the ancient cities of Tripoli, Sidon, and Tyre are also excellent places to hunt for unique traditional crafts. When visiting the different regions of Lebanon, be sure to inquire what the local handicraft specialty is: blown glass, gold and silver jewelry, cutlery, pottery, embroidered clothing and linen, ornate trays, engraved boxes, olive oil soap, and so on. Each region is usually known for one or more traditional crafts that have been carefully handed down from generation to generation.