Ras Beirut

This place is special to me because it is where I studied and now spend most of my free time. We do not have many green or open spaces in Beirut but the American University neighborhood has it all: a botanical garden –which is also a cat haven, heritage buildings, an archeological museum, art galleries, excellent restaurants and coffee shops, a weekly farmers’ market and, last but not least, the seaside cornice – a beautiful promenade that leads to the iconic Rauche rocks site. One never gets bored in this area, never!

Ras Beirut

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A beautiful old house with Ottoman arcades and balconies over viewing the sea. This beauty - which survived WWI sea battles, WWII invasions, and the Lebanese civil war – does not seize to captivate visitors and locals despite its derelict condition

The Ferris wheel of this old amusement park dominates Beirut’s skyline and offers one of the best views of the city - but only to those who are not afraid of heights and do not investigate the wheel’s ageing mechanics too closely

Also known as the Pigeon Rocks, these huge rock formations are a Lebanese natural treasure and a must see sight for everyone who comes to Beirut

A weekly farmers market organized by the American University of Beirut Neighborhood Initiative to support local Lebanese producers. Here, you can find healthy and delicious homemade products, artisan books, plants and a lot of friendly and smiley people

Set in a historic, refurbished house, Salon Beyrouth is a cafe, whiskey lounge and jazz bar rolled into one. The airy outdoor seating area has a tree growing in the middle of it, whilst the interior is refined and reminiscent of the roaring twenties

Caffeinated goodness - from the world's top producing regions - nestled in a stunning house that dates back to the Ottoman period. Need I say more?

AUB students’ favorite café with its Art Deco vintage tiles and open façade onto the sidewalk

A hidden café and books oasis located in a renovated old house with a lovely garden. It offers great food, coffee, Oslo ice-cream and a boutique bookshop with an interesting hand-picked selection

Interactive art and cultural space dedicated to historical, modern, and contemporary cultural productions from Palestine and the Levant

One of Beirut’s emblematic historical cultural locations, the former Cinema Clemenceau - later Al-Madina Theater, now transformed into a modern art gallery, one of the largest and most prominent in the city

The cornice is one the few public spaces in the city and one of the most thriving ones.

The American University campus has it all. It is a botanical garden and cat haven punctuated by architectural landmarks and a breathtaking archaeological museum

This modern lighthouse replaced the old one - in service for 147 years - in 2003. Why? Because a businessman -powerful enough to bend the rules - decided to build a residential skyscraper in front of the old one

This lighthouse, which is also known as “The Old Manara,” is one of Beirut’s most known landmarks. It hides a lot of history behind it, mainly the story of a family that struggled to keep it running despite the war

Healthier versions of traditional Lebanese, fluffy pizza-like delicacies in a comfortable and cozy environment and friendly service

The René Moawad Garden, known by the public as the Sanayeh Garden, is a historical public garden in the middle of a concrete and glass jungle – a treasure cherished by the residents of a city that lacks parks and open spaces

A tapas & mezze restaurant with super casual ambiance and mouthwatering specialty dishes like Itch (an Armenian salad), Halloumi with Carrot, and Moroccan Tagines

Funky community gathering place and activist hub with great Lebanese food, a vibrant outdoor seating area and an upstairs lending library