Hop-On Hop-Off Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut is a city with over 5,000 years of history, and its present is as fascinating as its past. Take our city tour to discover both then and now. A great stop on your hop-on, hop-off tour is the St Nicolas Stairs in the relaxed Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, which is home to numerous bars where you’re sure to find something fantastic to eat. The Stairs themselves are a living exhibition space which hosts regular exhibitions and cultural events.

For a spot of shopping, why not hop off at the Beirut Souks? Historically, this has always been the commercial heart of the city and it definitely is again. Badly damaged in the war, it has been undergoing major regeneration and the incredible Zaha Hadid-designed North Souks department store is sure to be one of the city’s architectural jewels.

Hop back on the bus and keep enjoying Beirut from its open-topped roof. The Roman Baths, in the heart of downtown, would make a great place to hop off next. Some 2,000 years old, these baths provide an excellent window into life in Roman Berytus, one of the various names this ancient city has gone by.

Hop off at St George Maronite Cathedral, an impressive building which stands right by a beautiful mosque and a Greek Orthodox Cathedral, symbolising the city’s long-standing religious plurality. The Greek Orthodox Cathedral also has an excellent little museum in its crypt. Feel like a coffee? There´s no better place than the vibrant, buzzing Nejmeh Square, which is just around the corner.

Hop back on and head for Raouche, where you can see the incredible Raouche or Pigeon Rocks, and relax in one of the cliff-top cafés. For a last stop, try the fascinating AUB Archaeological Museum for an insight into Beirut's long and varied history. There’s so much to see and do in Beirut and with City Sightseeing you can do it all.