Major city · Lebanon
Sidonصيدا
Spend a half‑day to see the Sea Castle and old souk; add a night in a guesthouse if you want a relaxed evening.
Sidon is a compact coastal city where the main sights – the Crusader Sea Castle, the old souk and the nearby Eshmun Temple – are within walking distance. One day covers the highlights; a night lets you explore the market after hours and enjoy local food.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LBP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (very hot)
- Airport
- BEY
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Lebanon befor…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Lebanon ↗Check your own government travel advice for Lebanon before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Lebanon ↗Entry rules depend on your passport; check General Security and your own government's advice before booking.
- Lebanon ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Lebanon before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sidon112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sidon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollar cash is the backbone of payments: see Insurance & payments above.Lebanon-wide
- SafetySidon is generally safe for tourists; avoid the refugee camp area during unrest and stay aware of traffic when crossing streets.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 140 Red Cross ambulance · 175 Civil defence (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (About 1 hour by minibus or taxi; check).
- Getting aroundTaxis dominate; a short ride in the city costs about LL5,000 (≈ $3.25).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within Sidon≈ $3.25LL5,000 per ride
- Museum or sight ticketSea Castle entry≈ $2LL3,000
- Budget bedConvent guesthouse room, a night, per roomLBP 20,000
- Mid-range bedConvent guesthouse room, a night, per roomLBP 25,000
- High-end bedConvent guesthouse room, a night, per roomLBP 30,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LBP 25,000 · Mid LBP 40,000 · High LBP 70,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (About 1 hour by minibus or taxi; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sidon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis dominate; a short ride in the city costs about LL5,000 (≈ $3.25). Shared “service” taxis pick up additional passengers for an extra LL2,000 (≈ $1.25).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tyre
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Minibus from Sidon bus station, about 30 min
Coastal ruins and harbour; easy half‑day visit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Convent guesthouse
Courtyard guesthouse in the souk; LL20,000 per night, breakfast not included.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- LL25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- LL40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- LL70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Convent guesthouse room1 × 1 night × LBP 25,000 | LBP 25,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LBP 40,000 | LBP 80,000 |
| Taxi ride within Sidon2 × LBP 5,000 · ≈ $3.25 | LBP 10,000 |
| Sea Castle entry2 × LBP 3,000 · ≈ $2 | LBP 6,000 |
| Minibus from Beirut (round‑trip)2 × LBP 2,000 · ≈ $1.30; check schedule | LBP 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LBP 12,500 |
| Trip total≈ LBP 68,800 per person per day, bed included | LBP 137,500 |
LL20,000 per night; breakfast not included.
2026 estimate in Lebanese pounds; US dollars widely accepted.
Prices of common things
| Minibus from Beirut to Sidon≈ $1.30 | LL2,000 per person |
| Taxi within Sidon≈ $3.25 | LL5,000 per ride |
| Sea Castle entry≈ $2 | LL3,000 |
| Traditional soap (souks)≈ $1–$1.60 | LL1,500–2,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check current security around the Ein el‑Helweh refugee camp; other areas are generally safe.
- Sea Castle entry fee is LL3,000; verify opening hours (9 am–6 pm).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Red Cross ambulance
- 140
- Civil defence
- 175
Pocket card
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Sidonصيدا
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Red Cross ambulance140
- Civil defence175
Embassy
US consulate in Beirut; check for any local representation in Sidon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Beirut → Sidon minibus: LL2,000 per person, about 1 h (check schedule)
- Taxi ride in Sidon: LL5,000 per ride (≈ $3.25)
- Sea Castle entry: LL3,000 per person (≈ $2)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم هذا؟ — How much is it? (bikam hādhā?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sidon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (very hot)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in the convent guesthouse for relaxed market evenings.
- Combine Sidon with a Tyre day‑trip for a coastal itinerary.
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Sidon
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sidon, revision 5239007 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Sidon
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