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Voykit pocket guide · Lebanon
Sidon
صيدا
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.
- Country
- Lebanon
- Local name
- صيدا
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (very hot)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- LBP
- Money
- US dollar cash is the backbone of payments: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget LL25,000–40,000 excl. bed · Mid LL40,000–70,000 excl. bed · High LL70,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Red Cross ambulance 140 · Civil defence 175
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Minibus from Beirut to Sidon | LL2,000 per person |
| Taxi within Sidon | LL5,000 per ride |
| Sea Castle entry | LL3,000 |
| Traditional soap (souks) | LL1,500–2,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BEY · Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport
- About 1 hour by minibus or taxi; check
Typical fares
- 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)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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).
See and do
Known for
- Sidon Sea Castle
- Eshmun Temple ruins
- Traditional soap and sweets
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre | Minibus from Sidon bus station, about 30 min | ≈ 1 h total |
Sleep
- Convent guesthouse
- Courtyard guesthouse in the souk; LL20,000 per night, breakfast not included.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | عفواًʿafwan |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much is it? | بكم هذا؟bikam hādhā? |
| Where is the toilet? | أين الحمام؟ayna al‑ḥammām? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- 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).
Sidon is generally safe for tourists; avoid the refugee camp area during unrest and stay aware of traffic when crossing streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sidon yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sidon Sea Castle
- Eshmun Temple ruins
- Traditional soap and sweets
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Sidon: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Sidon, revision 5239007 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239007
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/sidon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.