Stretch Your Legs: Beirut

In many capital cities you spend a lot of effort and money getting from one place to the next on buses, trains and metros, so take advantage of the fact that Beirut can be enjoyed on foot and spend a day feeling the city´s energy on the streets. Check what time the sun sets before leaving your hotel, count back 3 or 4 hours and that´s the best time to take a wander: when it´s not too hot out and you have enough time to get a feel for this vibrant city, its people and its architecture and still arrive at the Corniche (seafront promenade) in time for sunset.

The city´s vivid colours and its mix of Turkish, French, and Lebanese architecture plus its Roman Baths and the incongruity of its beautifully renovated buildings right next to ramshackle old ones, make it a perfect place for wandering: go to Beirut´s sexy Hamra Street full of cars beeping their horns, trendy shops and bars, students hanging out, budding artists, and well-dressed Lebanese sipping coffee in Starbucks or Costa whilst the tourist´s opt for Al Hamra coffee shop instead. Visit the rebuilt downtown, wander past packed restaurants and around lively squares; walk past the American University, the clock town in Nejmeh square and through Martyr Square to see the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque.

And once the chaos has worn you out head for the Corniche to mingle amongst couples walking, people jogging or riding bikes, men fishing or kids playing music as the sun goes to rest over the Mediterranean.

If after your own exploration you feel that you want more information, or if doing it on your own isn´t quite what you had in mind, the best guy to show you his city is Ronnie from Walk Beirut. For more information visit: www.bebeirut.org/walk.html