12 Museums In Lebanon You Must Visit For An Exciting Cultural Trip

@angel_diamanti | @matteoelkhodr

Lebanon is the land of culture, and the Lebanese people are freaks for their rich heritage, reflected by the fascinating museums scattered along the country.

From soap museums, authentic Lebanese palaces and houses, contemporary art museums, and historical sites, people in Lebanon can fully immerse themselves in the world of art and history!

Whether you want to enjoy a fascinating cultural “getaway” or go down memory lane, here are interesting museums you and your friends should visit!

Debbane Palace Museum – Sidon

You can experience 300 years of Saida’s rich heritage at the Debbane Palace Museum, an Ottoman-era palace dating back to the 18th century located above the souks of Sidon, south Lebanon.

The Palace opens every day from 9 am until 6 pm. For more info, contact 01 490 590.

The National Museum of Beirut – Beirut

Located in the heart of Beirut, The National Museum of Beirut showcases over 5,000 years of history, beginning in Prehistory and ending in the Ottoman era, making it a fascinating cultural gem to discover at leisure.

The museum welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday. You can contact 01 426 703 for more information.

Mim Museum – Beirut

The Mim Museum is a private mineral museum showcasing more than 1800 minerals, reflecting 400 different species from over 70 countries.

Located at the University Saint Joseph (USJ), Campus de L’innovation et du Sport (CIS), in Beirut, the museum is a splendid cultural venue where you can get to admire minerals created in the earth’s crust for millions of years.

The Mim Museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday: from 10 am until 12:30 pm and from 2 pm until 5:30 pm.

For more info, contact 01 421 672

Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum – Bcharre

There are many things to do in Bcharre, north of Lebanon, including visiting the museum of Gibran Khalil Gibran, which displays the timeless works of the Lebanese writer, artist, and philosopher, along with his belongings and his private library.

Carved in rocks, the current museum was built in the 7th century. For inquiries, contact 06 671 137.

Beit Beirut – Sodeko

If you are interested in seeing one of the civil war landmarks, you can visit Beit Beirut, a museum and cultural center celebrating Beirut’s history.

For inquiries, contact 71 028 969

Nabu Museum – Batroun

The Nabu Museum is not your typical museum. The sleek place exhibits art history, ancient artifacts, culture, and contemporary art with a stunning sea view in Batroun.

So if you want to check out the Nabu Museum, you can visit it from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am until 7 pm. For inquiries, contact 06 541 341 or 06 541 941.

Sursock Museum – Ashrafieh

Although the exhibition space is temporarily closed due to the Beirut blast, you can still check Sursock Museum’s restaurant, store, and beautiful esplanade to discover Beirut’s architectural heritage from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am until 5 pm.

AUB Archaeological Museum – Hamra

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Founded in 1868, the AUB Archaeological Museum is the 3rd oldest museum in the Near East. The Regional museum exhibits collections from 7 countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Egypt, Palestine, ​Iraq, and Iran.

Guided tours of the museum can also be provided upon request. For more info, contact 01 350 000.

Musée Henry – Batroun

The Musée Henry is a captivating place to visit. Created by Henry Loussian, it features a house made from 100 demolished traditional and authentic houses in Beirut.

Located in Batroun, the entrance fee is LBP 100,000. You may contact 03 753 654 for more info.

Musée du Savon – Sidon

The Soap Museum is a splendid themed museum located in an ancient vaulted place. It is a must-visit to check out the history of soap making in Lebanon and the Middle East and to discover the many stages of artisanal soap making.

The museum opens every day from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm. For more info, contact 03 887 688.

Modern and Contemporary Art Museum – Byblos

Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MACAM) is a captivating contemporary art museum situated in a large factory compound on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

Founded in 2012, the MACAM is the first of its kind in the country. The museum offers a permanent exhibition, “Panorama of Sculpture in Lebanon,” displaying over 400 sculptures and installations by renowned artists. 

MACAM Opens from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am until 4 pm. For inquiries, contact 03 322 432.

Memory of Time – Byblos

Also located in Byblos, Memory of Time offers a glimpse at fossils that survived for 100 million years “and are likely to endure until the end of times!”

For more info, contact 09 540 555.

Related19 Contemporary Art Galleries You Can Visit Around Beirut

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