Gouraud Street Beirut

Where the old meets the new

Najat from Beirut

""Gouraud Street" adjacent to the St. Nicholas Stairs in Beirut is my safe place. I come here when I'm sad or happy, with friends, for coffee and a chat..."

My safe place: this is the area I go to when I’m sad, happy, excited... This is where I sit with friends for hours to just talk, have a cup of coffee and a cigarette while enjoying the area’s vibe and aesthetic.

Walking down rue Gouraud will feel as if you’re taking a walk down memory lane. The Saint Nicolas Stairs, also known as Escalier de l'Art, are located adjacent to Rue Gouraud and host annual art events. The stairwell leads from Gemmayze to Rue Sursock.

It is a relic from another era, magnificent in its ancient buildings. Graffiti embellishes many of its walls. surrounded by old mansions that now feel feeble but were once vibrant. Surrounded by a new generation of artists and designers plus shop owners, it’s exactly where the old meets the new.

The graffiti, the diversity, its people, the whole area screams Lebanese. It’s artistic, wild by night, yet calm by day. You’ll always find a new hidden gem pop up around this area, from diverse coffee shops to different concept stores, varied restaurants and cultures... there’s something for everyone.

Head on a morning walk in Gouraud street, put on your earphones, grab a coffee cup from coffee shop Sip facing the St. Nicholas stairs, sit there with your book or sketch book while listening to Trip to the Moon by Omar Rahbany, and just enjoy the area. Or at least that’s what I do…

Art & culture

Relaxing

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Beirut Spotter Najat

About me I am a graphic designer and freelancer, passionate about art in general. I grew up drawing and painting and it always has been my way of expression. I love music - you'll never catch me without earphones in my ears. I also love reading and writing: basically, anything that can inspire me and help me escape into my creative head and thoughts is what I look for. Why Beirut Well, why not Beirut? I mean, with all its chaos, how can you not love her? She's art, she has a symphony of her own. The people, the food, the nightlife, the blend of people of all background...

About this spot

Gouraud Street

LBP

free

Nov 8, 2025

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