The Old Manara Beirut

Beirut's old lighthouse

Samira from Beirut

About Me I am a reflective wanderer who turns her encounters into stories to be told during her walking guided tours in Beirut. I am passionate about discovering hidden gems, attending art exhibitions, having oral history conversations about the recent history of Beirut, and discovering specialty coffee shops. Why Beirut? Beirut is the city that all the Arab countries have...
""The Old Manara" (lighthouse) in Beirut has been standing still since 1957. I love how it makes me feel so small next to it..."

This lighthouse has stood still from 1957 until now in its same spot, though it's not functioning anymore and is abandoned. This old manara (meaning lighthouse in Arabic) is a hidden gem that is fascinating to observe, as anyone can get very close to it, yet not everyone may have access inside.

A family named Chebli owned this lighthouse, as you can see on the doorbell on the door of the old manara. However, the new residential tower built next to has led to its dysfunctional state.

What I love about this lighthouse is that you feel so small in front of it, and it stands as an intersection between long stairs to the left that can lead to the Ain el Mreisse area in Beirut, and to the right you would see The Rose House, which I have already written about in another article.

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Beirut Spotter Samira

About Me I am a reflective wanderer who turns her encounters into stories to be told during her walking guided tours in Beirut. I am passionate about discovering hidden gems, attending art exhibitions, having oral history conversations about the recent history of Beirut, and discovering specialty coffee shops. Why Beirut? Beirut is the city that all the Arab countries have always needed, whether culturally, politically, architecturally, or artistically. This city is a melting pot of almost all ethnicities and those who wander its streets would feel so, just as authors ...

About this spot

Bliss Street, Beirut

LBP

no-price

Oct 19, 2025

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