Aley: Souk, Art and Culture

When planning a stay in Aley, you can explore the city through a range of interests: the souk in the center, art and cycling in Ras al-Jabal, historic sites, or a group program about Lebanese wildlife. These themes give you a concrete framework for choosing Aley as a destination and then looking for hotels in the city.

Souk and City Center

The souk in the city center includes libraries, oriental sweet shops, flower shops, retail stores, restaurants and cafés. Shopping, dining and everyday urban life are the focus here. This distinguishes the souk from the art and cycling themes in Ras al-Jabal. Individual businesses may change; if you are planning to visit a particular shop or restaurant, check the latest information.

Art and Cycling in Ras al-Jabal

The sculptures in Ras al-Jabal are arranged along a short, tree-lined street, forming a series of white marble works. Their cohesive design gives the art theme a clear focus. Those interested in cycling can explore the Ras al-Jabal area by bike.

Aley itself was also given an artistic spotlight through an art project: in 2017, Eman Assaf, founder of the NGO Ahla Fawda, and the municipality worked together to highlight the city’s wide views with street art by Lebanese and British artists. Another chapter in the city’s art history is the annual sculpture program. It began in 1999 and was repeated for many consecutive years.

History and Group Activities

Aley’s history includes the OHEL YA'AKOB Synagogue. Ezra Anzarut built it in 1895 for the Jewish community and gave it this name.

Animal Encounter offers another topic, with educational programs for visiting school groups and other groups. Presentations cover Lebanese wildlife, its conservation, biodiversity and the environment. There are also guided tours to see the animals that live there. If you are planning a group program, inquire in advance about current visiting options and dates.

More Perspectives on Mount Lebanon

The wider Mount Lebanon travel region offers additional cultural and landscape themes. Beiteddine Palace is considered an outstanding example of the 19th-century architectural revival in Mount Lebanon. In El-Werhaniyeh, forests cover 35 percent of the village’s area. They include hundreds of centuries-old oak trees, some of which are over 200 years old, as well as mulberry trees, hawthorns, pines and other tree species. The Werhaniyeh-Freidis-Barouk Forest Trail begins in El-Werhaniyeh and is used by hikers and nature lovers. One neighborhood is called El-Ayoun, “The Eyes,” because of its many springs. Traditional Lebanese architecture is preserved in the village, and the Assaf Museum is officially recognized as a national museum.

Maasser Beit el-Din is also known as Ain El-Maasser. Its attractions include a historic 19th-century silk factory; ancient olive presses can be found on Ram Hill. Each year, the village celebrates the feast of Saint Elias, its patron saint, with a Mass in the village church, a communal dinner and an exhibition. In Majdel Maoush, the Church of Our Lady was built in 1609 by Patriarch Jean Makhlouf; the old Church of Saint George is attributed to Patriarch Douaihy. The annual Feast of the Assumption of Mary there includes a solemn Mass and an art festival.

Events and landscape features also give Mount Lebanon its own character: Barouk-Freidis traditionally holds its Apple Day Festival at the end of September. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates for that year’s event in advance. The Shabrouh Dam is located in the Mount Lebanon Governorate and holds 8 million cubic meters of water.

Discover more destinations: Anfah, Douma, Chtaura, Beit Al Dine, Jounieh, Ḑahr Al Ḩarf, Zahlé, Ehden

Go to the main travel overview: Lebanon.