There are many things why the city of Sidon is of particular importance for lovers of tourism in Lebanon. First, it is the oldest of the Lebanese towns, as some refer to Sidon bin Canaan, credited with the city’s establishment. In contrast, others refer to it as Sidon because its people are skilled fishing people, and it is generally a Phoenician city. Many civilizations have passed through it, so do not be surprised if you see Pharaonic, Assyrian, Chaldean, and Persian monuments, and many civilizations, but many monuments were stolen and smuggled outside the country, in the late 19th century and also the early 20th century, so that most museums of the world include entire archaeological collections from the city of Sidon.

The most important three landmarks in Sidon:

1- Sidon sea castle

The naval castle was built during the era of the Crusaders, and it was constructed on the rocky islands; this island is 80 meters from the beach, and a bridge of beautiful rocks connects them. Then Al-Ashraf Khalil bin Qalawun ordered the construction of a mosque inside the castle, so the court became a mixture of the Crusader and Islamic styles. The castle was built to repel the attacks of invaders, and it consisted of two towers connected by a wall built using Roman columns.

The castle is surrounded by a number of fish restaurants that Sidon is famous for, and there are also many hotels suitable for the accommodation of visitors to the city. Visitors to the castle can go up to the western tower and see the old city and the port, while the eastern tower is not safe to use.

2- Soap Museum

Soap making is considered a handicraft in Lebanon in general and in Sidon in particular. The Soap Museum is located in one of the narrow alleys in which the old city of Sidon is famous, and which the people of the city are keen to preserve as an authentic heritage and one of the sources of tourism in Lebanon.

The Soap Museum was held in a stone building like the rest of the old buildings, in which the stages of soap manufacturing by hand over the ancient history of more than 3,000 years are reviewed, and it is made from completely natural materials for various purposes, mostly to preserve beauty and skincare, and for many other purposes.

The museum’s organizers state that it opens its doors to the public and tourists free of charge throughout the week, except for Sunday.

3- Khan Al-Franj

Khan al-Franj considered one of the most important historical and archaeological monuments in Sidon. It is a square-shaped building with a pond and a fountain in the middle. It is one of the most important and most beautiful khans in the whole East. It was built of two floors in the Islamic style, where the first floor was allocated for trade, while the second floor was given to guests. Thus, it was an important commercial center. Today, it is the seat of the French Consulate and a cultural center that is also used in artistic performances and many cultural events. In addition, this khan was designated for the residence of the Franks coming to visit the country, and for this reason, it was called Khan al-Frank.