Mar velous museums
Whether you’re into art, archaeology or aquatic life, we’ve got it covered! With the support of the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism, we take you around eight of the most impressive museums in and around Beirut
Museums in and around Beirut to discover
BEIRUT NATIONAL MUSEUM
Built in the 1930s, the Beirut National Museum is the only one of its kind to exhibit ancient artifacts discovered on Lebanese territory. Considered to be among the richest museums in the Middle East, its precious objects tell the story of people and civilizations that conquered Lebanon and lived there, from prehistory to the 19th century.
Although the museum suffered severe damage during the Lebanese Civil War, thorough renovation was undertaken in the 1990s to restore it to its former glory. Today, the museum offers visitors the chance to travel back in time as they explore its three floors packed with hundreds of antiquities, including sarcophagi, mosaics, jewelry, coins, ceramics and woodwork. Entrance: 5,000 LBP (adults), 1,000 LBP (students and under 18s) Hours: Tue-sun (excluding public holidays) from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Museum St., 01 426703, beirutnationalmuseum.com
SURSOCK MUSEUM
Widely regarded as one of the most important modern art museums in Lebanon, the Sursock Museum was the former villa of aristocrat Nicolas Sursock, who gifted the mansion as an art museum to the city of Beirut upon his death in 1952. The building itself is nothing short of a work of art, with its exquisite blend of Venetian and Ottoman architectural elements and extravagant external staircases. After a lengthy five-year expansion project, the Sursock reopened its doors to the public in 2015.
Displaying more than 800 works from Lebanese and international artists, the museum has hosted around 100 exhibitions over the course of its history. The permanent exhibition includes a collection of Islamic art works and Japanese engravings. Entrance: Free (donations are welcome) Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM except on Thursday 12 PM to 9 PM. Closed on Tuesday.
Greek Orthodox Archbishopric St., Achrafieh, 01 202001, sursock.museum