Best things to do in Chouf District

Shouf District Essentials

The Shouf District contains Lebanon's largest nature reserve, the Barouk Cedars, and the 19th-century Beiteddine Palace, known for its Ottoman architecture and mosaics. The area features the historic town of Deir el Qamar, home to the Saydet El Talle church, and the cliffside Fortress of Niha. Cultural sites include the Phoenician Temple of Eshmun and Moussa Castle, a mid-20th-century museum of Lebanese life. Landscapes are defined by the confluence of rivers at Mltqy alnhryn and the 18th-century Monastery of the Savior.

Shouf District Essentials — Map

€ Van 3000 / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

Entrance to the Barouk Chouf Cedar Reserve

Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in the Chouf and Aley districts of Lebanon.

Serge Melki / CC BY 2.0

B

Beit Eddine Palace

Beit ed-Dine, also known as Btaddine is a small town and the administrative capital of the Chouf District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate…

C

Moussa Castle

Built single-handedly by Moussa Al-Maamari over 60 years, this mid-20th-century castle houses a museum of Lebanese heritage featuring life-sized animated figures depicting traditional village life and crafts.

BlingBling10 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

Temple of Eshmun

The Temple of Eshmun is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Eshmun, the Phoenician god of healing.

E

Fortress of Niha

The Fortress of Niha is an ancient fortress in Lebanon, which has been first mentioned in 975 AD.

Heretiq / CC BY-SA 2.5

F

Saydet El Talle

The Church of Saidet et Tallé, sometimes spelled Saydet El Talle and translated as Our Lady of the Hill, is a Maronite church in Deir el…

G

Dyr almkhls

An 18th-century Melkite Greek Catholic monastery featuring a significant collection of icons, a historic library, and traditional stone architecture overlooking the Awali River valley.

H

Mltqy alnhryn

A natural landmark where the Barouk and Damour rivers meet, characterized by waterfalls and lush vegetation. It is a traditional spot for outdoor dining and hiking.