Achrafieh

Beirut, Lebanon

An elegant hilltop district of old mansions, smart restaurants and the Sursock Museum. Beirut at its most gracious.

Places in Achrafieh

Em Sherif A lavish set-menu feast of dozens of Lebanese mezze and dishes in an opulent room, the grandest expression of the national cuisine. A celebratory Beirut experience.
Sursock Museum A beautiful Italianate mansion turned modern-art museum in Achrafieh, damaged in the 2020 blast and lovingly restored. A symbol of the city's resilience.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to November for warm, comfortable weather and the sea still swimmable. Summer is hot and buzzing; winter is mild and wet. Check current travel advisories before planning.
Getting around: Shared taxis (service), private taxis and the Bolt app are the way around; agree fares. The city is walkable in patches (the Corniche, Gemmayzeh) but hilly and traffic-choked. A driver helps for the wineries and mountains beyond.
Currency: Lebanese Pound (ل.ل); USD widely used
Language: Arabic. French and English are widely spoken.
Timezone: EET (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer)
Current trends: A resilient, creative dining and bar scene rebuilding in Mar Mikhael and Gemmayzeh after the 2020 blast; modern-Lebanese cooking reclaiming tradition; a strong natural-wine and Lebanese-wine culture; and rooftop bars reviving the city's famous nightlife.

Mar Mikhael — The city's creative hotspot, a street of bars, restaurants, galleries and boutiques that anchors Beirut's nightlife, rebuilding with defiant energy after the blast. Where the city comes alive.
Gemmayzeh — A charming quarter of Ottoman staircases, French-mandate buildings, cafés and bars, adjoining Mar Mikhael. Atmospheric and lively.
Hamra — The historic intellectual and commercial heart on the west side, of bookshops, cafés, universities and old cinemas. Beirut's bohemian, cosmopolitan side.
Downtown & the Corniche — The rebuilt central district around the clock tower and Roman baths, and the seafront Corniche promenade where all Beirut walks. The city's civic and social spine.