Aley brings together several distinct points of interest for travelers: the souk in the city center, art in the Ras al-Jabal area, and traces of cultural history. There are also cycling and group-based educational programs about wildlife. If you are weighing up urban life, art and history when choosing a destination, these topics offer a concrete framework for your interests.
Souk and City Center
The souk in the city center includes libraries, shops selling oriental sweets, flower shops, retail stores, restaurants and cafés. This mix brings together different types of businesses and dining options, making the souk a distinct point of reference in Aley. If you are more interested in the city center and its mix of shops and restaurants than in a single cultural landmark, this is a good place to start. Individual businesses may change, so if you plan to visit a specific one, it is best to check in advance.
Street Art and Sculptures in Ras al-Jabal
In 2017, Eman Assaf, founder of the NGO Ahla Fawda, and the municipality of Aley worked together to highlight the city’s expansive views with street art by Lebanese and British artists. The art is therefore linked to a specific joint project focused on the city’s views. In Ras al-Jabal, sculptures are arranged along a short, tree-lined street, forming a sequence in white marble. The street art and marble sculptures offer contrasting points of interest: one connects art with views, while the other presents a spatially arranged series of sculptures.
Aley’s annual sculpture program began in 1999 and was held for many consecutive years. Ras al-Jabal can also be explored by bicycle. In this same area, art and exploring by bike are different interests, without implying a set itinerary.
Wildlife and Educational Programs
Animal Encounter offers educational programs for visiting school groups and other groups. The presentations cover Lebanese wildlife, its conservation, biodiversity and the environment, and also include tours of the animals that live there. The group focus is important when choosing the right topic: here, the emphasis is on learning together and nature, unlike the city’s art and cultural history themes.
Historical Traces
Aley’s history includes the OHEL YA'AKOB Synagogue. Ezra Anzarut built it in 1895 for the Jewish community and gave it this name. Its origins in the late 19th century add another chapter to the city’s cultural history, alongside its more recent art themes.
More Places of Interest in Mount Lebanon
Mount Lebanon offers its own cultural and landscape attractions. 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 more than 200 years old, as well as mulberry trees, hawthorns, pines and other species.
El-Werhaniyeh also has abundant water resources and freshwater springs. One part of the village is called El-Ayoun, “The Eyes,” because of its many springs. The Werhaniyeh-Freidis-Barouk Forest Trail starts in El-Werhaniyeh and is used by hikers and nature enthusiasts. These regional examples offer different points of interest from Aley’s art, urban and cultural themes: heritage, forest landscapes and a named hiking trail are also part of the Mount Lebanon destination.
Discover more destinations: Mtolle, Dahr Broummana, Damour, Anfah, Jezzîne, Zahlé, Beit Al Dine, Jiyeh.
For the broader travel overview: Lebanon.
