A charming hillside town on Mount Lebanon, Aley emerged as a popular summer destination at the end of the 19th century when a interconnecting railway linked it with Beirut in Lebanon and Damascus in Syria. Characterized by its natural stone and red roof buildings, surrounded by fragrant cedar trees, the town’s scenic beauty has attracted the privileged elite from around the Middle East. Many own summer homes here, while some have made this beautiful city their permanent residence. After its recent downtown revival in 2001, Aley rose in prominence as a popular tourist destination, giving rise to an array of shopping, dining and lifestyle destinations, including numerous delightful alfresco cafes and restaurants that form a part of the ubiquitous Middle Eastern café culture, celebrated widely in Lebanon.
From surfing to skiing, historical sites to trendy nightspots, you will find plenty to do in Aley. Spend leisurely weekends strolling down “Souk Aley”, the palm-fringed boulevard at the heart of the town, dotted with high street brands and antique stores, indulge in the various outdoor activities at the numerous sporting clubs around, or take a Dabkeh class on a whim with the famed Rajanaveda Dance Academy! Longer weekends give you the opportunity to explore the rest of Lebanon, only a short ride away. Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Byblos, one of the oldest continuously populated cities in the world, or lose yourself in the winding lanes and souks of Beirut, once known as “the Paris of the Middle East”, an enchanting blend of Levantine and Mediterranean cultures that keeps visitors coming back for more. |
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