Cheap beach options are scarce in Beirut; prices can range from $5 entrance fee to the simple American University of Beirut beach, and upwards of $20 entrance fee to the more exclusive beach clubs that litter the Beirut seafront. As we were on a budget we caught a taxi to the famous Pigeon Rocks, which happen to be the location of a free beach that the local Lebanese people use. This location is not a beach in the strictest of terms, and involved precariously leaping from a rock shelf into a pool of deep water. Exiting the water involved waiting for a considerable sized wave then dragging ourselves back up onto the rock shelf. Due to the depth of the water and the strength of the current this is only really an option for people who are relatively strong swimmers. Also this would not be an option for people who are squeamish about the cleanliness of the water they are swimming in; there were certainly some pretty vocal protests from some of the people I was travelling with.

After a short swim and a pause to take in the sunset in the background of the Pigeon Rocks, we headed back to Gemmayzeh to eat in a restaurant popular with both the Lebanese and travellers called Le Chef. The restaurant serves simple food of a Lebanese/ French persuasion. As an added bonus none of the main meals cost more than a couple of dollars, something which is becoming increasing difficult to find in Beirut. Again complaints were heard from the Austrian I was travelling with as he had spotted a modern upmarket restaurant across the road, which was in a stark contrast to the smoky basic surroundings found in Le Chef.

More about Travelling in the Levant.

Written by  Joshua Kirton.

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