Byblos Old Souq, Ottoman market in Byblos, Lebanon.
Byblos Old Souq is a market in the old city with stone-paved paths and shops selling handcrafted goods and local products. The shops cluster tightly together across multiple levels, with narrow alleys that slope down toward the coast.
The market grew during the Ottoman period along an ancient Roman road that connected the harbor to inland trade routes. This location made it a key exchange point between sea and land commerce.
Artisans work in full view, creating jewelry and textiles using methods handed down through families. You can watch them practice their craft while walking through the narrow passages between shops.
It is best to visit early in the morning or late afternoon when it is less crowded and the temperature is more comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be walking on uneven stone surfaces.
The souq still contains remnants of Ottoman-era stables and caravanserais that now function as shops. These structures reveal how merchants once housed their animals and stored goods during their travels.
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