Aley: where to stay, what to do, and when to go | Lebanon Rental
Aley · guide
Aley: where to stay, what to do, and when to go
A weekend in Aley, the mountain town above Beirut: sunset viewpoints, the palm-lined souk, Ras al-Jabal, and chalets and a villa to stay in.
31 October 2026 · 2 min read · Lebanon Rental
Watch the sun go down over Beirut, the sea and the airport from a hillside viewpoint, then walk down to a palm-lined souk for dinner. Aley, in the mountains just above the capital, has been the city's summer escape for well over a century. It is close enough for a short break, and cool enough that you feel the difference the moment you arrive.
Where to stay
We list a villa and two chalets in Aley. Pick the one that matches your group, then use the town as your base for the viewpoints and the souk.
Aley sits at roughly 750 to 900 metres above sea level, according to the municipality of Aley. It is about 15 km uphill from Beirut on the road to Damascus, per Wikipedia.
It became a summer destination after the Beirut–Damascus railway opened in the mid-1890s. Before the 1975 civil war it was a social hub, with hotels such as the Tanious, the Jbeili and the Bahar, and the Casino Piscine Aley. The war destroyed many landmarks, and the town was rebuilt afterwards. The town earned the nickname "Summer's Bride", and Lebanese presidents and prime ministers chose it as a summer residence.
What to see: the viewpoints
Near Ras al-Jabal, the lookout at Tallet al-Talat Tmanat gives a view over Beirut. At sunset you can see the sea, the airport and the coast to the north.
Azure Reverie Chalet in Aley
Balakeen Aley, whose name means "balconies" in Arabic, looks down on the main souk. Wikipedia lists the Balakin Street terrace as a viewpoint over Beirut and the Mediterranean.
What to do: the souk, Ras al-Jabal and the outdoors
Souk Aley is a long, historic boulevard lined with palm trees, with shops, cafés and restaurants. It was renovated by the municipality, starting in 2001.
Ras al-Jabal is wooded, with walking paths and bike rentals. It also hosts sculptures from the International Symposium for Sculpture.
The Aley Equi Club at Ras al-Jabal offers horseback riding, archery, ATV trips and camping. It also arranges trips to the Barouk Cedars. Check opening times before you go.
When to go
Aley is cooler than the coast, with mountain breezes and sometimes dense fog, the municipality says. That makes summer the classic season, but it is a pleasant escape all year.
How to get there
It is roughly 15 km from Beirut, on the Beirut–Damascus road. Aley is also close to Bhamdoun, Choueifat and Zahle. Leave early on Fridays, because traffic leaving Beirut can be slow.
Not sure which place suits your group? Tell El M3allem your dates and group size, and we will find one near the souk.
