Plizio Visual Lab

Aley

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Aley

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Aley is much cooler than Beirut, especially in the evenings, so always pack a light jacket even in the peak of summer.
The main souk gets very crowded on summer weekends; visit on a weekday morning for a more relaxed stroll.
Taxis and 'service' (shared taxis) are the best way to get around, but make sure to agree on the fare beforehand.
The city has spectacular panoramic views of Beirut and the Mediterranean, making sunset the best time for a walk.
Try to visit during the summer festival season when the streets are full of life, music, and outdoor dining.

🍽 Food

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Lebanese Mezze

Enjoy a vast array of fresh mezze in the large open-air restaurants lining the main promenade.

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Manousheh

Grab this traditional flatbread baked with za'atar or cheese from local morning bakeries for a quick breakfast.

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Sahlab

A warm, thick, and sweet milk pudding drink topped with nuts, first-rate for the cool mountain evenings at a street cafe.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Aley Souk Boutiques

The bustling main street is lined with boutiques, local sweet shops, and traditional craft stores.

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Roasted Nuts and Seeds

Buy freshly roasted local nuts and sunflower seeds from the specialized vendors in the city center.

🧘

Pine Forests

Take a short walk out of the center into the surrounding pine tree forests for fresh mountain air and tranquility.

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Western Promenades

Find a quiet bench on the western edge of the city to watch the sunset over the coast below.

Aley is a mountainous city in the Mount Lebanon range, located just 17 kilometers east of Beirut. Due to its elevation (approximately 800-900 meters) and pleasant summer climate, it has been a highly popular summer retreat for affluent Beirutis and tourists from the Persian Gulf states since the early 20th century. The settlement is frequently referred to as the Capital of the Summer. The urban landscape features a mix of elegant 19th-century Ottoman-era stone villas and modern luxury apartments. The Aley Souk (market) is the bustling heart of the city, bustling late into the night during the summer season with cafes, restaurants, and shops. Historically, the area has been a significant center for the Druze community, and a large portion of the current population adheres to the Druze faith. Pine trees are abundant in the city, providing fresh air for those escaping the coastal summer heat. Aley's economy is almost entirely driven by summer tourism and real estate.

Location: Lebanon
Top sights: Silk Museum · Aley luna park · Balcony of Aley
Nearby: Bhamdoun (7 km)
Population: ~130.000 (2024)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	11	12	14	17	21	24	26	26	25	22	17	13
Rain mm	115	82	43	23	9	2	0	1	5	23	56	96

Geography

Population

130,000 (2024)

Coordinates

33.80780, 35.60110

Facts

Because of its pleasant climate, the city is known as the Capital of the Summer.
It is situated 17 km east of Beirut at an altitude of 800-900 meters.
The settlement features numerous 19th-century Ottoman stone villas.
A significant portion of the population belongs to the Druze religious community.
The economy is heavily driven by summer tourists from the Persian Gulf.