Tyre is an ancient Phoenician city and the legendary birthplace of Europa and Elissa (Dido). Today it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and houses one of the nation’s major ports.
The city of Tyre was particularly known for the production of a rare and extraordinarily expensive sort of purple dye, produced from the Murex shellfish, known as Tyrian purple. This color was, in many cultures of ancient times, reserved for the use of royalty, or at least nobility.
Tyre originally consisted of two distinct urban centers, Tyre itself, which was on an island just off shore, and the associated settlement of Ushu on the adjacent mainland. Alexander the Great connected the island to the mainland by constructing a causeway during his siege of the city, demolishing the old city to reuse its cut stone.
You can stroll in the beautiful alleys of Tyre old streets, visit the old port, ancient houses, churches, and enjoy a swim. Two hotels are situated in old Tyre: Dar Alma and AlManar Guesthouse