Its mix of peoples, religions and cultures gives the city a dynamic edge, and watching Beirutis go about their everyday business is an interesting form of sightseeing.

The best place to take it all in is along seaside promenade functions as a kind of park, a public gathering space. You’ll see people of all ages, in all forms of dress, walking, jogging, eating and generally visiting there.

The Corniche also has wonderful views of the coast. Pigeon Rocks, a group of rock formations set in a cove in Raouche, is the most beautiful of the views, as well as a popular backdrop for evening drinks.

Beirut was first inhabited in the Stone Age when the area was two islands, Ashrafieh and Ras Beirut, the mouth of the river being at Furn El Chebbak.

Since then the river, called Magoras (Great) by the Romans, Al Salib (the Cross) by the Crusaders and now The Beirut, has silted up to form a peninsula.

Tradition says that Beirut was built by people from Jbeil. The city’s original name was Birut, Birayyut or Birayyuna, which all mean a well and springs.

As a Phoenician city, Beirut was known as “The Bride of the East”. It was never as important as Tyre, Sidon or Jbeil but had a heyday during the Roman occupation when it was bestowed with the grandiose title of Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus: the colony of Julia, Augustus’s daughter, happy Beirut.