Sidon (Saida):

About 43 km south of Beirut, Sidon is the third largest city of Lebanon. It is believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians as Sidouna. Josphus asserts it was established by Sidon, the oldest son of Canaan. The city's northern harbour is graced by Qal'at al Bahr (castle of the sea), erected in the early 13th Century by the Crusading Knights of St. John of the Hospital of Jerusalem on an islet at the mouth of the harbour.

In the old town more recent buildings worth a visit are Khan as-Sabun (Khan of soap), Khan el-Franj (Khan of the Franks) and the great Mosque above the Egyptian Harbour which still retains the 13th century walls of the fortress church of the Hospitallers of St. John.