The best city guides aren’t built on rankings or must-see lists. They’re shaped by lived experience—by people who actually live in these cities. They know a city in its quiet moments as much as in its loud ones, and understand its rhythms, contradictions, and hidden corners.

That’s why, for this guide, we turned to the incredible artist Sarine Semerjan. Someone who doesn’t just pass through Beirut, but lives it daily: between studios and cafés, dance floors and museums, long conversations and solitary coffee breaks.

In this guide, Sarine shares the places that ground her, inspire her, and make Beirut. And as a special touch, she also illustrated this guide herself — adding her signature characters, Sarinis, directly onto photographs of these places. Find them all!

Salon Beyrouth

Albergo Hotel

The interiors are stunning, especially the de Gournay wallpapers — one of those places that feels cinematic at any hour.

Ghazar

And by the way, don’t skip the bakery next door: it’s absolutely delicious and very local.

Union Marks

An abandoned factory turned cozy hangout — perfect for a drink, art events, and vintage markets you won’t want to miss.

Jacaranda

Ideal for quiet coffee moments and sketching alone.

Also close to Sarine's heart: Bake Atelier, her friend’s cutest coffee shop.

For fashion and vintage finds:

And for high-end jewelry, Sarine recommends her sister’s atelier, Lila’s Fine Jewelry, in Bourj Hammoud.

Mezyan

Also worth a stop: Terrible Prince.

Beirut’s art scene is a must:

Le Labo de la Danse