Corniche at Ain el Mreisseh at dawn

At dawn the Ain el Mreisseh stretch of the Corniche shows a quieter side of Beirut. Fishermen set up along the sea wall, older residents walk in pairs, and coffee vendors open their carts. The sun rises behind the Mount Lebanon range to the east, lighting the city rather than the sea, so the best light falls on the buildings and the promenade. The area is free, open at all hours and gentle at this time of day, and a hot coffee from a vendor costs about a dollar. The pace is slow, and it is one of the easiest ways to feel local life. In winter it is cool, so a light jacket is useful. Sunrise itself is best watched from the pavement beside the lighthouse side, away from the traffic.