The railroad provided the residents of Beirut easy means of transportation to the mountains, and this made Aley a popular destination to spend the summer months and enjoy its pleasant climate.

[1][2] It was the site of a serious accident on 12 April 1904, when part of the locomotive exploded and the train fell backwards down the 7% grade, killing 8 and seriously injuring another 21.

In 2001, the municipality of Aley began renovating the downtown area, especially its historic souk, and the city quickly revived its role in Lebanon's tourism.

Its location and climate made it a favorable venue for shopping and dining, especially for wealthy Arabs from Persian Gulf states.

The "Souk Aley" is a relatively long historical boulevard lined with palm trees; there are numerous redroofed stone houses erected on the east side of the street while several street cafes, outdoor restaurants, and nightlife pubs occupy its western side.

In 1910 Aley received the founders of the American University of Beirut (AUB), they built castles and lived there for several years.

[6] During the 1960s several artists performed in the hotels and the casinos of Aley such as Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Farid Al Atrash.

[9] Aley has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, with warm and rain less summers, mild autumns and springs, and cool rainy winters.