If you are searching for what to do in Lebanon, this post has 15 suggestions of places to visit in the country.
Lebanon entered my travel wish list by chance, and I certainly didn’t regret taking half a month to travel inside the country. I applied for a position at Worldpackers and in less than a month I was flying to Lebanon. You can check out more about my volunteering at Zouk Mosbeh here.
The country is full of history, as well as beautiful landscapes. Also, their currency makes it cheap for foreigners to travel there. In cities like Byblos, in the north of the country, there are signs of civilization from 7,000 BC. Despite not being a traditional destination, tourism accounts for around 10% of Lebanon’s GDP.
Are you interested in getting to know Lebanon? Check out a little more about the country and the best places to visit.
A little more about Lebanon:
Lebanon is one of the Middle Eastern countries that is situated on the Asian continent. The region was once home to the oldest civilizations such as Phoenicians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks. That’s why Lebanon is a country full of cultural and religious diversity.
Today the country is divided between Catholics and Muslims. By law, the posts of president, prime minister, and parliamentary spokesperson must be held respectively by a Maronite Christian, a Sunni Muslim, and a Shiite Muslim.
On the border between Syria and Israel, the country was marked by intense conflicts such as the Civil War of 1975 and the Lebanon War of 2006. Today the country is in one of its biggest economic crises after decades of corruption and conflicts.
Is traveling to Lebanon safe?
Like most countries in the Middle East, it is safe to travel to Lebanon. Despite having faced serious conflicts at the beginning of the century, the Lebanese today live in peace. The serious economic crisis that the country has been facing since 2019 doesn’t make it unsafe for tourism. On the contrary, with the currency devaluation, this destination has become very attractive to foreigners.
What to visit in Lebanon?
Lebanon has a lot to offer to tourists who visit it. As it’s a small country (with only 10,400 km²), two weeks are enough to visit all the most important points. The country is full of historical monuments, but it’s also an incredible destination for those who don’t like visiting museums.
For example, sports enthusiasts can go skiing or hiking in the region of Mzaar Kfardebian and Jabal Moussa. Those who want to enjoy the beach can stay at the resorts of Jounieh. Those who want to enjoy the nightlife have several options of bars and nightclubs in Beirut, in addition to the beach clubs in the coastal region.
When to visit Lebanon?
From May to September, tourists can enjoy warmer temperatures (about 77 to 90°F) to go to the beach. If you want to ski and enjoy the winter, you need to schedule your trip between the months of December to February. More historical tours can be done at any time of the year.
What to do in Lebanon at night?
Among Arab countries, Lebanon has remained more open to Western culture. It’s easy to buy alcoholic beverages and women and men can dress as they like. At night, the Gemmayze neighborhood welcomes many people looking for the best drinks and restaurants in Beirut. You can admire the sunsets in the beach clubs on the Lebanese coast
What to do in Lebanon:
Beirut:
The city of Beirut is the capital and largest city in Lebanon. Beirut International Airport is located around 9 km from the city center, and all international flights depart and land from there. For these and other reasons, Beirut is a mandatory stop for anyone visiting Lebanon. Two days in the city are enough to visit the main historical sites in the capital.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque is one of the city’s postcards. Also known as the blue mosque because of its domes, the mosque is the largest in Lebanon. Its construction was delayed by the conflicts in the city of Beirut and the mosque was only inaugurated in 2008.
The mosque is open for visitation outside prayer hours, which are in total 5 times a day. Women must wear Abaya to enter (a black dress that covers the entire body). Abayas are provided for tourists at the entrance. Men cannot be wearing shorts or tank tops.
Right in front of the mosque is the Statue of the Martyrs, a tribute to the combatants killed in 1916 in the Arab Uprising against Ottoman Turkish rule. The monument, damaged by firearms, remains current as it recalls those killed in the Civil War and the Lebanon War.
Beirut city center
Still, in the same area, you can visit the Al-Abed clock tower and St. George’s Cathedral. The Maronite cathedral is next to the mosque. Going right in the street of the cathedral is Nejmeh Square and in the center of it is the Clock Tower.
About a 30-minute walk from the venue is the National Museum of Beirut. Many of the pieces exposed inside were brought from the city of Byblos, in addition to other archaeological sites in the country. The museum traces the history of the Phoenicians, Romans, and Persians, among others in the region.
Pigeon Rocks
At the end of the day, I recommend watching the sunset at Pigeon Rocks, in the Raouche neighborhood. The landscape is one of the main postcards of Beirut. At night, enjoy Lebanese nightlife in the city’s bars and pubs. Beirut is full of clubs and neighborhoods like Hamra, where visitors and locals jump from one bar to another.
Citadel of Tripoli:
Located 85 kilometers north of the capital, the city of Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon. In it, we can notice a strong influence of Muslim and Arab cultures. Tripoli is famous for Arabian sweets, with very traditional bakeries such as Kasr al Helou, or “Palace of Sweets”.
Be sure to visit the Fort of Raymond de Saint-Gilles. The site is also known as the Citadel of Tripoli or ‘Qal’at Saint-Gilles’ in Arabic. Raymond VI of Saint Gilles built it at the time of the Crusades. Less than 5 minute walk from the fort is the old market Khan Al-Khayyatin, where you can find traditional Lebanese items.
Citadel of Byblos:
The city of Jubayl is better known as Byblos, the name she received during Greek domination. Byblos is one of the oldest cities in the world. The first human records in the region date back to 5,000 BC. The city witnessed different periods of domination, including by the Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman peoples.
During the Crusades in the 12th century, the city was fortified. It was at this time that Byblos Castle was constructed. The Citadel of Byblos is a mandatory stop in Lebanon, not only for its history but also for its landscape.
Also, those who take this tour cannot miss the Souk, a traditional market located in front of the entrance to the citadel. This is the perfect place to buy travel souvenirs.
Ruins of Baalbek:
About an hour and a half from Beirut, the city of Baalbek have one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. Former Phenicia region, the city became a Roman colony. It was ruled by Emperor Constantine in his Christian era until Islamic domination. Today, the city’s acropolis preserves important historical remains. The largest temples in the region are the Temple of Jupiter, Bacchus, and Venus.
The entrance fee costs the equivalent of 10 USD and gives access to archaeological sites. My highlight goes to the Bacchus Temple, which is extremely preserved. One day is enough to know Baalbek and its attractions. I recommend searching for some private tours that have transportation from Beirut. You can search for agencies and compare guide prices with the Get Your Guide app.
Check here the advantages and disadvantages of buying guided tours with an agency!
Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve:
The Jabal Moussa is located in the Kesrouan district. Protected by UNESCO, the reserve has 6,500 hectares. The reserve, in addition to preserving the region’s biodiversity, also contains historical and cultural heritage. The site contains ruins from the Ottoman period, Roman engravings, and important places in Phoenician mythology.
For those who enjoy hiking and nature, I recommend booking a full day to explore the Jabal Moussa reserve. Be prepared to experience freezing temperatures there in the winter. It is located near the ski resorts and it’s possible to see snow in the region.
Beiteddine Palace:
The Shihab dynasty built the Beiteddine Palace between 1788 and 1818. It’s located in the city of Beiteddine. Later on, it became a government building during Turkish-Ottoman rule. In addition to the period when Lebanon was an autonomous state, being part of Mandatory Syria and administered by France.
The palace was restored and became the president’s summer residence when Lebanon became independent in 1943. The visit to the Beiteddine Palace costs around 10 USD and can take between two and three hours. The palace is open daily. But at certain times of the year, it’s not allowed to visit all the rooms.
Jeita Grotto:
Jeita Grotto is formed by two interconnected caves, with a total length of approximately 9 km. The caves are located in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, 18 km from the Lebanese capital. Created in the prehistoric era, Jeita Grotto today supplies thousands of Lebanese with water.
The lower cave is submerged by an underground river and can be visited in small boats. In 1958, the upper part was discovered 60 meters above the lower cave. The caves were connected with an access tunnel and crosswalks were installed for visitors. In the upper cave, you can see one of the largest stalactites in the world.
Harissa (Lady of Lebanon sanctuary):
A few kilometers from the Lebanese capital is the Harissa, also known as Our Lady of Lebanon. The Virgin Mary statue was built in 1908 and is located on top of a hill in the town of Jounieh. They are about 650 meters high. The statue measures 8.5 meters in height.
Beirut is about 25 kilometers away from the place. It’s possible to get there by car or by cable car. The climb is worth it when we come across the view of Beirut. It’s recommended for visitors not wear low-cut or short clothes. The sanctuary has a cathedral and also a cafeteria.
ski resort Mzaar Kfardebian:
The Mzaar Kfardebian is located an hour away from Beirut. This is the biggest ski resort in the Middle East. Consisting of 42 hills that stretch for 80 kilometers, the ski resort offers lessons covering both advanced and beginner levels. In addition, other attractions work on-site. The cable car, for example, was brought from Switzerland and on clear days it’s possible to see Beirut from the top of the hills.
The ski season runs from early December to early April. But be aware of the weather conditions to schedule the tour. I was there in the last weeks of March and, despite seeing snow, it was already closed for skiing.
Are you interested in getting to know Lebanon? Comment here if you have another place to suggest.
FAQ What to do in Lebanon
Lebanon is full of historical and cultural attractions. Also for those who like sports and adventure. Tripoli, Balbec, and Byblos are places that cannot be left out of the travel itinerary. Check out the full list of attractions here.
Like most countries in the Middle East, it’s safe to travel to Lebanon. Despite having faced serious conflicts at the beginning of the century, the Lebanese today live in peace.
The Lebanese Pound is the official currency of Lebanon. Despite this, it’s very common for merchants to accept payment in dollars. The heavily devalued currency has become a major attraction for tourists.
From May to September, tourists are able to take advantage of the higher temperatures (about 77 to 90°F) to go to the beach. If you want to ski and enjoy the winter, you need to schedule your trip for the months from December to February.
Those who want to enjoy the nightlife have several options of bars and nightclubs in Beirut, in addition to beach clubs in the coastal region. The Gemmayze and Hamra neighborhoods receive many people looking for the best drinks and restaurants in Beirut.
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