Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to November (mild Mediterranean weather, 20-28°C)
Language
Arabic (official), French, English widely spoken
Currency
Lebanese Pound (LBP) — USD widely accepted and preferred
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Airport
Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), 9 km south of city center
Population
2.4 million (metro area)
Climate
Mediterranean, hot dry summers and mild wet winters, avg 15-30°C
Safety Rating
Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2) — check current advisories before travel
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
Voltage
220V, 50Hz — Type C and D plugs
Beirut's iconic natural sea arches rising 60 meters from the Mediterranean. Best viewed from the Corniche promenade at sunset. Free to view; boat tours around the rocks cost ~$10-15 per person. Allow 1-2 hours including a walk along the seaside Corniche.
Beirut's bohemian twin neighborhoods with street art, craft cocktail bars, indie boutiques, and Ottoman-era townhouses. Bar-hop along Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael — drinks average $5-8. Best visited Thursday-Saturday evenings from 8 PM onward.
One of the best-preserved Roman temple complexes in the world, 85 km northeast of Beirut (~1.5 hours by car). The Temple of Jupiter's six remaining columns stand 22 meters tall. Entry: ~$7. Open daily 8:30 AM-5:30 PM. Allow a full day including travel.
A spectacular system of two interconnected limestone caves 18 km north of Beirut. The upper gallery is explored on foot; the lower grotto by boat on an underground river. Entry: ~$18. Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5 PM (summer), closed Mondays. Allow 2-3 hours.
Houses over 100,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years of Lebanese history, from Phoenician sarcophagi to Byzantine mosaics. Entry: 5,000 LBP (~$0.50). Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5 PM. Allow 2 hours. Located on Museum Street near the former Green Line.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, 40 km north of Beirut. Explore Crusader castle ruins, a Phoenician harbor, and atmospheric medieval souks. Entry to ruins: ~$5. The old port has excellent seafood restaurants. Allow half a day.
A farm-to-table concept in Mar Mikhael where a different regional Lebanese cook prepares a daily buffet of traditional mezze and mains. Lunch buffet ~$20-25. Open Mon-Sat for lunch. Reservations recommended. A deep dive into authentic Lebanese cuisine beyond hummus.
A 4.8 km seaside promenade stretching from Ain el-Mreisseh to Raouche. Popular with joggers, families, and fishermen, especially at sunset. Free. Stop at a streetside cart for fresh corn or ka'ak bread. Allow 1-2 hours for a leisurely walk.
Arrive at Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY). Take a Bolt ride to your hotel in Hamra or Achrafieh (~$10-15, 20 minutes). Settle in and explore the vibrant Hamra district on foot.
Airport transfer to Hamra/Achrafieh(30 minutes)
Use Bolt or Otofare app for transparent pricing. Avoid unmarked taxis. Cost ~$10-15. Pay in USD for the best rate
Walk along Hamra Street(1.5 hours)
Beirut's intellectual spine — bookshops, cafes, and the iconic Cafe Younes (est. 1935) where Turkish coffee is roasted on-site. Pick up a bag of their medium roast ($5)
Dinner at Em Sherif(2 hours)
Upscale Lebanese cuisine in a beautifully restored Ottoman-era townhouse. The mezze spread arrives automatically — 15+ dishes including their legendary kibbeh nayyeh and lamb in cherry sauce. $40-60 per person. Reservations essential
Explore reconstructed Downtown Beirut, the historic souks, and walk the Mediterranean Corniche to Pigeon Rocks.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and St. George Cathedral(1 hour)
The iconic blue-domed mosque and adjacent Maronite cathedral stand side by side in Martyrs' Square — a visual summary of Lebanon's religious mosaic. Mosque is free to enter (remove shoes, modest dress)
Beirut Souks(1 hour)
The reconstructed downtown market area. Window-shop or grab coffee at Café Blanc. The area is modern but built atop layers of Phoenician, Roman, and Ottoman ruins visible through glass panels in the floor
Lunch at Enab(1.5 hours)
Located on Gemmayze's main street in a 200-year-old Lebanese house. Their fattoush with sumac and pomegranate molasses is exceptional. Mezze spread for two: $15-20
Walk the Corniche to Raouche Rocks(2 hours)
The 4.8 km seaside promenade from Ain el-Mreisseh to Raouche. Stop for ka'ak bread from a cart ($0.50). Arrive at Pigeon Rocks for sunset — the 60-meter natural sea arches are stunning in golden light
Dinner at Tawlet(1.5 hours)
Farm-to-table in Mar Mikhael where a different regional Lebanese cook prepares the daily buffet. $20-25 for lunch buffet. A deep dive into authentic Lebanese cuisine from different villages
Morning at the world-class national museum, afternoon free time, then experience Beirut's legendary nightlife.
Beirut National Museum(2 hours)
Over 100,000 artifacts spanning 5,000 years. The Phoenician sarcophagi and Byzantine mosaics are highlights. Entry: 5,000 LBP (~$0.50). Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5 PM. Located on Museum Street near the former Green Line
Sursock Museum(1.5 hours)
A stunning 19th-century mansion converted to a modern art museum. Free entry. The building itself — with its Ottoman-Venetian architecture — is as impressive as the contemporary Lebanese art inside. Open Thu-Tue 10 AM-6 PM
Lunch at Abou Tarek (Bourj Hammoud)(1 hour)
Head to the Armenian quarter for lahmajun (Armenian flatbread pizza) and soujouk. A full meal under $5. The neighborhood buzzes with gold shops and spice markets
Free afternoon — rest or explore(2 hours)
Relax at your hotel or walk through the American University of Beirut's leafy campus overlooking the sea — the campus gate is open to visitors
Bar-hopping in Gemmayzeh & Mar Mikhael(3 hours)
Beirut's nightlife starts at 10 PM. Start at Internazionale on Armenia Street (craft cocktails, $5-8), move to Torino Express (standing-room-only wine bar), and finish at B018 (legendary underground club that opens its roof at dawn). Thursday-Saturday are the big nights
Drive 40 km north to one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Explore Crusader ruins, Phoenician harbors, and medieval souks.
Drive to Byblos(45 minutes)
Hire a driver for the day ($60-80) or take a shared service taxi from Cola intersection (~$3). The coastal highway north has sea views the entire way
Byblos Crusader Castle and archaeological site(2 hours)
Walk through 7,000 years of history — Phoenician temples, Roman columns, and a 12th-century Crusader castle. Entry ~$5. The view of the ancient harbor from the castle walls is spectacular
Lunch at Bab el Mina(1.5 hours)
Seafood restaurant on the old harbor. Order the grilled sea bass with tahini ($15) and watch fishing boats bob in the Phoenician port. Fresh fish is caught that morning
Wander the medieval souks(1 hour)
Narrow stone alleyways with artisan shops selling handmade soap, olive oil, and traditional crafts. Less touristy than Beirut's souks. The Church of St. John the Baptist (12th century) is tucked inside the market
Return to Beirut and sunset drinks(1.5 hours)
Stop at Byblos Sur Mer terrace for a drink overlooking the sea, or head back to Beirut and catch sunset from the Sporting Club beach (entry $10-15 includes pool access)
Visit the spectacular limestone caves and the iconic Our Lady of Lebanon statue on a combined day trip north of Beirut.
Drive to Jeita Grotto(30 minutes)
18 km north of Beirut. Hire a driver or take a tour ($40-60 for both sites). No photography allowed inside the caves
Jeita Grotto(2.5 hours)
Two interconnected limestone caves — walk through the upper gallery past massive stalactites, then take a boat ride on an underground river through the lower grotto. Entry ~$18. Open Tue-Sun 9 AM-5 PM. The scale is genuinely awe-inspiring
Lunch at a Jounieh waterfront restaurant(1 hour)
Stop in the coastal town of Jounieh between the two sites. Try Al Sultan Brahim for fresh seafood ($15-20) or grab a falafel wrap from a street cart ($1-2)
Harissa — Our Lady of Lebanon(1.5 hours)
Take the Teleferique (cable car, ~$8 return) from Jounieh Bay up to the 15-ton white statue of the Virgin Mary. Panoramic views of the bay and mountains. Free to visit the shrine. The cable car ride itself is worth the trip
Evening at a Jounieh rooftop(1.5 hours)
Jounieh has lively nightlife rivaling Beirut's. The Casino du Liban is nearby if you want a flutter. Otherwise, drinks at any of the bay-view rooftop bars
Full-day trip to one of the best-preserved Roman temple complexes in the world, 85 km northeast of Beirut in the Bekaa Valley.
Drive to Baalbek(1.5 hours)
Leave by 8 AM. Hire a driver ($80-100 for the day) or join an organized tour. The route crosses the Mount Lebanon range — stunning scenery through cedar forests and the Bekaa Valley
Baalbek archaeological site(3 hours)
The Temple of Jupiter's six remaining columns stand 22 meters tall. The Temple of Bacchus is the best-preserved Roman temple anywhere — more complete than anything in Rome. Entry ~$7. Allow time to absorb the scale. An audio guide is worth renting
Lunch at a Bekaa Valley restaurant(1 hour)
Stop at a roadside restaurant for a Bekaa speciality — kibbeh bil sanieh (baked kibbeh with pine nuts), fattoush, and a bottle of Ksara wine from the nearby winery ($8). The Bekaa produces Lebanon's best wines
Optional: Ksara or Chateau Kefraya winery visit(1.5 hours)
Lebanon's oldest winery (est. 1857) offers free tours and tastings of their Cabernet-Syrah blends. 10 minutes from Baalbek road. Book ahead or try walk-in
Return to Beirut(1.5 hours)
Arrive back in Beirut by early evening. Light dinner at a Mar Mikhael café — Baron for wine and charcuterie ($15-20)
Final morning for last-minute shopping and a farewell Lebanese breakfast before heading to the airport.
Lebanese breakfast at Al Soussi(1 hour)
Iconic hole-in-the-wall in Hamra since 1950s. Foul mudammas (fava beans), hummus with meat, and fresh manoushe (flatbread with za'atar and cheese). Under $5 for a feast. Arrive before 9 AM
Last-minute shopping in Achrafieh(1.5 hours)
Browse ABC Mall Achrafieh for Lebanese designers, or head to Artisan du Liban for quality olive oil soap, za'atar blends, and arak bottles to take home. Spice mixes from $3, olive oil soap bars from $2
Airport transfer and departure(45 minutes)
BEY airport is 9 km south of the center. Allow 2.5 hours before international flights. Use Bolt ($10-15). The duty-free has excellent Lebanese wine and sweets
Citizens of 70+ countries (including US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia) receive a free visa on arrival for up to 30 days. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity and NO Israeli stamps — entry will be denied if any are found.
Due to the ongoing economic crisis, the official and parallel exchange rates differ dramatically. USD is king — carry fresh $50 and $100 bills for the best rates at exchange offices. Many restaurants and hotels price directly in USD. Budget $40-60/day for mid-range travel.
Don't order a main course at traditional restaurants — a spread of 6-8 mezze dishes (hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, kibbeh, muhammara, labneh) is the proper Lebanese dining experience and feeds 2-3 people for $15-25 total. Add a bottle of local arak for ~$8.
Regular taxis rarely use meters. Use Bolt or Otofare apps for transparent pricing. A ride from the airport to central Beirut costs ~$10-15 via app. Alternatively, shared service taxis (white plates) run along main routes for ~$1-2 per ride.
Baalbek, Byblos, and Jeita Grotto are best reached by hired driver ($60-100/day) or organized tour. Public transport exists but is unreliable. Book through your hotel or a reputable tour company. Combine Jeita Grotto with Harissa (Our Lady of Lebanon statue) in one day trip.
Beirut has experienced periods of instability. Check your government's travel advisory before booking. Avoid large demonstrations and the southern suburbs (Dahieh) unless with a local guide. Central Beirut, Hamra, Achrafieh, and Gemmayzeh are generally safe for tourists.
Beirut's legendary nightlife doesn't begin until 11 PM-midnight on weekends. Bars in Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael warm up around 10 PM; clubs like B018 or The Grand Factory don't peak until 1-2 AM. Pre-game with mezze and arak at a local restaurant.
TipsFrom carrying cash in USD to not ordering main courses — the unwritten rules of traveling in Lebanon's relentless capital.
StoriesHow a city that's been knocked down and rebuilt more times than I can count became the most alive place I've ever visited.
Travel GuidesFrom visa-free entry and $12 airport rides to Baalbek day trips and the best mezze spots — your no-nonsense guide to Lebanon's capital.
