The Complete Guide to Lebanon

The Complete Guide to Lebanon

Being on the road for the past year and a half, we are constantly trying to stretch our budget. We were surprised by how expensive it is to visit when we booked our trip to Lebanon. Before having buyer’s remorse on a flight to Lebanon, we contacted a friend we met while traveling.

We were very lucky to have a friend living in Beirut who offered us a place to stay (thanks Adina!). With sights no more than two hours drive from Beirut, it makes for a perfect place to take day trips from. Luckily, renting a car in Lebanon is fairly cheap. We decided it would be nice to have the freedom to visit the places we wanted to on our own time.

We spent six lovely days exploring this beautiful nation. Lebanon surprised us in many ways. The hospitality was incredible. The countryside looked more like the Swiss Alps than typical surroundings in the Middle East.

The food was delicious and had a modern flare. There was snow (yes, snow!). While the beaches did not impress us, the coastal cities had a rich and interesting history. Beirut weekends are filled with heavy dosages of alcohol, dancing, meeting strangers, and eating someone else’s birthday cake. There are even some decent wineries in Lebanon.

While six days are short, we got a heavy dose of Lebanon, and we loved every single bit of it. Here’s a complete guide to Lebanon to help you plan your next trip!

Lebanon Tourism: Saint Saba Church
Saint Saba Church in Bsharre

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon.

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The Complete Guide to Lebanon

The Complete Guide to Lebanon

Important Things to Know About Lebanon

Visa Requirements

U.S. and E.U. residents can get a visa on arrival, along with the Gulf countries in the Middle East and Malaysia. Other countries need to refer to their embassy requirements.

According to the Lebanese officials, “Israeli citizens or any other person who holds any passport bearing stamps, visas, or seals issued by Israel are strictly prohibited from entry to the Republic of Lebanon and may be subject to arrest or detention for further inspection.”

There is a strict no entrance policy and the customs agents may ask questions on arrival if you have been to Israel, even if you have no proof of stamps. Yana was asked outright by an officer if she had ever visited Israel.


Best Time to Visit Lebanon

The best time to visit Lebanon is between April and June or between October and December. The summer months are very hot in Lebanon and the winter months get very cold. Spring and early summers bring good weather and an enjoyable time to sightsee. By June, it is good beach weather, but not too hot that it is unbearable. During the summer, temperatures reach over 100° Fahrenheit (40°C).

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Language

Arabic is the national language of Lebanon. Nearly 20% of the population speaks French. There is also a large population of Armenians who speak their native language. In the cities, most speak English; however, once you leave to the countryside, it is not commonly spoken.


Culture in Lebanon

Lebanon Trip: Nahr Ibrahim River
Nahr Ibrahim River

Lebanese culture is a mixture of Middle Eastern traditions with a Mediterranean flair, and some French influence. With a mixture of religions (50% are Christian or Greek Orthodox) and backgrounds, Lebanon has its own culture unique to the Middle East.

In Beirut, the nightlife is especially boundless, as one of the liveliest cities in the Mediterranean. Lebanese cuisine and social gatherings are an important part of the culture and daily life in Lebanon.


Currency

The Lebanese Pound is the national currency. The pound is pegged to the USD at 1,507 LBP. Costs in Lebanon are higher than in most of the Middle East and parts of the Mediterranean. Many costs, especially in Beirut, and similar to those in Western Europe and the United States.

For those on a budget, expect a daily budget of $75 USD. This should cover the cost of a budget room in Beirut, eating local street food, visiting a tourist site or two each day (with a driver or car rental taken into account), and a few drinks out in Beirut.


Food in Lebanon

Visit Lebanon: Lebanese Food
Traditional Lebanese Food

Lebanese food is some of the best food in the Middle East. They have many traditional dishes, including tabboule, fattouch, labneh, hummus, mutabbal, dolmas, and baba ghanouj. It is often that Lebanese add lemon, pomegranate, or other nice additions to these traditional dishes.

Lebanese is excellent cuisine for vegetarians. Meat eaters can still get their fix with an assortment of grilled kebabs, kibbeh, kafta, and shish taouk. In addition to the excellent spices and flavors of Lebanese food, there is an abundance of great Armenian restaurants, especially in Beirut. Street food in Lebanon costs around $4 – $6 USD per person. Eating in a basic restaurant will cost between $15 – $25 per person.


Transportation in Lebanon

Arriving at Beirut International Airport is the most common entry point to Lebanon. The only way to get from the Airport to the city center is by car or taxi. Taxis will cost between $20 and $30 USD in Beirut. There are only public buses in the inner-city.

While there are several highways in Lebanon, roads in the rural countryside are in very poor condition. This was a result of the Lebanon Civil War between 1975 and 1990, and the 2006 Lebanon War with Israel. While there are some buses that run up the coast between Beirut and Tripoli, most of the inner country is inaccessible by public transportation. It is possible to hire taxi drivers for the day at around $70 USD.


Car Rental

Renting a car is an option in Lebanon and comes with a cost of around $20 USD per day. However, Lebanon (especially Beirut) is one of the craziest places to drive. It is not advised to drive in Lebanon unless you are a very confident driver. Even so, you have a high risk of getting into an accident. Drivers disregard all traffic laws, and are very aggressive, making it dangerous to drive in Lebanon.

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Accommodation in Lebanon

Accommodation in Lebanon is expensive. Budget backpacker options at small and basic guesthouses start from $30 USD per night. Costs slightly go down in Baalbek and Tripoli. Due to the size of Lebanon, everything can be visited on a day trip from Beirut. It is best to stay in Beirut and make day trips to all the popular destinations.


Recommended Places to Stay in Beirut

Budget: The best place to stay on a budget is the Hotel Lost offering double rooms with a terrace.

Mid-Range: For a good value, The Smallville X II Apartment has one-bedroom apartments with a kitchenette.

High-End: Stay at the Orient Queen Homes Hotel, an apartment hotel that offers double rooms.


Safety in Lebanon

Safety in Lebanon is something that is concerning and should be monitored before planning a trip to Lebanon. There are several fragile situations, such as the constant tension with Israel, the Syrian refugee crisis, or the latest developments of ISIL presence in border towns. Lebanon has a poor reputation for safety due to a long civil war (1975 to 1990) and some recent wars with Israel (2006).

While there is an enormous military presence, including Hezbollah military units, there continue to be terror attacks throughout the country. However, most tourist sites along the coast are still considered safe to visit. Avoid the Syria border as there has been a clear spillover of the civil war to towns along the border. With all that said, we felt moderately safe during our time in Lebanon.


Top 5 Places to Visit in Lebanon

1. Beirut

Lebanon Travel Guide: Beirut
Raouché Rocks in Beirut

Beirut is a modern city and a major economic and financial center in the region. Within Beirut city, there are many activities and sights to see, including the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque, Beirut Souks, Roman Baths, Government Palace, Hamra street, Sursock Museum and Palace, and the Saint Nicholas stairs (escalier del arte).

Don’t miss a stroll on the corniche to Pigeon Rocks for sunset. Follow it up with a meal at one of the many excellent dining options in the city. Some favorites are Falafel Sahyoun, Ichkhanian Bakery, and a traditional Armenian meal at Onno. Finish the evening partying it up on Armenia Street.

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2. South Coast of Lebanon

Lebanon Tourism: Sidon Sea Castle
Sidon Sea Castle

The south coast of Lebanon is beautiful with two great coastal cities. Saida has one of the best traditional souks in Lebanon, directly across from the Saida Sea Castle. Near the souk is one of the best falafel sandwiches in the world at Falafel Abou Rami. Don’t miss a stop at Khan al-Franj before heading down the coast to Tyre (Sour).

If the weather is good, head to the beach, one of Lebanon’s best. There are several ruins in Tyre for history buffs. Our favorite was walking through the old town, starting from the lighthouse. We walked through the small streets and alleyways in the Christian neighborhood back to the souk and port of Tyre.


3. North Coast of Lebanon

Lebanon Trip: Byblos Harbour
Byblos (Jbeil) Harbour

The north coast has some of the best sites in Lebanon. Not far from Beirut and just off the coast heading into the countryside is the Jeita Grotto. This stunning grotto tour comes with a unique boat ride taking you through the caves. The next stop heading north is Byblos. Also known as Jbeil, Byblos is one of the oldest known cities in the world. It’s nice to visit the ruins and walk around the quaint old town to the old port.

Continuing up to Tripoli, there are some good stops at the Great Phoenician Trench at Anfah, the Msaylha Castle, the Chekka cliffs, and the Phoenician Wall at Batroun. Tripoli is Lebanon’s second-largest city. There is a great historical area in Old Mina which can be combined with a walk to the corniche. The Citadel in Tripoli has lots of history, with traditional souks nearby.  On the way back to Beirut, catch the sunset from the top of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa.

Cost: Entry to the Byblos ruins is 8K per person. Entry to the Jeita Grotto is 18K per person. 


4. Central Lebanon

Visit Lebanon: Baatara Falls
Baatara Falls

Central Lebanon is not as explored by tourists, but it is one of our personal favorite areas. There are beautiful mountains and stunning monasteries throughout the central region that look like they have been plucked from Switzerland or Austria. Kadisha Valley was our favorite part of the countryside.

This is also where The Cedars are located, one of the few remaining cedar groves in Lebanon. The Baatara Falls in Tannourine are incredible and unlike any waterfall that we have ever seen!  The drive to Monastere de Mar Lichaa, a tiny mountainside monastery, is definitely worth a trip.


5. East Lebanon

Lebanon Travel Guide: Baalbek Ruins
Baalbek Ruins

Some of the best day trips are to East Lebanon with stops in the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek. Baalbek is home to some of the best Roman ruins anywhere in the world. It also is one of the largest temple complexes in the world. These ruins are gorgeous and very well-preserved.

The Bekaa Valley is home to the Lebanese wine industry. Stop by our favorites, Chateau Ksara (open from 9 – 5 daily) and Chateau Khoury (open 11-7 Tues-Sat, call for apt with the winemaker himself). Obviously, don’t head too far east (Syrian border) and make sure to check the status of the Baalbek area. There has been a spillover of terrorism in the past.

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Should You Visit?

Lebanon Tourism: Beirut
Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut

Is safety a concern when visiting Lebanon? Sure. Maybe it is not for everyone, but Lebanon is a beautiful country with amazing places to see, wonderful culture, great food, and some of the best nightlife in the Mediterranean. We loved every bit of Lebanon and think it is an excellent place to come on vacation.

Because of the high cost of accommodation as well as transportation, it is not the best backpacking destination. For a Mediterranean vibe, it is better to backpack in Italy or Greece. For a Middle Eastern vibe, we recommend visiting Jordan or Oman, two safe countries that have beautiful places to see.

That’s it – we hope this guide helps you in planning a trip to Lebanon!


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About the Author:

  • Yana and Timon

    Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years.

    After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

1 thought on “The Complete Guide to Lebanon”

  1. Why do you recommend staying in Beirut and making everything else day trips? It seems like a lot of wasted travel time.

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