Lebanon Travel Guide: Beirut, Byblos and the Cedar Mountains

Lebanon has welcomed travelers for five thousand years. The Phoenicians sailed from its harbors and gave the world an alphabet; Romans raised the colossal temples of Baalbek; and Beirut became the cosmopolitan crossroads of the Levant, where French, Arabic and English mix in a single sentence. Few countries this small offer so much variety: you can ski in the mountains in the morning and lunch by the sea in the afternoon in early spring.

Lebanon has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among them Byblos, Baalbek, Anjar, Tyre and the Qadisha Valley with its Forest of the Cedars of God. Learn more in our guide to Lebanon's history and culture.

Dress. Beirut is fashionable and relaxed. Cover shoulders and knees at mosques, churches and in rural areas.

Alcohol. Widely available. Lebanon has a proud winemaking tradition dating back to the Phoenicians, and arak is the national spirit.

Ramadan. Lebanon is a country of many faiths; restaurants in Beirut generally stay open, while in some areas daytime eating in public is discreet. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around February 8.

Money. US dollars are widely used and prices are often quoted in dollars. Carry cash for smaller places. Dinner at a top Beirut restaurant costs roughly US$60 to US$120 per person.

Lebanon's seasons are a large part of its charm. Spring brings blossom to the mountains and comfortable days for exploring Byblos and Baalbek. Summer is the season for beach clubs, rooftop dining and the country's celebrated music festivals, including events at Baalbek, Byblos and Beiteddine. Autumn is the time for the grape harvest in the Bekaa Valley, and from December to March snow covers the mountains above Beirut, where Faraya and the Cedars offer skiing within easy reach of the coast.

Because distances are so short, Beirut makes a perfect base. A week might include two days exploring the city's museums, galleries and restaurants, a day trip north to Byblos and Batroun, another east to Baalbek with lunch and a wine tasting in the Bekaa Valley, and a day in the Chouf for Beiteddine Palace and the cedar reserve. A final day can take you to Jeita Grotto, with its spectacular limestone caverns, and up to Harissa by cable car for views over the Bay of Jounieh.

Lebanon pairs well with Cyprus, just across the sea, and with Jordan. For a deeper look at the region's shared table, see our dining pages, and for guides, drivers and airport services, our concierge and family travel partners can help.

Lebanese hospitality is famous for a reason. Expect generous meals that last for hours, invitations to try one more dish, and a genuine pride in showing visitors the best of the country. Learning a few words of Arabic or French is always appreciated, though English is spoken widely in Beirut and in the hotels.