🌟 What to Do & Local Tips
Explore experiences and tips to get the most from your trip in Lebanon
The waiter sets down mezze until the table disappears under bowls — hummus, tabbouleh, grilled halloumi, kibbeh. You are still in Beirut. Tomorrow you could be in a boat under Jeita Grotto or standing inside a Roman temple taller than anything in Rome.
Lebanon compresses coast, mountains, and archaeology into a country smaller than Wales. Baalbek’s temples, Byblos’s Phoenician port, cedar forests in the north, and the Bekaa’s wineries are all reachable on day trips from the capital.
Check current travel guidance before you plan. When conditions allow, book tours early in peak season and carry cash in small US dollar notes alongside lira.
📍 Book Activities & Experiences
Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos Day Trip
Full-day tour from Beirut: underground boat ride through Jeita’s lower cave, cable car to Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, and the ancient harbour at Byblos. Lunch and entrance fees included on most packages. About 7–8 hours with hotel pickup.
More info →Baalbek, Anjar & Ksara with Lunch
Small-group day to the Bekaa: UNESCO-listed Roman temples at Baalbek (Temple of Bacchus and Jupiter), Umayyad ruins at Anjar, and wine caves at Château Ksara with tasting. Lunch and tickets often included. Allow a full day.
More info →Cedars, Qadisha Valley & Gibran Museum
North Lebanon day trip: Cedars of God reserve, Holy Qadisha Valley viewpoints, Khalil Gibran Museum in Bcharré, and often Kozhaya monastery. Cool mountain air and dramatic scenery. Full day from Beirut.
More info →Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche
South Lebanon heritage tour: Sidon’s sea castle and souks, Tyre’s Roman hippodrome and ruins, and the cliff shrine at Maghdouche. Full day with guide and transport from Beirut.
More info →⭐ Top Experiences in Lebanon
⭐ Baalbek Roman temples
Among the largest Roman temple ruins anywhere — Temple of Bacchus almost intact, colossal columns of Jupiter. UNESCO site in the Bekaa. Go early to avoid tour buses and heat in summer.
More info →⭐ Jeita Grotto
Two linked limestone caves north of Beirut: upper gallery on foot, lower gallery by boat on an underground river. Photography banned inside. Closed Mondays; check seasonal opening.
More info →⭐ Byblos (Jbail) old town
Phoenician, Roman, and Crusader layers in one harbour town. Castle, souks, and seafood restaurants on the quay. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
More info →⭐ Beirut hop-on hop-off bus
City sightseeing loop covering Downtown, the Corniche, National Museum area, and key districts. Useful first-day orientation. Audio guide on board.
More info →⭐ Beyond Beirut city tour
Half-day or full-day with a local guide through neighbourhoods tourists often miss — markets, street art, and viewpoints beyond the rebuilt centre. Pickup from your hotel.
More info →⭐ Private Beirut walking tour
Custom walking route with a local guide: Downtown, Roman Baths, Martyrs’ Square, Gemmayzeh, or Hamra. Flexible length (2–8 hours). Good for first-time visitors who want context.
More info →⭐ Sidon & Tyre UNESCO sites
Medieval sea castle in Sidon, vast Roman hippodrome at Tyre, and slower pace than the north. Full-day tours from Beirut with lunch on some departures.
More info →⭐ Skiing at Mzaar Kfardebian
Lebanon’s main ski resort, roughly 45 km from Beirut. Over 80 km of runs in winter; snowshoeing and snowmobile in season. Mediterranean skiing with sea views on clear days.
More info →📋 Booking Tips
- Book Baalbek and Jeita tours early in spring and autumn — small groups fill up
- Confirm what is included (lunch, entrance fees, cable cars) before you pay
- Jeita Grotto is closed Mondays — plan around that
- Carry passport or ID for hotel pickup registration on tours
- Check cancellation policy — weather rarely closes Baalbek but tours may adjust routes
💡 Local Tips
Everything you need to know before you go
💡 Essential Info
LBP / Lebanese pound
US dollars widely accepted alongside lira. Cards work in many Beirut restaurants and hotels; carry cash for taxis, souks, and smaller towns.
Arabic (Lebanese dialect), French common, English widely spoken in Beirut and tourist businesses.
+961
Emergency: 112 (Civil Defence), 160 (Red Cross). Buy a local SIM at the airport or in Beirut for data.
Routine vaccines recommended. Tap water is not recommended for drinking — bottled water common. Travel insurance with medical cover strongly advised.
🤝 Cultural Tips
💵 Tipping
10% in restaurants if service charge not included. Round up for taxis. Tip guides on day tours if you are happy with the service.
👋 Greetings
Marhaba (hello), shukran (thank you). Handshakes common; wait for women to extend their hand first in conservative areas.
🍽️ Dining
Mezze is shared — order a spread, not single mains. Lunch can be long; dinner often starts late. Arak with water turns milky white; pace yourself.
⏰ Pace
Beirut runs on flexible time outside business meetings. Friday and Saturday nights are lively. Ramadan affects opening hours and public eating.
💰 Money-Saving Secrets
- Eat where locals eat — manoushe for breakfast, bakery snacks, lunch specials
- Share service taxis between cities instead of private cars
- Book small-group tours online rather than one-off private drivers at the hotel
- Exchange money at licensed changers in Hamra or Downtown, not at the airport for large amounts
- Visit free sights: Corniche walk, some churches, window-shopping in souks
📅 Best Time to Visit
Spring (Mar–May)
✅ Pros: Green mountains, wildflowers, comfortable for Baalbek and hiking
❌ Cons: Occasional rain; sea still cool for swimming
Summer (Jun–Aug)
✅ Pros: Beach weather, festivals, long evenings
❌ Cons: Hot in Bekaa; Beirut traffic and prices peak
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
✅ Pros: Wine harvest in Bekaa, clear light, ideal for sightseeing
❌ Cons: Short days by November
Winter (Dec–Mar)
✅ Pros: Skiing at Mzaar, snow on cedars, fewer tourists at ruins
❌ Cons: Mountain roads can be icy; some coastal businesses close