Lebanon
The Republic of Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان) is a country in the Middle East at the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Syria to the north and the east, and Israel to the south.
- For other places with the same name, see Lebanon (disambiguation).
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WARNING: Travel to areas close to borders with Syria (including Baalbeck and the Beka'a Valley north of Zahle) and Israel (where UNIFIL is located south of the Litani river) are strongly discouraged due to the spillover of the civil war in Syria and the conflict with Israel. Travel is also discouraged to the city of Tripoli, to the southern suburbs of Beirut and to the Palestinian refugee camps of Bourj el-Barajneh and Ain el-Helweh due to inter-communal violence.
Governments have also issued travel warnings for these areas of Lebanon due to the spillover of the civil war in Syria and the conflict with Israel. If you must go to these particular areas, see War zone safety. |
Government travel advisories
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| (Information last updated Nov 2017) |
Though its small size (about the size of Jamaica), Lebanon has many great destinations, with some the world's oldest cities, and venues hard to find in other parts of the Middle East, such as vineyards, nightclubs, and ski resorts. Lebanese cuisine is among the most renowned Middle Eastern cuisines.
Regions
Lebanon can be divided into five regions:
| Beirut Lebanon's capital. |
| Bekaa The area surrounding the city of Baalbek near Lebanon's eastern border (with Syria). |
| Mount Lebanon A heavily mountainous area including the cities of Byblos and Jounieh. |
| North Lebanon On Lebanon's northern coast; its largest city is Tripoli. |
| South Lebanon An area of Lebanon bordering Israel and containing the cities of Tyre and Sidon. |
Cities
Many cities in Lebanon have English names which are significantly different from their Arabic names; the Roman versions of the Arabic names are given in parentheses below.
- 🌍 Beirut - the capital and largest city
- 🌍 Baalbek - a Phoenician and Roman archaeological site
- 🌍 Byblos (Joubeil) - another city with plenty of remains, castles and museums
- 🌍 Jezzine - main summer resort and tourist destination of South Lebanon
- 🌍 Jounieh - known for its seaside resorts and nightclubs
- 🌍 Sidon (Saida) - plenty of medieval remains
- 🌍 Tripoli (Trablus) - still unspoilt by mass-tourism
- 🌍 Tyre (Sour) - has a number of ancient sites, including its Roman Hippodrome which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 🌍 Zahle - capital of Bekaa Valley
Other destinations
- 🌍 Jeita - Known for its Grotto
- Kadisha Valley - You can visit the home of the (now deceased) Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran.
- 🌍 Deir el Qamar - Traditional village in Chouf district.
Understand
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| Capital | Beirut |
| Currency | Lebanese pound (LBP) |
| Population | 4.4 million (2013) |
| Electricity | 220 volt / 50 hertz (Type A, Type B, Europlug, AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types, BS 1363) |
| Country code | +961 |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 to UTC+03:00 |
| Emergencies | 140 (emergency medical services), +961-175 (fire department), 112 (police), 160 (police) |
| Driving side | right |
| edit on Wikidata | |
Geography
The country is marked by two mountain ridges that run parallel to the Mediterranean coastline. The Mount Lebanon ridge is close to the sea, and is cut across from north to south by transverse valleys and canyons. The landscape is mostly mountainous and sometimes very rugged, with steep cliffs and gradients. Streams are frequent and provide ample resources for cultivation and natural vegetation.
The AntiLebanon runs parallel east of the Mount Lebanon ridge, and forms part of the border with Syria.
The Bekaa valley, with ample flatlands traversed by the Orontes (Nahr al-Aasi) and Litani rivers, runs between the two ridges.
History
Lebanon has a long and complex history since the Neolithic age. The most important Phoenicians cities (Byblos and Tyre among others) were founded here and have been thriving since then. The area was under the sphere of influence of Egyptian, Mesopotomian, and Persian ancient civilizations. Lebanon has a rich heritage of Hellenistic and Roman monuments, including among others the temples of Baalbek and Tyre. After the Byzantine and Umayyad rule (which left behind the ruins of Anjar), the area of today's Lebanon was conquered by the Crusaders and the Mamluks, with many significant monuments (fortresses and places of worship) scattered over the country, and notably in Tripoli.
Four centuries of Ottoman rule (1516–1918) with significant degrees of autonomous rule were ended with the creation of the French Mandate after World War I. Lebanon became independent in 1943.
Three decades of growth were crippled by a long civil war (1975–1990), which ended with a power-sharing agreement and a complicated process of reconciliation and reconstruction.
Political tensions and regional conflicts with Hezbollah (such as the July 2006 war and the ongoing civil war in Syria) have affected the country, which remains nevertheless resilient.
People
The people of Lebanon comprise a wide variety of ethnic groups and religions, with the majority split between Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek-Catholic Melkites, Armenians, Protestant, Syriac Christians) and Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni), Alawites, and Druzes. There is a large number (over 250,000) of Palestinian refugees in the country, which fled their homeland in 1948. There is also a huge number of Syrian refugees and displaced persons due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
The population increases in the Summer months (June to September), due to the large influx of returning members of the Lebanese diaspora and Lebanese citizens working abroad.
People are generally very easy-going and welcoming. Many people are multilingual and highly educated, particularly in Beirut and its suburban areas. Attitudes and behaviours tend to be more conservative in the Bekaa Valley and rural areas of the north and south.
Climate
Lebanon has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters.
Summer is usually the most popular time for people to visit, as there is virtually no rain between June and August, and the temperatures ranges between about 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, there can be occasional heatwaves with the temperature rising, and generally, it can be very, very humid along the coast line during the summer months. It is somewhat dryer and somewhat cooler in the mountains, and many Lebanese tend to visit and vacation in the mountains during the summer if they wish to escape the heat and humidity of the coastline.
Autumn and spring are also good times to visit, with a bit more rain, but without the tourist crowds attracted in summer, and also with considerable less humidity.
Snow falls for a large part of winter in the mountain regions that form a large portion of the country, and there are numerous ski resorts. However, the coast is still relatively mild, with maximums rarely falling below 13°C (55°F), although it can fall much lower than that and has on many occasions.
Time zone
Lebanon is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes daylight saving from the end of March to the end of October.
Holidays
Lebanon has a number of Christian and Islamic holidays. Holidays that are observed by the Lebanese Government are indicated in bold letters.
- New Year's Day (January 1)
- Armenian Christmas (January 6)
- St. Maroun's Day (February 9)
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
- Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)
- Good Friday (Catholic) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
- Easter Sunday (Catholic) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
- Good Friday (Orthodox) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
- Easter Sunday (Orthodox) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
- Labor Day (May 1)
- Liberation Day (May 25) (anniversary of the liberation of the South from Israeli occupation in 2000)
- St. Elias' Day (July 20)
- Assumption of Mary Day (August 15)
- Ramadan (variable) (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
- Eid al-Fitr (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
- Eid al-Adha (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
- Ashura (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
- Independence Day (November 22)
- Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day (December 4)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- New Year's Eve (December 31)
Get in
Visas
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Visa restrictions: |
Citizens of Turkey get a free 3-month visa that can only be renewed before one month passes since their entry.
Citizens of Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, the Comoros, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire get a free one-month tourist visa provided they have a two way traveling ticket, a hotel reservation/place of residence and USD2,000 (the cash conditions can be waived if you get the visa from the Lebanese embassy beforehand).
Citizens of India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and several other "labor exporting" countries not otherwise listed in this section cannot get a visa directly at the airport or at a Lebanese embassy. Instead, a visa needs to be arranged by a Lebanese sponsor in Lebanon through the General Security head office in Beirut. This is a convoluted process that can take months, so start early. Visas issued this way are valid for 1 month but can be extended until 3 months at General Security once in Lebanon.
Three-month visas are free for nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan. Other nationals can obtain a 15-day visa for LL25,000 (USD17), or a three-month visa for LBP50,000 (USD35). These visas are single-entry; nationals of many countries can also obtain multiple-entry visas (USD75 valid for six months). The 48 hour free of charge transit visas (valid for three calendar days) are still issued, but only if you enter by land and leave via the airport or vice-versa.
Visas can be obtained at Lebanese embassies and consulates in other countries, or upon arrival at Beirut airport and other points of entry for some nationalities.
A free one month valid visa, renewable till 3 months, is granted to the citizens of these countries who are coming for tourism: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados,Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, USA, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
For more information, visit the General Security page.
An updated visa requirements text can always be found on the visa to Lebanon page .
By plane
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Beirut International Airport (BEY), is 5 km (3 mi) south of the city centre) - Middle East Airlines services daily to Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Amman, Athens, Cairo, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul-Atatürk, Jeddah, Kano, Kuwait, Lagos, Larnaca, London-Heathrow, Milan-Malpensa, Nice, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh and Rome-Fiumicino, Warsaw-Okęcie.
In addition the airport is served by foreign airlines
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Middle East (Arabic countries)
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Europe
Asia
Africa
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For flights from the United Kingdom try Turkish Airlines , Cyprus Airways or Czech Airlines . These three airlines are often cheaper even than MEA direct from Heathrow. Czech airlines are consistently the cheapest bet from Manchester.
By bus
Buses leave Damascus every hour and typically cost 400 or 500 SYP. The trip is normally 4–5 hours, depending on traffic at the border. When leaving Syria, you must pay an exit fee of 550 SYP and must acquire a Lebanese visa on the other side of the border (48 hrs Transit Visa is free, 15 day Transit Visa is LL25,000 (US$17), single-entry 30 day Tourist Visa is LL50,000 (US$34), payable in Lebanese pounds only. Money changers can exchange currency, typically with a $1 exchange fee).
By taxi
Taxis leave Damascus for Lebanon.
By ship
Reaching Lebanon by ferry is quite a challenge, the only regular passenger ferry is a twice-weekly service from Tasucu, just outside Mersin, Turkey to the northern city of Tripoli by the Lebanese company MedStar. Apart from that single passenger ferry, only way of reaching Lebanon by sea is by cruise ship or - for the more adventurous traveller - freighter travel.
Get around
Lebanon is a small country and it is possible to drive from north to south in under 3 hours. The main means of transport are service taxis, bus and car.
By taxi
The majority of travelers use service taxis to get from place to place. "Service" taxis often operate like buses on set routes between towns and cities, though they can be hired to visit other places with some negotiation. Depending on the type of vehicle, each taxi carries between 4 (inside metropolitan areas) to 6 (longer distances) passengers, who share the fare between them. The fare is LL2000 for short distances of a couple of kilometers/miles, and increases depending on both distance to be traveled, traffic on that specific road and of course, like everything in Lebanon, persuasion/negotiation skills. A private taxi ride, without having to share with other passengers is similar to a "service" taxi, in that the same pre-negotiation is required to determine the fare, and as a rule of thumb it costs a minimum of LL10,000. Never get in a taxi or "service" without agreeing on the fare first.
Taxis and service taxis are basically the same, and the mode of operation depends on the availability of passengers and their demands. The majority of service taxis in Lebanon are 1975 Mercedes cars that roam the streets searching for passengers using their car-horns. Newer car models working as mainly "service" taxis are appearing on the Lebanese streets with nevertheless the same price tag as their elder sisters.
All types of public transportation vehicles in Lebanon (taxis, buses, mini-vans and even trucks) can be recognized by their red-colored licence plate.
By bus
City link bus routes are available and cheap. Most buses for north Lebanon depart from the Charles Helou Station (east of downtown), while most buses to regions south or southeast of Beirut (including Damascus and Baalbek) depart from the Cola "Station" (which is really an intersection adjacent to the Cola bridge\overpass).
By train
There has been no passenger rail service in Lebanon since before the Civil War.
By car
Car rental is relatively expensive in Lebanon compared to elsewhere in the region. Reasonable, if not exactly cheap rates can, however, be found with perseverance and negotiation and - once you have your rental - fuel is easy to get. Fuel is not cheap, with fuel prices being among the most affected by inflation.
Lebanon's roads are generally in quite poor condition and Lebanese drivers are not known for their caution. Exercise extreme caution when driving in Lebanon. Even in central Beirut, even in areas undamaged by the Israeli assault, there can be massive potholes on busy multi-lane roads.
Driving in Lebanon should be considered an extreme activity for Western drivers accustomed to safe driving. Street names are virtually non-existent. Mountain driving is particularly hazardous, often involving 1-car roads in 2-way streets. Traffic, especially in major cities like Beirut and Tripoli, and on the highway from Beirut to Kaslik, can be extremely crowded and time-consuming, turning a normally 20-minute trip into over an hour during peak times.
Talk
- See also: Lebanese Arabic phrasebook
The official language of Lebanon is Standard Arabic and the native language Lebanese Arabic, which is similar to (but not indistinguishable from) the Arabic of Syria, Jordan and Palestine.
Almost all Lebanese speak Standard Arabic, while many people also speak French and/or English. While French is the first foreign language of most people, English is also widely spoken. Street and place signs are in both Arabic (first) and French (second), because of Lebanon's period as a French mandated territory after the First World War. Generally, signs and outdoors are written in at least two languages, Standard Arabic and French and/or English.
See
Lebanon is a country rich in natural scenery from beautiful beaches to mountains and valleys. Lebanese people take pride that Lebanon is one of the few countries that gives you the opportunity to go skiing in the morning and going to the beach in the afternoon (although it is impossible to actually do that because of traffic). This is only possible for a few days in the year, usually in the few days when winter shifts to spring and/or summer shifts to autumn
Beirut Downtown Visitors from all around are astonished by the beautiful downtown. At Place de l'Etoile, tourists can enjoy a delightful meal or a cup of coffee at the outdoor cafes. In addition to those, the capital provides other restaurants and hangouts that people of all ages can enjoy. There are also many nightclubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants, catering to a diverse amount of styles and budgets.
Baalbeck Roman Temples in the city of Baalbeck are among the largest and most beautiful Roman ruins.
Al Bass Archaeological Site, Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and best preserved Roman archeological sites in the world. The site is made up of a huge Necropolis, a massive monumental arch leading to a Roman Road, alongside which there is an excellent example of an acqueduct as well as the largest and best preserved Roman Hippodrome found to date.
Jeita Grotto is a compound of crystallized caves in Lebanon 20 km north of Beirut in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). This grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230-m-long river runs. Geologically, the caves provide a tunnel or escape route for the underground river. In this cave and galleries, the action of water in the limestone has created cathedral-like vaults full of various sizes, colors and shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, majestic curtains and fantastic rock formations. The total length of the cave is more than 9000 m and there is one among the biggest stalactites in the world hanging 8.2 m. The grotto accommodates a huge hall with a distance of 108 m from the ceiling till the water level.
Beiteddin One of the most authentic Arabic architectural jewels is the palace of Beiteddine. This historic monument comprises two large courtyards: the “midane”, a vast rectangular place for visitors, and a smaller one for the royal private apartments, with a magnificent fountain in its centre.
Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley) Located in north Lebanon, the “Holy Valley” spreads from Bcharreh to the coast. Classified under UNESCO's world heritage, it is full of countless caves, chapels, and monasteries.
Byblos also known in Arabic as "Jbeil", is an ancient Phoenician city that had been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its touristic attractions include a medieval castle and a Roman amphitheater, as well as many seaside cafes and restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Anjar is a city in the Beqaa Valley with many local restaurants where you can enjoy the unique Lebanese cuisine. The city is home to the unique ruins of an 8th-century Umayyad city.
Do
Nightlife
The Lebanese people have had to adapt to the political turmoil. Lebanon is easily the party capital of the Middle East. Beirut features a range of distinct nightlife neighborhoods, such as Gemmayze district, mostly full of bars and restaurants, or the Monot Street which features nightclubs and bars. Lebanon is also known for it's open-air nightclubs such as Sky Bar, White, and Iris. Greater Beirut is a sleepless city, as the great majority of it open 24 hours a day.
Lebanese nightclubs are widely diverse, as one can find both the "oriental" and "occidental" style, and in some cases, a mix of both.
Lebanon also has a huge beach party scene having exquisite beaches and beach resorts including Sporting Club, Oceana, Laguava or Edde Sands and Janna Sur Mer. However, these places can be very expensive, especially for the budget traveller.
Hike
- Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) - A more than 350-km national hiking trail extending from Al Qobaiyat in the north to Marjaayoun in the south. The Trail is not well marked and it is recommended that you get a guide because you will get lost. The guides can be expensive but it is worth talking them down on price. If you do decide to go alone, the country side is populated and you are never very far from people. This is by far the best way to see wild Lebanon!
Ski
Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the ski-able domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor.
Wine tasting
Lebanon has some of the oldest sites of wine production in the world and today enjoys a burgeoning industry producing award-winning wines for worldwide export, though mainly in the UK, Europe and the United States. Wine tasting is an absolute must with any visit to Lebanon. Below are some wine producers in Lebanon for you to keep an eye out for: - - * Chateau Musar - * Chateau Ksara - * Chateau Kefraya - * Domaine Wardy - * Vin Héritage - * Chateau Fakra - * Domaine de Baal - * Chateau Nakad - * Massaya - * Domaine des Tourelles - * Clos Saint Thomas - * Cave Kouroum - * Clos de Cana - * Nabise Mont Liban - * Enotica - * Chateau Khoury - * Couvent St. Sauveur
Buy
Money
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Exchange rates for Lebanese pound As of January 2019:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com |
The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound, denoted by the symbol "ل.ل., " or "LL" (ISO code: LBP). Its value is kept stable relative to the US dollar, with a value of about LL1,500 to US$1.
Lebanese pounds and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and it is common to pay in dollars but receive change in pounds (in which case, make sure you don't get short-changed).
Bills used are LL1000, LL5000, LL10,000, LL20,000, LL50,000 and LL100,000. You may find two forms of LL1000 and they are both accepted.
Bills not used are LL1, LL5, LL10, LL25, LL50, LL100, LL250, LL500.
There are LL250 and LL500 coins. LL25, LL50 and LL100 coins are virtually never used.
Money transfer
You may transfer money from/to Lebanon through Western Union. For more information about locations offering Money transfers you may contact BOB Finance - Bank of Beirut Group on the number 1262 from inside Lebanon or +961-5-955262 from outside with 24/7 Customer Service Support.
Eat
- See also: Middle Eastern cuisine
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Lebanon fosters exquisite cuisine ranging from a mezza of vegetarian dishes such as tabouleh, fattoush, and waraq ainab to delicious dips like hommos and moutabal.
Must haves include Lebanese barbeque such as shish tawouq (barbequed chicken) - usually consumed with garlic, lahm mashwiye (barbequed meat), and kafta (barbequed seasoned minced meat).
A full meal at a local restaurant can cost as little as LL22,500 depending on where you go, though more expensive options can also be found.
Lebanese "fast food" is also available as sandwiches offered in roadside shops, such as shawarma sandwiches (known in other countries as doner - or gyros in Greece). Shawarma is rolled in Lebanese thin bread. Various barbequed meat sandwiches are also available, and even things such as lamb or chicken spleen, brains, lamb bone marrow or lamb testicles can be served as sandwiches.
Breakfast usually consists of manaeesh which looks like a folded pizza, most common toppings being zaatar (a mixture of thyme, olive oil, sesame seeds), jebneh (cheese), or minced meat (this version is more properly referred to as lahm bi ajin).
Another traditional breakfast food is knefeh, a special kind of breaded cheese that is served with a dense syrup in a sesame seed bread. It is also served as dessert.
Lebanon is also very famous for its Arabic sweets which can be found at leading restaurants. The city of Tripoli, however, is considered to be "the" city for Lebanese sweets, and is sometimes even referred to as the "Sweet Capital" of Lebanon.
International food chains are widely spread across the country. Italian, French, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines, as well as cafe chains (such as Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, etc.), are particularly popular across the country, with a higher concentration in Beirut and the urban sprawl north of the capital.
Drink
Lebanon's wines have an international reputation. Grapes have been grown since antiquity, and the vineyards, largely in the Bekaa Valley, produce the base wine for distillation into the national spirit Arak, which, like Ouzo, is flavoured with aniseed and becomes cloudy when diluted with water. Arak is the traditional accompaniment to Meze.
But the grapes have also historically been used to make wine. This used to be predominantly white and sweet, but the soldiers and administrators that came to administer the French mandate after World War I created a demand for red wine, and large acreages were planted especially with the Cinsault grape. Over the last 20 years these have been supplemented with the most popular international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Wineries often offer wine tasting and are very welcoming. The highly individual, old fashioned, Chateau Musar, is based at Ghazir, 25 km (15 miles) north of Beirut, and trucks in the grapes from Bekaa. In Bekaa itself, wineries include the large Kefraya, Ksara, the oldest winery of all, Massaya, a fashionable new producer in Tanail, and Nakad in Jdeita, which like Musar has stuck with an idiosyncratic old fashioned approach. Kefraya, in the West Bekaa region, also has a nice restaurant attached and the region is beautiful to pass through.
Sleep
Lebanon is full of hotels, with a range in price and quality, from USD10/night to many hundreds of dollars per night, and the quality ranges just as much. Many international chains, such as Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, can be found here, as well as local boutique and "mom-and-pop" style hotels, as well as low quality budget hotels.
The best way to save money if you are staying for a long visit is furnished apartments or all-suite hotels, as they come with cleaning and other services.
Learn
A handful of private schools, such as the Lycée Français (several branches over the country), the Collège Protestant Français, Collège Saint Joseph Antoura,Lycée Abdel Kader, Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and Collège Elysée among others follow the official French curriculum. The official French Baccalaureate exams can be taken in Lebanon.
Some schools (such as ACS) teach English as a first language and follow the English curriculum.
Beirut is also home to one of the most prestigious schools in the region, the International College (IC) which teaches both French and English as first languages among many others. Furthermore, IC offers a variety of baccalaureate programs such as the French, Lebanese, High School, and International Baccalaureate (IB).
The American University of Beirut - AUB is considered the best American university in the Middle East. The teaching language there is English. Other anglophone private universities are: Antonine University - UPA | Notre Dame University - NDU | Lebanese American University - LAU ...
Some private universities have French as the main teaching language. Université St.Joseph - USJ is one of these, it is an old and respected institution in Lebanon, and probably offers the best price/quality ratio among private universities in the country. It is the private university which has enrolled most of the Lebanon students as well as foreign students from other countries in Middle East, Africa and Europe. Other francophone private universities are USEK and Balamand.
The Lebanese University is the state-owned/public university and is the largest learning institution in the country. It offers virtually free tertiary education.
Connect
MTC Touch Mobile phone operator offers a GSM card for US$15 including a $10 credit (the START plan). Internet access starts at $10 for up to 100 MByte in a month. Alfa is another mobile phone operator which offers several prepaid plans ranging from $10 to $68. Like MTC Touch, internet access starts at $10 for a 500 MByte bundle per month.
Stay safe
The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly, and most tourists experience no problems. Nevertheless tensions with neighbors Israel and Syria sometimes erupt (but are usually confined to South Lebanon) and therefore travellers should follow the independent press while in the country.
Like in any country, it is preferable to be accompanied when visiting certain locations. In general, the borders with Syria and Israel, and any Palestinian refugee camps should be avoided.
Some areas in Lebanon are likely to be dangerous for tourists, such as Erssal or Aarsal in the Northern Bekaa, known for kidnapping expats for ransom.
Visitors should always register with their respective embassies once they enter Lebanon and keep up-to-date regarding any travel warnings regarding Lebanon.
Useful phone numbers:
- Police: 112 or 911 or 999 (it is common that if you call them for small-scale infractions e.g. pick-pocketing or sexual harassment they will not come).
- Fire brigade: 175 (metropolitan Beirut only)
- Civil defense: 125 (outside Beirut)
- The Red Cross (Medic Response): 140
- Information: 1515
Stay healthy
As a key destination for health tourism in the region, Lebanon has a professional and private healthcare system. Located mainly in Beirut, key hospitals include:
- AUH (American University Hospital), Hamra area: +961-1-344704.
- RHUH (Rafic Hariri University Hospital), Bir Hassan area: +961-1-830000.
- Hotel Dieu de France, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-386791.
- Rizik Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-200800.
- Mont Liban Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-955444.
- Sacré Coeur Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-451704.
- Saint George Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-441000.
- Tel Shiha - Zahle, Beqaa
- Nini Hospital - Tripoli, North Lebanon: +961-6-431400.
- Hopital Albert Haykel - Koura, North Lebanon: +961-6-411111.
- Sahel Hospital - Airport Ave Area: +961-1-858333
- Jabal Amel Hospital - Jal Al Baher Area, Tyre: +961-7-740343, 07-740198, 07-343852, 03-280580
- Labib Medical Center - Abou Zahr Street, Sidon Area: +961-7-723444, 07-750715/6
- Bahman Hospital - Beirut, Haret Hreik Area: +961-1-544000 or 961-3-544000
It is extremely important that you get travel insurance prior to your departure to Lebanon. Hospitals in the country can be very expensive and, with the lack of insurance, cash payments may be expected beforehand.
It's recommended to drink bottled water rather than tap water.
Respect
Lebanon is a country of many different religious sects and so, it is wise to respect the religious differences of the Lebanese population. It is recommended to wear modest clothing when visiting religious sites (churches, mosques, etc.) and when visiting rural towns and villages.
Even in Beirut, some areas are more conservative than others, thus visitors should bear that in mind when exploring the city. Overall, however, clothing considered 'western' is generally acceptable, so to hedge your bets, keep your dress modest. Bear in mind, however, that as open and western as Beirut is, this is not Europe; "topless" at any beach, whether private or public, is not recommended at all.
In Tripoli, especially in the old city, it is recommended that women dress conservatively. The same applies on most traditional "souks" in the country. In general, Lebanese are accustomed to different lifestyles and some do not take offense easily, especially with matters related to dress. The Lebanese are people accustomed to diversity and are therefore quicker to accept different lifestyles, though not all Lebanese are so open-minded.
Because of political tensions and the conflict with Israel and tension with Syria, avoid discussing politics, especially regarding these two countries.
Connect