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Travel Guide
Visiting Lebanon
Select your passport to instantly check if you need a visa.
Avoid Some Regions
UK FCDO: The FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Lebanon, including the South and Nabatiyeh Governorates, parts of Beirut, and parts of the Beqaa and Baalbek-Hermel Governorates, and against all but essential travel to other areas. Check the FCDO area map for the current boundaries before you travel.
Updated 2026-08-10
Discover
Top Attractions in Lebanon
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Baalbek
Baalbek, in the Bekaa Valley, contains some of the largest and best-preserved Roman temple complexes ever built, including the colossal Temple of Jupiter, of which six of the original 54 towering granite columns remain standing, and the remarkably intact Temple of Bacchus. The site was originally a Phoenician sanctuary dedicated to the sun god Baal before becoming the Roman colony of Heliopolis under Julius Caesar. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Baalbek remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Middle East.
Jeita Grotto
Situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley roughly 18 kilometres north of Beirut, the Jeita Grotto is an interconnected system of karstic limestone caves stretching over nine kilometres, formed over millions of years by underground rivers dissolving the rock. Visitors explore the dry upper gallery on foot, passing one of the world's longest stalactites at 8.2 metres, then board small boats to glide through the illuminated lower gallery along an underground river. The grotto was a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition and serves as a principal source of drinking water for Lebanon.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Lebanon. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Lebanon.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Dial 140 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vaccine recommendations and health risks At least 8 weeks before your trip: check the latest vaccine recommendations for Lebanon see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on th
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police112
Ambulance140
Fire175
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Lebanon
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Lebanon page at Yoogo.
The official currency is the Lebanese pound (LBP), though US dollars are widely accepted and commonly used for larger transactions in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Card acceptance varies considerably; carrying cash in both currencies is advisable, and withdrawing from ATMs in USD is possible at many machines in Beirut.
Lebanon has experienced periods of political instability and conflict, and the security situation can change rapidly. Travellers should consult their government's official travel advisory before booking and monitor updates throughout their trip.
Shared minibuses and collective taxis (known as service taxis) connect most towns and are the most common form of public transport, though they do not run to fixed timetables. Ride-hailing apps including Uber and Bolt operate in Beirut and some larger cities, and renting a car provides the most flexibility for reaching sites such as Baalbek and the Qadisha Valley.
Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most comfortable conditions, with mild temperatures, low rainfall, and clear skies across both the coast and the mountains. Summer is warm and popular for beach visits along the Mediterranean, while winter brings heavy snow to the higher elevations, making Lebanon one of the few countries in the Middle East with ski resorts.
Arabic is the official language, and French is widely spoken due to Lebanon's historical ties with France, particularly in Beirut and among the professional class. English is also broadly understood in the capital and in tourist areas, making communication straightforward for most international visitors.
Standard routine vaccinations including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid are generally recommended; travellers should consult a travel health clinic or their doctor well before departure. There is no yellow fever risk in Lebanon and no vaccination certificate is required for entry, though healthcare can be expensive and often requires cash payment, so comprehensive travel insurance is important.
Tipping is customary throughout Lebanon; a gratuity of 10 to 15 per cent is standard in restaurants when a service charge is not already included on the bill. Hotel porters, taxi drivers, and tour guides also customarily receive a tip, and rounding up fares is common practice.