Attraction in Lebanon
National Museum of Beirut
The National Museum of Beirut, opened in 1942, holds the principal collection of Lebanese antiquities, spanning prehistoric tools through the medieval Islamic period and encompassing Phoenician sarcophagi, Hellenistic mosaics, and Bronze Age gold jewellery. The building itself, a striking structure in neo-pharaonic and Byzantine style, survived the civil war and its collection was methodically restored and reopened to the public in 1997. The museum provides the clearest single narrative of Lebanon's remarkably layered archaeological heritage.
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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.