←Lebanon travel guide
Beirut Governorate, Lebanon
Beirut
A Mediterranean capital shaped by centuries of trade and culture
CultureFood & DrinkHistory & HeritageNightlife
Beirut sits on a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, its layered streetscapes reflecting Phoenician, Ottoman, French Mandate, and contemporary influences. The capital's neighbourhoods shift from tree-lined avenues and art galleries to waterfront promenades and ancient ruins uncovered beneath modern buildings.
Check Lebanon visa requirements →
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November
Region
Beirut Governorate
Main airport
Beirut BEY (BEY)
Beyond the City
Day Trips from Beirut
UNESCO World HeritageHistory
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.
Nature
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.
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Plan Your Trip
Getting Around Beirut
Tours, stays, transfers, and flights — curated partner options are on the way.
Tours & Activities
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and day experiences — curated partner options are on the way.
Coming soonWhere to Stay
Hotels, apartments, and guesthouses across every neighbourhood — booking options are on the way.
Coming soonAirport Transfers
Private and shared rides between the airport and the city centre — partner options are on the way.
Coming soonFlights
Compare fares from hundreds of airlines to find the best route in — search options are on the way.
Coming soonTravel 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.