Everything you need to know before visiting Lebanon
We have created a list of 25 things you need to know about Lebanon! When visiting the small but outstanding country of Lebanon, located right at the mediterrenean sea you will notice some suprises in a good or a bad way. We are here to inform you in advance about the diverse country, where different cultures and religions live together in a middle eastern country full of amazing nature, food, traditions, and rich in history.
Our list will give you a guidance and insights about the culture and country itself. Some are fun facts, just nice to know and some are really helpful tips and guides before visiting Lebanon as a traveler. Of course not every point will affect you and maybe you won’t notice some of these facts, but as said: It’s definitely good to know!
1.Lebanon offers more than just Beirut
The city Beirut, the so called Paris of the middle east is of course the most famous spot in Lebanon. You can find anything in Beirut from amazing food to beachclubs, shopping or the famous nightlife. You definitely have an enjoyable stay in Beirut, but don’t forget other coastal cities that have also a lot to offer and are worth a stay. Wether it is Batroun, Byblos or Tyre. You can also visit the mountain areas with a whole different landscape like Ehden or Mzaar Kfardebian. Also worth a visit is the city Bsharri with the stunning forrest of the famous lebanese “Cedars of god”. Plan your trip to Lebanon wisely.
2. Lebanon is a safe place to travel
The media often shows a negative side of the middle east and a lot of people suggerate Lebanon as an unsafe place. That is not overall the case! There are places in every country you should avoid, because of poverty and higher criminality. We suggest to ask the locals, your host at the Guesthouse or the reception of your Hotel for tips, guides and what areas to avoid. You will be good by visiting the touristic cities and attractions in Lebanon and tend to go to more crowded places. Also if you see the army in different places of Lebanon, that is a way to sustain that safety and the army supports the police in most aspects in Lebanon. So do not worry if you see the lebanese army, because it is a normal thing.
3. Mediterranen climate
Let’s talk about the amazing mediterrenean climate. Lebanon has a mild climate with hot summers and mild winters. You have warm temperatures for a perfect summer-vacation from around 28 degrees with nearly no rain, perfect for the beach and a dip in the Meditereanen sea. In the higher regions of Lebanon you will find more pleasent temperatures with around 24 degrees and a really fresh air, also during Summer. Spring (March till May) and Fall (September – November) are perfect times to visit Lebanon with nice temperatures around 20-25 degrees, which is lovely for an active exploring trip around Lebanon. The temperatures really depend on your location around the country, because the coastal line is always hotter, than the inland and mountainous regions. In Winter you can enjoy a winter wonderland in the mountains with enough snow for skiing and the perfect winter vacation with a hot chocolate in front of the caminfire.
4. Lebanon is a ancient and historic country
The modern state of Lebanon is not oldcat all and it exists within it’s current border since 1920. Before the country’s independence in 1920, part of the landscape of Mount Lebanon was under French mandate. The pre-historic times of Lebanon reach till 8000 BC to the coastal city of Byblos (also called Jbeil) making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Numerous civilizations, including Egyptian, Phoenician, Assyrian, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Fatimid, Genoese, Mamluk and Ottoman were part of the countries history. Lebanon is part of the Phoenician territory in the Levante region with the coastal cities Byblos, Tyros or Sidon. You can see ancient ruins from the phoenician times in all of those cities. The typical lebanese, cyprean or asyrian people have mostly phoenician roots, which were cultivated trade people, that developed the Phoenician alphabet. You will also find a lot of roman ruins in Lebanon like the Jupitertemple in Baalbek, which is part of the Bekaa-region in Lebanon. There is so much more to be explored in the richt history of Lebanon!
5. Diving in the ocean and hiking in the mountains in one day
You will be fascinated by the amazing nature Lebanon has to offer. You can have a dip into the mediterreanen sea and go skiing in the mountains within one hour. The country offers amazing beaches, clifs and stunning mountains you can see right from the beach. Forests and green valleys with amazing greenery and nature, that are just perfect for hiking. In the inner landscape you will find a lot of agriculture, wine regions and partly flat land that reminds you of a desert.
6. A trip to Lebanon on a budget or completely the opposite
Lebanon is based on huge contrasts and the gap between rich and poor is enormous. You will see that in your wallet, because the more luxurious and touristic spots are costly and don’t vary from European prices. You want to have a nice seating at the Zaitunay Bay in Beirut, eat good and smoke your Nargile afterwards. Then your total bill will be higher in reference to other places around. But on the opposite, you can also enjoy a lot of local places that don’t seem really touristic, but offer great service, food and an unforgettable good experience for much less money. There are quite a few areas in Beirut, that are much more local and in general cheaper than others. Prices do also differ by cities. For example Tripoli and Sidon are a cheaper, than touristic cities like Beirut, Batroun or Byblos. You choose where to go! Just keep in mind that the places of your choice can differ in pricing and just have an enjoyable trip!
7. Smoking is nearly a cult
Smoking cigarettes or a nargile in the evening, after a good plate of food is really common and like a social event. Don’t be surprised by the amount of people smoking. It’s also normal to smoke indoor for example in a Restaurant, Bar or Cafè.
8. Not everyone speaks English in Lebanon
The younger generation up to 40 years will most definitely speak English or French. By the way French is the second most common language spoken in Lebanon.
The older generation from 40 and above will not always speak English and that depends highly on the location you are at. In bigger cities and more urban touristic areas like Beirut or Batroun, you won’t have problems to find English speaking people. On the other side, in the villages and inland, the amount of people with good English skills is relatively low.
9. Political situation
Unfortunately Lebanon never had a political stable situation throughout the timeline after the civil war ended in 1990. With a really complex governmental system, where religions of different ethnical groups are involved, the country never found the right political path to lead the country and the people into a strong economical situation with a working infrastructure for the whole country. Corruption and the political instablity made the gap between rich and poor even stronger.
An ongoing problem in the governmental system over all those years led to a really weak infrastructure without a stable electricity supply and problems in waste management. Lastly the corrupt government and political leading escalated in 2020 and ended in one of the worst economic crisis, where the lebanese currency lost 90% of it‘s value.
Beside that, as a tourist in Lebanon you won‘t notice a lot of those problems during your stay. Tourism is a great way to support local businesses and the whole economy of Lebanon.
You can always ask your Guesthouses, Hotel receptions or locals if there are any places to avoid. It is always a good option in a foreign country to have guided tours with locals and we can really recommend that. You will have the best experience in the country, explore amazing places and get to know a lot about the culture, food and history.
10. You can’t order Coca-Cola in Lebanon
You will notice there is no Coca Cola in Lebanon. Also no Fanta and Sprite, but you can buy Pepsi, 7UP, Miranda and more in all stores and Restaurants.
So don‘t ask for a Coke, ask for a Pepsi or Diet Pepsi 🙂
11. Enjoy the local places and not only the touristic spots
You should enjoy the lebanese culture and cuisine, so we can highly recommend to visit local spots and Restaurants, not only visit the shiniest and most touristic spots Lebanon has to offer. You can save some money, experience the middle eastern and lebanese hospitality at it’s fullest. Also a great way, is to get a local guide or ask strangers for recommendations!
12. Not everyone is a muslim
It‘s very common to think that all people living in the middle east are muslims. That is definitely not the case in Lebanon. Around 50% of the lebanese people are muslims and 45% christians. You will see churches and cathedrals, as well as mosques all over the country.
13. Currency exchange (Status: May 2024)
The national currency in Lebanon is the „Lebanese Lira“. Beside the Lira, the US Dollar is commonly used and you will see a lot of businesses offering their services only in Dollars.
In fact of the economical crisis in 2020, the Lebanese Lira lost 90% of it‘s value and that also affected the use of US Dollar in Lebanon. The US Dollar became the leading currency.
Be aware that you only change your foreign currency to Lebanese Lira with the black market rate in local exchange offices. Do not change your money in banks, at the airport or official institutions from the government, because you would get your exchange at the official exchange rate from the lebanese government, which is nearly worthless.
Beside that, there is a shift called „dollarization“ where most businesses changed all of their prices to Dollars, because the Lebanese Lira fluctuates to much and the highest banknote of 100.000 Lira is just worth about 1 USD. You are fine with changing just a small amount of money into Lebanese Lira and pay everything else only in USD $ with cash or your credit card.
These informations are written in 2024, so while you are reading this, the informations can be outdated. You will always find help at your Hotel, your guesthouse Host or ask some locals for the latest tips around the currency.
Here is a website to see the current black market currency rate: https://www.lira-rate.com/amp.php
14. Electricity
Electricity is a problem in Lebanon, which only got worse within the economic crisis. The government only provides electricity a few hours a day and the remaining time businesses, buildings and all homes need to get their electricity supply by alternatives. Most commonly, the buildings have their own generators fueled with petrol to guarantee a stable supply of electricity once the governmental supply is shut.
If you book a Hotel you won’t notice any shuts of electricity. We only recommend to check that your guesthouse or booked apartment provides 24/7 electricity due your stay.
15. You are welcome in Lebanon!
The lebanese hospitality and service is unheard of! Great conversations, amazing hosts and stunning service will amaze you. You won’t have any problems finding new contacts in Lebanon, good conversations with the locals and don’t be surprised if they invite you to their home for a good meal and an arabic coffee. Hosting is a honor and a privilege for all Lebanese, so feel welcome! Even if the strangers don’t look like the most welcoming people, just talk to them or ask for advice and you will be amazed by the hospitality.
The best way to experience this, is by staying in a Guesthouses or Chalets with a local host. Visit local Restaurants, small shops or Cafés and be open for new contacts and conversations to learn more about the culture of the lebanese.
16. Only drink bottled water
You will know this from a lot of different countries around the world, you should only drink bottled water! Also avoid crushed ice and brushing your teeth with the tapwater. You could become sick for days, because your body is not used to the bacteria in the water. Also the water from the water tap is not for drinking like it is in most western countries.
17. Alcohol and tipping
There is absolutely no problem in Lebanon drinking alcohol or finding alcoholic beverages in stores, bars and restaurants. It is completely the opposite in Lebanon and because of the christian population, you will find a lot of traditional local wines, spirits and the common lebanese arak. You should also try the local Beer like „Almaza“ or „Beirut beer“ brands.
Tipping is common in Lebanon and you will notice it in different situations throughout the day. Be prepared to have some smaller banknotes in your pocket, because you will need those. Wether in the Restaurant as a tip, at your Hotel or Beachclub for the service or for the helpers in the supermarkets that pack your bag.
There is no percentage you need to pay in tip, so a few dollars will always be sufficient. That can vary by the location you go. Give a few dollars to the waiter at the restaurant, that served you well! In the supermarket one dollar and less, will do it for the packer.
18. Order a lebanese mezze
This is essential when you are in Lebanon! Go to a Lebanese Restaurant, order a traditional mezze with various cold and warm appetizers, a main meal, a dessert and just enjoy the culinaric experience. The Lebanese cuisine is one of the best in the whole world with countless of options. You get a great insight by ordering the mezze. Maybe there are some suggested options for your mezze or just ask the waiter for the top food options.
We can recommend ordering the traditional Labneh, Hummus and Baba Ganouj as well as Fattoush or Tabouleh as a refreshing salad. As warm appetizers Batata Harra, Falafel, Sambusik and Kibbeh. As a main dish you can go with a mixed grill plate, commonly served with french fries or rice. Also everything is served with lebanese bread! As a dessert you can enjoy a selection of Baklawa, Halawet al Jibn, Atayef or Ghazal Beirut with ashta ice cream. To round up everything have a turkish/arabic coffee.
19. Driving in Lebanon
You won’t ever experience anything similar like the traffic in Lebanon and especially in Beirut. Chaotic, hectic and it‘s like the wild west of traffic. We recommend to use Taxis or Uber to drive around, otherwise you will be really overwhelmed.
20. Have a trip around the whole country
We highly recommend not only to stay in one place during your visit. People might think there is only Beirut in Lebanon, but there is so much more to visit and explore. Wether you plan a guided daytrip, your nights in various locations of Lebanon or explore the country by yourself. You can find a lot of tips and recommendations on the PlacetoBeirut website, as well as the best accommodations and guided tours.
Don’t forget to visit the different landscapes of Lebanon; the beaches, the mountains or the green valleys with all the amazing nature and local villages.
21. Beirut’s amazing nightlife
Beirut is known for an amazing nightlife scene and a wide offer of Clubs, Bars and Events to party. Beside the hospitality of the Lebanese people, they are a lively folk, that loves to go out and enjoy their time with friends and family! You can experience amazing outdoor Rooftop-parties, great beach parties day and night, delicious drinks in a pub or bar, as well as a relaxed dine-out experience with good food, drinks and live music! The vibrant city of Beirut has much to offer, whether it’s a laid-back night or a lively party atmosphere, you will find it in Beirut.
Hotspot areas in Beirut are Mar Mikhael, Minet el Hosn, Gemmayze, Hamra, Badaro or Dbayeh. You will also find a lot of places for a great night out, in different locations outside of Beirut for example Jounieh or Batroun.
22. Visa
Only Lebanese nationals exempt from visa requirements. If you visit Lebanon as a foreign tourist, you will need a one-month visa, which can also be extended. The lebanese visa is fairly easy to obtain and you can get all informations on the lebanese embassy website of your country. Please inform yourself about the entry requirements in advance.
Most countries can get their 1 month tourist visa at arrival in Lebanon airport. You will find the list of countries and their entry requirements here : https://www.general-security.gov.lb/en/posts/38
23. You can’t travel to Lebanon if you were in Israel before
Because of the past history and perpetual political tensions, between Lebanon and Isreal, you can’t visit Lebanon if you stayed in Israel before. That is also the case for the entry to Israel, if you were in Lebanon before.
24. Dine with your hands
Don’t be ashamed to eat with your hands. It’s a culture thing in Lebanon to eat the local cuisine with your hands. So feel free to enjoy a good meal with the traditional lebanese flatbread by using your hands!
25. Enjoy your trip to Lebanon!
Lastly, enjoy your stay in Lebanon and have a good time! Visit amazing places all around the country, explore the culture, nature and history of Lebanon and try the delicious lebanese cuisine!
The PlacetoBeirut Team wishes you a great time in Lebanon!
We hope you find useful tips and guidance in this Blogpost.
For more tips, where to stay, eat, work or go-out in Beirut and Lebanon, you need to check-out our website www.placetobeirut.com!
