• How do I get there?
• Getting Around
• Tourist Offices
• When to Go
• Where do I Stay?
• What  to bring
• Things to do

How do I get there?

You can travel to Lebanon by air, overland or by sea.

By Air

The international airport is at Beirut and 5km away from the city’s centre. Lebanon’s national carrier connects most European capitals, various parts of the Middle East, some capitals of the African countries and Singapore and Australia to Beirut. Several foreign airlines also fly into Lebanon making it easily accessible. Tehran (Iran) has also resumed flights to Lebanon in 1999. You can rent a car at Beirut airport or take a service taxi.

By Road

You can travel overland from Syria, though the border with Israel is closed at the moment. If you are bringing your car into Lebanon you must have your International Driving Permit. It is suggested you also get a third party insurance, although it is not mandatory. If you are driving in, you will need to pay a large refundable deposit at the border.

There are daily buses and service taxis between and Damascus (Syria) and Beirut, and between Homs (Syria) and Tripoli. There is also a frequent bus service from Aleppo (Syria).

By Sea

You can travel by boat from Larnaca in Cyprus if the ferry service, which was closed due to civil the war, has reopened.

Getting Around

There are no air services or trains operating within Lebanon.

By Road

Buses only cover some parts of Beirut, the airport and a few destinations around Lebanon. Service taxis are the best way of getting around, as they are cheap, easily available, and cover most of the city neighbourhood and major destinations around the country. It is important to remember that the country is small and you can drive from one end to the other in three hours.

Buses travel between Beirut and the major towns around the country, but they have only one or two departures a day, and there are no timetables or fixed times for their departures. There are two make shift bus stations, one for the buses traveling north of Beirut, and the other for buses traveling to the south of Beirut. All the buses are privately run, as the state bus service has not been restored as yet.

Taxi and Service taxis are recognizable by their red number plates and the white sign with TAXI written on it with red on some. Before getting in, always check to see the number plate is red as many unlicensed drivers are also operating taxis.

Service taxis are usually shared and follow an established route and you can stop them anywhere on the route. You needn’t share it if you pay for all the four seats and the driver will deposit you right on the doorstep of your destination. They also take you anywhere in Lebanon and some will also take you to Syria and Jordan. You can also order taxis by phone.

There are many car hire companies that offer competitive rates. They also offer chauffeurs with their cars, and it will be a good idea to accept and pay for them as it is not safe driving in Lebanon.

Hitch hiking is common in some rural areas but is dangerous and not recommended because of the tense political situation in the mountains of the southern Lebanon. Most places are accessible by bus anyway.

Road rules- Driving is on the right hand side of the road in Lebanon. There are no other road rules. As accidents and traffic jams are common, driving is very hazardous in Lebanon. Local drivers are used to these chaotic conditions.

Tourist Offices

The main tourist office is the National Council of Tourism in Lebanon.

Telephone- (01) 340 9404.

When to Go

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Lebanon when the weather is warm but not unpleasant. Winters in the mountains are cold and it snows above 1300m. If you’re interested in winter sports, especially skiing, you must go between November and March.

Where do I Stay?

Accommodation is scarce and expensive. Wartime inflation has hiked up the price of all accommodation. Accommodation is of three standards - uninhabitable but inexpensive, middle range that starts from US$ 20 per night and luxury hotels patronized by the vacationing Arabs from the Gulf States. The youth hostels and many budget hotels have been razed to the ground. There is a good camping side with capacity for 1500 people and equipped with the necessary amenities. You need prior reservations for this one.

What to bring

Bring a hat and sunglasses for summer, and warm clothes and a waterproof jacket for winter. A torch is necessary for walking around in Beirut at night, as roads are not lit at night. If you are going skiing in the Cedars, you do not need to bring gear, as it is available on rent. However, do pack in your thick wraps and sunglasses.

Things to Do

• Dining & Entertainment
• Shopping
• Activities
• Special events

Dining & Entertainment

There are plenty of restaurants serving various types of cuisine ranging from European to Middle Eastern, Chinese and Japanese. Dining in restaurants is expensive, though the local Lebanese food sold from stalls and small restaurants is very reasonable. Sandwich and snack bars are commonly found all over Beirut and in every town in the country.

Like other Middle Eastern countries, Arabic coffee is very popular in Lebanon. It is very strong and served in small coffee cups. You can have it without sugar (sadah), medium sugar (wassat), or very sweet (hilweh). Tea is available but not popular. Alcohol is cheap and widely available in Lebanon. Arak is the most popular local alcoholic drink

Discos and Night Clubs are abundant in Beirut and in the major towns. Though there is no entry fee to the clubs, drinks are heavily priced. Cinemas in and around Beirut show foreign films, and, at times, a recent foreign release with Arabic subtitles. Classical Music concerts are held occasionally at the AUB (American University) chapel. Horse racing at the racecourse of Beirut on Sunday is a popular event.

Shopping

Shopping can be wonderful for the avid shopper as almost any and every thing is available at the several markets, shops and stalls of Beirut. You can get things made locally such as rugs to electronic calculators and the latest fashion wear at good prices.

Locally made handicrafts include pottery, blown glass, embroidered materials, caftans, copperware, brass bowls and trays, mother of pearl inlaid boxes and backgammon sets and rugs that make good souvenirs. You can buy locally made goods at La Maison de l’Artisan in Ain el-Mresseh or Artisans du Liban opposite the French Embassy, both have a collection of work of artisans from all over the country.

Activities

Water Sports are very popular at the pools of the private resorts along the coast, and they offer wind surfing, water skiing, scuba diving and sailing. The public beaches along the Lebanese coast are highly polluted, so keep off them.

There are several skiing resorts for different levels, which offer a variety of hotels to suit most pockets. The most popular ones are at Faraya and The Cedars.

Special Events

Ba’albeck Festival of traditional folk dancing, the International Festival of the Performing Arts, the Beiteddine Festival, the Al Bustan International Music Festival and the International Film Festival are some of the Special Events and Festivals of Lebanon. For exact dates, look at the local newspapers during your stay.

Need to Know Facts