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Lebanon travel guide

Lebanon - Baalbek

Meet Lebanon Lebanon weather report Getting into Lebanon From the Lebanese kitchen From the Lebanese bar Currency in Lebanon Major airports in Lebanon Things to have at hand in Lebanon Did you know?

Meet Lebanon

On its western border float the glistening waters of the Mediterranean Sea, on its northern and eastern borders lies Syria, and to its south is Israel. In the midst of these neighbours sits Lebanon, rooted proudly within a history that is almost as old as time itself.

With a coastline that’s juxtaposed by alpine mountains housing the ever famous cedar trees, Lebanon is a world of contrasts that extend well beyond its landscape. Its reputation is one of turbulence, but those who know it by experience are captivated by the magic it possesses, drawing visitors back time and again.

No words could capture its essence more precisely than those uttered by Gibran Khalil Gibran when he so famously wrote, “You have your Lebanon and its dilemma. I have my Lebanon and its beauty.” The internationally renowned poet and writer is but one of this nation’s many great successes.

Within a population of just over four million reside 18 officially recognised religions including all three Monotheistic faiths; Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. In fact, not too far from here is the birthplace of those faiths, which were spread to the rest of the world through Lebanon’s many conquerors

From the ancient Egyptian, Ottoman, British, Roman, and Greek empires to the Persians, French and Syrians; almost every great civilisation known to history has passed through here leaving influences in the form of Phoenician tombs, Crusader castles, and ancient monasteries where many a miracle is said to have occurred. Lebanon also hosts the world’s largest Roman temples in Baalbeck, serving as a stage for concerts held by the likes of Sting and Sir Elton John.

And while glimpses of ancient history abound, the country has a lot to offer in the way of modern splendours too. It is world-renowned for its cuisine, night-life, hotels, beaches, and ski resorts as well as being firmly planted within the high flying fashion scene, and serving up some of the best music mixes to be found just about anywhere.

Referring back to Khalil Gibran’s quote, perhaps the dilemma here lies not within the politics, but rather in trying to choose what to see or do next.

Lebanon weather report

The climate here is very much Mediterranean with summer running from June through to the start of October. July and August are the hottest months of the year with temperatures up to 40 degrees centigrade and high humidity levels of around 73 per cent. These months also represent the peak travel season for summer, so for lower flight and hotel costs, less crowding, and exquisite weather, the months of June and September are an ideal time to visit.

Travellers heading to the mountains during the summer should take a mixture of clothing as depending how high up you go, temperatures can feel quite fresh, particularly in the evenings.

Winter months last from about November through to the start of March with temperatures falling to their lowest in December and January. While the city and coastline rarely drop below 10 degrees centigrade, the humidity can make it feel colder, but the chill factor can vary from year to year with some winters feeling unseasonably warmer than others. However, the mountains are always cold and covered with snow during this season making it an ideal time for ski lovers right through the month of February and even part of March.

Spring time in Lebanon runs from March through May and is a lovely time to visit. The season offers plenty of warm sunshine without the heat and Easter decorations and celebrations are not to be missed.

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.

Getting into Lebanon

British, Australian, Canadian, USA, and most EU nationals can obtain a visa stamp at the airport provided they show a valid passport and return ticket. Single entry visas are free and usually valid for stays of up to three months.

EU nationals from Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic are required to obtain a visa from their local Lebanese embassy or consulate prior to arrival in Lebanon.

All other nationalities should check with their local Lebanese embassy or consulate for advice on visa requirements into the country.

From the Lebanese kitchen

Lebanese cuisine combines a broad variety of vegetables, grains, pulses, seafood, dairy, and all varieties of meat (including pork where relevant) to create a varied number of imaginative dishes rich in vitamins, low in fat and bursting with flavour. Its position on the Mediterranean and close proximity to Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey mean that it shares a lot of similar ingredients and even dishes with those countries.

Most red meat consumption here consists of lamb or goat meat rather than beef and is usually formed either into a kebab using various herbs and spices or cubed for use in stews, which are eaten with rice.

Being a Mediterranean country, dishes here are normally grilled or sautéed using olive or vegetable oil rather than butter. Lebanon has an abundance of olive groves and produces some of the world’s best olives and olive oil.

The culture of eating here usually involves sharing and comprises a combination of mezze followed by main courses of either something from the grill or a stew. Some top recommendations include:

Lamb or chicken shawarma: large pieces of meat marinated in a mixture of spices, sometimes with a splash of wine, stacked upon each other onto a revolving vertical skewer for grilling. The meat is then flaked into chunks for serving usually within a wrap consisting of Lebanese flat bread, Lebanese garlic sauce, and pickles. Very juicy and utterly delicious!
Homous in its various forms including homous awarma which is topped with meat and pine nuts, and homous ‘Beiruti’ which is slightly spicey and fit for vegetarians
Tabouli salad: shredded parsley with finely cut tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, olive oil, cracked wheat, and all spice normally eaten with lettuce leafs which are used for scooping bites of this tangy refreshing salad
Falafel: ground vegetables and pulses formed into a patty and fried until dark golden and crisp on the outside. This dish can be eaten as a sandwich or on its own with tahini sauce
Chicken shish taouk: skewered cubes of chicken marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, all spice, paprika or cayenne pepper, garlic and sometimes a bit of yogurt then grilled and served with Lebanese garlic sauce and flat Arabic bread (similar to pita bread)
Kafta: a skewered kebab of either lamb, chicken or fish ground to a paste and infused with spices, onions, garlic and parsley then grilled
Kibbe: typically made with beef or lamb and ground into a paste then mixed with spices and cracked wheat and baked with either minced meat and nuts or onions with saffron. This dish comes in various shapes and sizes including a bite sized version served among starter courses. It also comes in variations of fish, chicken, potato stuffed with minced meat, and vegetarian made from pumpkin stuffed with walnuts. The red meat version can also be eaten raw and is normally made using lamb or goat meat
Fattoush salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, onions and pieces of fried or grilled Lebanese flat bread tossed with lemon juice, olive oil, and a tangy spice known as sumak
The dessert menu is broad and varied typically involving ground nuts, dairy, pastry, sweet syrup or all of the above. Some recommendations include baklawa, muhalabiya, karabige, maamoul, ismalieya, k’naafeh, Lebanese ice cream, halawit il jibin

For those dining at a typical Lebanese restaurant, when it comes time for dessert, tradition means moving to another table lavishly overflowing with mouth watering fresh fruit and your dessert of choice. The sight of this spread is fit for royalty!

From the Lebanese bar

Much like the Lebanese kitchen, the Lebanese bar overflows with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids for consumption. Among the more traditional ones are:

Fresh lemonade: sweetened fresh lemon juice mixed a touch of orange blossom water
Jallab: a mix of grape molasses, rose water, and sugar diluted into water mixed with crushed ice and fresh, raw pine nuts and almonds
Almaza: typical Lebanese beer, refreshing and smooth in flavour
Wine: Lebanon is famous for its wines, the best of which include Chateau Kifraya, Chateau Ksara, and Chateau Musar
Arak: traditional alcoholic beverage made from aniseed. Although it is colourless and transparent, the Lebanese dilute it with water and ice giving it a clouded, milky appearance

Arabic coffee: otherwise known as Turkish coffee, it’s served just a bit taller than espresso and is either bitter, mildly or fully sweetened. The base is thick like mud and not for consumption and traditionally, once you get to the base, you tip the cup over, leaving it to stand for a few moments before imprinting the bottom with your thumb to have your fortune read

Currency in Lebanon

Lebanon’s currency is the Lebanese Pound denoted by LBP. There are six banknotes currently in use comprising 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 pounds, and four coins, which are available in 50, 100, 250, and 500 pound denominations.

Inflation rates are extremely high here, eliminating all subdivisions of notes and coins.

US dollars are accepted in most places as are major credit and debit cards. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

Major airports in Lebanon

Lebanon has only one international airport, Beirut Rafic Hariri Airport referenced by the airport code BEY, which receives flights from all over the world.

Things to have at hand in Lebanon

Official identification ideally in the form of a passport

Number for a well known local taxi service

Sunglasses and protective sun cream

Cash in the form of local currency as well as US dollars

Did you know?

The world’s first alphabet was created in Byblos, a Lebanese city

Byblos is the oldest continuously living city in the world and its name is derived from the Bible

Lebanon is mentioned 75 times in the Old Testament as are its famous cedar trees

Jesus performed his first miracle in Sidon, a city in Lebanon, when he turned water into wine

Beirut, the country’s capital city, was destroyed and rebuilt 7 times!

The first law school in the world was built in Lebanon

Lebanon is the only Arab country without a desert

Most Lebanese speak two if not three languages including Arabic (mother tongue), French, and English

The Phoenicians, Lebanon’s original peoples, built the world’s first boat and were the first people ever to set sail; they are said to have reached the Americas long before Christopher Columbus

Lebanon has 15 rivers all stemming from its mountains

Lebanon is home to the world’s largest Roman temple, the temple of Jupiter in Baalbeck

There are 3.5 million Lebanese in Lebanon and 10 million outside of it; counting both populations together, the majority of Lebanese are actually Christian