Harissa Area

Address: Harissa (Our Lady of Lebanon shrine), Harissa / Jounieh, Lebanon

Harissa is a hill and Marian pilgrimage site in the Mount Lebanon Governorate overlooking the coastal town of Jounieh. The site is best known for the large statue and shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, erected in the early 20th century and oriented toward Jounieh Bay.

The complex includes devotional spaces and viewpoints overlooking the bay and coastline. A public cable car from Jounieh provides direct access and is the principal transport link used by visitors.

Harissa sits above the coastal strip of Mount Lebanon and forms part of the pilgrimage and tourist circuit north of Beirut, offering panoramic views over the Mediterranean and the cityscape of Jounieh.

• Our Lady of Lebanon statue: The site is crowned by a large statue of the Virgin Mary erected in 1908 that faces Jounieh Bay and has become a focal point for pilgrimages.
• Cable car access: A publicly operated cable car links the coastal town of Jounieh with the shrine, providing an approximately 10-15 minute ride and a widely used access route for visitors.

Harissa sits above the coastal town of Jounieh. From Beirut take the coastal highway north to Jounieh (roughly 20 km, depending on your start point); shared minibuses or taxis run frequently to Jounieh. From Jounieh you can take the famous Téléphérique (Jounieh cable car) from the bay up to Harissa-the cable car station is on the Jounieh waterfront and the top station is a short 5-10 minute walk from the shrine.

You can also drive: follow the coastal road to Jounieh and then the local mountain road up to Harissa; parking is available near the pilgrimage site.

• Take the Jounieh teleferique (cable car) from the coastal town of Jounieh - it's the most scenic approach and drops you close to the Our Lady of Lebanon statue and basilica.
• Late afternoon into early evening gives the best light for views across Jounieh Bay and cooler conditions; avoid weekends and major religious feast days if you want fewer crowds.
• Many visitors miss the high-level viewing terraces around the statue - spend time on the platforms around the shrine for sweeping coastal panoramas and good photo angles.