Lebanon Travel Guide

January

Coastal areas are cool and often rainy while mountain zones are cold with regular snow at higher elevations. Expect fewer tourists on the coast but active winter sports in the mountains.

Events

• Ski season (Mount Lebanon) - Ski lifts and resorts in the Mount Lebanon range are typically open with regular snowfall through winter.

Lebanon ↔ Syria

Overland travel between Lebanon and Syria has historically been concentrated on the Beirut-Damascus highway. The main vehicle crossing is Masnaa; services vary with the security situation in both countries, and crossings can be subject to sudden closure or extra checks. If you plan to cross, check current travel advisories and carry passports, proof of onward travel and any required visas - Syria requires visas for most nationalities and Lebanese citizens and residents often need permits for some types of travel inside Syria.

Crossings

• Masnaa (Lebanon) - Masnaa / Mohammadiyah (Syria) (Beqaa to Rif Dimashq (Beirut-Damascus axis)) - The principal overland route linking Beirut and Damascus. Buses and private cars use this crossing; expect passport control on both sides and possible security screening. Use this if you want the fastest road connection between the two capitals, but be prepared for delays and verify the crossing is open before departure.
• Arida (Lebanon) - Arida (Syria) (North Lebanon (Akkar) to Tartus/Lebanon-Syria coastal area) - A northern coastal crossing used for local trade and movement between Akkar and Syria's coastal governorates. Less used by international coaches than Masnaa, it can be practical for trips to the Syrian coast but subject to local security checks and intermittent closures.

History of Lebanon

Lebanon’s territory has been occupied and shaped by successive civilizations-most notably the Phoenicians, Romans and later Ottoman rule-so travelers will encounter ancient ruins, medieval towns and Ottoman-era architecture scattered across the country. The coastal cities like Byblos and Tyre testify to a long maritime trading past, while the mountains preserve religious communities and traditional villages.

In the 20th century Lebanon experienced French mandate administration after World War I and gained independence in 1943; the late 20th century brought a prolonged civil war (1975-1990) and cycles of political tension that continue to affect public life and politics. Modern Beirut combines a vibrant cultural scene with visible traces of conflict and reconstruction-visitors will often notice memorials, restored districts and neighborhoods still recovering from past fighting.

Notable Figures

• Khalil Gibran - Early 20th-century poet and artist from Bsharri, known internationally for The Prophet and honored in a museum in Lebanon.
• Rafik Hariri - Businessman and twice-prime minister whose assassination in 2005 had major political consequences and is remembered across Beirut.
• Hiram I (King of Tyre) - Ancient Phoenician ruler associated in tradition with the building projects of the region and local maritime power.
• Bechara El Khoury - A prominent post‑World War II leader who served as Lebanon's president during the country's early independence period.

Key Dates

• c. 1500-300 BCE
  Phoenician city-states such as Tyre, Sidon and Byblos flourish as maritime traders across the Mediterranean.
• 64 BCE
  Roman rule brings urbanization and temples; many Roman ruins visible today date from this period.
• 1516
  Ottoman Empire incorporates the area into its provincial system, a period that lasts until World War I.
• 1920
  The French Mandate for Lebanon is established after World War I, shaping modern administrative borders.
• 1943
  Lebanon declares independence from the French mandate; the National Pact establishes a confessional political system.
• 1975-1990
  A multifaction civil war devastates the country, reshaping politics, demographics and urban life.
• 2005
  Former prime minister Rafik Hariri is assassinated, triggering large protests (the Cedar Revolution) and a shift in political alignments.