Lebanon Travel Guide

• Beirut & Mount Lebanon: Eat mezze and pastries in Beirut, visit the National Museum of Beirut and walk the Corniche, take the cable car to Harissa and day-trip to Byblos and the Jeita Grotto.
• Northern Lebanon: Explore Tripoli’s Mamluk souk, visit medieval ports in Batroun, hike near Bsharri and see the cedar groves and Gibran sites.
• Bekaa Valley: Tour the Roman ruins at Baalbek, visit vineyards in the Beqaa Valley, and check out the Baalbek Stones.
• South Lebanon: See the Roman remains at Tyre and the Sidon Sea Castle, sample coastal cuisine and be aware of regional security advisories.
• Mountains & Cedar Areas: Hike in Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab), ski in winter near Qurnat as Sawda’, and visit mountain palaces like Beit ed-Dine.

Most international travelers arrive at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), the country’s main gateway. MEA (Middle East Airlines) and a range of Gulf and European carriers link BEY with major hubs; some visitors also arrive overland from neighboring Syria (limited) or via ferry/charter to Lebanese Mediterranean ports. You can be refused entry if your passport shows an Israeli stamp, even with a valid visa, and officials may also question stamps from the Jordanian or Egyptian land crossings with Israel or Israeli items in your luggage. Carry some US dollars in cash on arrival.

Expect roughly $40-120/day depending on where you stay; Beirut and summer coastlines are the priciest, inland Bekaa and rural north or south are cheapest.

Since the 2019 crisis most hotels, tours and many restaurants quote prices in US dollars. The Lebanese pound has been held at about 89,500 to the dollar since late 2023, so prices in pounds run to hundreds of thousands. Paying in dollars and getting change in pounds is normal; check the change.

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Lebanon cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• **Bring USD**: Carry some US dollars in cash for larger purchases and where cards or ATMs fail.
• **Use shared transport**: Shared taxis and minibuses are much cheaper than private taxis for intercity trips.
• **Dine like a local**: Eat at local mezze restaurants and street vendors for excellent food at lower cost.

Full trip budgets are in Lebanon Itineraries.

Card acceptance is common in many businesses, but banking controls, withdrawal limits and dual exchange rates mean cash (especially USD) is often necessary. ATMs may impose limits and can be unreliable.

• Tipping: Tipping of around 10% in restaurants is common; small cash tips for porters and taxi drivers are normal.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many hotels, restaurants and shops, but daily ATM withdrawal limits and bank restrictions can make cash essential - bring some USD as backup. Smaller vendors and some service providers often prefer cash.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are common in cities but may have low dispensing limits or be out of service intermittently; banks may set withdrawal caps. Mobile payment uptake is limited compared with cards and cash; carry USD/LBP for flexibility.

Hospitality, communal meals and family networks shape interactions; greetings are warm and may include cheek kisses between friends. Dress is liberal in Beirut but more conservative in rural and religious areas, so adapt to the setting.

Lebanon provides decent mobile coverage in urban and coastal areas but can suffer from power and infrastructure instability that affects internet reliability. Major operators offer 4G in populated zones; speeds vary and are best in Beirut and large towns.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, F.

No - security can be volatile; demonstrations, terrorism, armed clashes and landmines make parts of Lebanon unsafe right now.

Staying healthy is feasible but constrained by uneven healthcare availability, water and food hygiene risks, and infrastructure disruptions.

Lebanon’s culture blends Levantine, Mediterranean and Arabic influences marked by strong family networks, diverse religious communities and a long history of trade and learning. Travelers will notice ancient ruins, lively café culture and a culinary tradition centered on shared mezze and fresh ingredients.

Lebanon’s concentrated cultural heritage and vulnerable mountain and coastal environments mean visitors should prioritize respect at religious sites, buy from local artisans and reduce plastic and waste impacts.

• Protect cedar forests & mountain sites: When visiting the Cedars of God (Bsharri) and Qadisha Valley, stick to marked paths, don’t remove wood, and support local reforestation or trail‑maintenance initiatives to help fragile mountain ecosystems.
• Respect diverse religious and cultural spaces: Lebanon has Muslim, Christian and Druze sacred sites; follow posted rules at places like Baalbek and the streets of Byblos, ask before photographing worshippers, and behave discreetly around memorials.
• Support small businesses and artisans: Buy food and crafts in Beirut’s souks, Byblos or Tripoli from established shops and cooperatives to help families affected by economic crisis; avoid purchasing antiquities or items of uncertain provenance.
• Reduce plastic and help with cleanups: Be conscious of Lebanon’s waste‑management challenges: bring a refillable bottle, refuse single‑use plastics, and consider joining local beach or trail cleanups organized by community groups.

Long‑term living in Lebanon appeals to those seeking Mediterranean culture, lively food and café scenes, and proximity to Europe and the Levant. Many expatriates are entrepreneurs, journalists, or professionals; expect bureaucracy, intermittent utilities, and a cost structure often tied to USD.

Long-Term Visas: Long‑term residency via work, family, or investment; many visitors receive a six‑month entry stamp on arrival.

Working There: Work permits are employer‑sponsored and required for local employment; freelancing is common but legally restricted.

Cost of Living: Beirut one‑bedroom city‑center rent often USD 400-800/month, actual prices fluctuate with the exchange rate and market.

Health & Wellness: Private hospitals in Beirut offer high standards, but medicine and supply shortages and power issues affect services.

Banking & Finance: Banking remains constrained by capital controls; USD cash widely used, opening accounts difficult without local ties.

Taxes: Residents taxed on Lebanese‑source income; personal income tax rates are progressive, top brackets around 25%.

Popular Places to Live in Lebanon

Choosing where to live here comes down to whether you want Beirut’s urban energy, coastal small towns, or quieter inland heritage sites. Beirut is best for amenities and community, coastal towns give beach access, and inland areas offer history and slower pace.

• Beirut - Vibrant cultural and social scene, best for coworking and services, higher costs and occasional instability
• Byblos - Historic port town, scenic seaside living, quieter than Beirut with seasonal tourist influx
• Batroun - Northern beach town, surf and café culture, popular for summer stays and relaxed lifestyle
• Baalbek - Ancient Roman ruins, provincial atmosphere, good for history lovers, limited modern amenities

Lebanon’s remote‑work scene centers on Beirut, with a lively café culture, coworking spaces, and a tight startup community. Economic and infrastructure challenges affect reliability, so many nomads balance city life with short stays in coastal towns for quieter workweeks and weekend escapes.

Nomad Visa: None exists; usual workaround is the six‑month tourist entry stamp or obtaining a work permit for longer stays.

Long Term Rentals: Long‑term rentals available in Beirut and coastal towns, monthly leases common, pricing often quoted in USD.

Internet: Internet in Beirut adequate for remote work, speeds and reliability can be affected by infrastructure and outages.

Monthly Cost: Monthly cost for a nomad in Beirut typically USD 700-1,300 depending on housing and reliance on USD‑priced services.

Coworking: Several coworking spaces in Beirut, day passes common, strong startup and creative community presence.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms and outdoor hiking in the mountains, beach workouts in summer; wellness options concentrated in Beirut and coast.

Community: Active expat and freelance community in Beirut with meetups, startups, and NGO networks for networking.

Time Zone: Eastern European / Levant time zone, EET (UTC+2), typically moves to UTC+3 for daylight saving changes.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Lebanon

Nomads gravitate to Beirut for coworking, nightlife, and services, while coastal towns offer quieter seaside weeks. Choice depends on whether you prioritise community and amenities or outdoor and beach time.

• Beirut - Cultural and nightlife center, best for coworking and community, higher costs and occasional unrest
• Byblos - Historic coastal town, quieter living, good for weekend escapes, fewer long‑term coworking options
• Batroun - Northern beach town, surf and seaside cafes, attractive for summer stays and slower pace
• Baalbek - Inland heritage city, archaeological focus, quieter and more provincial lifestyle with limited services