Lebanon Travel Guide

Background

Lebanon may not be a highly sought after tourist destination, but this little Middle Eastern country does have some amazing archaeological sights from Roman times. One of the highlights would be the Baalbek ruins, which can be visited on a day trip from the Beirut area.

The climate for coastal parts of Lebanon is Mediterranean, with hot, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. The hottest months are July to September, but even in these months the heat is not nearly as severe as Middle Eastern countries like Kuwait or Qatar. Summer temperatures for Beirut generally don’t go above 85 F (29 C). The mildest weather for visiting Lebanon is during the spring or fall months, but any month of the year would be alright.

Lebanon is a relatively safe place to travel, with some caveats. The UN violent crime rate is 4 per 100k inhabitants (36% lower than the global average), but terrorist attacks and kidnappings have occurred from time to time, so Lebanon may not be the best pick for solo travelers. In any case, I would recommend avoiding crowds and practicing situational awareness. The other thing to note is that Lebanese culture is conservative, so clothing in public should be reasonably modest.

Lebanon may not be the most budget friendly travel destination, but it’s not completely cost prohibitive either. Hostels are available from $20 and private hotels starting from $40. Meals are about $6 to $15 depending on location. Transportation in Lebanon is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is preferable if you’re new to the Middle East. Transportation apps like Uber and Careem are available here for short distance trips.