Baalbek Beirut Place d'Etoile Beit Ed Dine Byblos Cedar Jeita Grotto Castle Sidon Tripoli Citadel Tyre

Places to Visit

Baalbek: 85 km away from Beirut you find Baalbek in the northern Bekaa Valley. It has the most impressive classical ruins in Lebanon and one of the most important Roman sites from 1st century in the Middle East. Remarkable are the Temple of Jupiter with the largest columns in the world and the beautiful Temple of Bacchus.



Beirut: Although you see damages of war the city preserved its cosmopolitan charm. Directed at the Mediterranean coast stroll along the Corniche, the seaside promenade, and enjoy the views of the coast. In the historical downtown attractions are the Grand Serail, the Municipality Building, Al-Omari Mosque, St. George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral and St. George's Maronite Cathedral. Don't forget Beirut is famous for its nightlife!


Beit Ed Dine: The Ottoman Palace of Beit-Eddine was built at the beginning of the 19th century on a rock dominating a steep valley. This Palace is one of the most popular day trips from Beirut. On site are the Ethnographic Museum and the Joumblatt Memorial Exhibit (honoring the late Druze leader).




Byblos (Jbayl):Here the first Phoenician letters developed and you can visit the ancient port, the ruins of a Crusader castle, of a Persian castle, the Greek Amorite Temples, a Roman Theater and a necropolis containing the tomb of King Hiram and in the city center the Romanesque church of St. John the Baptist.





The Cedars: The Cedars resort is one of the most beautiful places in Lebanon and popular in winter for skiing. The best place to get a look at the Cedar trees, used in the antiquity for religious buildings, is at the grove on Mount Makmel.






Jeita Grotto: Located in the valley of the Dog River, 18 km north of Beirut, the caves of Jeita Grotto offer dramatic stalagmites and stalactites, which are unique in the Middle East. There are two limestone caves and in the lower one you can cross with a boat a subterranean lake. The year around stable temperature between 16ºC and 22ºC offers a cool stay in summer.





Sidon (Saida): South of Beirut the coastal town of Sidon is located, founded around 4000 BC by the Phoenicians. You can visit a Crusader Sea Castle on a small island, the Great Mosque and the Castle of St. Louis. North of Sidon is the Temple of Eshmoun, one of the best preserved Phoenician sites in Lebanon.




Tripoli (Trablus): In the north on the Mediterranean Sea you find the second-largest city in the country, Tripoli. Main tourist sites are the 12th century Citadel, the Grand Mosque, in the old town mosques, madrassahs (theological schools), bathhouses and khans.




Tyre (Sour): The coastal town Tyre was built on an island and the neighboring mainland by the Phoenicians. At this time Tyre was so powerful that the Mediterranean Sea was called the Tyrian Sea. Today visitors can see Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains like an aqueduct and the Hippodrome.