Beirut
Visited in October 2019
At a glance
- Country
- Lebanon
- Region
- Beirut Governorate
- Population
- 2.4 million
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to November
- Main airport
- Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (BEY)
- Coordinates
- 33.87°N, 35.49°E
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Overview
Beirut sits on a headland on the eastern Mediterranean, with the mountains of Mount Lebanon rising behind it. It is a city of great food, layered history and remarkable resilience, marked by years of war, economic crisis and the 2020 port explosion.
Conditions can change quickly, so check official travel advice before planning a trip. When it is safe to visit, Beirut rewards curiosity with museums, seafront walks and some of the best cooking in the region.
Things to see
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Photo: Elie plus ( talk ), Public domain National Museum of Beirut
A superb collection of Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine treasures, saved from the civil war by staff who encased them in concrete.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Oussama Tahmaz, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pigeon Rocks
Two great limestone arches standing in the sea off Raouché, best seen from the clifftop at sunset.
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Bertilvidet~commonswiki, CC BY 2.5 Sursock Museum
A modern art museum in a white Italianate mansion in Achrafieh.
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Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
A large blue-domed mosque in the city centre, built in Ottoman style beside Martyrs' Square.
Things to do
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Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0 Walk the Corniche
Join joggers, fishermen and families on the long seafront promenade, especially in the evening.
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Photo: Charles Haynes from Hobart, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0 Eat mezze
Share hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush and grilled meats over a long lunch, followed by fresh fruit and coffee.
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Photo: Orient at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 de Day trip to Byblos
One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited towns, with a Crusader castle and a pretty harbour north of the city.
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Photo: kcakduman, CC BY 2.0 Jeita Grotto
Spectacular limestone caves in a valley above the coast, visited partly by boat.
Find tours
Where to stay
Hamra
A lively district of cafés, bookshops and universities, with good-value hotels.
Hotels in HamraAchrafieh
Elegant streets and old houses near the Sursock Museum, with smart restaurants.
Hotels in AchrafiehGemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael
Bars and restaurants in old stone houses, best for nightlife.
Hotels in Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael
Getting around
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way around; shared service taxis are cheaper. Traffic is often heavy, and walking is easiest within each district.
The airport is about 20 to 30 minutes south of the centre by taxi, depending on traffic.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and pleasant. Summers are hot and humid on the coast, and winters are mild and rainy, with snow in the mountains.
Plan your trip to Beirut
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.