Lebanon is like nowhere else in the Middle east. While it still has the amazing archaeological sites you find in most other Middle Eastern nations, where else would you find ski resorts, vineyards, verdant mountains and raucous nightlife? The country boasts a fascinating mix of European and Middle Eastern cultures, which both compliment and clash in equal measures. Located in an area of permanent instability, Lebanon has suffered it’s own turmoil, but it remains a fascinating and welcoming place to visit and continues to attract visitors.
There’s a number of great reasons to visit Lebanon and chief amongst them is the countries amazing archaeological sites. The best preserved and most impressive is the site at Baalbek and in particular the Temple of Bacchus and Temple of Jupiter. Both UNESCO World Heritage listed, these sites along with the sites at Byblos and Tyre are must see destinations in Lebanon.
Of course Lebanon is famed for much more than just its archaeology. The capital city of Beirut is renowned for its fine nightlife, boutique shopping and excellent cuisine. While Lebanon’s location at the far eastern end of the Mediterranean sea, means it has warm waters with some fine beaches and villages along it’s coastline. Lastly, the hilly and mountainous nature of the country affords some great trekking and hiking opportunities through the spring to the autumn. In the winter many of these same areas become ski resorts, many of which are commutable from Beirut.
Lebanon is a mountainous country situated in the Middle East. The country is squeezed in between the Mediterranean Sea to it’s west, Israel to the south and Syria to the north and east. The countries coastline extends for 140 miles, while the country itself is around 100 miles long and 35 miles across at it’s widest point.
Unless you’re coming to Lebanon to ski, the best time to visit is during the spring and autumn. The countries mountainous terrain means that winters can be cold and wet away from the coastal areas, while the summers can be exceptionally hot and humid. Both the spring and autumn strike a good balance between the weather and visitor numbers. A visit during the spring is also spectacular with the flowers coming into bloom, while autumn benefits from some amazing fall colours. The peak season (despite the heat) is the period June through August, which coincides with local and European summer vacations.
Lebanon has a surprisingly broad range of attractions for a country of it’s size. From beaches to ski resorts and archaeological sights to boutique shops, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Here’s a few of our highlights from previous visits to Lebanon.
Lebanon’s coast and mountains provide the setting for a variety of different towns and cities. From the historic Phoenician coastal towns to the old Roman towns nestled in the hills, there’s plenty of variety in the towns and cities.
Our top 5 towns and cities to visit in Lebanon are:
Many of the great empires of the ancient world marched through present day Lebanon. They’ve each left behind there own mark and Lebanon boasts a wealth of historical and cultural buildings.
Our top 5 historical sights in Lebanon are:
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