Beirut

The Paris of the Middle East

Beirut stands as Lebanon’s capital along the Mediterranean coast. The city features a lively port where boats arrive daily with goods and travelers. Markets line narrow streets, selling spices, textiles and fresh produce. Historic buildings stand alongside modern cafes and galleries. Beirut’s neighborhoods each have distinct character, from old souks to new residential areas. Public parks provide open space for residents seeking relief from the urban pace. The city balances tradition with contemporary life while maintaining a reputation as a cultural hub in the region.

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City in Lebanon

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.2

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially among younger generations and in tourist areas. Many signs and menus are in English, making navigation and communication relatively easy.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Beirut Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

Strong in nightlife, food and Mediterranean culture. Explore historic districts, enjoy seaside promenades, dine at renowned restaurants and experience lively nightlife.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Large cities

Fine dining

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🥗 8

Vegetarian

Lebanon – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B , Type C Type A: Type B: Type C: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Lebanese Pound (LBP) £1 ≈ LBP 119,864
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are accepted in major cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are widely used in upscale restaurants, hotels, and shops, while mobile payment options are still emerging. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Lebanon. In restaurants, a tip of 10-15% is expected, although some restaurants include a service charge. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up the fare.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Lebanon, particularly in bars, restaurants, and designated areas. However, drinking in public spaces like streets and parks may be frowned upon.
Public smoking:	Smoking is very common in Lebanon. A 2011 law bans smoking in indoor public spaces such as restaurants and cafés, but it is widely ignored, and smoking indoors is still common.

Independence Day (22 November)	National celebrations with parades and festivals
Eid al-Fitr (variable)	Celebrations marking the end of Ramadan with feasts and family gatherings

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police), 140 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Careem, Uber
Other:	Lebanon has a rich history and offers diverse experiences, including ancient ruins, vibrant cities, and scenic landscapes. Be aware of the security situation, particularly near borders.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Beirut, Lebanon

⛈️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Many governments currently advise against all travel to Lebanon, and airspace and flights can close at short notice

Beach season runs June to October, while the nearby mountains have skiing from December to March

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Don't miss

🏛️ Wander historic Martyrs' Square and nearby downtown
🏺 Visit the National Museum to see ancient artifacts
🕌 Explore Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque’s stunning architecture
🌊 Stroll the Corniche and admire the Mediterranean views
🏛️ Discover Roman ruins at the city’s archaeological sites
🌃 Experience Beirut’s vibrant nightlife in Gemmayzeh district

You've been here?

Why travel to Beirut?

Beirut offers a mix of historic charm and contemporary flair. You can explore ancient ruins, enjoy world-class dining and experience the lively nightlife. The city's resilience and vibrant energy are truly captivating. However, be mindful of occasional political instability and avoid certain areas during unrest.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Sursock Museum
2 Roman Baths
3 Martyrs Square
4 Corniche Beirut
5 George Haddad Street
6 National Museum of Beirut
7 Zaitunay Bay

🎡Places for activities

1 National Museum
The National Museum of Beirut houses one of the world's most significant archaeological collections, featuring Phoenician artifacts and Roman mosaics within a historic building that stands as a cultural landmark in the capital.
2 Al-Omari Grand Mosque
3 Hamra Street
4 Jeita Grotto
5 The Massabki Brothers
6 Martyrs Square

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Beirut
2 Pigeon Rocks
3 Horsh Beirut

🛍️Shopping

1 Beirut Souks
2 ABC Achrafieh
3 Hamra Street

🎈Events

Beirut International Film Festival
Beirut Design Week
Beirut Art Fair
Beirut Marathon
Fête de la Musique
Wine and Dine Festival
Christmas Village Beirut
Eid celebrations
Baalbeck International Festival (nearby)
Byblos Festival (nearby)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Check visa and entry requirements before travel; Lebanon has evolving policies.
Sigheh: stay in well-lit areas at night and use reputable transport options.
Learn a few Arabic or French phrases; locals appreciate effort and navigation tips help.
Weather can be hot in summer and cooler in winter; plan indoor, shaded areas for comfort.

How to travel to Beirut

Arrive via Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY). The airport is well‑connected to major cities in Europe and the Middle East. Taxis or private transfers are recommended for reaching the city center.

Access summary

From Beirut–Rafic Hariri Airport (BEY): Taxi or rideshare, typically 15–25 minutes.
From major Middle East hubs (Istanbul, Dubai, Doha): Direct flights usually 2–4 hours.
Airport buses exist but irregular; most visitors rely on taxis or Uber.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Beirut

Beirut offers diverse accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Popular areas include Hamra, Downtown and Gemmayzeh for easy access to attractions, dining and nightlife.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel Beirut

LOUIS V HOTEL LEBANON

9.0

Gefinor Rotana

8.6

Hotel Napoleon Beirut

6.7

1866 Court and Suites Hotel

8.8

Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Beirut Raouche

7.9

Raouche Arjaan by Rotana

7.9

InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut By IHG

9.1

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Beirut

Taxis, shared vans (known as 'service' taxis) and buses are common. Walking is great for central areas. Apps like Uber and Bolt are widely used. The Corniche is perfect for exploring on foot.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-26 %

Daily expenses in Beirut are around 26% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-78 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to LBP) is 78% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£45	£102	£300
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£120
🍝 Food per day	£21	£50	£148
🚕 Transportation per day	£5	£7	£32

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£2.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.70

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£49
🤧 Cold medication	£5
💇 Basic haircut	£7

Safety information overview

General safety

Beirut is generally safe, but avoid areas near the southern suburbs and monitor local news for any political unrest. Stick to well-traveled tourist areas and be mindful of your surroundings.

Health & Medical

Healthcare is of good quality in Beirut, with many private hospitals offering excellent care. Pharmacies are well-stocked and emergency services are reliable.

Accessibility

The city's infrastructure varies in accessibility. Some modern areas are more accommodating, but uneven pavements and limited public transport options can be challenging for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you are sure of its source. Bottled water is widely available.