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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Byblos 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.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Lebanon – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B , Type C
Type A:
   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 Byblos, Lebanon
Beach clubs and seafront restaurants operate mainly May to October, many close in winter
Byblos International Festival, concerts in the old port, usually July to August
Don't miss
- 🏰 Explore the ancient Byblos Castle ruins
- 🛍️ Stroll through the vibrant old souks market
- 🦴 Visit the Memory of Time fossil museum
- 🌊 Relax by the scenic Byblos harbor promenade
- ⛪ Marvel at Saint John-Marc Cathedral's architecture
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Byblos?
Visiting Byblos is like stepping into a living museum. Its rich tapestry of civilizations – from Phoenician to Roman – offers a unique glimpse into the past. Beyond its historical treasures, Byblos boasts vibrant souks, delightful eateries and scenic beaches, making it a well-rounded destination.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🎈Events
-
Byblos International Festival
-
Jounieh International Festival
-
Beirut International Film Festival
-
Beiteddine Art Festival
-
Zouk Mikael International Festival
-
Batroun International Festival
-
Tyre International Festival
-
Al Bustan Festival
-
Baalbeck International Festival
-
Ehdeniyat International Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Combine the archaeological site, castle, harbor and souks.
- Go early for the ruins, then linger at the old harbor for sea views.
- Bring cash for small shops in the souks; card acceptance varies by venue.
- Climb the Crusader castle for the best orientation – ruins, harbor and old town line up clearly.
How to travel to Byblos
Byblos is approximately 35 kilometers north of Beirut. From Beirut, you can take a taxi or use public buses that run regularly to Byblos. The journey typically takes about an hour, depending on traffic.
Access summary
- From Beirut Airport (BEY): Taxi or private transfer, usually about 40–60 minutes.
- From Beirut city: Taxi or shared minivan from Dora/Charles Helou, around 45–70 minutes.
- Popular as an easy Beirut half-day trip; many hotels arrange drivers.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Byblos
Byblos offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels in historic buildings to modern resorts along the coast. Staying within or near the old city provides easy access to major attractions.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Byblos
Navigating Byblos is best done on foot, especially within the old city where narrow streets are lined with historic sites, shops and cafes. For destinations further afield, taxis and local buses are readily available.
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.
Daily expenses in the region are around 29% 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.
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 (Data for Jounieh, Lebanon - 17 km away)
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.
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.
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 | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Byblos is generally considered safe for tourists. However, it's advisable to stay updated on local news and follow travel advisories, as regional tensions can affect safety.
Health & Medical
Medical facilities in Byblos are adequate for routine issues. For serious conditions, major hospitals in Beirut are accessible. It's recommended to have travel insurance.
Accessibility
While main tourist areas are accessible, some historic sites may have uneven terrain. Efforts are ongoing to improve accessibility for all visitors.
Tap water
It's advisable to drink bottled water, as tap water quality may vary. Bottled water is widely available at a low cost.
Packing recommendations for Byblos
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
hat, sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
for summer
🧥
Light jacket
for cooler evenings
🕶️
Sunglasses
hat, sun cream
🎒
Small rucksack
🩱
Swimwear
for beach visits
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
hat, sun cream
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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