The Paris of the Middle East, tragically beautiful — Beirut's legendary resilience and party spirit, the Cedars of God forest, Roman temples at Baalbek, and Phoenician ruins at Byblos.
- Capital
- Beirut
- Population
- 5,490,000
- Area
- 10,400 km²
- Languages
- Arabic, French
- Currency
- Lebanese Pound (LBP)
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Kibbeh
Annual visitors
1,936,000 (2019)
Safety
Low (2.24/100k)
Big Mac
$5.36
Avg temp
15.4°C
Religion
Islam
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 110 · Ambulance 113
Travel guide
Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان, French: Liban) is a country in the Middle East, on the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in diversity and history, Lebanon has hosted the Roman Empire, the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire, and was, for a period of time, controlled by France. The majority of Lebanese are Arabs, as are most of the Palestinians and Syrians living there, but there are also small communities of Assyrians, Armenians and Kurds. Lebanese cuisine is among the most famous of all Middle Eastern cuisines. Lebanon has been in a state of flux since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990, and it continues to face numerous economic difficulties. That aside, the country has plenty to offer to the traveller: vineyards, nightclubs, ski resorts, and numerous historical and cultural attractions.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Lebanon
Best time to visit
Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best seasons. Beirut is lively year-round. Mzaar ski resort open December–March. Summer is hot but the coast is breezy. Check current travel advisories before visiting.
Visa
Citizens of most Western countries including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia receive a 1-month visa on arrival at Beirut airport, renewable for up to 3 months.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (8)
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