Lebanon - Guide

Lebanon is located at the crossroad of Europe, Africa and the Middle East and due to it’s strategic location, good travel links and the countries wealth of tourist attractions, Lebanon is becoming a very fashionable tourist destination in its own right or a exciting bolt-on when taking a tour to Syria or Jordan.

Lebanon offers many archaeological sites and an interesting history. The east of the country borders the Mediterranean Sea and with over 200km of coastline this part of the country is becoming very popular. As with much of the Middle East, Lebanon enjoys a sunny climate for much of the year as well as snow capped peaks in the mountains around Mount Lebanon. The diverse landscapes and weather variations make Lebanon an ideal tourist destination throughout the year with sightseeing, beach holidays and activity based holidays in both the summer and winter and unlike most of the middle-east, Lebanon also offers ski opportunities during the winter months.

Beirut, the countries capital suffered greatly from Lebanon's long running civil war, but following a remarkable and ongoing process of reconstruction, the city is now poised to become of the Middle East’s most popular destinations. Outside of the capital several UNESCO World Heritage sites wait to be explored!

When to go

Generally, the best times to visit Lebanon are in the spring or autumn when the climate is warm but not uncomfortable however tourist numbers at the popular tourist sites will be much greater. Travelling during the summer months can be less expensive and quieter however it may be uncomfortable for some tourists, temperatures can reach the high 30’s. The winter months often bring a lot of rain and sometimes snow which can spoil sightseeing and close some of the higher roads. If you fancy trying Lebanon’s rapidly developing winter-sports then the winter season is an excellent time to travel.

Ramadan falls at a different time each year, and you shouldn’t be put off travelling during Ramadan as this can be a very interesting time to travel in the Arab World. Generally you will find that there is festival feeling within the country with decorations lining the streets. Fasting takes places during daylight hours (for those of the Muslim Faith) and the evening meal (Iftar) is generally a very special occasion. During Ramadan some tourist sites may close earlier than at other times of the year and we will take this into account when arranging your itinerary.

Highlights

• Beirut – Cosmopolitan and Historical capital city
• Byblos - Crusader castle and pretty fishing harbour
• Tripoli – Ancient Lebanese port town
• Harissa – Important Lebanese pilgrimage site
• Baalbek– Exquisitely detailed Roman Temple ruins
• Anjar – Remarkably well preserved Umayyad ruins
• Palm Islands – Enjoy a day trip to these beautiful islands off of Tripoli