Things to do in Lebanon

Explore one of the most impressive Roman temple complexes in the world, featuring the massive Temple of Jupiter and the exquisitely preserved Temple of Bacchus, standing in the Beqaa Valley since the 1st century BC.

Descend into two levels of breathtaking limestone caverns filled with massive stalactites and stalagmites, then glide across an underground lake by boat through cathedral-like chambers.

Wander the cobblestone streets of one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, browse artisan shops in the souk, and watch fishing boats bob in the ancient Phoenician harbour.

Savor an ever-changing buffet of authentic Lebanese home-cooked dishes prepared by different village cooks each day, showcasing regional recipes from across the country.

Trek through a UNESCO-listed gorge of sheer cliffs and ancient cedar forests, visiting rock-cut Maronite monasteries that have clung to the canyon walls since the early Christian era.

Stand among the last significant remnant of the legendary ancient cedar forests of Lebanon, trees revered since antiquity and depicted on the national flag.

Bar-hop along Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael, where converted warehouses and old garages host cocktail bars, live music venues, and late-night eateries that keep the city buzzing until dawn.

Walk among excavated Roman-era thermal baths, columns, and an ancient road discovered beneath modern Beirut, offering a window into the city's classical past.

Sample Lebanon's anise-flavored national spirit at one of the limestone-wall bars along Batroun's coastline, paired with fresh local seafood and sea views.

Explore a magnificent early 19th-century Ottoman palace perched in the Chouf mountains, with ornate courtyards, inlaid stone facades, and a collection of Byzantine mosaics.

Stroll the palm-lined waterfront promenade stretching along the Mediterranean, where locals fish, jog, and gather to watch the sun sink behind the sea from Pigeon Rocks.

Stand on the Corniche and gaze at two towering natural rock arches rising from the sea off the coast of Raouche, Beirut's most iconic geological landmark.

Explore the remarkably planned remains of an 8th-century Umayyad city with its palace, mosque, and baths laid out on a Roman-style grid, unique in Lebanon.

Start your morning like a Lebanese local with a freshly baked flatbread slathered in zaatar, cheese, or minced meat from a traditional wood-fired bakery oven.

Hit Lebanon's premier ski resort in winter for powder runs with Mediterranean views, or hike wildflower meadows in summer across the same dramatic Mount Lebanon peaks.

Explore Lebanon's most important archaeological collection, from Phoenician sarcophagi and Egyptian-influenced jewelry to Roman mosaics and medieval artifacts, all beautifully displayed.

Pull up a plastic chair at the water's edge in Byblos' harbour and feast on the day's catch—grilled whole with lemon, garlic, and olive oil—at a no-frills harbourside fish joint.

Launch from the hills above Jounieh and soar over the sweeping bay, the Casino du Liban, and the Mediterranean coastline, landing on the beach below.

Walk through a UNESCO-listed site containing one of the largest and best-preserved Roman hippodromes in the world, alongside a monumental colonnaded road, arch, and necropolis.

Explore the beating intellectual heart of West Beirut, filled with bookshops, university crowds, falafel joints, and eclectic cafés that have served as gathering spots for decades.

Watch a 255-meter cascade plunge through three natural limestone bridges into a Jurassic-era sinkhole surrounded by lush vegetation—one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the Middle East.

Taste Lebanon's acclaimed wines—particularly reds from indigenous and French grape varieties—at one of several award-winning vineyards lining the fertile Beqaa plain.

Cross a stone causeway to a small island fortress built by Crusaders in the 13th century, offering views over the old city, its souks, and the busy fishing harbour.

Eat classic Lebanese dishes—kibbeh, fattoush, grilled meats—under fairy lights and grapevines on a recreated traditional Lebanese house terrace overlooking Beirut.

Cool off in emerald limestone pools and waterfalls tucked into the mountains above Tannourine, connected by trails through shaded forest—a favourite local summer escape.