Beirut, Lebanon: travel guide
Seafront corniche, Ottoman streets and celebrated Lebanese food
Lebanon's Mediterranean capital — Roman ruins, Ottoman and French-mandate architecture, the Corniche and Pigeon Rocks, legendary food, and a nightlife scene rebuilding after crisis.
About Beirut
Beirut is Lebanon's capital on the Mediterranean, a city of contrasts where Roman remains, Ottoman buildings and French-era streets sit beside modern towers and busy cafes. It has a strong reputation for food, culture and a lively social scene.
A walk along the Corniche to the Pigeon Rocks is a classic outing, and the National Museum holds the finest collection of the country's antiquities. Neighbourhoods such as Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael have galleries and cafes, and the city's food, from mezze to fresh bread and sweets, is a highlight in itself.
Beirut suits food lovers and culture seekers. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Beirut, with warm sea and mild days. It also makes a base for day trips to Byblos and the mountains.
- Country
- Lebanon
- Currency
- LBP
- Time zone
- Asia/Beirut
- Nearest airport
- BEY
Last updated
Top places to visit in Beirut
American University of Beirut (AUB) Campus
university campus · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A leafy 73-acre walkable campus founded in 1866, with Ottoman and Neo-Gothic buildings, the AUB Museum of archaeology, and sea views from College Hall.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
mosque · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Ottoman-style Blue Mosque of Downtown Beirut, completed in 2008, with a striking blue dome dominating the Martyrs' Square skyline.
Martyrs' Square
square · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Beirut's historic central square, site of the Martyrs' Statue commemorating executed nationalists, and a focal point of the 2019-2020 protests.
National Museum of Beirut
museum · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Lebanon's principal archaeology museum, covering prehistory to the Mamluk era, with Phoenician sarcophagi and Byzantine mosaics; the collection was famously sealed in concrete to protect it during the civil war.
Sursock Museum
art museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored Ottoman-Venetian villa turned museum of modern and contemporary art in Achrafieh, reopened after major restoration following 2020 port-blast damage.
Al-Omari Grand Mosque
mosque · 4.8 rating · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate
Downtown Beirut's oldest mosque, originally a 12th-century Crusader church converted to a mosque by the Mamluks, rebuilt after civil-war damage.
Roman Baths of Beirut
archaeological site · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Exposed ruins of a Roman-era bath complex near Beirut's parliament building, a compact open-air archaeological site in the heart of Downtown.
Robert Mouawad Private Museum
private museum · 3.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A private mansion museum near Downtown displaying an eclectic personal collection of archaeology, jewellery, arms and manuscripts.
Zaitunay Bay
waterfront promenade · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
An upscale marina promenade next to the Beirut Marina, lined with waterfront restaurants and cafes.
Beirut Souks
shopping district · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern reconstruction of Beirut's historic souks in Downtown, now an open-air retail district over the excavated Roman-era street grid.
Pigeon Rocks (Raouché)
natural landmark · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Two natural sea-arch rock formations just offshore from the Raouché cliffs, Beirut's most photographed natural landmark and a popular sunset viewpoint.
St. George Maronite Cathedral
cathedral · 4.8 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 19th-century Maronite cathedral on Martyrs' Square, standing beside the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque as a symbol of Beirut's religious coexistence.
Things to do
- Beirut Downtown Food & Walking Tour Food · 3 h · from USD 40 per person
- Raouché Sunset Boat Ride Activity · 0.8 h · from USD 15 per person
- Gemmayze & Mar Mikhael Nightlife Crawl Nightlife · 4 h
- National Museum Guided Tour Cultural · 1.3 h · from USD 15 per person
- Hamra Street Cafe Crawl Cultural · 1.5 h
Where to stay in Beirut
Hotels
- Phoenicia Hotel Beirut 5-star
- Le Gray Beirut 5-star
- Crowne Plaza Beirut 4-star
- Four Seasons Hotel Beirut 5-star
- Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace 5-star
- Albergo Beirut (Relais & Châteaux) 5-star
Where to eat
- Em Sherif Lebanese, Middle Eastern · about USD 80 per person
- Tawlet Beirut Lebanese, Home-style · about USD 26 per person
- Barbar Lebanese, Street Food · about USD 10 per person
- Zaatar w Zeit Lebanese, Bakery · about USD 10 per person
- Le Chef Lebanese, Home-style · about USD 10 per person
- Mayrig Armenian, Lebanese · about USD 26 per person
- Liza Beirut Lebanese · about USD 80 per person
- Centrale Lebanese, French, Fusion · about USD 80 per person
Getting to Beirut
Airport: Beirut (BEY)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking