Byblos, Lebanon: travel guide
Crusader castle, Phoenician ruins and a working harbour north of Beirut
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — a Crusader castle over Phoenician port ruins, an atmospheric souk, and a working fishing harbour, 40km north of Beirut.
About Byblos
Byblos is a small coastal town about forty kilometres north of Beirut, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the Mediterranean. Its compact centre is easy to cover on foot.
A Crusader castle stands over Phoenician and Roman ruins, and from its walls there are views over the sea. Below, a covered souk with craft shops leads to the old harbour, where fishing boats still operate and seafood restaurants sit along the quay. Stone lanes are lined with cafes and small galleries.
Byblos suits history lovers and anyone after a relaxed half-day or overnight stay. It is easy to reach as a day trip from Beirut. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit Byblos, while summer is popular for the beaches.
- Country
- Lebanon
- Currency
- LBP
- Time zone
- Asia/Beirut
- Nearest airport
- BEY
Last updated
Top places to visit in Byblos
Church of Our Lady of the Sea
chapel · 4.9 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A small chapel by the harbour edge, a favoured spot for sunset photos of fishing boats against the old port.
Jeita Grotto
cave system · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast karstic limestone cave system with an underground river, roughly 20 minutes from Byblos and Beirut; one of Lebanon's most-visited natural sites.
Byblos Castle
crusader castle · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 12th-century Crusader castle built from Roman-era stone blocks, overlooking the ancient port; the entry ticket covers the whole archaeological site.
Byblos Wax Museum
wax museum · 3.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A small wax-figure museum depicting scenes from Lebanese history and folklore, near the old souk.
Byblos Souk
souk · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A compact, restored stone-alley souk between the castle and the port, with jewellery, crafts and cafes.
Byblos Fossil Museum (Memory of Time)
natural history museum · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A private museum of fossilised fish and marine life found in the limestone quarries around Byblos, some over 100 million years old.
Byblos Crusader Cathedral (St John the Baptist)
cathedral · 4.8 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 12th-century Crusader-built cathedral in the old town, still an active parish church, notable for its Romanesque arches.
Byblos Ancient Phoenician Port & Ruins
archaeological site · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The archaeological site around the working harbour, with Phoenician, Persian, Roman and Byzantine remains layered together — among the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth.
Byblos Fishing Port
harbour · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A working harbour beneath the castle walls, ringed with seafood restaurants and fishing boats — the classic Byblos postcard view.
Obelisk Temple Ruins
temple ruins · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Bronze-age temple ruins within the Byblos archaeological site, named for the cluster of stone obelisks found there.
Things to do
- Byblos Castle & Old Port Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Jeita Grotto Half-Day Excursion Nature · 4 h · from USD 45 per person
- Byblos Souk Shopping Walk Activity · 1 h
- Wax & Fossil Museums Combo Visit Cultural · 1.3 h · from USD 10 per person
- Byblos Seafood Harbour Dinner Walk Food · 2 h
Where to stay in Byblos
Hotels
- Byblos Sur Mer 5-star
- Monoberge Byblos Hotel 4-star
- Byblos Rest House 3-star
Where to eat
- Byblos Sur Mer Lebanese, Seafood · about USD 26 per person
- Feniqia Lebanese, Seafood · about USD 26 per person
- Bab El Mina Lebanese, Seafood · about USD 26 per person
- Chez Andrea Lebanese, Street Food · about USD 10 per person
Getting to Byblos
Airport: Byblos (BEY)
Getting around
- Taxi
- Walking