Visa
For most people Lebanon has a visa on arrival policy which is just a stamp in your passport given on arrival at Beirut Airport or any of its land borders with Syria. If you are arriving from Syria you will also have to show your exit stamp from Syria. For more details on who is eligible for visa on arrival chek out our Lebanon visa page .
Getting in and out
The main way people arrive into Lebanon is through Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport. There are also several land border crossings with Syria which can be used by everyone. Currently there is no way to cross the southern border and we don’t see this changing in the near future.
Rules for travellers
Lebanon is probably one of the more relaxed destinations we go to. Lebanon is one of the most interesting and contradictory countries out there. It is very relaxed in that there is amazing nightlife, and people are very open minded, however it can also be a very tense place especially when talking about religion, politics, corruption and of course Israel.
Why visit
Lebanon in our opinion is one of the world’s most fun countries. From people, to parties, to weather to of course its food, it really packs a punch well above its weight. There is something to do during every season in Lebanon whether its skiing in winter, music festivals in summer or just gorging yourself on Lebanese cuisine.
Lebanese people will proudly tell you that their country is one of only a few where you can ski and swim in one day. If swimming in the Mediterranean and hummus and arak for apré ski sounds like your kind of thing, then you should definitely get yourself to Lebanon.
Dress code
There is no dress code for Lebanon. You will see people in bikinis and speedos by pools and beaches, and in the streets you will see ladies in hijabs, and others in shorts and crop tops. Anything goes when it comes to clothes in Lebanon. Just remember when visiting religious sites like mosques and churches you will need to be covered.
Topics of discussion
There is so much you will want to discuss, and Lebanese people all have opinions on what is happening in the country. It is best to let people here tell you how it is. If you don’t know much about a topic in Lebanon it is best to keep any opinions you may have to yourself. Topics of politics and religion can be very sensitive and while great to discuss and hear what people think, an outsider expressing their opinion on these very complex topics is not always welcome. It’s not to say that you can’t have a good back and forth with locals about controversial topics, but just tread lightly if you want it to stay good!
Some other topics that are sensitive are: the Beirut blast, Israel, refugees and the economy. We don’t suggest you avoid these as that is impossible, and just unnecessary, but just be aware of how you talk about them. Trust us, you will not be able to avoid talking about these things as these are a constant part of life in Lebanon.
Religion
Religion is definitely one of the most interesting and sensitive topics in Lebanon. Religion is one of the main issues the country is dealing with as it is ingrained into the political and social fabric of the country. While Lebanon is a very mixed society there are deep divisions on religious lines which have split many communities throughout the country.
Again, we don’t recommend avoiding the topic of religion in Lebanon as this is impossible, but we do suggest that when talking with people that you approach it with an open mind and understand the history of civil war, and colonial rule that led it to where it is now.
Politics
Lebanon’s politics is a very interesting topic but has been plagued in recent years by scandals of corruption. Many Lebanese people have no faith in the people governing them and they will often openly tell you about it. Their political system is based on a census that was done in the 1930s and is still the source of many arguments in the country. Politics in Lebanon can yield some extremely interesting conversations, but to attempt to understand what exactly is happening will take you a very long time and only gets more confusing the more you learn!
Photography
Photography is absolutely fine in Lebanon. The only places you have to be careful are around military installations such as check points and border areas in the south.
Eating
Food in Lebanon is world renown and there are very few cities in the world that don’t have a Lebanese restaurant – with good reason too! Lebanese people typically eat their biggest meal at dinner, and they generally eat late in the evening, and and for a long time.
It is difficult to find a bad meal in Lebanon and food is easily one of this country’s greatest exports and attractions.
Ethnicity
The majority of people in Lebanon are Arabs with sizeable migrant populations from Syria and Palestine living there as refugees. There is also a sizeable migrant population made up of Filipinos and Ethiopians who mostly work as domestic workers for wealthy families in Beirut.
Hotels
Being a tourist hotspot means that Lebanon is littered with 1000s of hotels from luxury to budget and with everything in between. Airbnb is also a very popular option for those wanting longer stays.
Nightlife
Lebanon and Beirut specifically is known as the Middle East’s playground, with 100s of 1000s of people travelling from all over the Middle East and other regions every year to let their hair down.
Beirut hosts several bar street areas such as Hamra and Mar Mikhail as well as huge nightclubs and seasonal music festivals in beachside towns such as the famous Byblos festival which hosts local and international artists.
Shopping
Shopping of all kinds is available all over the country with large malls existing in Beirut and many weekend markets and stalls popping up as well. Souvenirs are prevalent everywhere especially in the tourist beachside town like Byblos and Batroun. Cheaper souvenirs are found in Beirut around the Hamra district.
If you’re into soaps and spices then souqs such as the one in Saida are a great pick. Agricultural products are also a great thing to pick up in Lebanon, particularly wine and olive oil.
When is the best time to visit?
Honestly all the time is great for Lebanon. If you want sun come in Summer, if you want snow sports come in winter and if you just want to pig out on one of the world’s best cuisines then come any day of the year!
