Lebanon
The Republic of Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان) is a small country (10,452km² in area) with 3.7 million inhabitants) within the Middle East region with its capital being Beirut. It has a long coastline on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and shares a long land border with its much larger neighbour Syria to the north and the east, a much shorter (and currently "hot") border with Israel to the south. Understand[edit]History[edit]Lebanon is a country with a long and rich history. Phoenician, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Persian, Roman, Arab, Crusader, and Ottoman ruins are scattered about the country and the most important of them are easily accessible. Byblos, Beirut, Tyre and Sidon are some of the oldest continuously populated cities in the world. There are Roman baths in Beirut, as well as the Cardio Maximus - to name a few. Byblos is also rich in Crusader ruins and for a small fee you can view them (they are located near the bazaar). There are a lot of ancient mosques, synagogues, and churches in Lebanon. Also be sure to visit the Place des Martyrs, (Martyrs' Square) in Beirut, just like Syria's Martyr Square or March Square in Damascus, is a public square in memory of the Lebanese and Syrian nationalists who were hanged by the Ottomans for revolting on 6 May 1916 . People[edit]The people of Lebanon comprise a wide variety of ethnic groups, religions and denominations, with the two main groups split between Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek-Catholic Melkites, Armenians, Protestant, Syriac Christians) and Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni, Alawites), and Druzes. There is a large number (over 250,000) of Palestinian refugees in the country, which fled their homeland in 1948. There is also a huge number of Syrian refugees and displaced persons (around 2,000,000) due to the ongoing conflict in Syria. One of the rare things that most Lebanese religious and political leaders will agree on is to avoid a new general census, for fear that it could trigger a new round of denominational conflict. The last official census was performed in 1932, when Christians were once a majority in Lebanon. Estimates today are academic and unofficial, due to this sensitivity. People are very easy-going and welcoming. Asking someone on the street for directions is easy, since most of them will do their best to help you. Political and religious questions may be sensitive topics of discussion. Lebanon is populated by very open and educated people, especially in places like Beirut, Mount Lebanon and some of the larger cities. Attitudes and behaviors tend to be more conservative in the Bekaa Valley and rural north and south. Lebanon and Beirut were once called the Switzerland and Paris of the Middle East. The recent wars have diminished this status, but the Lebanese have learned to adapt. Their pursuit of happiness and fun overshadows their financial capabilities and political problems. Climate[edit]Lebanon has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. It is generally considered very rainy and mild. Summer is usually the most popular time for people to visit, as there is virtually no rain between June and August, and the temperatures range between about 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, there can be occasional heat waves with the temperature rising above 30°C, and generally, it can be very humid along the coast line during the summer months. It is much drier and much cooler in the mountains, and many Lebanese tend to visit and vacation in the mountains during the summer if they wish to escape the heat and humidity of the coastline. Autumn and spring (18-24°C) are also good times to visit, with a bit more rain, but without the tourist crowds attracted in summer, and also with considerably less humidity and cooler temperatures. Snow falls for a large part of winter in the mountain regions that form a large portion of the country, and there are numerous ski resorts. However, the coast is still relatively mild, with maximums rarely falling below 13°C (55°F), although it can fall much lower than that and has on many occasions. Temperatures lower than 8°C or higher than 18°C are rare in the coast during winter. Summers rarely exceed 32°C. Temperatures are a lot cooler in the more mountainous areas. The average annual temperature for the entire country is 16°C, dropping to -7°C in February, the coldest month, and rising to 28°C in August, the warmest month. Time zone[edit]Lebanon is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes daylight savings from end-March to end-October. Holidays[edit]Lebanon has a number of both Christian and Islamic holidays. Holidays that are observed by the Lebanese Government are indicated in bold:
All in all, Beirut, Lebanon's capital city, is a vibrant metropolis with enough diversions that any city lover would look for, ranking it among the Middle East's top tourist destinations. Being perched on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut has a climate that is perfect for year round visits, as it experiences all 4 seasons. Beirut has something to offer most tastes, from roadside à la Parisienne coffee shops to rooftop open air cafes, as well as a variety of shopping venues. Regions[edit]Lebanon can be divided into five regions: Cities[edit]Many cities in Lebanon have Westernised names which are significantly different from their Arabic names; the Roman versions of the Arabic names are given in parentheses below.
Other destinations[edit]
Get in[edit]Visas[edit]
Visa-free[edit]Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Lebanon visa-free, as long as they present a valid passport, are holding a telephone number and address in the Republic of Lebanon and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket: For up to 6 months per year: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates For up to 3 months within 6 months: Jordan, provided that their passport includes a national serial number. An official identity document is accepted in lieu of a passport for Jordanian citizens. Visa on arrival[edit]Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories may obtain a visa on arrival at any port of entry, as long as they present a valid passport, are holding a telephone number and address in the Republic of Lebanon and a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket: For 3 months, extendable by up to 1 month: Turkey. For 1 month, extendable by up to 2 months: All EU/EEA member states, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States of America, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. For 1 month, extendable by up to 90 days: Brazil. Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories may obtain a visa on arrival at any port of entry, as long as they present a valid passport, are holding either a copy of a reservation in a 3 to 5 star hotel or both a telephone number and address in the Republic of Lebanon, a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket and at least US$2,000 in cash: For 1 month: Algeria, Comoros, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Visas[edit]All other nationals not listed or not falling into the categories above must apply for a visa at an embassy or a general consulate of the Republic of Lebanon. For those who require a visa in advance, the process can be rather bureaucratic. Visa applicants must submit the following information in either Arabic, French or English:
In addition to acquiring a visa, nationals of Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe are required to obtain a pre-approval from the General Directorate of General Security. This is a convoluted process that can take months, so start early. Visas issued this way are valid for 1 month but can be extended till 3 months at Sureté Générale once in Lebanon. The easiest way to renew a tourist visa is to leave the country and come back the day after. Due to the Syrian question, the only way to currently do this is to fly to Cyprus or Turkey, which are the cheapest destinations. After these 2 months, if you don't leave the country (or get a work permit), you will have to regularise your situation with Sureté Générale's offices in Beirut. (This is a special building - don't go to the main office on Damas St - ask the guards for the precise address.) There, to be allowed to leave the country, you'll have to pay a LBP50,000 (USD30) fee, which will grant you 7 days to leave the country. (Information dated May 2012) By plane[edit]Beirut International Airport (BEY), is located 5km (3 mi) south of the city centre) - Middle East Airlines [1] services daily to Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Amman, Athens, Cairo, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kano, Kuwait, Lagos, Larnaca, London-Heathrow, Madrid, Milan-Malpensa, Nice, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh and Rome-Fiumicino, Warsaw-Okęcie. In addition the Airport is served by foreign airlines
For flights from the United Kingdom try Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Tarom or Czech Airlines (please note Czech Airlines no longer fly to the UK). These three airlines are often cheaper even than MEA or BA direct from Heathrow. By bus[edit]As of February 2013, Lebanon essentially became a fly-in, fly-out territory for tourists, with the ongoing civil war enveloping Syria and ferries from Turkey and Cyprus showing no sign of resumption. In the peaceful times, buses would leave Damascus every hour and typically cost SYP400 or 500 . The trip is normally 4-5 hours, depending on traffic at the border. Note that when leaving Syria, you must pay an exit fee of SYP550 and must acquire a Lebanese visa on the other side of the border (48 hrs Transit Visa is free, 15 day Transit Visa is LBP25,000 (USD17), single-entry 30 day Tourist Visa is LL50,000 (US$34), payable in Lebanese Pounds only. Money changers can exchange currency, typically with a $1 exchange fee). By ship[edit]Ferry and boat services have been cancelled by the government (As of october 2019) Get around[edit]Lebanon is a small country and it is possible to drive from north to south in under 3 hours. The main means of transport are buses, service taxis, taxis and private cars. The streets in and around Beirut often are congested and traffic jam can occur any time which makes it difficult to estimate the time of travel in advance. By bus[edit]Lebanon's towns are well connected by frequently running buses, though it is difficult to find a bus going to smaller mountain towns. The bus fares are surprisingly cheap and are usually not open to negotiation. Most buses for north Lebanon depart from the Dora roundabout east of Beirut and from Charles Helou Station (east of Downtown), while most buses to regions south and east of Beirut (including Damascus and Baalbek) depart from the Cola "Station" (which is really an intersection adjacent to the Cola bridge/overpass). Besides the big buses there are also minivans which often go to the same destinations as the big buses but some destinations, for example the Beqa', are only served by minivans. For most destinations there are no time schedules and buses often depart when the majority of seats are occupied. As buses are a highly used means of transport this usually doesn't take more than 20 minutes. Buses from Tyre to Sidon get scarce after 8pm and Buses from Sidon to Beirut and vice versa before midnight, while buses between Tripolis and Beirut run all night. By taxi[edit]For short distances and within towns or villages there often are "service" taxis. Those taxis often operate like buses on set routes between towns, though they can be hired to visit other places with some negotiation. Each taxi carries up to between 4 (inside metropolitan areas) to 6 (longer distances) passengers, who share the fare between them. The fare usually is 2000 LL (Lebanese Lira) for inner-city distances (June 2015) but might be different for distances between towns and it increases depending on both distance to be travelled and of course, like everything in Lebanon, persuasion/negotiation skills. A private taxi ride, without sharing it with other passengers is similar to a "service" taxi in that the same pre-negotiation is required to determine the fare, and as a rule of thumb costs the same as a fully loaded "service" taxi (the fare * number of passengers). Taxis and "service" taxis are physically the same, and the mode of operation depends on the availability of passengers and their demands and the willingness of the driver to go as "service". All types of public transportation vehicles in Lebanon (taxis, buses, mini-vans and even trucks) can be recognized by their Red-bordered licence plate with the letter P. By train[edit]There are no trains in Lebanon. By car[edit]Car rental is relatively expensive in Lebanon compared to elsewhere in the region. Reasonable, if not exactly cheap rates can, however, be found with perseverance and negotiation and - once you have your rental - fuel is easy to get. Be warned, however, that fuel is not cheap, with fuel prices being among the most affected by inflation. Lebanon's roads are generally in fair condition but Lebanese drivers are not known for their caution. Exercise extreme caution when driving in Lebanon. Driving in Lebanon should be considered an extreme activity for drivers accustomed to safe driving. Street names are virtually non-existent. Mountain driving is particularly hazardous, often involving narrow highly perched roads. Traffic, especially in major cities like Beirut and Tripoli, and on the highway from Beirut to Jounieh, can be extremely crowded and time-consuming, turning a normally 20 minute trip into over an hour during peak times. Talk[edit]The official language of Lebanon is Standard Arabic, and the native language Lebanese Arabic, which is similar to (but not indistinguishable from) the Arabic of Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian territories. Almost all Lebanese understand Standard Arabic but might reply in Lebanese Arabic. English is widely spoken, especially by the youth and in the business and scientific sectors. A good percentage of the population speak fluent French. The use of French dates back to the French mandate of the area in the first half of the 1900's. Currently, however, English is more widespread than French. The French language remains strong in some areas, such as the north of Beirut. The use of formal Arabic by Lebanon's educated youth in dialogue is declining, as some usually prefer to speak in English or French, which are seen as more fashionable. In general, the older generation has a larger percentage of French-speaking abilities than the younger generation, while the shift is transferring to an English speaking majority with substantial triple-language speaking educated citizens. Most of Lebanon's secondary schools use both English and French as the medium of instruction, but recently over the past decade, English has become more widely used. There is a notable Armenian community in Lebanon mostly in Borj Hammoud area north of Beirut and Anjar on the Eastern borders with Syria. Inside these areas many non-official signs are in Armenian, however the Lebanese Armenians speak Lebanese Arabic and have blended in with the locals. There are also small ethnic groups who speak Syriac/Aramean, Turkmen or Kurdish. Generally, signs are written in at least two languages, usually Standard Arabic and English/French. The language and/or spelling of the latter may vary from one sign to another (Mar Mikael and Mer Micael are the same, and English "Beirut" is the same as the French "Beyrouth" for instance). See[edit]Lebanon is a country rich in natural scenery from beautiful beaches to mountains and valleys. Lebanese people take pride that Lebanon is one of the few countries that gives you the opportunity to go skiing in the morning and going to the beach in the afternoon. Keep in mind that this is only actually possible for a few days in the year, usually in the few days when winter shifts to spring and/or summer shifts to autumn. Beirut Downtown Beirut consists of some really bright, shiny buildings, both residential and commercial, and many, many shabby run down places. The traffic is absolutely horrendous, so walking is the best way to see the downtown sites like the marina, museums, place d’etoile, and mosques. There are many also many nightclubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants, catering to a diverse amount of styles and budgets. Baalbek Roman Temples in the city of Baalbeck are among the largest and most beautiful Roman ruins. Al Bass Archaeological Site, Tyre (Sour), a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and best preserved Roman archeological sites in the world. The site is made up of a huge Necropolis, a massive monumental arch leading to a Roman Road, alongside which there is an excellent example of an acqueduct as well as the largest and best preserved Roman Hippodrome found to date. Jeita Grotto Jeita Grotto is nominated to be one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Jeita Grotto is the jewel of tourism in Lebanon offering to its visitors 2 fabulous grottoes. It is a source of attraction for whole the families wishing to discover a mysterious world in the heart of the earth. The “Touristic Site of Jeita” gathers all elements of nature such as stone, water, trees, flowers, air and animals in a venturous environment and with a touch of Lebanese cultural heritage. It is one of the most impressive and interesting natural sites in the world. Beiteddine One of the most authentic Arabic architectural jewels is the palace of Beiteddine. This historic monument comprises two large courtyards: the “midane”, a vast rectangular place for visitors, and a smaller one for the royal private apartments, with a magnificent fountain in its centre. Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley) Located in north Lebanon, the “Holy Valley” spreads from Bcharreh to the coast. Classified under UNESCO's world heritage, it is full of countless caves, chapels, and monasteries. Byblos also known in Arabic as "Jbeil", is an ancient Phoenician city that had been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its touristic attractions include a medieval castle and a Roman amphitheater, as well as many seaside cafes and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Anjar is a city in the Beqaa Valley with many local restaurants where you can enjoy the unique Lebanese cuisine. The city is home to the unique ruins of an 8th century Omayyad city. Sidon (Saida) is famous for its labyrinthine old town with centuries old mosques and the Sea Castle ruins. It is also home to beautiful museums like old mansions and the soap museum. Do[edit]Night-Life[edit]Be aware that everywhere you go people will be smoking virtually nonstop. The city features many different and distinct nightlife neighborhoods, like Gemmayze (close to Martyrs' Sq), Uruguay street in Down Town district, mostly full of bars and restaurants such as Gatsby, NU and Uruguay Bar which are trendy bars featuring outdoor terraces, or Armenia Street in Mar Mekhael which features nightclubs and bars. Hamra has a selection of pubs. Lebanon is also known for it's open-air nightclubs open during the summer season such as Sky Bar, AHM, ARCH and Iris. Greater Beirut is a sleepless city, as the great majority of it open 24 hours a day. During colder days the same night clubs mentioned earlier switch to closed locations and sometimes even rebrand their name such as Caprice, The Grand Factory, HNGR and the infamous B018 which used to be a bomb shelter and if the skies were clear opens up its rooftop for clubbers to watch the sunrise. The Lebanese nightlife can cater to all tastes whether western or oriental and most nightclubs have adopted themed nights throughout the week. Night clubs such as Grand Factory play R&B on Thursdays, Pop on Fridays and a state of the art Deep House night on Saturday (CU NXT SAT), with worldwide DJs and artists performing there. Lebanese nightclubs are widely diverse, as one can find both the "oriental" and "occidental" style, and in some cases, a mix of both. Nightclubs such as Mandaloun and Music Hall hold oriental shows and are considered to be one of the most energetic and engaging oriental nightclubs in the region. It is very common to find people dancing at the local pubs however, recently pubs are becoming a source of live music hosting local and sometimes international talents. Lebanon also has a huge beach party scene having exquisite beaches and beach resorts such as Oceana, Laguava or Edde Sands and Janna Sur Mer. Most those events are advertised on Facebook, so be sure to check them out before hand. Be sure to get a proper pitch in on the price and its usually better if you let a local friend deal with the tabs, most nightclubs have a minimum charge policy and would offer you high end alcohol bottles such as Belvedere, Grey Goose or Johnny Walker Black Label which would exceed the mentioned minimum charge and go way over with bottles costing up to 1000$. However, walk-ins are common and usually an a la carte system is used with walk-ins but usually a group of guys cannot use the walk-in system unless accompanied by girls following a 1:1 ratio. Girls on the other hand face no problem whatsoever being admitted to nightclubs if they meet the age requirments. Make sure you read about the nightclub's admission policy beforehand to avoid any embarrassment. Hike[edit]Lebanon's countryside and especially the mountains are beautiful and could be great hiking areas. Unfortunately, hiking is not easy because of a lack of hiking trails and a lack of signs on existing paths and dirt tracks. Even locals often don't know the paths or where exactly they lead to and many ways are dead ends. You can find hiking trails on wikilocs, but you need GPS to find them on the ground. Another solution is to take part in a guided group event that usually depart from Beirut.
Ski[edit]Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the ski-able domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor. Wine-tasting[edit]Lebanon is one of the oldest sites of wine production in the world and today enjoys a burgeoning industry producing award-winning wines for export throughout the world, mainly in the UK, Europe and the United States. Wine Tasting is an absolute must with any visit to Lebanon. Below are some wine producers in Lebanon for you to keep an eye out for: - - * Chateau Musar [10] - * Chateau Ksara [11] - * Chateau Kefraya [12] - * Domaine Wardy [13] - * Vin Héritage [14] - * Chateau Fakra [15] - * Chateau Nakad [16] - * Massaya [17] - * Domaine des Tourelles [18] - * Clos Saint Thomas [19] - * Cave Kouroum [20] - * Clos de Cana [21] - * Nabise Mont Liban [22] - * Enotica - * Chateau Khoury [23] - * Couvent St. Sauveur Buy[edit]Currency[edit]The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound, abbreviated "LBP" or "Lebanese Lira" abbreviated "LL", which is the most common abbreviation. Its value is kept stable relative to the US dollar, with a value of about LL1,500 to US$1. Either Lebanese pounds or US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and it is common to pay in dollars but receive change in pounds (in which case, make sure you don't get short-changed). Bills used are LL1000, LL5000, LL10,000, LL20,000, LL50,000 and LL100,000. p.s: you may find two forms of LL1000 and they are both accepted. Bills not used are LL1, LL5, LL10, LL25, LL50, LL100, LL250, LL500. There are LL25, LL50, LL100, LL250 and LL500 coins. LL25, LL50 and LL100 coins are virtually never used. Exchange rates[edit]Correct as of February 2020:
Due the anti-government protest, black market rate appear because lack of foreign currency by rate: LL22,000 For 1 US dollar. Money transfer[edit]You may transfer money from/to Lebanon through Western Union. For more information about locations offering Money transfers you may contact BOB Finance on the number 1262 from inside Lebanon or +961-5-955262 and +961-1-906666 from outside with 24/7 Customer Service Support. Eat[edit]Lebanon fosters exquisite cuisine ranging from mezze like the dips hommos, muhammara and moutabal to salads such as tabouleh, fattoush, and salatit kizbara bi-banadora (cilantro and tomato salad) and stuffed wine leaves called waraq 'inab. It is common to eat Mezze only and groups going to a restaurant often share a variety of Mezze which reflects the socially and culturally important sharing of food. After eating two kinds of Mezze you might find yourself already stuffed and thus skip the main course. The Mezze concept is also a great way to try many Lebanese dishes in a short period. Main dishes often are meat based and include Lebanese barbeque such as shish tawouk (barbequed chicken) - usually consumed with garlic, lahm mishwe (barbequed meat), and kafta (barbequed seasoned minced meat). A full meal at an Arabic restaurant can cost as little as 15 USD (22500 LL) depending on where you go, though more expensive options can also be found. Lebanese "fast food" is also available as sandwiches offered in roadside shops, such as falafel, different baked potato and fries, maqali (fried vegetables) and shawarma sandwiches (known in other countries as doner - or gyros in Greece). Shawarma, as opposed to doner is seasoned with tarator sauce based on sesame oil, vegetables and is rolled in lebanese thin bread. Walking thorough the streets of Beirut you will come across many fast food restaurants. Various barbequed meat sandwiches are also available, and even things such as lamb or chicken spleen, brains, lamb bone marrow or lamb testicles can be served as sandwiches. Breakfast usually consists of manaqeesh (singular: manqoushe) which looks like a folded pizza. Most common toppings are zaatar (a mixture of thyme or oregano, olive oil sesame seeds), vegetables (tomatoes, onions and peppers), harr with hot tomato sauce and vegetables, and jebneh (cheese), but at some places you can also get different variations such as sugar and cinnamon or "halloum and bacon". It also comes as sabanigh when it gets folded into big or small triangular shapes containing spinach, onions, lemon juice and spices. Many manqoushe places stay open 24 hours a day and partygoers often go there for a bite at 4 in the morning. It costs between 500 LL and 3000 LL. The za'atar, vegetables, spinach and sugar Manaqeesh (plural of Manqoushe) usually are vegan, but sometimes the dough is made with milk. Another traditional breakfast food is knefeh, a special kind of breaded cheese that is served with a simple syrup in a sesame seed bread. It is also served as dessert. Famous and delicious Lebanese dishes are:
Lebanon is also very famous for its Arabic sweets which can be found at leading restaurants. The city of Tripoli, however, is THE city for Lebanese sweets. Many critics refer to it as the "Sweet Capital" of Lebanon, the Hallab Sweets Palace (Abdul Rahman Hallab - Kaser El Helou 1881) is the place to visit when making a trip to Tripoli. A great place for organic (and vegan) traditional sweets is The Olive Tree in Beirut's Sodeco square. Also, check out Sea Sweet. If taking a trip to the Beqa', the restaurants known as the El-Wadi restuarants in Zahle serve exquisite Lebanese food. In Beirut, Abd el-Wahab in the "Monot" area and Mezyan in Hamra also serve excellent Lebanese food in a traditional setting. International food chains such as KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King or Domino's pizza and many other are widely spread and easily found across the country. French Pâtisseries, Chinese, Italian, American and Japanese cuisine are also widely spread and are found in virtually all of the country's malls. Foreign restaurants are concentrated mostly in Beirut, although they can be found in some of the other larger cities like Tripoli and in some of the more tourist friendly smaller cities like Byblos. Cafes also exist virtually everywhere and as with foreign restaurants, foreign chains like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Costa, etc, are also concentrated more in Beirut. Restaurant are very generous in supplying free extras. You get salted nuts, fresh pistachios, olives, carrots etc with your drink, and if you eat them all they are replaced even if you do not order more drinks. There is plenty of bread, often with delicious spreads. At the end of the meal many places give you a great selection of fresh fruits and cakes. Even though there are hardly any explicitly vegetarian restaurants in Lebanon it is very easy to eat vegetarian or vegan because of the many traditionally vegetarian/vegan dishes. Make sure what ingredients are used in every restaurant as recipes may vary of course. There is also a vegetarian guide to Beirut and to Lebanon. Drink[edit]The drinking age in Lebanon is 18. Lebanon's wines have an international reputation. Grapes have been grown since antiquity, and the vineyards, largely in the Bekaa Valley, produce the base wine for distillation into the national spirit Arak, which, like Ouzo, is flavoured with aniseed and becomes cloudy when diluted with water. Arak is the traditional accompniment to Meze. But the grapes have also historically been used to make wine. This used to be predominantly white and sweet, but the soliders and administrators that came to administer the French mandate after World War One created a demand for red wine, and large acreages were planted especially with the Cinsault grape. Over the last 20 years these have been supplemented with the most popular international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Wineries often offer wine tasting and are very welcoming. The highly individual, old fashioned, Chateau Musar, is based at Ghazir, 15 miles north of Beirut, and trucks in the grapes from Bekaa. In Bekaa itself, wineries include the large Kefraya, Ksara, the oldest winery of all, Massaya, a fashionable new producer in Tanail, and Nakad in Jdeita, which like Musar has stuck with an idiosyncratic old fashioned approach. Kefraya, in the West Bekaa region, also has a nice restaurant attached and the region itself is beautiful to pass through. A wide variety of alcoholic drinks from all over the world can be found at any liqour store or establishment that serves alcohol, with higher end liqours being only available at certain high-end liquor stores and restaurants. Sleep[edit]Lebanon is full of hotels, with a range in price and quality, from hostels starting at $10/night to many hundreds of dollars per night, and the quality ranges just as much. Many international chains, such as Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, can be found here, as well as local boutique and "mom-and-pop" style hotels, as well as low quality budget hotels. Airbnb is becoming very popular, make sure to check out some apartments and compare it with hotel prices. The best way to save money if you are staying for a long visit is furnished apartments or all-suite hotels, as they come with cleaning and other services. Learn[edit]A handful of private schools, such as the Lycée Français (several branches over the country), the Collège Protestant Français [24], Collège Saint Joseph Antoura [25], Lycée Abdel Kader, Lycée Verdun, Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour and Collège Élysée amongst others follow the official French curriculum. The official French Baccalaureate exams can be taken in Lebanon. Some schools (such as ACS) teach English as a first language and follow the English curriculum. Beirut is also home to one of the most prestigious schools in the region, the International College (IC) which teaches both French and English as first languages among many others. Furthermore, IC offers a variety of Baccalaureate programs such as the French, Lebanese, High School, and International Baccalaureat (IB). The American University of Beirut - AUB, founded and formerly known as the Syrian Protestant College in 1866 before Lebanon was separated from Syria by the French mandate. [26] is considered one of the best English speaking universities in the Middle East. Other Accredited and notable anglophone private universities are: University of Balamand [27]| Notre Dame University - NDU [28] | Lebanese American University - LAU[29]| Haigazian University ... Some private universities have French as the main teaching language. Université St. Joseph - USJ [30] is one of these, it is an old and respected institution in Lebanon, and probably offers the best price/quality ratio among private universities in the country. The Lebanese University is the state owned / public university and is the largest learning institution in the country. It offers virtually free tertiary education. The Syriac/Aramaic friendship league in bouchriyeh and said al bachouriyya offers (albeit very limited) lessons in Syriac/Aramaic for those interested. Work[edit]You will need a work permit to engage in work in Lebanon. This might not be the easiest, but definitely doable if you find a local company to sponsor your work visa. Plenty of NGO's that have multin-national staff are operating in Lebanon, so contact them for vacancies if you're interested in such line of work. Connect[edit]MTC Touch Mobile phone operator offers a GSM card for approximately 5$. Internet access starts at $5 for up to 300 MByte in a month. The only competitor of MTC Touch is Alfa. There are shops all around the country that sell SIM-cards and credit but they usually don't have all offers and charge more, sometimes up to the double price. Therefore it's worthwhile to go to one of the official phone company shops. However, during the recent years prices have become more stable and unified around all the certified vendors. If you want to recharge little credit only it's better to ask at local stores. Stay safe[edit]The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly, and most tourists experience no problems. Nevertheless,the Syrian border is also somewhat unstable, however has been cleared up since the summer of 2016. Tripoli was the scene of frequent deadly clashes between Wahabbi militias from Bab al-Tabbaneh and pro-Assad groups in Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in the north part of the city in the winter of 2013/4. These clashes included small arms, RPG and even mortar fire. While these clashes were usually confined to the north of the city and only erupt occasionally since 2014 Tripoli has seen attacks in other parts as well and should be considered unsafe and thus avoided. There was a major clash between the Army and Wahabbi militants in Sidon between 23-25 June 2013 that left some 50 people dead (however only two were civilians), but the militants were defeated and since then the city has seen no further incident. The historical attraction town of Baalbek has seen a few minor incidents without casualties, but can still be considered safe to visit. Like in any country, it is preferable to be accompanied when visiting certain locations. In general, the Israeli borders and any Palestinian refugee camps should be avoided, since these camps have a sovereign rule of Palestinian militias confined to the camps' geographical areas. It is best advised not to wander alone outside the modern areas of Beirut at night, criminal activities such as theft can be on the rise especially in dark areas, although Lebanon is not infamous for its crime rate. Visitors to areas in the vicinity of the border with Israel need a permission without which they won't be allowed to cross the many checkpoints in the area. Visitors should always register with their respective embassies once they enter Lebanon and keep up-to-date regarding any travel warnings regarding Lebanon. Automobile accidents are also a big problem in major cities like Beirut, so take care driving. Motorcycles will sometimes swerve in front of you; numerous motoring laws do not apply to motorcycles. Useful phone numbers:
Stay healthy[edit]As a key destination for health tourism in the region, Lebanon has a professional and private healthcare system. Located mainly in Beirut , key hospitals include:
It is extremely important that you get travel insurance prior to your departure to Lebanon. Hospitals in the country can be very expensive and, with the lack of insurance, cash payments may be expected beforehand. Respect[edit]In general the people in Lebanon are very kind, polite and respectful. Thus treating them similarly is easy and comes quite naturally. Lebanese in general are extremely hospitable and consider it a pleasure to have guests in their home and in their country. Lebanon is a country of many different religious groups and religion plays a vital role in many people's lives. It is wise to respect the religious differences of the Lebanese population but people are accustomed to religious differences so there is no need to hide your religious (non-)affiliation. It is recommended to wear modest dress when visiting religious sites (churches, mosques, etc). The same is true for visiting areas populated mainly by Muslim Lebanese if you want to avoid surprised and continuous looks. Even in Beirut, some areas are more conservative than others depending on the religion of the majority. Visitors should bear that in mind when exploring the city. Overall, however, clothing considered 'western' is generally acceptable in all areas. Bear in mind, however, that as open and western as Beirut is, for women "topless" at any beach, whether private or public, is not recommended at all. Beirutis rather dress chic, comparable to people in Paris and Italian cities, and especially local women like to express their individual taste, but casual clothes are totally acceptable and (neat) tracksuit trousers are a common sight on people of any gender. In Tripoli, especially in the old city, it is recommended that women dress conservatively. The same applies on most traditional markets in the country. In general, Lebanese are accustomed to different lifestyles and usually do not take offence easily, especially with matters related to dress, though not all Lebanese are so open-minded. Again this depends on the area. Some areas are as liberal as any European city while other areas are much more conservative. Keep a lookout and dress similarly to the population of the area. It is common that people in Lebanon discuss political and social matters openly even though many of them are very frustrated by the political system and politicians. Because of political tensions and the conflict with Israel tourists should be cautious not to strongly take sides with one of those two countries although regional problems are among the topics which are discussed the most as many lebanese have strongly negative views. Also, expressing pro-Israel viewpoints may arouse the suspicion of local authorities. Visitors should be open to regional perspectives on world politics and might be interested in hearing the many different views and interpretations of regional problems and their background from various people. Also, be careful when discussing the civil war that lasted from 1975-1990 as many people have traumatic memories about it and have lost, or know someone who has lost, family members and friends in that war. However, there is a younger generation of Lebanese who were born after the war and are less emotional about it. If the topic arises, be sure to take cues from your hosts and listen more than you speak! wts:Category:Lebanon WikiPedia:Lebanon World66:asia/middleeast/lebanon
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