LEBANON – The most full Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks) – Chris Travel Blog

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LEBANON – The most full Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks) – Chris Travel Blog


LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon is a small hidden gem within the Middle East and a wonderful vacation spot for a 10-day journey. It’s only a 3-4-hour flight from Europe and thus an ideal vacation spot for the May (or October) college holidays! I visited with my household (children 13/16 years) and drove across the nation for 10 days. Having seen lots of the world, it takes actual magnificence to amaze me and that’s one thing Lebanon has loads of. It’s time to share my experiences on this Lebanon itinerary.

This Lebanon journey information covers all its magnificence in the perfect day journeys with the intention to effectively see all of the must-see locations. Although Lebanon is a small nation it has such an enormous number of highlights that every day can be totally different. Sea, mountains, Islam, Christianity, and historical historical past but in addition trendy way of life is what you discover in Lebanon. Let’s take a look at what I believe is probably the most full Lebanon itinerary to expertise all its magnificence.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Planning a Lebanon street journey itinerary

Before going into particulars of every day a number of tricks to plan your Lebanon journey effectively.

  • The greatest time to go to Lebanon is in spring or autumn. In summer time it’s very popular and in winter there may be lots of snow up within the mountains. Of course, if you wish to go snowboarding then winter is the time to go! I visited in late April when the climate was excellent with snow up within the mountains however heat sufficient to swim too on the seashores.
  • Lebanon has only one worldwide airport in Beirut which is well reached by all kinds of airways. It’s only a 3-4-hour flight from Europe and you may join wherever on this planet from there. From Europe you may have connections everywhere in the world. I arrived within the afternoon and I handed immigration in simply half-hour however remember the fact that at busy occasions this may take longer. Check earlier than travelling when you require a visa.
  • Getting round Lebanon is greatest performed by automotive. I really like flexibility so when doable, I rent my very own automotive. I acquired a superb deal in Lebanon for a 4×4 SUV at simply 48 USD a day. Traffic is chaotic, sure; however when you’re a assured driver you’ll handle. I drove 2 weeks in Thailand, a week in Mexico and 2 weeks in Tunisia. Lebanon was straightforward in comparison with these nations. You also can decide to rent a automotive with driver which ought to value about 100-130 USD a day pending the space. Public transport is just not an possibility for this Lebanon itinerary because it takes you off the crushed monitors. All sights talked about could be put in Google Maps, which can take you there probably the most environment friendly manner. Make certain to obtain them in case you received’t have reception.
LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)
  • There are not any main security issues (May 2019) in Lebanon when you comply with this itinerary. Do all the time carry your passport as there are some army verify factors. I didn’t must cease at any and the troopers are very frienly and helpfull. The solely area to keep away from is north of Baalbek across the city Hermel and the realm’s north and east of Hermel.
  • You can do all journeys from Beirut, however I counsel to remain 3 nights north of Beirut to avoid wasting time driving up and down. All day journeys could be combined in fact however I like to recommend staying 3-4 nights in Beirut, then 3 north of Beirut after which again 3-4 nights in Beirut. I really like luxurious motels and in Beirut I stayed at Le Gray Hotel (member of the Leading Hotels of the World) and Le Bristol Hotel that are centrally positioned. The Intercontinental Mzaar within the mountains was my residence north of Beirut however a resort in Jbeil (Byblos) can be much more environment friendly.

Now lets discover Lebanon, a real hidden gem within the Middle East.

Lebanon itinerary day 1 – South Lebanon day journey: Tyre and Sidon

The first day journey from Beirut of this Lebanon itinerary is an extended one however really helpful to do the primary day as a result of when you run out of time you’ll be able to add Sidon to day 2. Tyre and Sidon are two cities in southern Lebanon with a wealthy historical past and delightful archeological websites. Unless you go wander across the trendy elements of those cities, you’ll be able to go to each the identical day. Go early so you may have time to make a brief cease on the Temple of Eshmun,  simply outdoors of Sidon too. I left Le Gray Hotel at 08:00 and arrived in Tyre at 09:15 which is VERY fast. I did pace 10-20 km/h as everybody else did.

Tyre tour

In Tyre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I like to recommend going to Al-Mina on the peninsula first as most vacationers cease first on the Al-Bass Hippodrome. It’s doable to park close to the doorway and if you’re fortunate you need to have this website for your self. There are lovely Roman ruins, a cathedral, and elements of a Crusader fortress. A go to takes simply over an hour.

Now go to Al-Bass which is only a 5-minute drive. You might stroll nevertheless it’s not a pleasant stroll and you’ll free to a lot time. Al-Bass consists of a Necropolis, triumph arch and a hippodrome from the Roman interval. Here you’ll most likely spend 90 minutes. Make certain to proceed to Sidon for lunch at about 12:30.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Sidon tour

Sidon, a tentative UNESCO website, is a wonderful coastal city with a crusader fortress within the sea. You can park your automotive on the parking zone of the fortress as they don’t thoughts you’ll discover the town after. Across the road there are numerous eating places however Zawat for certain is nice. After lunch you’ll be able to discover the Sidon Sea Castle and stroll by way of the previous souks. Make certain to not miss the Dabane Palace, Nicholas Church, Khan al-Franj and, if you’re ,  the Soap Museum. The fantastic thing about Sidon is the actual fact the souks are nonetheless in use as they have been in historical occasions. It’s nice to only get misplaced however be sure you’re in your automotive at 16:30.

Before heading again to Beirut make a cease on the Temple of Eshmun. This website is free to go to and it’s very small and never a lot is left of it. The motive of the go to is that within the National Museum of Beirut they’ve lovely finds from this website. In Phoenician time it was an necessary temple therefore a go to needs to be in your Lebanon itinerary. From the temple it’s about an hour drive again to Beirut.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP: Split Sidon and Tyre into two day journeys. You’ll have extra time to calm down or go swimming. Tyre has lovely seashores to fill the 2nd half of the day there earlier than heading again to Beirut. You can go to Sidon & the Temple of Eshmun on the second day.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 2 – Shouf valley day journey

The Shouf Mountains (and valley, additionally known as Chouf valley) are positioned simply 40 kilometers from Beirut and are a must-see vacation spot. You can both go for a half day journey or a full day journey. I made a decision to make it an extended half day journey to not make this Lebanon itinerary confused. I drove first to Moukhtara Palace which is a spot few excursions go. This Italian type palace continues to be in use by the political Jumblatt household. You can’t freely stroll round the home however a small tour of about 20 minutes is a must-do to find out about this household and assassination that befell.

MAKE IT A FULL DAY TRIP: If you need to do a full Shouf valley day tour you need to now drive to the Shouf Barouk Cedar Forest. The motive I made a decision to not do that is that I’d see cedar timber on the Cedars of God. If you want wine, you may additionally go to Château Florentine within the village of Majdel Maouche to make it a full day journey.

Beiteddine Palace tour

I continued to Beiteddine (Beit’eddine) which was as soon as the middle of energy in Lebanon. The Beiteddine Palace (House of Faith) positioned there may be the perfect instance of Lebanese 19th century Italian impressed structure. A go to will take you 2 hours in spring and autumn as in some elements of the 12 months the palace is in use because the president’s summer time residence. Check along with your resort upfront if it’s open.

Deir el-Qamar tour

The final cease of the Shouf valley day journey is in Deir el-Qamar which is a wonderful small previous city. It’s additionally doable to additionally make a cease at Moussa Castle museum first which has wax statues and a weapon assortment. The city is small however very cozy. I wandered the small streets, visited the mosque and museum for about half-hour. After a scrumptious Lebanese lunch, I drove again to Beirut the place I explored downtown Beirut by strolling the Heritage Trail which began in entrance of Le Gray Hotel the place I stayed. More on central Beirut on day 9 although, when there may be time to stroll this path too.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 3 – Anjar, Ksara Vineyard and Baalbek within the Beqaa valley

It’s time to checkout of your resort in Beirut at this time. As talked about, you are able to do every journey from Beirut however when you comply with this Lebanon itinerary, I extremely advocate altering motels. You can keep in Faraya within the Mzaar mountain vary as I did or in Jbeil (Byblos). I select the Mzaar Intercontinental as I had loads of loyalty factors to e-book a room there (examine my Bleisure journeys to learn the way accumulate these). Visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites meant an extended day. I left Le Gray Hotel at 08:00 and I arrived in Anjar round 10:00.

Anjar Umayyad ruins tour

Anjar is a ruined Umayyad buying and selling metropolis which was construct within the 8th century between Baalbek and Damascus (Syria). It’s positioned simply 3 kilometers from the Syrian border. You’ll see stays of roads, a mosque, a hammam, a palace and housing of outlets all surrounded by a thick wall. The metropolis was in use simply 30 years earlier than it acquired destroyed, which makes it much more spectacular. It’s not an enormous website but in addition not small so plan 1-2 hours to see Anjar.

Next up is the one winery I added to this Lebanon itinerary: Ksara winery. You’ll cross it when driving from Anjar to Baalbek however if you wish to make a tour, you’ll must depart Beirut at 07:00. I solely picked up some wine (a superb tasting requires a full bottle) and had a fast lunch earlier than heading to Baalbek.

Baalbek Roman ruins tour

I’ve seen many Roman ruins and the final one which amazed me was the Dougga Roman metropolis once I made a two-week Tunisia street journey. Baalbek is a totally totally different ball recreation. Those ruins are the best-preserved Roman ruins I’ve seen and that claims so much. When the Romans arrived in Phoenicia half a century earlier than Christ the town Baalbek was known as Heliopolis. Various beliefs the place combined and worshipped. The temple and metropolis advanced was prolonged for over 300 years earlier than it acquired deserted. Most spectacular is the Temple of Bacchus which is large and adorned with effective carvings. To totally see the advanced, you want 2 hours or extra.

I used to be again on the parking zone round 17:00 and anticipated to drive to Faraya in about an hour over the mountain street (by way of Beirut can be 2-3 hours). That didn’t go as deliberate as simply earlier than the T-junction to Faraya (left) and Afqa (proper in the direction of the Ibrahim Valley) there was a army checkpoint and the guard didn’t need to let me undergo. When I wished to steer left, he put spikes up that will flatten my tires. I requested why I couldn’t go, and he stated it wasn’t a safety situation however the street to Faraya was coated in 8 meters of snow. Even a 4×4 wouldn’t get by way of so when you comply with this Lebanon itinerary make sure that to verify for street closures! I had no different possibility as to drive the street to Afqa OR turning again and drive the freeway to Beirut after which as much as Faraya. The street to Afqa was a good selection. It was a tremendous drive over the snowy mountains (see images above with the snow wall). I arrived round 20:00 on the Mzaar Intercontinental as I made many stops within the snow to take images.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP: From December to April the ski resorts are open so when you like snowboarding you’ll be able to add a further day to do some train. The greatest place to do that is Mzaar ski space at Faraya. Another possibility to increase this Lebanon itinerary by a day is to remain across the Ksara winery. You can go to different vineyards within the vicinety and fill a day with wine tasting. Best to rent a taxi for that day although!

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 4 – Off the crushed monitor Lebanon: Ibrahim Valley

The Ibrahim Valley is a tentative UNESCO website however actually, I don’t assume it would ever make it on the checklist. It’s nevertheless a wonderful off the crushed monitor vacation spot in Lebanon. I solely noticed a handful of native vacationers in Afqa and for the remaining no person! There are a number of locations of curiosity within the Nahr Ibrahim Valley value trying out. Plan about 5 or 6 hours except you’re coming from Beirut. Not each Lebanon day journey needs to be an excellent spotlight and that’s why this Lebanon itinerary is 10 days with the choice to increase it to 14 days. I’ll checklist the must-see locations of the Ibrahim Valley so as from Faraya. If you’re coming from Jbeil (Byblos), Batroun or possibly Beirut then comply with it in the wrong way. The enjoyable of at the present time can be to admire the attractive nature and cross by way of native villages to see how rural Lebanon is.

Adonis Temple Afqa spotlight

Set your GPS or Google Maps to the Adonis Temple in Afqa and drive there. Stop alongside the best way the place you need as a result of the views are wonderful. The valley has its title from the river that flows by way of it: The Adonis River, additionally known as Abraham River or Nahr Ibrahim in Arabic. Adonis is the god of affection, rebirth and sweetness because the Phoenicians believed and was worshipped on the supply of the river in Afqa and in Byblos the place the river meets the Mediterranean Sea. Water flows from a cave which you’ll climb into. When snow melts in spring the stream is large and has lots of energy however in dry occasions you’ll be able to stroll additionally into the cave. A wonderful website.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Nahr Ibrahim valley Roman ruins

Now put your GPS to Yanouh the place on the best facet of the street you’ll be able to go to the Mar Girgis al Azraq temple. There are Roman ruins and a more moderen Saint George church which is of particular curiosity because it’s fabricated from blue/gray stones. Now proceed to Qartaba by pointing your GPS to Saint Sarkis Monastery positioned a number of hundred meters downhill. It dates to the 16th century. When I visited, I couldn’t discover any possibility to go to the within however the outdoors was value a glance too. Qartaba can be the place to get lunch correctly midway the day.

Next is the Mashnaka Roman temple which is spelled in a dozen or so varieties. Mashnaka (Souaneh, Lebanon) works is Google Maps although. The valley views listed below are wonderful! Now it’s time to cross the Nahr Ibrahim River (put 34.077561, 35.724308 in Google Maps) and drive alongside the opposite facet to the Roman aqueduct. This aqueduct is simply small and isn’t even on Google Maps so put (34.063076, 35.653333) as coordinates. It’s value a cease when you’re passing anyway and the views are nonetheless wonderful there. After this I drove again as much as Faraya and made a fast cease on the ruins in Faqra so I’d save time one other day.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 5: Byblos (Jbeil) and Batroun day journey

Byblos (now known as Jbeil) is a coastal metropolis in Lebanon north of Beirut. Founded over 7 centuries in the past and thus one of many longest frequently inhabited cities of the world. A go to of the heritage park takes half a day and greatest mixed with Batroun which is simply 20 minutes north. Byblos is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and Batroun a tentative one. Make certain to go to Byblos first particularly when you like craft beer!

Byblos day tour

It was approximate an hour drive from Intercontinental Mzaar to Byblos the place I parked close to the doorway of the archeological website. You can put the doorway in your GPS and when shut park within the first out there spot as you’ll in any other case preserve circling. Try to reach round 10:00 which provides you time to do a Byblos tour to all of the highlights, have lunch and proceed to Batroun.

Byblos (Jbeil) was already inhabited in 5000 BC however from the Neolithic and chalcolithic time is just not a lot left. The Phoenicians reworked Byblos to a walled metropolis in round 2800 BC. It was their capital. The Phoenician alphabet used later by Romans and at this time by western civilizations was invented there.

The Byblos archeological website isn’t enormous however for the lengthy route by way of it you need to rely for about 2 hours. There factors of curiosity embrace three main Phoenician temples, a Crusader fort, and a Roman theater (smallest I ever noticed) with columns. Do learn the reasons indicators as many have drawings of how a sure place appeared like centuries in the past. It helps to grasp the ruins. In the Crusader fort is a small exhibition however probably the most lovely finds are within the National Museum in Beirut.

After exploring the archeological website go for a small stroll by way of the souks and possibly take a look on the harbor. For lunch I can advocate Fenicia simply in entrance of the doorway of the positioning. After lunch head north to Batroun.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Batroun day tour

First set your GPS to Mseilha Fort which is a Crusader type fort on prime of a rock (see picture under). Entrance is free and a go to doesn’t take lengthy. I hadn’t seen a fort like this ever earlier than, so it was a pleasant detour earlier than heading to previous Batroun. I parked my automotive close to the Batroun souks from the place I wandered by way of the previous city which has additionally Phoenician origins. Strolling the slender streets exploring the church buildings and different previous constructing takes about 2 hours. The spotlight is within the sea: a Phoenician wall. It was constructed to maintain the tidal waves out and distinctive in its form.

None of my journeys isn’t full with out craft beer and I discovered some in Lebanon. Of course, I added Batroun to my Lebanon itinerary for its historic websites however the Colonel Craft Brewery was another excuse. It’s positioned 5 minutes by automotive from the previous central half and a minute stroll from a pleasant seashore. You can go swimming within the afternoon, get pleasure from craft beer and nice Lebanese meals earlier than heading additional. Or, drink extra and keep in a single day in Batroun.

SHORTEN OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP: If it’s important to shorten your journey by a day you may go to Byblos & Tripoli (solely the previous city) on in the future. It can be an extended day nevertheless it’s doable. You also can lengthen your journey by a day if you wish to calm down on the seashore for a day. Visit Byblos one morning and calm down on the seashore, and Batroun the subsequent day within the morning and calm down on the seashore.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 6: Nahr el Kelb (Jeita Grotto) day journey

On the 6th day of my Lebanon itinerary I deliberate once more a resort change. I moved from Intercontinental Mzaar to Le Bristol Beirut in downtown Beirut. To not waste time, I drove by way of the Nahr el Kelb valley which is a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lebanon highlights of at the present time don’t take to a lot time to go to except the Jeita Grotto may be very busy. Start on the Jeita Grotte in case you’re coming from Beirut or some other metropolis on the Mediterranean coast.

Faqra ruins tour

Near Faqra is a wonderful pure bridge which was the primary cease of the day. You could make a brief hike there too however because it was early morning, snowy and chilly I solely had a fast look from the highest. The second cease ought to have been the Roman and Byzantine ruins at Faqra. As talked about, I already made a fast cease there after visiting the Ibrahim Valley. I did cease once more although to make images from a distance because the solar is shining in the direction of the temple within the morning. Across the road I visited some minor ruins too. Plan an hour to discover the positioning; it’s not enormous.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Now it’s time to drive to the perfect and most lovely cave system of Lebanon: Jeita Grottos. Located within the Nahr el Kelb valley. It’s Lebanon’s nationwide pure pleasure and probably the most lovely cave I’ve ever seen after the Furong Cave on the Wulong Karst in China. Keep in thoughts that it’s additionally visited A LOT by locals so it’s one of many sights in Lebanon that does have ready strains (except you stroll up however the cable automotive is less complicated). There is an higher cave which is accessible by tunnel from the place you stroll over boardwalks. The decrease cave is barely accessible by a 400-meter underground river cruise. There can be a ready line of 1h+ in busy occasions on the decrease cave. I skipped it as on Easter Sunday the road was 2h+. Photography inside is just not allowed, the under two photos have been shows on the entrance. I spend 2 hours on the Jeita Grotto in complete after which I continued.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Next up are 3 monasteries that are a part of the tentative Nahr el Kelb UNESCO website. I first drove to the Our Lady of Louaize Monastery which is positioned behind the Notre Dame faculty. It’s an previous monastery however I couldn’t discover any open door to see the within. Well value a have a look at although. Next up was the Mar Abda de Mouchamar which Google Maps doesn’t know so put (33.944141, 35.628315) as coordinates. The final monastery is Our woman of Tamiche Monastery which has a wonderful patio and church. Visits take 15-20 minutes solely in every place.

When driving again to Beirut make sure that to cease on the street round (33.953877, 35.603424) the place you’ll be able to see a Roman aqueduct and a medieval bridge. Just additional down the street (however park on the coordinates) are the Independence Stone Carvings which varied armies that marched by way of left behind. One is from Napoleon. These locations are additionally a part of the tentative UNESCO website. You’re principally again in Beirut now so it needs to be 15-20 minutes to the resort. I like to recommend staying at Le Bristol Hotel.

Lebanon itinerary day 7: Tripoli day journey

Tripoli is Lebanon’s second largest metropolis and a Tripoli day journey should be added to any Lebanon itinerary. It’s a totally totally different world in comparison with Beirut. I left Le Bristol Hotel round 08:30 and was in Tripoli at 10:00. If there may be a lot site visitors it may very well be a bit longer. I made nevertheless one mistake by visiting first the previous city after which the International Fair and El Mina. I missed lunch so first go to the Rachid Karami International Fair, then the Old Town and in case you have time left El Mina.

Oscar Niemeyer designed the Rachid Karami International Fair within the late sixties for the World Fair in 1976. He additionally designed Brasilia and Pumpulha which I noticed once I travelled 5 days in Belo Horizonte (Brazil). The honest floor was by no means completed because the civil battle broke out in 1975. Today all of the concrete constructions are nonetheless there and never broken by the battle. The website is a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site and value a 45-minute stroll. If you don’t like this sort of structure, you’ll be able to go direct to downtown Tripoli. Park on the Citadel (fort) of Tripoli.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

When I arrived on the Citadel of Tripoli, I assumed I used to be on the unsuitable place because it appeared like a army base. That’s partly true as they use a part of the constructing too. After exploring the fort, you’ll be able to stroll in a couple of minutes to the Izzeddeen Hammam positioned on the entrance of the souks. After that stroll by way of the souks and when you get hungry have lunch. If you comply with the next order of sights (simply put them in Google Maps) it will likely be most effectively: AlKhayyateen Caravanserai, AlBourtasi Mosque, Khan El Askar (is likely to be closed) and the St. George Church subsequent door, Saray AlAteeqah, Old Ministry Building, Clocktower, Al Mansouri Mosque, Hammam Alnouri and Khan Al Saboun. There are extra locations to cease alongside the best way simply search for the plaques on the monuments. With lunch you simply spend 3-4 hours in previous Tripoli.

Now you’ll be able to select to both drive again to Beirut or make a brief go to to El Mina peninsula. You can stroll the corniche, go to the previous railway station, and watch sundown. There are additionally loads eating places for dinner. I drove again to Le Bristol Beirut at 17:00 as I skipped lunch.

OPTIMIZE YOUR LEBANON ITINERARY: I select to drive up and right down to Beirut from Tripoli and the subsequent day to the Qadisha Valley. This isn’t environment friendly as you’ll protected 2-3 hours of driving by staying in a single day in Tripoli. I didn’t try this as solely my daughter would be part of to Tripoli and to the Qadisha Valley my full household.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 8: Qadisha Valley tour (and Cedars of God)

Just once I although Lebanon couldn’t get higher it did! The Qadisha Valley is so totally different as all the opposite locations and has distinctive historical past which made it an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of two elements: The Forest of the Cedars (Cedars of God) and the valley with all it’s monasteries. These monasteries all originate from caves the place hermits lived centuries in the past. Even at this time hermits nonetheless use some. The major monasteries are: Qannubin Monastery, Monastery of St Anthony of Quzhayya, Monastery of Our Lady of Hauqqa, Monastery of Mar Licha. I didn’t have time left to go to Hauqqa however all different 3 are “easily” reached by automotive in a day when you spend as much as 45 minutes in every most.

I like to recommend beginning your Qadisha Valley day journey at 07:00 from Beirut. I drove in 2 hours to the Forest of the Cedars which is a holy place. It’s not an enormous forest and half-hour there may be sufficient particularly if there may be 2 meters of snow. Those timber, some stated to be 3000 years previous, are a reasonably sight excessive within the mountains so don’t miss them. Now put in your GPS: Old Mar Licha Monastery which could be reached over a small street that goes down into the Qadisha Valley. It’s one of many higher monasteries to go to.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Next up is the Qannoubine Monastery and also you received’t remorse having your personal wheels as busses can not go to there. You should comply with the unpaved street alongside the river for five kilometers. A sedan will get you there and don’t fear when you solely cross hikers and don’t see different automobiles. At the top of the street is Abou Joseph Bsharri restaurant serving scrumptious Lebanese meals. Take an early lunch as on crowded days it fills up and also you don’t need to lose time ready to your meals.

The Qannoubine Monastery is 500 meters down the street and 100 meters uphill. Don’t neglect to have a peak on the St. Marina the Monk Chapel 200 meters additional. The Monastery of Our Lady of Hauqqa is one other 2 kilometer hike additional down the trail however that doesn’t work if you wish to go to the Monastery of St Anthony of Quzhayya too. I like to recommend visiting Monastery of St Anthony of Quzhayya earlier than heading again to Beirut. It has additionally a small museum on website. Each of the monasteries is totally different and all are really helpful. I drove again to Beirut in 2 hours for dinner at Brew Inc. which is the perfect craft beer bar in Beirut.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Lebanon itinerary day 9: Beirut metropolis tour

I like to recommend beginning in Beirut’s previous district which has a 2.5-kilometer path known as the Beirut Heritage Trail. It’s marked with bronze medallions within the pavement so you’ll be able to simply comply with it. The path official begins on the Beirut souks, however you can begin at anywhere in fact. You may need to park your automotive across the Al-Omari Grand Mosque the place there may be area alongside the streets. The Beirut Heritage Trail takes you to all of the necessary locations in previous Beirut together with mosques, church buildings, Roman, Byzantine and Phoenician stays. It’s a nice stroll and you may have lunch at one of many eating places across the clock tower or go to Badaro road earlier than visiting the National Museum.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

Now drive, or higher use Uber in Beirut, to the National Museum. It has the perfect finds of all of the archeological websites on show. Do observe it’s closed Mondays. The museum is medium sized which is nice as you don’t have to spend hours and hours taking a look at pottery. The gadgets are all very good and various. Two hours will do. In the afternoon you’ll be able to go to the corniche to see the Raouche Rocks and watch sundown. I walked again to Le Bristol Hotel from there.

In the night you’ll be able to go to Hamra district or to Badaro road. Badaro road is for the younger era with loads of cafes, bars, and eating places.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP: There are many extra museums in Beirut which could be of curiosity to you pending your curiosity. You can simply spend one other day in Beirut. Wandering the streets, visiting extra museums or simply calm down.

LEBANON - The most complete Lebanon itinerary: All highlights in 10 days (or 2 weeks)

I believe you agree after studying this Lebanon itinerary that it’s a real gem within the Middle East. Visit now! Lebanon was on my radar for a very long time however for some motive I by no means visited. It’s only a 3-4-hour flight from the Netherlands so flight time isn’t a problem. I’m glad I lastly visited as Lebanon was full of fantastic surprises. Roman, Phoenician, and Byzantine ruins combined with previous monasteries and delightful nature are amongst the highlights. It’s a small nation however every place of curiosity is totally different in Lebanon.

If you’re seeking to lengthen your journey, I like to recommend studying my 7 days in Cairo (Egypt) itinerary, 2 weeks Jordan itinerary, or 2 weeks Oman itinerary. Even a Tunisia itinerary can simply be added. I’m certain you’ll have enjoyable within the Arabic world!

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Did you go to Lebanon too or do you may have questions? Please go away a remark on the backside of the web page. Love to listen to from you!

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