Your Last Borders12 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM BEIRUT TO EXPLORE LEBANON
Lebanon is a captivating country with enough attractions to fascinate every traveler. With historical sites, beaches, mountains, vibrant cities, and remote towns, Lebanon is a wonderful holiday destination. And a very affordable one once you learn how to exchange money on Lebanon’s black market. To help you tailor your perfect Lebanon itinerary, this post contains the 12 best day trips from Beirut.
All of these day trips from Beirut can be enjoyed separately or combining several destinations at once. Additionally, one can take them independently or with a guided tour. Check out the websites of Viator, Getyourguide, and/or Civitatis for the best tours in Lebanon.
Best Day trips from Beirut to the North of Lebanon
Most of the best day trips from Beirut focus on the North of the country. This area is home to ancient towns, swimming spots, and the Cedar forests Lebanon is so famous for. The following are the places to see in Lebanon North of Beirut.
1. Tripoli: The Jewel of North Lebanon
Tripoli, called like Libya’s capital, is Lebanon’s second largest city. It was once was a Persian, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab city. It many historical remanants makes it one of the best places to explore in Lebanon.
Tripoli is home to a large muslim community. Thus, it features many beautiful mosques, souks, and shisha bars. Moreover, Tripoli attractions include the 7th century Raymond de Saint-Guilles citadel which is the largest crusader fortress in all of Lebanon.
2. Byblos: 8,000 year old fishermen village
If you are looking for the most beautiful coastal town in Lebanon, look no further. Byblos is the must-see beach spot in Lebanon. Without a doubt one of my favourite among the 12 best day trips from Beirut.
Byblos, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the oldest cities in the world. Like Damascus in Syria, it has been inhabited continually for the last 7000 years. This fishermen village offers a mix of cultures and all the touristic facilities one can hope for. Consequently, there’s many guided day trips form Beirut to Byblos.
Can you imagine attending a catholic mass in Arabic? This happened in Byblos, and is pure magic. I really loved tasting fresh mint lemonade, strolling through the souk, and watching sunset from Byblos’ port. The views across the bay all the way down to Beirut are fascinating. Don’t miss it.
3. Batroun: Your holiday destination
Batroun is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. A lovely spot and the major tourist destination in North Lebanon. That is guarantee of a nice seaside, a vibrant arts and crafts souk, and plenty of delicious restaurants.
In Batroun you’ll also find great night life, the best lemonade of the country, and beautiful churches.
Whether you spend a couple hours or a couple days in Batroun, the nature and peoples of this place will leave huge track on you. Plus, you can easily combine Batroun with a visit to Byblos as both cities are only 15 minutes away from each other. You can book a guided day trip to Batroun here.
4. Rocca Marina: Time to swim
Beaches in Lebanon tend to be rocky so Rocca Marina is a perfect place to enjoy a relaxed and fun day by the beach. The place is owned by a local resort hotel and consists of a series of withe rock swimming pools nicely built right by the sea.
One can stay at the resort of just purchase an inexpensive entrance ticket to the pools. There’s music, food and drinks available at several bars and restaurants. The perfect plan for those willing to sunbathe, unwind and party by the Lebanese sea.
As I visited Lebanon in January I had to miss this spot, so I look forward to your feedback to confirm wether this place should remain on my list of 12 best day trips from Beirut.
5. Tannourine Cedars Forest: Meet the tree on Lebanon’s flag
Ever wondered why Lebanon has a tree on its flag? Or, even more, ever tried to guess which tree that is? Here’s your answer: the cedar of Lebanon, the oldest tree in the world.
The cedars of Lebanon were the most highly prized building material in the ancient world. Rumor has it Israelites used them to build the First and Second temples in Jerusalem. And you can now visit the famous cedars of Lebanon in a forest called Cedars of God.
The place is home of 375 cedars, most of them over 3,000 years old. In the area you’ll also find farmers markets, wood and honey stores, and awesome views over Kadisha Valley. This forest was my second favourite among the 12 best day trips from Beirut.
The forest is open daily form 10am to 6pm, entrance is free. Make sure to bring warm clothes in winter time as there might be plenty of snow around. If you’d rather go with a guide, here you can book a tour to the Cedars and Kadisha valley.
6. Kadisha Valley: Lebanon’s Christian Valley
Kadisha Valley, carved by the Kadisha River, has been home and shelter of the Christian monastic communities in Lebanon for centuries. The noun Kadisha actually means ‘holy’ in Aramaic.
The sides of Kadisha valley are steep cliffs hosting caves used as shelter and burial sites since the palaeolithic. Admiring the valley from its top and descending its steep roads to explore the different villages is certainly one of the best things to do in Lebanon.
There’s many monasteries in the area open to tourists and pilgrims. The place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its relevance as one of the earliest Christian monastic settlements in the world and its continued example of Christian faith. As it’s close to the Cedars, I recommend rising both sites together either independently or with a guided tour.
7. Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve: The bluest lake
If you are into hiking and trekking you can’t miss this spot. This natural reserve features endless hiking trails and an amazing lake with incredibly blue waters.
You can also swim in the lake on warm days, stop around for a picnic, and visit neighbouring villages. Some of which host awesome farmers markets. You can explore forest independently, or join a guided hiking and lake tour.
8. Jeita Grotto: Navigate the caves
Jeita Grotto might be the nicest cave in the world. It’s so beautiful it made it to the top 14 finalists in the contest of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The Grotto consists in a system of two interconnected caves with an overall length of 9km. The upper cave, home of the world’s largest known stalactite, can be explored on foot through a specially built walkaway. The lower cave is only accessible by boat.
The grotto lies 18km north of Beirut and is open from Friday to Sunday only. Tickets are the gate are 18,000 LBP. These are the best guided tours to Jeitta Grotto, which also include other spots on this list of the 12 best day trips from Beirut.
Best Day Trips from Beirut to the South and East of Lebanon
Only one third of the 12 best days trips from Beirut are focused on the South or East of Lebanon. Yet, these include my favourite Lebanese souk and the most beautiful ancient ruins in the country. Thus, where possible, make time to explore the South and East of Lebanon. These will not disappoint.
9. Sidon: Lebanon’s best souk
Sidon is famous for its sea castle built by the crusaders in the thirteenth century. The fortress is located on a tiny island off Sidon’s coast and is accessible via a narrow roadway.
Today the remains of the castle are only two towers and a wall. However, it’s location in front of the city make it a great fishing spot for locals and viewpoint for tourists. The entry fee is 2,500 LBP, so almost free if paying in USD.
Pro tip: Stop for lunch at Saida Rest House Restaurant, outstanding Lebanese food with an unreal view over the castle and the sea.
Opposite the castle you’ll find Sidon’s souk, my favourite in Lebanon. It’s a picturesque vaulted souk where you’ll find fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, clothing, shoes, wood works, furniture, etc. It’s the perfect place to meet locals, have some tea, enjoy sweet pastries, and unwind from a long day of exploring.
If you don’t fancy going independently, join one of these guided tours of Sidon and Tyre.
10. Tyre: the beginning of Phoenicia
Welcome to another one of the oldest continually inhabited cities of the world. And one of the earliest Phoenician metropolises: Tyre. Today Tyre is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and the most Southern point tourists can visit, as the closed border with Israel is only 20km away and tourists are not allowed in the area.
Tyre is referenced in the Bible and Jesus himself is meant to have visited the city. The place is also famous in military history since it was under siege from Alexandre the Great. In current times Tyre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s hippodrome, temples and ancient city are well worth a visit. You can see more of them on my Instagram page.
A combined visit to Sidon and Tyre would rank third on my personal list of the 12 best day trips from Beirut. Both places are safe to visit independently, nevertheless you can book a guided tour to Sidon and Tyre here.
11. Baalbek: Lebanon’s best ancient ruins
Baalbek is a Lebanese city of about 80,000 inhabitants located 70km East of Beirut. The place is famous for its ancient temple complex, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.
The highlights of the site are the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter, two of the largest and grandest Roman temple ruins in the entire world. The construction of the temples began in 60 BC and took over two centuries. Official studies state that up to 100,000 slaves worked on this project.
The temples have survived earthquakes and the ruling of Christian and Arabs, who partially destroyed them to re-use the stones. Nevertheless, the ruins of the temples and their patios are ideal to learn about ancient empires on the spot.
The visit to the site takes about two hours and the entrance fee is 15,000 LBP. If you’d rather go with a guide, you can book a guided day trip to Baalbek here.
12. Zahle: city of wine and poetry
Zahle is the only city in the entire Middle East where the majority of its inhabitants are Greek-Catholics. It’s located close to the Beirut-Damascus road and mostly known for its cuisine, arak liquor, and wine.
Among its wineries, Chateau Ksara is the most popular. Founded in 1857 by Jesuit priests, it developed the first dry wine of Lebanon and its reds, roses, and whites can nowadays easily be found abroad.
Wines from Chateau Ksara have been featured at wine tasting competitions all over the world. Will you leave Lebanon without trying them? Tours with wine tasting start at 50,000 LBP. Alternatively, you can book a guided wine tour from Beirut here.
Recap on the 12 Best Day Trips from Beirut
Beirut, in the middle of the Lebanese coastline, is a great base to further explore Lebanon. A country home to ancient ruins, hidden monasteries, ancient forests, azure beaches, mosques, churches, and delicious cuisine.
This post contains de 12 best day trips from Beirut. Twelve stunning destinations that can be combined as the traveler wishes and enjoyed in dependently or with a guided tour.
Baalbek, Sidon, Tyre, Batroun, Byblos, Kadisha Valley and the Cedars… there’s lots to do in Lebanon! You can see more of my trip to Beirut on my Instagram and Tiktok pages. Make sure to reach out or leave a comment below with any questions. Always happy to help tailor your ideal itineraries. have a wonderful trip to Lebanon.
