Beirut holidays are the perfect way to explore Lebanon’s buzzing capital city. Along with its fantastic coastal location, this is a destination with boundless energy, an eye for fashion and plenty of great nightlife.
Steeped in history, you can explore the area’s illustrious past at the National Museum of Beirut, where you’ll find exhibits that retell the story of both city and country.
In Beirut you can combine the excitement of the city with the relaxation of a beach holiday. Try your hand at kayaking, diving, paddle boarding and jet skiing on the Mediterranean beaches nearby or simply take a stroll along Zaitunay Bay and its beautiful waterfront promenade.
Head to downtown Beirut to see the fusion of cultures at play, soaking up the Middle Eastern and European influences all around you.
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With excellent shopping, fantastic restaurants, bustling food markets and sandy beaches, this diverse and welcoming city is the perfect choice for all kinds of holiday adventures.
Stroll the Corniche at the end of a busy day and soak up the essence of this amazing city by the sea. It draws in locals and visitors alike who come here to enjoy the gentle breeze and fresh sea air. Grab a coffee and find a spot to watch the city at play. You’ll be able to take in unrivalled views of Mount Lebanon over to the east, as well as gazing out across the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Watch the fishermen cast their lines into the waves and joggers and skateboarders zip by, as the sun slowly sets across the horizon.
For night owls enjoying a Beirut holiday, the districts of Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael are great areas for nightlife. Here you’ll find a trendy crowd and cutting-edge music scene after the sun sets. By day, you’ll discover independent art galleries and laid-back coffee houses. For delicious street food and rustic family-owned restaurants, head straight for the lively Hamra district. If you're looking for something a little more refined and sophisticated, book a table at one of the many waterside restaurants that line Zaitunay Bay.
Delve into Lebanon’s fascinating history at the National Museum of Beirut, the key cultural site in the city.
A well planned and sensitively displayed collection of artefacts spans many thousands of years.
The mosaics, coins, sarcophagi and more tell their own tale of the past inhabitants of this peninsula, from the Bronze Age right through to the present day.
If you’re planning to head off to the archaeological sites at Tyre and Byblos, the museum is an excellent way to learn more about them before your visit.
Indulge in some well-deserved retail therapy at Beirut Souks, a high-end shopping mall that’s a world away from the more traditional markets and bazaars – which are also well worth a visit.
Instead of tiny stalls selling trinkets, spices and souvenirs, you’ll discover modern shopping at its best. Explore the international retail brands, luxury designer stores, cinemas, entertainment complexes and upscale food courts serving up traditional Lebanese food with a contemporary twist.
It’s a perfect day out for all the family, and a great place to see a completely different side to the city.
Martyrs’ Square is one of Beirut’s most iconic public spaces. It’s named in tribute to those who died in the struggle to free the city from imperial powers and has witnessed some of Beirut’s most significant and historic events. The Blue Mosque, also known as Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, is located on one side of the square. Among the most impressive buildings in the city, its distinctive sky-blue dome and towering minarets – inspired by those of Mecca’s Grand Mosque – are hard to miss.
Holidays in Beirut can be as busy or as relaxing as you want them to be, with different parts of the city offering their own distinct experiences.
If you’re looking to be close to the action, consider a stay near vibrant Zaitunay Bay.
This modern development is centred around the city marina, with lots of cafes, restaurants and shops to discover.
The Gefinor Rotana hotel on nearby Clemenceau Street offers 5-star accommodation with a gym, fitness centre and stunning views of the Mediterranean from most rooms.
The chic surroundings of the Raouché district provide a sought-after location, sitting right alongside the Mediterranean.
The famous Corniche promenade runs along the shore – a prime spot for romantic strolls at sunset – and is close to the Raouché Arjaan by Rotana.
This 4-star hotel is just steps away from the famous Pigeon Rocks and has a choice of three restaurants and cafes as well as a fabulous rooftop pool overlooking the sea.
The Achrafieh quarter is set in a hilltop location and characterised by streets lined with traditional Ottoman and French houses alongside soaring skyscrapers.
It’s home to charming restaurants and atmospheric coffee shops as well as the Achrafieh Botanical Gardens and the magnificent Sursock Museum, a modern art museum housed in an early 19th-century villa.
Choose from a range of great hotels, many of which have a swimming pool that’s the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day spent exploring the sights.
Taxis and buses are a convenient way to travel between areas of the city but be sure to agree taxi fares in advance. Coach tours are also widely available for day trips outside of the city.
The main languages spoken in Beirut are Arabic, English and French. English is very much an international language of the city, especially in the tourist areas.
The Lebanese pound is the official currency used in Beirut. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. There are plenty of ATMs around the city.
Beirut celebrates a number of national holidays and religious festivals. The biggest is Lebanese Independence Day on November 22, which sees parades and widespread celebrations.
A holiday to Beirut wouldn’t be complete without sampling the varied and delicious local cuisine.
One of the most appealing aspects of Lebanon’s capital is its eclectic and enticing culinary traditions.
Dishes span from classic fine dining to tasty street food snacks that you can grab on the go.
Mezze is the most popular choice – sharing plates with a selection of Middle Eastern treats, including tabbouleh, falafel, hummus, manakish, shawarma and kibbeh.
Zaitunay Bay is the place for upscale dining in style, while Hamra is great for local eateries and street food. Head to Mar Mikhael for modern international cuisine.
This is a city known for its lively nightlife. For many visitors, a Beirut city break is all about exploring its many and varied entertainment options.
Their live music venues make Mar Mikhael and Gemmayzeh the city’s coolest districts.
Each area has its own unique buzz, generated by in-the-know crowds who head here for music, food and fun.
If you’re looking to hang out in a more relaxed setting, Hamra is brimming with cafes and restaurants that have a more chilled-out atmosphere.
Beirut is a city where ancient meets modern, a place where classical antiquities can be found next to the truly cutting-edge.
It’s the perfect place to lose yourself among a collection of fascinating historical sites, with walking tours a great way to explore the ancient treasures hidden throughout the city.
Follow your guide through the winding streets and secret alleyways as you venture into parts of the city that can't be accessed by bus.
Highlights include the city's Roman Baths, Martyrs’ Square and the temple of Heliopolis.
A little further out on a day trip, you can discover Byblos – a Phoenician town with an imposing citadel and its own archaeological site.
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