National Museum of Beirut
Lebanon's national archaeology museum, home of the Ahiram sarcophagus and a restored lower-level crypt gallery.
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About Beirut
Beirut sits on a headland on the Mediterranean with the Mount Lebanon range behind it. The centre is a patchwork of districts: Downtown (rebuilt Ottoman and French-mandate streets, Martyrs' Square, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and Maronite Cathedral of St George), Achrafieh (Sursock Museum, old villas, quiet streets), Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael (cafes, bars, the Armenia Street strip), Hamra and Ras Beirut (the American University of Beirut campus, bookshops, the Corniche and Pigeon Rocks at Raouche), and Bourj Hammoud (Armenian quarter). The National Museum of Beirut holds the country's best archaeological collection, and the Corniche seafront is the city's daily walking and sunset promenade. Food is the main draw: mezze, manoushe, grilled meats, fish, sweets from Hamra and Achrafieh, and farm-to-table kitchens such as Tawlet. The practical picture in October 2026 is difficult. The 2024 war and the 2020 port blast left lasting damage, a June 2026 cessation of hostilities has not stopped Israeli airstrikes (mainly in the south, Nabatieh, the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburbs), and the airport road passes close to the suburbs under the strictest warnings. The US advises Do Not Travel, Canada advises avoid all travel, Australia advises do not travel and the UK advises against all travel to parts of Beirut including the southern suburbs (Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik, Burj Al Barajneh, Chiyah, Mraije, Laylaki). Anyone who goes anyway should stay in the central and western districts, keep flights flexible, carry insurance that covers the destination and have a way to leave quickly. Power, fuel and internet supply are patchy, and cash dollars are the safest way to pay.
- Capital
- Beirut
- Largest city
- Beirut
- Population
- About 360,000 residents in the municipality of Beirut and roughly 2 million in Greater Beirut (estimates; no recent census)
- Languages
- Arabic (Lebanese dialect), French and English (both widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, shops and universities; Armenian is heard in Bourj Hammoud)
- Currency
- Lebanese pound (LBP); US dollars are used for most tourist spending
- Time zone
- EET (UTC+2) in winter and EEST (UTC+3) in summer; Lebanon changes its clocks at the end of March and October (check the date each year, as it has been changed at short notice before)
Explore Beirut by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Beirut
The 16 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Sursock Museum (Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum)
Modern and contemporary art in a restored 1912 Venetian-Ottoman villa, reopened after the 2020 port blast repairs.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
The blue-domed Ottoman-style mosque beside Martyrs' Square, open to respectful non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.
Pigeon Rocks (Raouche Rocks)
Two giant limestone sea stacks off the Beirut coast, the symbol of the city.
Beirut Souks
Rebuilt downtown shopping district on the footprint of the old souks, with international shops and cafes, near Roman-era remains.
Zaitunay Bay
A marina promenade of restaurants and cafes beside the Saint George Yacht Club, built after the civil war.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Beirut Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Beirut, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Beirut
- Days 1-2Beirut city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Beirut
- Days 1-3Beirut comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Beirut, departure
Where to stay in Beirut
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ~$30-80 (LBP 2.7-7.2 million)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ~$130-280 (LBP 11.6-25.1 million)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ~$400-1,040 (LBP 35.8-93 million)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut
InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut is a luxury hotel in Minet El Hosn (Ain El Mreisseh waterfront), Beirut, at Minet El Hosn, Phoenicia Street, Beirut. Landmark 1961 tower reopened in October 2022.
Check rates on Booking.comMövenpick Hotel Beirut
Mövenpick Hotel Beirut is a luxury hotel in Raouche (Avenue General de Gaulle), Beirut, at Avenue General de Gaulle, Raouche, Beirut. Seafront Raouche location facing the Pigeon Rocks.
Check rates on Booking.comKempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort Beirut
Kempinski Summerland Hotel & Resort Beirut is a luxury hotel in Jnah (southern coastal strip), Beirut, at Al Akhtal Al Saghir Street, Jnah, Beirut 117791. Beachfront resort with pools and private shoreline.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Albergo
Hotel Albergo is a boutique hotel in Achrafieh (Sursock area), Beirut, at 137 Abdel Wahab El Inglizi Street, Achrafieh, Beirut. Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel in Achrafieh.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Beirut
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Tawlet Mar Mikhael
Farmer-cooked daily Lebanese buffet with a rotating regional cook, on Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael.
Mayrig
Armenian home cooking on Pasteur Street in Gemmayzeh, known for manti, sou beureg and cherry kebab.
Le Chef
Plain, long-running Lebanese canteen on Rue Gouraud serving daily home-style specials at low prices.
Barbar (Hamra)
Famous Hamra shawarma and manoushe counter listed as open 24 hours.
Falafel Sahyoun
Historic falafel counter on Damascus Road, known for its single sandwich since the 1930s.
Em Sherif
High-end Lebanese mezze banquet in a lavish Monot dining room.
Getting around Beirut
Beirut is a dense coastal city without rail transit. Walk within districts, use Uber or Bolt for cross-city trips, and keep a taxi plan for the airport. The security situation in 2026 makes route choice important: avoid the southern suburbs and check the airport road before departure.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in USD (de facto price unit; official rate about 89,500 LBP = 1 USD), broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ~$15-45 (LBP 1.3-4.0 million) hostel bed or basic guesthouse | ~$80-170 (LBP 7.2-15.2 million) three- and four-star hotel | ~$250-600 (LBP 22-54 million) five-star hotel |
| Food (per day) | ~$10-20 (LBP 0.9-1.8 million) manoushe, shawarma and falafel meals | ~$30-60 (LBP 2.7-5.4 million) | ~$80-200 (LBP 7.2-17.9 million) |
| Transportation | ~$3-8 (LBP 270,000-715,000) shared service taxis and the odd app ride | ~$10-25 (LBP 0.9-2.2 million) Uber or Bolt rides | ~$40-120 (LBP 3.6-10.7 million) car with driver |
| Activities | ~$0-8 (LBP 0-715,000) walking, Corniche, free churches and mosques | ~$8-25 (LBP 0.7-2.2 million) | ~$30-120 (LBP 2.7-10.7 million) |
| Daily total | ~$30-80 (LBP 2.7-7.2 million) | ~$130-280 (LBP 11.6-25.1 million) | ~$400-1,040 (LBP 35.8-93 million) |
Best time to visit Beirut
Weather through the year in Beirut
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Beirut.
Spring and autumn give comfortable walking weather and swimmable sea. Because government advisories in 2026 are at their highest level, security conditions should decide timing more than weather.
Dates of Ramadan, Eid and Easter shift each year; Lebanon recognises both Western and Orthodox Easter. Check the current advisory of your own government before booking.
Essential travel tips
- Treat the US Level 4, Canada avoid-all-travel and Australia do-not-travel advisories as the baseline; travel only with flexible tickets, valid insurance and an exit plan.
- Pay in US dollars in cash or by card where accepted; restaurants and hotels price in dollars, and the official rate is about 89,500 LBP per dollar.
- Download offline maps, Uber and Bolt before arrival and have a data eSIM or local SIM (Alfa or Touch) as the backup.
- Dress casually in the city, but cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches; women are given a robe at Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque.
- Expect electricity cuts of several hours a day outside generator-backed buildings; confirm the hotel runs a 24-hour generator.
- Do not carry any Israeli stamps or items from Israel; Lebanese entry rules treat them as grounds for refusal.
Safety information
Read your own government's current Lebanon page before booking and again before flying: US travel.state.gov, UK gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon, Canada travel.gc.ca/destinations/lebanon, Australia smartraveller.gov.au.
Never enter Beirut's southern suburbs (Dahiyeh): Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik, Burj Al Barajneh, Chiyah, Mraije and Laylaki are under the UK's strictest warning, and Canada also names Jnah, Bir Hasan and Hazmieh. This includes passing through by taxi or service taxi.
Keep flights flexible or refundable, hold a printed copy of the booking, and leave early if strikes resume; Canada warns the airport road can be closed for hours and flights cancelled.
Choose a hotel with a 24-hour generator, a ground-floor or internal exit route and a staffed reception; state electricity cuts are routine.
Carry cash US dollars in small bills, a power bank, a paper copy of the hotel address and the embassy phone number (UK +961 1 960 800).
Take cover immediately if gunfire is heard: celebratory shooting at weddings, funerals and political events is common.
Avoid demonstrations, party offices, military sites and checkpoints; do not photograph soldiers, government buildings or security installations.
Use app taxis (Uber, Bolt) or official taxis arranged through the hotel; Canada advises against public transport.
Do not travel to the south, the Bekaa, the Israeli border zone, Palestinian refugee camps or the Syria border; they are inside the warning areas of most governments.
Emergency numbers: 112 police (Internal Security Forces), 140 Red Cross ambulance, 175 fire, 125 Civil Defence.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Beirut in 2026?
Governments advise against it. As of 22 October 2026 the US lists Lebanon at Level 4 Do Not Travel (21 August 2026), Canada advises avoid all travel (23 July 2026), Australia says do not travel, and the UK advises against all travel to parts of Beirut including the southern suburbs and all but essential travel to parts of Mount Lebanon. A June 2026 cessation of hostilities has not stopped Israeli airstrikes, mainly in the South, Nabatieh, the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburbs. Travel insurance may be invalid against government advice.
Which parts of Beirut should be avoided?
Beirut's southern suburbs known as Dahiyeh: Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik, Burj Al Barajneh, Chiyah, Mraije and Laylaki (UK), plus Jnah, Bir Hasan and Hazmieh (Canada), and all Palestinian refugee camps. Downtown, Achrafieh, Gemmayzeh, Hamra and Ras Beirut have been outside the strike zones named by the UK, but conditions can change at short notice.
Is Beirut airport open and are flights running?
The UK says Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is open and operational (page current at 22 October 2026), and Middle East Airlines and other carriers were operating in September 2026. Canada warns that road access can be cut for hours during strikes and flights can be cancelled; check mea.com.lb and the airport live board before leaving for the airport.
Do I need a visa for Lebanon?
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the EU and many other countries are normally granted a free visa on arrival at the airport, typically for one month. Confirm on general-security.gov.lb. Passports showing evidence of travel to Israel lead to refusal of entry.
What currency should I use in Beirut?
US dollars are the de facto price unit for hotels, restaurants and activities; the official exchange rate is about 89,500 LBP per dollar. Carry small dollar bills for taxis and shops, and use cards where accepted. Many businesses return change in Lebanese pounds at the day's rate.
When is the best time to visit Beirut?
April to June and September to November for 22-28 C weather and warm sea, subject to the security situation. July and August are hot (31-32 C) and the most expensive; December to February brings rain.
How much does a trip to Beirut cost?
About $30-80 a day on a budget, $130-280 mid-range and $400 or more at a five-star hotel. Dollar prices are the norm and flights are not included.
Explore Beirut by city
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.