Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, a Mediterranean port of mosques, churches, Ottoman and French-mandate architecture, museums, corniche promenades and one of the Arab world's best food scenes. In October 2026 it is also a city under very restrictive government travel advisories (US Level 4 Do Not Travel; Canada avoid all travel; Australia do not travel; UK against all travel to parts of the city), so this guide leads with the security picture and then covers what is open, where to stay and eat, and how to get around.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Beirut is relaxed about dress, but cover shoulders and knees when entering mosques and churches; women are lent a robe at Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque.
Greet with 'Marhaba' or 'Bonjour'; handshakes are common, and kisses on the cheek are normal between friends (two or three, left and right).
Remove shoes before entering a mosque; keep voices low and phones silent in churches and mosques.
Do not raise politics or sectarian affiliation in casual conversation; Lebanon has 18 recognised religious communities and the topic can be sensitive.
Accept hospitality: coffee, sweets and mezze are offered generously, and refusing three times politely is accepted.
Ask before photographing people, and never photograph soldiers, checkpoints, government buildings or security installations.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Carry your passport or a copy; checkpoints and hotels ask for ID.
- Dress modestly in religious buildings and ask before entering during services.
- Learn a few Arabic words and greet in French or English if unsure; most Beirutis switch between all three.
- Check security news daily from L'Orient Today, Naharnet or your embassy's alerts.
- Carry small dollar notes for taxis and tips.
Don't
- Do not enter the southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) or travel to the south or the Syria border.
- Do not carry or show items linked to Israel; Lebanon bans entry for passports with Israeli stamps and the country has no relations with Israel.
- Do not display political party flags or symbols or join demonstrations.
- Do not take photographs of military sites or personnel.
- Do not drink alcohol in public streets; bars and restaurants serve it legally in Christian-majority and mixed districts.
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- 'Marhaba' (hello), 'Kifak' to a man or 'Kifik' to a woman (how are you); a handshake or two cheek kisses with acquaintances; Beirutis often say 'Bonjour' or 'Hi' as well.
- Dining
- Meals are shared mezze eaten with bread; wait for the host to start, use the right hand for bread, and expect repeated offers of food. Reservations are normal for dinner.
- Dress
- Casual and fashionable in Beirut; cover shoulders and knees for mosques, churches and rural areas. Swimwear stays at the beach or pool.
- Gifts
- Chocolates, sweets from a local patisserie, or flowers for a home; avoid alcohol for observant Muslim hosts.
- Business
- Meetings are relationship-based and often start late; French and English are widely used. The working week runs Monday to Friday, with Sunday as the main day off.
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants when no service charge is added; $1-2 for porters and drivers.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Marhaba
Hello
MAR-ha-ba
Shukran
Thank you
SHOOK-ran
Addeh hayda?
How much is this?
AD-deh HAY-da
Wayn el matar?
Where is the airport?
wayn el MA-tar
Sahtein
Cheers / bon appetit
sah-TAYN
Yalla
Let's go
YAL-la
Mayy
Water
mai
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Beirut.
Main: Lebanon recognises 18 religious communities. Roughly equal shares of Muslims (Shia and Sunni) and Christians (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Melkite and others) live in the country, plus Druze; Beirut is divided into mixed districts with mosques and churches within sight of each other.
Sites: Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, Maronite Cathedral of St George, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St George, Saint Elias Cathedral, the Sursock villa district and Armenian churches in Bourj Hammoud.
Holy Days: Ramadan (about 8 February 2027), Eid al-Fitr (about 9-10 March 2027), Western Easter (28 March 2027), Orthodox Easter (2 May 2027), Eid al-Adha (about 16 May 2027) and Christmas (25 December).
Conversations: Avoid debating religion or sectarian politics; speak respectfully of every community.