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.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Byblos (Jbeil)
UNESCO Phoenician port town with a Crusader castle, old souk and harbour, about 40 minutes north of Beirut.
Highlights: Byblos archaeological site and Crusader castle · Old souk and harbour with seafood restaurants · One of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world · Byblos Fossil Museum and Wax Museum nearby
Harissa and Jounieh
Hilltop Marian shrine reached by the Teleferique cable car from Jounieh bay, with sweeping coast views.
Highlights: Our Lady of Lebanon shrine and statue · Teleferique cable car above Jounieh bay · Greek Catholic and Maronite cathedral nearby · Jounieh seafront and old souk
Jeita Grotto
Two connected limestone caves with a boat-ride lower grotto and a walkway through the upper gallery.
Highlights: Upper gallery with large stalactite formations · Lower cave boat ride on the underground river (seasonal) · Cable car and mini train up to the entrance · Short educational film
Batroun
Coastal old town with a Phoenician sea wall, lemonade stands, beach clubs and seafood restaurants.
Highlights: Phoenician Sea Wall and old harbour · Cobbled old souk with cafes · Small beach clubs and rocky coves · Fresh seafood and local lemonade
Beiteddine Palace and Deir el-Qamar
19th-century Emir Bechir palace and a historic Ottoman-era village in the northern Chouf.
Highlights: Beiteddine Palace, 19th-century Emir Bechir palace · Deir el-Qamar old stone village · Beiteddine Art Festival in summer · Mosaics from the Byzantine period displayed in the palace
Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God
UNESCO gorge with cliff monasteries and a protected ancient cedar grove, a long day or overnight from Beirut.
Highlights: UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley with cliff monasteries · Cedars of God grove, among the last ancient cedars · Gibran Museum in Bsharri · Winter skiing at the Cedars resort
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Public
- Minibuses and vans leave from Charles Helou station (Mar Mikhael / Beirut port side) for Jounieh, Byblos, Batroun and Tripoli; buses to the Chouf leave from Cola station and from the Dawra area. Fares are cash only and are a few USD or the LBP equivalent (estimate; no published timetable).
- Taxi
- Taxis and service taxis run all routes; agree a return fare before leaving. Apps such as Bolt and Uber operate in Beirut but may not cover remote villages.
- Private
- Hired car with driver (roughly USD 60-120 per day within Mount Lebanon, estimate) or self-drive rental; day-tour packages from Beirut are sold on Viator, GetYourGuide and Expedia.
Multi-day tours from Beirut
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from BeirutWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Read the current government advice (UK FCDO, US State Department) on the morning of every trip.
Do not travel south of Beirut's southern suburbs or into the south, Nabatiyeh, or the Bekaa on routine trips.
Carry USD cash; card acceptance and ATMs are unreliable outside Beirut.
Agree taxi fares before getting in and keep a printed copy of the destination address.
Emergency numbers: Internal Security Forces 112, Red Cross ambulance 140, Civil Defence 125.
Return to Beirut before dark; mountain roads are narrow and poorly lit.