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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lebanese sweets and preserves
Baklava, ma'amoul, nut sweets, jams and fruit preserves, packed for travel.
Price: US$5-25 per box (estimate)
Where: Souk el Tayeb, patisseries in Hamra and Achrafieh, supermarkets
Lebanese wine and arak
Wines from Bekaa estates such as Chateau Ksara, Chateau Musar and Chateau Kefraya, and the aniseed spirit arak.
Price: Wine US$12-60 per bottle; arak US$10-30 (estimate)
Where: Wine shops in Gemmayzeh and Achrafieh, supermarkets, airport duty free
Olive oil, zaatar and spices
Lebanese olive oil, zaatar blends and sumac sold in jars and tins.
Price: US$5-25 (estimate)
Where: Souk el Tayeb, supermarkets, specialist food shops
Handmade soap, glass and ceramics
Olive oil soap, hand-blown glass and pottery from Lebanese artisans.
Price: US$5-40 (estimate)
Where: Souk el Tayeb and Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael boutiques
Lebanese designer fashion and jewellery
Pieces by emerging Beiruti designers sold in concept stores.
Price: US$30-300 (estimate)
Where: Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael boutiques, Beirut Souks
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Hamra Street
The long commercial street of west Beirut with clothing, electronics, bookshops, cafes and pharmacies; prices are mid-range and small shops may give a small discount.
Best for: Everyday shopping, books and electronics
Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael
Independent boutiques, concept stores and galleries along Gouraud Street and Armenia Street, mixing emerging Lebanese designers with cafes.
Best for: Designer clothing, gifts and crafts
Achrafieh (Sassine and Monot)
Upscale district with fashion shops, patisseries and wine shops around Sassine Square and Monot Street.
Best for: Wine, patisserie and brand fashion
Beirut Souks and Saifi Village
Downtown's rebuilt souks and the nearby boutiques of Saifi Village.
Best for: Brand fashion and design shops
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Beirut Souks
An upscale open-air shopping complex in the rebuilt Downtown district with more than 200 shops, over 25 restaurants and cafes and a 14-screen cinema.
Hours: Shops daily about 10:00-19:00 or later; restaurants about 10:00-22:00 (listings differ; verify)
ABC Achrafieh
Achrafieh's best-known mall, listed at over 200 stores, with international brands such as Nike and a large car park.
Hours: Typically daily about 10:00-22:00 (verify)
Verdun Plaza Mall
Mall on Verdun's main street in west Beirut, home to stores such as Nike ABC Verdun and a boutique hotel.
Hours: Typically daily about 10:00-22:00 (verify)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Malls, supermarkets and brand stores have fixed prices; bargaining is limited to small independent shops and crafts, where asking for a small discount is acceptable.
Ask for the price in US dollars; many shops quote in dollars and accept Lebanese pounds at the market rate, so check the rate before paying.
Never accept a price in Lebanese pounds without checking the shop's rate against the official rate of about 89,500 LBP per US dollar.
Buy several items from the same small shop and ask for a combined price.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shop hours vary; most small shops open between 09:00 and 10:00 and close between 19:00 and 21:00, and many close on Sundays., Cash in US dollars is widely accepted; cards are accepted in malls and larger shops, and some small shops accept only cash., Lebanon charges 11 percent VAT; a tourist refund is available only at some shops, so ask before paying., Wine and arak can be carried in checked luggage; check airline and destination customs limits on alcohol.