Lebanon Shopping Guide 2025
Find the best markets, malls, and unique souvenirs in Lebanon.
Lebanon offers a unique blend of ancient history, Mediterranean beaches, and vibrant culture. From Roman ruins at Baalbek to the bustling streets of Beirut, cedar forests, and mountain villages, this small country packs incredible diversity. Experience world-class cuisine, historic sites, and warm hospitality in one of the Middle East's most fascinating destinations.
What to Buy
Unique local products worth bringing home.
Cedar Wood Crafts
Handcrafted bowls, boxes, and decorative items made from Lebanese cedar wood. The cedar is Lebanon's national symbol and these pieces make meaningful gifts.
Hand-painted Pottery
Traditional Lebanese pottery with geometric and floral patterns painted by hand. Plates, tiles, and vases reflecting Byzantine and Ottoman design influences.
Silk and Embroidery
Intricately embroidered table runners, cushion covers, and garments reflecting Lebanon's rich weaving tradition from the Chouf and Bekaa regions.
Lebanese Sweets Box
Beautifully packaged boxes of knafeh, baklawa, maamoul, and other traditional Lebanese pastries. Tripoli's sweets are considered the finest in the country.
Aleppo-Style Laurel Soap
Traditional olive and laurel bay oil soap bars made in Tripoli following centuries-old recipes. Natural, fragrant, and long-lasting with skin-conditioning properties.
Phoenician-Inspired Jewelry
Silver and gold jewelry incorporating ancient Phoenician motifs including the God's Eye, Tanit symbol, and cedar tree. Made by Lebanese artisans in Beirut.
Lebanese Art Prints
Prints by contemporary Lebanese artists depicting Beirut street scenes, cedar landscapes, and cultural themes. Support local artists recovering from recent crises.
Lebanese Arak and Wine
Bottles of arak (anise spirit) or Bekaa Valley wines from producers like Ksara or Chateau Musar. Excellent quality at very reasonable prices compared to export markets.
Markets & Bazaars
Experience authentic local shopping culture.
Souk el Tayeb
Beirut's beloved farmers' market where producers from across Lebanon sell seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, olive oil, honey, and homemade preserves. A wonderful place to discover Lebanon's culinary diversity.
Souk el Ahraj
One of Lebanon's best-preserved traditional markets specializing in fabric, textiles, and raw materials. Narrow covered alleys lined with merchants selling silks, cottons, and traditional dress materials.
Khan el Saboun
The historic soap khan (caravanserai) in Tripoli's old city dedicated to the trade of traditional laurel and olive oil soaps. Watch soap being cut and packaged in this 14th-century Mamluk building.
Byblos Old Souk
Charming souvenir and artisan market in one of the world's oldest cities. Shops sell cedar wood crafts, fossils, jewelry, and local food products amid ancient stone alleyways.
Sidon Gold Souk
Traditional gold market in Sidon's medieval old city. Merchants sell 18-karat and 21-karat gold jewelry in Lebanese and Arabic designs at competitive prices.
Complete Shopping Guide
Bargaining phrases, souvenir recommendations, and budget tips.
Shopping Districts
Where to find different types of shops.
Saifi Village
Beautifully restored heritage buildings housing Lebanese designer boutiques, galleries, and home décor stores. The pedestrian-friendly streets have a European village feel with excellent cafes and restaurants nearby.
Hamra Street
Beirut's main shopping boulevard lined with international brands, local shops, bookstores, and cafes. Best for everyday shopping and people-watching in one of the city's most lively districts.
Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael
Beirut's hippest area with independent boutiques selling vintage clothing, local art, design objects, and specialty food products in restored Ottoman-era buildings with atmospheric street art.
Tripoli Old City
Lebanon's finest traditional market district with separate souks for gold, soap, spices, fabrics, and sweets. The best place for authentic Lebanese souvenirs at local prices in medieval Mamluk-era khans.
Beirut Souks
Modern shopping complex in downtown Beirut with over 200 local and international brands in architecturally striking surroundings. Lebanon's answer to a luxury mall with outdoor pedestrian areas.
Malls & Modern Stores
Air-conditioned shopping options.
ABC Ashrafieh
Beirut's most popular mall spread across multiple floors in Achrafieh with international fashion brands, a large supermarket, food court, and cinema. Often packed on weekends with Beirut's fashionable crowd.
Beirut Souks
Open-air and covered shopping district in downtown Beirut blending contemporary retail with traditional souk atmosphere. Features luxury Lebanese and international brands in beautifully designed urban spaces.
Le Mall Dbayeh
Large modern mall north of Beirut on the coastal highway featuring H&M, Zara, electronics stores, extensive food court, and multiplex cinema. Popular with families from Greater Beirut.
City Centre Beirut
Large mall in the southern suburbs with a wide mix of fashion, electronics, and furniture retailers alongside a hypermarket. Features indoor entertainment options and family-friendly dining.
Bargaining Tips
How to negotiate prices in local markets.
Bargaining is expected in traditional souks (Tripoli, Sidon, Byblos) but fixed prices apply in malls and branded shops
Start at 50-60% of the asking price in souk stalls — work up to an agreed middle ground
Be friendly and patient — Lebanese merchants appreciate conversation and relationship-building
Showing genuine interest while being willing to walk away is the most effective negotiating strategy
USD is widely accepted alongside Lebanese pounds — having cash in both currencies gives flexibility
Gold prices are generally fixed by the international market but workmanship fees can sometimes be negotiated
When NOT to Bargain
- Fixed-price shops and malls
- Government emporiums
- Restaurants and hotels
- Supermarkets and pharmacies
Customs & Export Rules
What you need to know about taking purchases home.
Export Restrictions
Antiques and archaeological items cannot be exported from Lebanon — purchase only certified reproduction pieces. Original artefacts require Ministry of Culture export permits.
Tax Refunds
No formal VAT refund scheme for tourists currently operates in Lebanon
Duty-Free Limits
Travelers can bring in 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of spirits, and reasonable personal gifts duty-free
Shipping
International shipping available from Beirut through DHL, FedEx, and Lebanese post — note that fragile items like ceramics should be professionally packed
Shop Smart in Lebanon
Get our complete shopping guide with bargaining phrases, quality assessment tips, and budget planner.
Download Shopping Guide