Things to do in Lebanon

Lebanon is located in Western Asia, bordering Syria and Israel to the north and east, respectively. The location of the country at the crossroads of the Arabian hinterland and the Mediterranean Basin has shaped a distinct ethnic and religious identity. Tourists can find many interesting and entertaining things to do in Lebanon. The country is a top tourist destination offering plenty of entertainment and fun options for the visitors.

Lebanon tourism

If you are planning your next vacation to this great country, then you should know about all the interesting things to do in Lebanon to enjoy your time to the fullest. One of the best things to do in Lebanon is to taste the magnificent wines. This country has one of the world’s oldest viticulture. During the Phoenicians era, which was about 5000 years ago, wine was first introduced in the Bekaa Valley, which is now the heart of wine production in Lebanon. You can visit the two famous vineyards, namely Chateau Ksara and Chateau Musar, which are also the best wine producers in the entire country. After having the time of your life at the vineyards, you can head to the quarry on Sheikh Abdullah Hill, where the largest cut stone of the world is located. This stone is called Hajar al-Hubla, which means Stone of the Pregnant Woman. While in Lebanon, you will definitely hear about the story of Abdul Nabi Al-Afi, the Baalbek native who retrieved the cut stone from a rubbish dump. Also, it holds a great significance among the locals as they believe that by touching the stone, women can increase their fertility. Among the things to do in Lebanon, you cannot miss visiting the many famous archaeological sites, in which some of them enjoy the status of being UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Having remnants of over 5,000 years old, Tyre is among the most visited heritage sites. Settled by the Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Greeks, Phoenicians, Ottomans, and Egyptians, there are total three sites that are covered in this area, but it is mainly famous for the ancient Roman relics. If you are in Beirut, then you must visit the Pigeon Rocks, which is one of the most spectacular landmarks of the country and you should add it to your list of things to do in Lebanon. It is basically an incredible collection of arched rock formations, located in the Raouche district, extending out of the Mediterranean on the western side of the Corniche. You can enjoy the spectacular views by walking down to the sea on the 100m long pathway, or try local delicacies at the nearby restaurants and cafes. For history lovers, there are several things to do in Lebanon. You can visit the Gibran Museum, which is located in Besharre and named after the well-known poet Khalil Gibran. The town is located near the Kadisha Valley, a mountainous landscape having hundreds of cedar trees. You can also visit the picturesque Maronite village, Deir el-Qamar, which means Monastery of the Moon. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can enjoy your time at the breathtaking palaces built there centuries ago. While you are at Deir el-Qamar, you cannot miss visiting Beit ed-Din. Being the perfect example of the Lebanese architecture, this amazing palace was built by Emir Bechir II over a period of 30 years in the 19th century. You can easily reach this tourist spot as it is just 40km away from Beirut.

Places to visit in Lebanon

One of the important things to do in Lebanon is to try its luscious cuisine. If you are in Beirut, there is one restaurant that you absolutely cannot miss to eat at, and that is Tawlet. It is among those restaurants which use farm-fresh produce and various traditional recipes are sampled and tested there. Moreover, often well-known chefs are invited to cook lunch buffets. Another great restaurant is Mayrig in Gemmayzeh, where Beirutis of Armenian descent come to celebrate special occasions. What makes this place so special? Well you have to eat there to understand why. This restaurant is particularly famous for its sour cherry kebab. Soujouk (Armenian sausage), pastry dishes, mante (dumplings), and kebbe are also very popular among the locals. If you are coming to this country with your family and wondering what things to do in Lebanon, then book your stay at the Mzaar resort, which is right above the Faraya village. It is a huge ski resort situated at a height of 2465m and has a luxurious intercontinental hotel which offers all the modern amenities. So don’t forget to visit this ski resort if you are in Beirut as it is just 40 minutes away. There is another village close to Faraya, known as the village of Faqra, where you can see the remnants of a Roman tower and a Phoenician temple. If you go a bit further, you will come across the stunning natural bridge of Kfardebian which is formed due to water erosion and wind. It is so perfect that it will be hard to believe that this 38m long bridge is made by nature. Other interesting things to do in Lebanon with your family include visiting the wonderful beaches. The coastline stretches about 225km and only a few cities have sandy beaches including Beirut. You can head down to public beaches where you will also find many sun worshippers who are members of beach clubs having showers, cafes, restaurants, pools, and other modern facilities. If you are interested in the traditional architecture of the country, then you should add visiting the American University of Beirut in Hamra to your list of things to do in Lebanon, which is its neo-Ottoman campus. The university is also an archeological museum and was founded in 1868. It houses a vast collection of artifacts, some of which even date back to the Stone Age. There are so many thrilling things to do in Lebanon for tourists, but their trip would be incomplete if they don’t pay a visit to Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve. It is home to three cedar forests and is the largest nature reserve in Lebanon. The best part about this reserve is that there are many miles of biking and hiking trails for tourists to enjoy the beauty of the cedar forests.