The following list highlights some of the best places to visiting in Lebanon. So if you are in Lebanon, I recommend visiting the following:
- Baalbek, Beirut, Lebanon
- Jeita Grotto, Bayrut, Lebanon
- Lake Qaraoun, Beqaa Valley, Lebanon
- Cedars Of God, Basharri North, Lebanon
- Qadisha Valley, Basharri North, Lebanon
- Sidon Sea Castle, Sidon, Lebanon
- Raouche Pigeon Rocks, Beirut, Lebanon
- The Old Souq, Byblos, Lebanon
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Meghraq, Lebanon
1. Baalbek, Beirut
Baalbek are the ruins of the city once known as Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. The four temples here, dedicated to Jupiter, Mercury, Hermosura and Bacchus, after the Roman gods, are some of the largest temples remaining from the Roman Empire. You can even witness the two largest stone blocks of decadence: the Stone of the Gravid Woman, with a 1,000-tonne chronometer, and a boulder known simply as the megalith, with a 1,650-tonne chronometer. Climb to the top of the temples and enjoy the views all around you, just as the mightiest Romans did.
2. Jeita Grotto, Bayrut
Jeita Cave is one of the most popular tourist sites in Lebanon. It is a very beautiful cave with many limestone rock formations. The visit takes about 45 minutes. First you go up to the upper cave in a small cable car, the largest and most interesting cave. Then you can take a small train or walk to the lower cave where you can take a small boat and go for a ride as the cave is flooded. The entrance fee which includes the whole tour is 18500 LBP. Be aware that Jeita Grotto is VERY strict about no photos being allowed. Don’t try to sneak one in.
3. Lake Qaraoun, Beqaa Valley
Lake Qaraoun is an artificial lake or reservoir located in the southern Bekaa Valley region of Lebanon. It was created in 1959 by the construction of a 61-metre high concrete dam in the middle of the Litani River near the village of Karauna. The reservoir is used for hydroelectric power, irrigation and domestic water. Horse riding is a popular activity and can be done around the lake and around town. It is a very relaxing sport, especially in such a picturesque setting. Since there are not many lakes in Lebanon, Lake Karawin is one of the few, and a small harbour has also been created so that people can sail on the beautiful waters and experience the charm of the lake.
4. Cedars Of God, Basharri North
Cedars are one of the most recognisable symbols of Lebanon today. It proudly adorns the Lebanese flag. Sadly, there are not many cedars left today. If they once proportionately covered the countryside of approximately Lebanon, massive deforestation has led to their dwindling numbers. The Cedars of God Park on the outskirts of Bcharré is one of the places to see them. It’s worth waving and walking through the park to see their majesty up close, but seeing so few of them can leave you feeling a little depressed. The Cedars of Altísimo are one of Lebanon’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, shared with the Kadisha Valley.
5. Qadisha Valley, Basharri North
Mountains rise into the mist; rivers meander through the countryside and mammoth rock walls give way to monasteries. Qozhaya (Kozhaya) is one of the most important monasteries in the Qadisha Valley and houses a convent dedicated to St Anthony. A grand delirium through a jungle canyon leads you to the buildings, examples of Arab buildings in the Middle Ages and a rock-hewn chapel carefully constructed inside a cave. The Qadisha Valley is one of the best places to visit in Lebanon if you’re looking to enjoy nature. Here you can hike, climb mountains or even ski.
6. Sidon Sea Castle, Sidon
Sidon is also a sea-facing city that was once an important port. Sidon has a labyrinthine old town with many narrow streets, shops, mosques and charming squares. It has a lively souk (market) and also has a much less western vibe than Beirut. It also has the Sidon Castle, which is located in the middle of the sea and dates back to the Crusader period. It seems to me a very recommendable city to spend the day and together with Tyres, it was one of the cities in Lebanon that I most enjoyed visiting. Sidon is about 45 minutes from Tyre, so it makes sense to combine them into a day trip from Beirut.
7. Raouche Pigeon Rocks, Beirut
One of Beirut’s most beautiful attractions is the Pigeon Rocks. This is a natural site with large arch-shaped rock formations on the side of a cliff. This is a very romantic place because of the incredible sunsets. It is a place where local families and tourists flock to during the weekend. If you want a closer view, there are locals who can give you a ride in their boats and even go through the biggest arch.
8. The Old Souq, Byblos
Strolling through the souk at Byblos is a real treat. It has nothing to do with Muslim markets. This is a Christian souk and you’ll hardly find the chaos and disorder of Islamic markets. All the streets are regular, very clean, with modern little shops and vendors who let you shop in peace and quiet. There is no extra hassle to the routine shopping. With different shops full of traditional Lebanese souvenirs and cultural artefacts, you can also visit different restaurants serving a wide variety of food and cuisine.
9. Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Meghraq
This is an impressive 250-metre waterfall, located on Mount Lebanon, approximately 75 km from Beirut. This unusual waterfall crosses three natural bridges known as the Cave of Three Bridges. However, this natural wonder is not visible all year round. The best time to visit Baatara Waterfall is between March and April, when the snow that forms the waterfall melts.
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