Sightseeing Pagan, Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine city ruins, Islamic mosques, crusader castles, 19th century oriental architecture and stunning coastline as well as the green mountain areas.
Accommodation
Elegant city hotels, coastal hotels and mountain ski resorts.
Shopping
What you can buy – Local Lebanese handicrafts including pottery, engraved brass and copper work, glass, rugs, embroidery and enamelware, antiques, gold and silver jewellery and international fashion items.
Where you can buy – Souks and shopping malls.
Entertainment
Lebanon offers a variety of entertainment with bars, discothéques, theatres, Italian and French-style pavement cafés, elegant restaurants and casinos. Eating out is very popular and the Lebanese cuisine offers a large variety of delicious specialities. Many restaurants have live entertainment with belly dancing and musicians.
Sports and leisure
Skiing in mountains around Beirut during the winter season (January to March).
Exploring by road
Guided tours with driver recommended.
Baalbeck Festival (mid-July to mid-August); Al Bustan Festival of Music and Arts (February – March).
Visas:
Palestinians holding a valid Lebanese Laissez-Passer and nationals of Syria do not require a visa to enter Lebanon.
Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can acquire a six-month visa on arrival.
Nationals of the following countries can acquire a visa on arrival:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Venezuela.
Please note entry into Lebanon is denied to the following:
• Residents of Ghaza holding a Laissez-Passer issued by Egyptian authorities, unless the individual has obtained a visa from the Lebanese representative abroad.
• Individuals with passports containing a visa for Israel (valid expired, used or unused). These individuals may only transit Lebanon on the same aircraft within 24 hours, without leaving the airport.
Nationals of all other countries require a visa.
Health requirements:
A valid certificate for yellow fever is required from persons who have travelled or transited from infected areas.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace of mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover.
We also recommend that water sports enthusiasts cover themselves, in case of an accident while water-skiing or participating in any other water sport. An extra premium is required for these covers.
Currency:
Lebanese Pound (LBP) divided into 100 piastres.
Notes in denominations of LBP100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000.
Coins in denominations of LBP500, 250 and 100.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = LBP411.793
EUR1 = LBP2,035.82
USD1 = LBP1,512.55
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours - 0800 to 1430 hours, Monday - Friday,
0830 to 1230 hours, Saturday.
There is no restriction on the import and export of local or foreign currency. However, gold coins should be declared at customs.
Currency exchange outlets are available throughout the city, but it is advisable to exchange money at the major banks. All major banks have automated teller machines (ATMs) that can be accessed 24 hours a day. Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club International, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in most major hotels, restaurants and at shopping malls. US Dollar travellers cheques can be encashed at most major banks and hotels.
Clothing:
Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is advisable during the summer months, while medium to heavyweight clothes and rainwear are required for the winters. Woollen clothing is required in the mountainous regions, where it can get very cold during winter.
Airport information:
Beirut International Airport is located 17 kilometres south of Beirut. The airport telephone number is 01 628000. The Emirates office telephone number is 01 629405/629156/7.
Customs:
Duty free allowance: 100 cigarillos or 800 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 1,000 grams of tobacco; two bottles of alcohol; 100 millilitres of perfume and goods for personal use not exceeding the value of LBP2 million. Passengers under the age of 18 years are allowed only 50 millilitres of perfume, eau de cologne and eau de toilette, and are not allowed tobacco and alcohol.
The following items are prohibited:
• Firearms and explosives, unless you acquire an import licence in advance
• Narcotic drugs, poisons, industrial and hazardous chemicals
• Pornography of any kind
• Export of antiques without an export licence
• Any material made by or originating from Israel
Driving licence:
All visitors and tourists must possess an International Driving Permit to be able to drive in Lebanon. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Drivers must be 21 years of age or above.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Tourist Police - 01 350901, 343504, 343286
Emergency - 112
Fire Brigade - 175
Ambulance - 01 865561
Red Cross - 140
Civil Defence - 125
Police - 01 425250
Hours of work:
Government Offices:
0800 to 1400 hours, Monday - Friday,
0800 to 1330 hours, Saturday.
Private Sector:
0800 to 1700 hours, Monday - Friday,
0800 to 1330 hours, Saturday.
Shopping:
0900 to 1900 hours, Monday - Friday,
0900 to 1700 hours, Saturday.
Public holidays (fixed):
01 January - New Year’s Day
09 February - Mar Maroun
18 April - Qana Day
01 May - Labour Day
06 May - Martyrs’ Day
25 May - Liberation and Resistance Day
15 August - Assumption Day
01 November - All Saints’ Day
22 November - Independence Day
25 December - Christmas Day
Public holidays (moveable):
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Orthodox Good Friday
Orthodox Easter
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Adha
Prophet’s Birthday
Islamic New Year
Ashura
Please note, the Islamic calendar is based on lunar observations, therefore the dates are approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Time zone:
Summer - GMT + 3 hours.
Winter - GMT + 2 hours.
Language:
Arabic is the official language, although French, English and Armenian are widely spoken.
Tipping:
Most restaurants include a service charge but it is customary to leave an extra tip of five to 10 per cent. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.
Dress code:
Lebanon is a modern society where both conservative as well as fashionable clothing is accepted. However, in smaller cities, towns or villages, sleeveless or figure-hugging clothes are considered highly offensive.
Electricity:
110/220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Safety tips:
Lebanon is a safe destination, however, it is advisable to keep valuables and passports in the hotel’s safety deposit boxes. The south of Lebanon is not recommended as a tourist place of interest due to the political situation there.