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Mini guide to Lebanon
Lebanon has it all - ancient cities, Roman ruins, luxurious ski resorts, bucolic charm and Islamic architecture. Having recovered from its lengthy civil war, this Mediterranean oasis is once more attracting visitors and also has fabulous trekking opportunities in its mountains and gorges.
Tripoli, 86km north of Beirut, is Lebanon's second-largest city and the main port and trading centre for northern Lebanon. Although more modern than the rest of Lebanon, Tripoli's drawcards are its medieval history and Mameluk architecture. It survived the civil war better than most Lebanese cities and retains an air of Arab charm, with its narrow alleys, souqs, slow pace and friendly people.
An hour’s drive southeast of Beirut lies Beiteddine (House of Faith), the name of both the village and the magnificent palace complex that lies within. The palace, perched on an 850m elevation, rises from the surrounding landscape like a fairy tale vision.
About 40kms inland from Beirut, Zahlé is a charming, attractive resort town set along the steep banks of the Birdawni River. There are literally dozens of open-air restaurants lining the river in the upper part of town. During summer, these are full of locals and Beirutis enjoying some of the finest Lebanese cooking in the country. Zahlé is also the spot in Lebanon for downing arak, the local firewater.
Further inland is the Bekaa Valley, which runs parallel to the coast at an elevation of 1000m. It is a major wine producing region and makes for a great inland day trip, where you can also admire Lebanon’s great cedar forests along the way.
The most famous flora in Lebanon - the cedar tree - is now found on only a few mountaintop sites, notably at Bcharré and near Barouk in the Chouf Mountains. These lonely groves are all that remain of Lebanon's great cedar forests, which, in biblical times, covered much of the country.
There are also reasonable beaches near Byblos and at Chekka, near Tripoli, with rocky bathing sites for swimming and snorkelling in the clear turquoise waters.
A growing number of airlines service Beirut, which has frequent connections to Europe, Africa, Asia and the rest of the Middle East. The national carrier, Middle East Airlines, also flies to Australia and Canada.
Back to: rent a car in Lebanon
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