Anytime is a good time to visit Lebanon. The country's fascinating history, the spectacular monuments, the sceneries, the people, the weather, the food, the culture and the music make Lebanon a perfect destination for tourists anytime of the year.

Within its modest borders, Lebanon packs a rich mixture of old and new. From the balconies of 21st century trendy cafes in downtown Beirut, you could look at monuments of the 5000-year- old Roman city.

In Lebanon , you will find a lot to do. Shopping and clubbing for jet set fans, kayaking and trekking for nature lovers, and one of the world's most diverse and colorful societies for culture seekers.

The teams of Airport Plus and the Ministry of Tourism have made every effort to help you make your trip to Lebanon a pleasant one. From the minute you arrive to the Beirut International Airport, now one of the most prestigious travel hubs in the Middle East, you will feel the care and attention we give to our visitors.

The Jewel of the Arab world, the Paris of the Middle East, the land of milk and honey, is worth all those names. It is worth all the poetry, all the songs, all the paintings, and all the literature it has inspired, and we hope you will find it worth your time.

Enjoy Lebanon !

General Useful Information

About Lebanon

Full country name: Republic of Lebanon

Area: 10,452 sq Km. (4,076 sq mi)

Length: 210 Kilometers

Capital city: Beirut (population: 1.5 million)

Latitude: 33 degrees south and 34.40 degrees north

Longitude: 35 degrees west and 36.40 degrees east

Highest point: Qornet el Saouda (3,083 meter)

Population: Estimated at about 3.7 million

Language: Arab (official language), French, English and Armenian

Religion: 17 recognized sects

Dealing code: 00961+ city code + local Tel no.

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What you need to know

Visas: All nationalities need a visa to enter Lebanon.      

Residents of 33 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, the EU and Arab Gulf countries, can obtain a visa at the port of entry. Only a valid passport is required. 

Customs: Personal belongings are exempt from customs fees. Possession of alcohol is limited to two bottles per person . Possession of tobacco is limited to 400 grams equal to 400 cigarettes or 20 cigars, per person.

Departure tax on flights: $36 for economy class passengers, and $51 for first class passengers.

Local time: GMT/UTC plus 2 hours in winter, and plus 3 hours in summer.

Currency: Lebanese Lira. (Rate of exchange: approximately LL.1500=$1.)

Exchanging money in Lebanon is an easy procedure. The banking system is well developed, ATMs are widespread, and most major credit cards are accepted in banks, restaurants, and at points of sales.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz.

Weights and measures: Metric.

Tipping: Most restaurants add a service charge, but a tip of 10 percent is always appreciated.

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Useful words

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Useful  numbers

International dialing service:    100

Information:                                120

Civil Defense:                               125

Red Cross:                                    140

Fire Department:                         175

Police:                                            112

Doctors at home:                         01- 39 96 73

In case of emergency, call the Tourist Police Office at the Ministry of Tourism, at:

Tel: 01-75 24 29 

Fax: 01-74 37 63

Information office at the Ministry of Tourism:

550 Central Bank Street, Hamra - Beirut.

Tel: 01-34 09 40/1-2-4

Fax: 01-34 09 45 .

P.O. Box: 11-5344,Beirut - Lebanon.

Home Page: www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb

E-mail address: mot@lebanon-tourism.gov.lb.

Working hours:  

Public sector: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Banks: Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

                                Saturday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Private sector: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Shopping hours could extend beyond regular hours.

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Getting around

There is a lot to see in Lebanon, so one good thing about the small size of the  country is the possibility to see and do a lot, even within a limited time.

If you are staying in Beirut, the best and cheapest way to get around is by taking service taxis, a huge number of which run on set routes.

Getting to regions outside the capital has also become very easy. Buses travel frequently between Beirut and other major cities. The far is cheap, and the ride is rather comfortable, but not all services are timetabled. Renting a car is another option, and in fact the ride could be really enjoyable if you don't mind driving. Organized tours to different regions are also planned by a number of private companies all year long.

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More about Lebanon

Weather: Lebanon has an essentially Mediterranean weather, with mild rainy winters, and long warm summers. Tourists can count on more than 300 sunny days annually. Temperature varies between 16 and 35 degrees centigrade in summer, and an average of about 14 degrees centigrade during winter.

Agriculture: Citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, and tobacco.

Industry: Banking, food processing, jewelry, textiles, mineral and chemical products, oil refining, and wood products.

GDP: around $ 17 billion.

Resources: Limestone, iron, ore, salt, water.

Exports: $ 1.1 billion.  Imports: $ 6.8 billion.

Major Trading Partners: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, US, Kuwait, France, Belgium, Jordan, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and UK.

Major Ports: Beirut, Jounieh, Tripoli, Sidon, Chekka and Zahrani. There is also a number of tourist Marinas along the coast, including The Movenpick Marina, the Beirut Downtown Marina, the Joseph Khoury Marina in Dbayeh, and the ATCL Marina in Jounieh.

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