Beirut

Ships are due to berth at the Port of Beirut, approximately a 10-minute walk from downtown. Unmetered taxis usually wait at the port, although their quality can be variable; settle the price before beginning your journey.

Take a printable map ashore with you.

Once nicknamed the Paris of the Middle East for its lively pavement cafés and European-influenced buildings, Beirut has distinct sights in every neighbourhood. Downtown includes particularly impressive ancient and historic remains extending back more than 6000 years.

Contrasts define Beirut: fine architecture stands beside stark concrete structures, traditional homes in jasmine-filled gardens are overshadowed by modern towers, old winding lanes lead from broad avenues, and smart new cars compete for space with traders’ carts.

Downtown, the heart of Beirut, makes a natural starting point for any visit because it lies roughly in the city’s centre. From here, continue into surrounding neighbourhoods and pause to enjoy the views. Beirut’s commercial core is fairly compact, placing all its main attractions within short walking distances.

Because Beirut covers a relatively small area, walking is the most effective way to travel and makes it easy to leave the main routes in search of unexpected discoveries.

Ride the Beirut Balloon, a helium-filled craft carrying 30 passengers to an altitude of 300m for panoramic views. It operates from Allenby St. in Downtown Beirut, entered through the Biel Convention centre—and is easy to spot overhead.

Baalbek is among the most popular ship-organised excursions from Beirut.

The site contains some of the largest and most impressive Roman temples ever constructed, preserved in remarkably good condition.

Verdun is a fashionable retail district focused on Rue Verdun, or Verdun st., where many shops and hotels stand alongside cafés and restaurants. Numerous Gulf Arab visitors stay in the area during their summer holidays.

Downtown Beirut has been restored almost entirely to its former elegance. Neat outdoor cafés, stylish shops and restaurants create an atmosphere reminiscent of Paris.

Automatic bank tellers operate across every region of Lebanon. Visitors can use these machines to withdraw cash in either Lebanese lira or US dollars.

Arabic is Lebanon’s national and official language. English and French are both commonly spoken; younger residents are generally more likely to use English fluently, while French tends to be better known among older people.

Lebanon’s many religions and denominations create a broad public-holiday calendar, sometimes marking an occasion more than once. It includes New Year’s Day; Armenian-Orthodox Christmas on 6 Jan; Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca; Al Hijrah, or Islamic New Year; the Feast of St Maroun on 9 Feb; Eid Milad Mnabi, the Prophet’s Anniversary; Good Friday and Easter Monday in Apr; Labour Day on 1 May; Martyrs’ Day on 6 May; Liberation of the South on 25 May; Assumption on 15 Aug; Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast; All Saints’ Day on 1 Nov; Independence Day on 22 Nov; and Christmas Day on 25 Dec. Dates based on the lunar calendar vary...