Lebanon

Capital: Beirut

Language: Arabic (French and English widely spoken)

Currency: Lebanese pound (US dollar used in practice) (LBP)

Time zone: UTC+2/+3

Visa-free — 180 days

All six GCC nationalities are visa-exempt per Lebanese General Security: free entry for up to 6 months per year, extending to accompanying family, household staff and drivers. Passport must be valid 3 months beyond the stay. Important for Saudis: the official travel ban began easing in mid-2026 (the import ban was lifted in June and the UAE re-allowed its citizens) — check the latest MOFA guidance before booking.

Official source ↗

⚠️ Guidance only — always verify with the official source before traveling.

🕓 Last officially verified: 13/07/2026

May–October is mountain-resort season (Aley, Bhamdoun, Broummana) — mild air and the classic Gulf heat escape. December–March for skiing at Faraya and the Cedars. August is the most crowded and priciest as the diaspora returns.

Halal food: Meat is halal in most restaurants and Lebanese cuisine is already close to Gulf tastes, but alcohol is served widely and some restaurants in Christian areas serve pork — ask when unsure. West Beirut, Tripoli and Saida are comfortable conservative choices.

Prayer places: Mosques are everywhere and the adhan audible in West Beirut, Tripoli, Saida and the western Beqaa; in Christian and mountain areas you may need a short drive to the nearest mosque. Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque downtown is a landmark in itself.

Friday is an official holiday: No

Ramadan is strongly felt in Muslim areas — iftar tables and night markets in West Beirut, Tripoli and Saida — while restaurants in Christian areas operate normally by day. A unique mix: communal iftar and morning coffee exist in the same city.

Lebanese hospitality is warm and courtesy an art — expect a sincere ahlan wa sahlan and fights over the bill. Avoid politics and sects entirely. Dress codes vary sharply: East Beirut and Jounieh are liberal, Tripoli and Saida conservative. Gulf Arabic is perfectly understood.

Cash-first country: crisp, untorn US dollar notes are the working currency, with lira (~89,500/$) for change. Cards work only at major hotels and some restaurants, and ATMs are unreliable for foreign cards. 'Sarraf' exchange offices are everywhere — compare rates. Carry small denominations.

Uber and Bolt work in greater Beirut. Lebanese app Toters covers restaurant and grocery delivery. WhatsApp is unrivaled for contacting hotels and restaurants. Google Maps is accurate, and Whish Money is the common local transfer app.

Right-hand traffic, left-hand steering, as in the Gulf. The style is assertive and signals more advisory than binding — not for timid drivers. Gulf licences are generally accepted for short tourist stays; an international permit is safer. Fuel is priced in dollars.

10–15% at restaurants is semi-expected; $1–2 for valet and porters.

Two networks only: Alfa and Touch — kiosks right at Beirut airport. Data is pricier than the regional average and eSIM is available. Wi-Fi is widespread in cafés and hotels, compensating for patchy mountain coverage.

No trains — get around by shared 'service' taxis (~$1–2 per hop inside Beirut) plus Uber and Bolt in greater Beirut. Renting a car is common for the mountains, but driving is assertive and mountain roads winding; a car with driver is the comfortable family option (~$60–100/day).

Pricing is effectively in dollars: mid-range meal $10–25, good Beirut hotel $80–200/night, mountain guesthouses clearly cheaper. Watch for generator/AC surcharges in some apartments, and inflated August prices. The lira (~89,500/$) covers small purchases.

ℹ️ Prices are approximate and subject to change

The picture is mixed and deserves full honesty: a cessation of hostilities has held since April 2026 but remains fragile, and Western advisories stay elevated. Avoid the South, Nabatiyeh and border areas entirely. Beirut, Mount Lebanon and the northern coast, by contrast, live calm daily life with genuine tourist traffic — follow the news before and during your trip.

• Old Byblos (Jbeil)
• Roman temples of Baalbek
• Jeita Grotto
• Raouché Rock
• Cedars of God & Qadisha Valley