General Information on Travel to Lebanon
Location
Lebanon is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by Syria on the East and North and Palestine to the South.
Area
10,452 Sq. Km.
Lebanon is not a large country but within its small area there is considerable topographical diversities. A narrow coastal plane is surrounded by two mountain ranges in the North and the South.
Capital
Beirut
Population
Over 3 Million
Language
The official language of Lebanon is Arabic. French and English are widely spoken. Officially licensed guides are available for all major European languages
Religion
A multi-confessional state, Lebanon has no official religion. Muslims (70%) and Christians (30%) represent the two main faiths and are subdivided into different religious communities.
Climate
A country of all seasons, Lebanon enjoys an essentially Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and long warm summers. The temperature varies on average between 26 degrees Celsius in summer and 19 degrees Celsius in the winter. In winter, you can ski and swim the same day. In summer, you can escape from the hot and humid weather of the coast by going to the mountains.
Time
GMT 2 hours (April 1-October 1 GMT 3)
Business Hours & Holidays
Offices : Mon - Sat noon, 08:30 –17.00 hours
Shops: Mon - Sat noon, 09:00 -19.00 hours
Sunday is the official holiday, but Muslims-owned shops close on Fridays.
National Holidays: January 1 (New Year), May 1 (Labor Day), and November 22 (Independence Day).
Religious Holidays: Among the Islamic holidays celebrated in Lebanon are the small feast at the end of Ramadan (Eid Al-Fitr) and the big feast (Eid Al-Adha). During the eids many shops and offices close for three days. Due to the fact that the Islamic calendar uses lunar months, the dates of these feasts vary from year to year:
| Year | Ramadan begin | Eid Al-Fitr | Eid Al-Adha |
| 2007 | 13.Sept. | 13.Oct. | 20.Dec. |
| 2008 | 02.Sept. | 02.Oct. | 09.Dec |
| 2009 | 22.Aug | 21.Sept. | 28.Nov. |
Electricity
220 V - 50 Hz. Sockets have two plugs.
Visas
All visitors require a valid passport and a Lebanese visa. All Western nationalities can obtain their visa upon arrival to Beirut International Airport. For other nationalities, please check with Nawafir.
NB: Travellers with passports bearing used or unused Israeli stamps or visas will not be admitted into Lebanon.
Entering Lebanon
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Road: Air: Sea: |
From Syria Beirut International Airport, receiving regular flights from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Major port of Beirut. No regular ferries available. |
Money
The legal tender is the Lebanese Pound (L.L.), which is called the Lira in Arabic. The U.S. dollar is widely accepted at shops, buses, and in hotels. Bills are in denominations of L.L. 100, 250, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, while coins of L.L. 100, 250, and 500. You can exchange foreign currency for Lebanese pounds at any bank or shop. ATMs give cash advances on major credit cards. Only major banks accept traveler’s cheques. Lebanon is a free currency market: visitors can import unlimited amounts of money.
Festivals
The Tyre Festival of national music and folkloric dances, the Beiteddine Festival for music, books, and photo exhibits, and Baalbak Festival for music are held in Lebanon every summer.
Food & Drink
There are some 3000 restaurants, cafes and nightclubs in this gourmet’s paradise. Most of the restaurants have Oriental and European food. The best way to start is with the ’Mezzeh’ (a meal of Lebanese hors-d’oeuvres that consists of small dishes of great varieties). Also order ’Arak,’ the potent national drink made of grape alcohol and anise.
Nightlife
Lebanon is not only a museum of accumulated heritage but also a fun place littered with a casino, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas, shows and theaters.
Car Rental
It is very easy to rent a car with or without a driver. An international driver’s license is usually required.
Vaccinations and Health
For vaccination, please check with the health authorities in your own country well before traveling. However, no serious health threats exist in Lebanon. It is not uncommon for a visitor to experience some diarrhea. Anti-diarrhea medication is advisable.
Souvenirs
Beirut is known for its high-quality luxury goods: gold-leaf calligraphy and filigree, silver jewelry, traditional crafts, perfume, and intricate embroidery.
Useful Information for Travellers
Social Conventions: Lebanon’s Westernazation is reflected in its liberal attitudes toards dress and demeanor. In the big cities and along the coast, tank tops and shorts are perfectly acceptable. Both sexes should dress modestly when touring the country’s rural areas and when visiting monasteries and other religious sites.
Photography: If you want to photograph people, it is always better to ask first. Most importantly do not take pictures of any government installations, buildings or anything else that may be considered off-limits to visitors.
Safety: Lebanon is a safe and hassle-free country to travel in. You are unlikely to encounter people whose intentions are anything less then honest and friendly.