Lebanon

Lebanon packs a surprising amount into a compact strip of Mediterranean coast and mountains, so you can experience a lot in just a few days. Many travellers base themselves in Beirut and plan day trips to places like Byblos, Batroun, Jeita Grotto, the Chouf mountains, or the wine country of the Bekaa Valley. Distances are short, but traffic can be intense, so build in buffer time between activities.

Before you go, sketch out your route with Hello’s trip planning tools: group sights by region (north coast, Chouf, Bekaa, south) rather than zig-zagging. A simple first-time plan could be:

1. Beirut (2–3 days) – museums, nightlife, food.
2. Coastal town (1–2 days) – Byblos, Batroun or Tyre for beaches and sunsets.
3. Mountains or Bekaa (1–2 days) – Cedars, Chouf villages, wineries.

Language is a mix of Arabic, French, and English in most tourist-facing spots, but it helps to learn a few Arabic basics like shukran (thank you) and marhaba (hello). Download maps and buy a Hello eSIM before you land so you’re connected the moment you step off the plane — handy for ordering rides, checking opening hours, and navigating Beirut’s sometimes confusing streets.

Lebanon’s public transport exists, but it’s not always intuitive for visitors. Long-distance buses and minibuses connect Beirut with cities like Tripoli, Sidon (Saida) and Tyre (Sour), but schedules are flexible, and vehicles often leave when full rather than at fixed times. For most travellers, the easiest setup is a mix of ride-hailing apps, licensed taxis, and private drivers.

In Beirut, agree the fare before getting into a taxi or insist the meter be used. Many taxis operate as “service” shared rides following set routes at a lower price than private rides; ask locals or your accommodation which to flag down. For day trips to places like Baalbek or the Chouf, hiring a driver for the day can be surprisingly good value when shared between a few people.

If you’re an experienced driver, renting a car gives maximum flexibility in the mountains, but expect assertive driving styles, limited signage, and tight village streets. Download offline maps and keep Hello eSIM data active for live navigation and traffic updates. In the Hello app, you can log transport costs in Lebanese pounds and use budget tracking to see how much you’re spending on taxis and drivers as the trip adds up.

Lebanon’s economic situation changes frequently, so arrive prepared to deal mostly in cash. Many small shops, taxis, and local cafés are cash-only, especially outside central Beirut. ATMs are available but can have limits or higher fees, so bring a mix of cards and some emergency backup funds. Prices vary, but as a rough guide: a simple falafel sandwich might be around 80,000–120,000 LBP (often under 2–3 USD), while a sit-down dinner with mezze and drinks in Beirut could run 800,000–1,500,000 LBP (roughly 8–20 USD, depending on rates).

To avoid mental math every time you pay, use Hello’s budget tracking to:

• Log expenses in Lebanese pounds and see an approximate value in your home currency.
• Categorize spending (food, transport, nightlife, day trips) to spot where costs creep up.

If you’re travelling with friends, Hello’s expense splitting makes shared costs like rental cars, drivers, or big mezze feasts much easier — just enter the bill once and let the app track who owes what. Always keep a small stash of smaller notes and coins for shared taxis, roadside fruit stalls, and tips; large bills can be hard to break in villages and markets.

Lebanese food alone is a good enough reason to visit. Start with mezze: small shared plates like hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, fattoush, fried kibbeh, and grilled halloumi. In Beirut’s Mar Mikhael or Gemmayzeh, you’ll find trendy bistros and bars, while coastal towns like Batroun and Byblos offer seaside grills serving fresh fish, calamari, and arak (an anise-flavoured spirit). Don’t miss a traditional manoushe (za’atar flatbread) from a neighbourhood bakery for breakfast.

Lebanon is generally relaxed and cosmopolitan, but it’s respectful to dress a bit more modestly when visiting mosques, churches, or conservative neighbourhoods: covered shoulders, longer skirts or trousers, and a scarf for women in mosques. In cities, you’ll see everything from casual jeans to sharp evening wear.

People are famously hospitable; it’s common to be offered coffee or sweets. A warm “merci” or “shukran” goes a long way. Tipping around 10% in restaurants is appreciated when service isn’t included. Use Hello eSIM to look up opening hours, reserve tables at popular spots, and translate menus on the fly. If you’re hopping between wineries in the Bekaa Valley or bars in Beirut, log tastings and dinners in Hello’s budget tools so last-night splurges don’t surprise you later.