Major city · Lebanon
El Minaالميناء
Spend one day in El Mina for a walk along the corniche and a few historic sites; add another day only if you also want to explore Tripoli.
El Mina is a small coastal city north of Tripoli. Its historic old town, corniche and waterfront cafés fit into a half‑day walk; a full day lets you see the main sights and take a short taxi to Tripoli.
advisory country
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LBP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Airport
- BEY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Lebanon befor…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Lebanon ↗Check your own government travel advice for Lebanon before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Lebanon ↗Entry rules depend on your passport; check General Security and your own government's advice before booking.
- Lebanon ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Lebanon before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for El Mina112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Mina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?US dollar cash is the backbone of payments: see Insurance & payments above.Lebanon-wide
- SafetyEl Mina is generally safe for daytime walking; avoid poorly lit side streets after dark and be cautious in traffic.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 140 Red Cross ambulance · 175 Civil defence (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBEY Beirut International Airport (89 km (55 mi) south, about 90 min by car).BEY Beirut International Airport (55 mi (89 km) south, about 90 min by car).
- Getting aroundThe city is walkable; a one‑hour stroll covers the corniche and old town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)$1–2
- Street or quick mealStreet falafel$0.5–1
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within city$1–2
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personLBP 12
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomLBP 80
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomLBP 130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LBP 15 · Mid LBP 30 · High LBP 60
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BEY Beirut International Airport (89 km (55 mi) south, about 90 min by car)BEY Beirut International Airport (55 mi (89 km) south, about 90 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (7 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Mina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The city is walkable; a one‑hour stroll covers the corniche and old town. Taxis are cheap (≈ $1 to Tripoli centre). Traffic is chaotic; cross streets cautiously.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tripoli centre
goDoor to door: ≈ 15 min
Taxi from El Mina, about $1, 10 min
Historic souks and citadel are within walking distance from the taxi drop‑off.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Quality Inn
Located in El Mina, 112 rooms, pool and restaurants; suitable for short stays.
House of Arts Lodging
Artist‑run rooms near Beit Al‑Fann; basic facilities.
Saint Francis Monastery
Monastic guest rooms, en‑suite bathrooms, internet; quiet option.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $15–25 excl. bed
- Mid
- $30–45 excl. bed
- High
- $60+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × LBP 80 | LBP 80 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LBP 30 | LBP 60 |
| Taxi to Tripoli centre2 × LBP 1 · check | LBP 2 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × LBP 10 · check | LBP 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LBP 16 |
| Trip total≈ LBP 89 per person per day, bed included | LBP 178 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and international ferry tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | $1–2 |
| Street falafel | $0.5–1 |
| Seafood plate (restaurant) | $5–10 |
| Taxi within city | $1–2 |
| Corniche walk (free) | $0 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Traffic lights are often ignored; double‑parked cars block sidewalks.
- Ferry services to Cyprus and Turkey run irregularly – check schedules before planning.
- English is spoken by some, but overall proficiency is low; have key phrases ready.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Red Cross ambulance
- 140
- Civil defence
- 175
Pocket card
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El Minaالميناء
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Red Cross ambulance140
- Civil defence175
Embassy
US consulate in Beirut; other nations have embassies in Beirut.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Beirut Airport → El Mina (taxi): ≈ $30, 90 min (check)
- Taxi El Mina → Tripoli centre: ≈ $1, 10 min
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم السعر؟ — How much is it? (kam al‑siʿr?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (ayn al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Mina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Tripoli for museum visits.
- Combine with a coastal ferry day if schedules align.
Sources
Ask about El Mina
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