In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Lebanon
El Mina
الميناء
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.
- Country
- Lebanon
- Local name
- الميناء
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (heat, humidity)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- LBP
- Money
- US dollar cash is the backbone of payments: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget $15–25 excl. bed · Mid $30–45 excl. bed · High $60+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Red Cross ambulance 140 · Civil defence 175
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | $1–2 |
| Street falafel | $0.5–1 |
| Seafood plate (restaurant) | $5–10 |
| Taxi within city | $1–2 |
| Corniche walk (free) | $0 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BEY · Beirut International Airport
- 89 km (55 mi) south, about 90 min by car55 mi (89 km) south, about 90 min by car
Typical fares
- Beirut Airport → El Mina (taxi)
- ≈ $30, 90 min (check)
- Taxi El Mina → Tripoli centre
- ≈ $1, 10 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get 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.
See and do
Known for
- Corniche waterfront
- Mina Old Town
- Sheikh Affan Scaffold
- Beit Al‑Fann cultural centre
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tripoli centre | Taxi from El Mina, about $1, 10 min | ≈ 15 min |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | عفواًʿafwan |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much is it? | كم السعر؟kam al‑siʿr? |
| Where is the bathroom? | أين الحمام؟ayn al‑ḥammām? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- 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.
El Mina is generally safe for daytime walking; avoid poorly lit side streets after dark and be cautious in traffic.
One and two days
No timed day plan for El Mina yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Corniche waterfront
- Mina Old Town
- Sheikh Affan Scaffold
- Beit Al‑Fann cultural centre
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: El Mina, revision 5299975 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5299975
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/el-mina). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.