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Voykit pocket guide · Lebanon
Marjayoun
Marjayoun is a half-day stop for Beaufort Castle and the valley views, not a base. One night if you want to explore the castle and relax at a nature park.
Marjayoun sits in the fertile Jordan Rift Valley with a view of Mount Hermon. Its main draw is the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, 22 km southwest. The town itself is small, with a 19th-century cathedral, a Gandhi park, and a couple of family-friendly parks. Most travellers use it as a stop between Sidon and Tyre or as a side trip from the coast.
- Country
- Lebanon
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and rainy)
- 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 LBP 200,000–400,000 (about $10–20) excl. bed · Mid LBP 400,000–800,000 (about $20–40) excl. bed · High LBP 800,000+ (about $40+) excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Red Cross ambulance 140 · Civil defence 175
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (Arabic or Turkish) | LBP 10,000–20,000 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | LBP 50,000–150,000 |
| Beaufort Castle entry | check |
| Shared taxi (service) within town | LBP 5,000–10,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BEY · Beirut–Rafic Hariri International
- About 1.5–2 h drive; shared taxi or private car
Typical fares
- Beirut airport → Marjayoun (shared taxi)
- about LBP 150,000 per person, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Marjayoun → Beaufort Castle (shared taxi)
- about LBP 30,000, 30 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
Walking covers the town centre. For Beaufort Castle and parks, you need a car or a shared taxi (service).
See and do
Known for
- Beaufort Crusader Castle
- Jordan Rift Valley views
- Mahatma Gandhi Park
- Oakland Nature Park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beaufort Castle | Car or shared taxi from Marjayoun, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Tibnin | Car or shared taxi, about 20 min | About 40 min |
| Jezzine | Car via Nabatiyeh, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Sidon | Car or shared taxi, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Tyre | Car via the coastal road, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- Near Beaufort Castle
- Kalaa Resort is the only hotel; quiet, with a restaurant and terrace.
- Marjayoun town centre
- A few guesthouses; limited options, book ahead.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحباmarhaba |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | كم؟kam? |
| Where is the castle? | أين القلعة؟ayn al-qalaa? |
| I need a taxi | بحاجة تاكسيbihaja taksi |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Check your government's travel advice for South Lebanon before visiting.
- Beaufort Castle is on a hill; wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
- Oakland Nature Park and Al Sawana Pool have seasonal hours; call ahead.
- Cash only in most places; US dollars accepted but change may be in LBP.
South Lebanon has a history of conflict. Check your government's travel advice before visiting. The town itself is calm, but the area near the border can be sensitive. Avoid military zones and follow local guidance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Marjayoun yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Beaufort Crusader Castle
- Jordan Rift Valley views
- Mahatma Gandhi Park
- Oakland Nature Park
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: Marjayoun, revision 5318115 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5318115
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/marjayoun). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.