Major city · Lebanon
Deir el Qamarدير القمر
Half a day is enough for Deir el Qamar: see the castle, the church and the square, then move on to Beiteddine or the coast.
Deir el Qamar is a compact hillside village in Mount Lebanon that served as the country's capital for 300 years. Its red-roofed houses, a 500-year-old church built on a Roman temple, a 15th-century mosque and a wax museum fill a relaxed half-day. Most visitors combine it with nearby Beiteddine Palace.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LBP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet)
- Airport
- BEY
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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
Emergency numbers for Deir el Qamar112 ▾
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 Deir el Qamar, 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
- SafetycheckMount Lebanon is generally safe for tourists, but check your government's travel advice for the country.
- 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.
- AirportcheckBEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 40 km (25 mi); 1 h by car, check road conditions).BEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 25 mi (40 km); 1 h by car, check road conditions).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeecheckUS$2–4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Service taxi (shared) from BeirutcheckUS$8–12
- Museum or sight ticketWax museum entrycheckcheck
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLBP 40
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLBP 70
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomLBP 120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LBP 40 · Mid LBP 80 · High LBP 150
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–Rafic Hariri International (About 40 km (25 mi); 1 h by car, check road conditions)BEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 25 mi (40 km); 1 h by car, check road conditions)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Deir el Qamar: 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
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 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 village is walkable. For Beiteddine or the grotto you need a car or a shared taxi (service).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Beiteddine Palace
goDoor to door: 15 min
Car or service taxi, about 10 min
The 19th-century palace is the main reason to stay overnight.
Door to door: 50 min
Car via the coastal highway, about 40 min
Ancient port with a crusader castle and souk.
Jounieh
goDoor to door: 40 min
Car, about 30 min
Harissa cable car and the bay.
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.
Deir el Qamar centre
A handful of guesthouses; quiet at night, walking distance to sights.
Beiteddine
5 km (3.1 mi) away; more accommodation options near the palace.3.1 mi (5 km) away; more accommodation options near the palace.
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
- US$30–50 (check)
- Mid
- US$60–100 (check)
- High
- US$120+ (check)
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × LBP 70 | LBP 70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LBP 80 | LBP 160 |
| Car hire for a day1 × LBP 50 · check | LBP 50 |
| Service taxi from Beirut2 × LBP 10 · check | LBP 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LBP 30 |
| Trip total≈ LBP 165 per person per day, bed included | LBP 330 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; Lebanon is a cash economy widely accepted.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurantcheck | US$8–15 |
| Coffeecheck | US$2–4 |
| Service taxi (shared) from Beirutcheck | US$8–12 |
| Wax museum entrycheck | check |
| Moussa Castle entrycheck | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads in Mount Lebanon can be narrow and winding; drive carefully.
- Check opening hours of the wax museum and Moussa Castle before visiting.
- Some sights (Kfarhim Grotto, Mount of the Cross) may be closed or require a guide.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Red Cross ambulance
- 140
- Civil defence
- 175
Pocket card
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Deir el Qamarدير القمر
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
على هالعنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Red Cross ambulance140
- Civil defence175
Embassy
Most embassies are in Beirut. Check your country's consular page before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Service taxi Beirut → Deir el Qamar: about US$8–12, 1 h (check)
- Car hire per day: from US$40 (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- أديش؟ — How much? (addesh?)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (na'am / la)
- من فضلك — Please (min fadlak)
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 Deir el Qamar. 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 (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the castle, church, wax museum and Moussa Castle with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for the handful of restaurants in the village.
- Day-trip fixture from Beirut with departure times and road conditions.
Sources
Ask about Deir el Qamar
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