Capital · Lebanon
Beirutبيروت
Check your own government's travel advisory before booking Beirut, and re-check it within days of departure: conditions here change fast, and this page cannot substitute for that check.
Beirut is Lebanon's capital, largest city and main port, on the Mediterranean coast. It has a national museum, a seafront corniche and a mix of Ottoman, French Mandate and rebuilt post-war architecture. The 2020 port explosion, a multi-year economic collapse and periodic regional conflict have strained banking, power and other services.
advisory country
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov (mild, before or after peak summer heat)
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, highest prices)
- Airport
- BEY
- Nights
- 2
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.
What is in this basic guide8 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 Beirut112 ▾
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 Beirut, 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
- SafetyFollow your government's advisory closely: day-to-day street crime is not the main risk here, political and security instability is.
- Emergency numbers112 police (isf) · 140 ambulance (lebanese red cross) · 125 Civil Defense (Fire) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 9 km (5.6 mi) south of the centre; taxi 20–30 min depending on traffic).BEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 5.6 mi (9 km) south of the centre; taxi 20–30 min depending on traffic).
- Getting aroundThere is no metro and no reliable public bus network.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealMezze dinner for twoconfirm locally — prices move fast with inflation and the exchange rate
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared service taxi ride$1–2 (confirm locally)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget $25–40 · Mid $50–90
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. 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 9 km (5.6 mi) south of the centre; taxi 20–30 min depending on traffic)BEY Beirut–Rafic Hariri International (About 5.6 mi (9 km) south of the centre; taxi 20–30 min depending on traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
Feb
not flagged
Mar
not flagged
Apr
Best
May
Best
Jun
Best
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Best
Oct
Best
Nov
Best
Dec
not flagged
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Beirut: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
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
There is no metro and no reliable public bus network. Taxis and shared 'service' taxis (fixed routes, shared with other passengers) are the main way to move around; confirm the fare before getting in, since meters are rarely used.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Byblos (Jbeil)
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Shared taxi or car, about 40 km (25 mi) / 45 minShared taxi or car, about 25 mi (40 km) / 45 min
Confirm the current advisory status before going.
Jeita Grotto
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Car, about 20 km (12 mi)Car, about 12 mi (20 km)
Confirm it is open and accessible before setting out.
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.
Hamra
Central, walkable, cafes, banks and Beirut's main pedestrian shopping street.
Achrafieh
Quieter, residential, restaurants; hillier streets, a short taxi from the centre.
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
- $25–40 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–90 excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Mezze dinner for two | confirm locally — prices move fast with inflation and the exchange rate |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Shared service taxi ride | $1–2 (confirm locally) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check your own government's travel advisory before you go, and again close to departure: the security situation can change within days.
- Cash-based economy under strain: banks restrict withdrawals and cards are unreliable, so carry US dollars in small bills.
- Power cuts are routine; hotels and restaurants run on generators, so confirm your accommodation has 24-hour power before booking.
- Some southern suburbs and border areas are advised against or restricted: stay in central and northern neighbourhoods unless locally guided.
Emergency numbers
- Police (ISF)
- 112
- Ambulance (Lebanese Red Cross)
- 140
- Civil Defense (Fire)
- 125
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 Beirut. 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: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov (mild, before or after peak summer heat) · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, highest prices)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- National Museum guided tour
- Mar Mikhael food crawl
- Corniche walk at sunset
Sources
- officialLebanon Ministry of Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Beirut