Major city · Lebanon
Rashayaراشيا
Half a day is enough for the Citadel of Independence and the Roman temple ruins; stay overnight only if you want to explore the surrounding Bekaa villages.
Rashaya al-Wadi is a small Bekaa town known for the 18th-century Rashaya Citadel, a national monument that played a key role in Lebanon's independence, and for a 1st-century Roman temple ruin. The town itself is quiet; most visitors come for a half-day stop between Zahle and the Syrian border.
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, some rain)
- Airport
- BEY
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Rashaya112 ▾
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 Rashaya, 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
- SafetyRashaya is generally calm, but the Bekaa region has a higher security risk.
- 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–Rafic Hariri International (About 1.5–2 h drive via the Beirut–Damascus highway; shared taxi or private car).
- Getting aroundRashaya is walkable on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeecheckUSD 1–2
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (sleeps 2–6), a night, per roomLBP 30
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (sleeps 2–6), a night, per roomLBP 40
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (sleeps 2–6), a night, per roomLBP 50
A day, not counting the bed: Budget LBP 30 · Mid LBP 50 · High LBP 80
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 1.5–2 h drive via the Beirut–Damascus highway; shared taxi or private car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rashaya: 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
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°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
Rashaya is walkable on foot. To reach the citadel, follow the road uphill from the main square; about 10 min on foot. For the Roman temple, ask locally for directions or use a taxi.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kfar Qouq
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Taxi or shared service, about 15 min
Ancient ruins and a quieter village atmosphere.
Zahle
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi or shared service, about 30–40 min
Largest city in the Bekaa; restaurants, wineries and the Berdawni riverfront.
Aaiha
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Taxi, about 20 min
Small village with a Roman temple ruin and a scenic valley.
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.
Town centre near the souk
Closest to the citadel and the small shops; limited options, mostly guesthouses.
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
- USD 30–50 (LBP equivalent)
- Mid
- USD 50–80
- High
- USD 80+
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (sleeps 2–6)1 × 1 night × LBP 40 | LBP 40 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LBP 50 | LBP 100 |
| Shared taxi from Zahle, one way2 × LBP 5 · check | LBP 10 |
| Private taxi from Beirut, one way1 × LBP 60 · check | LBP 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LBP 21 |
| Trip total≈ LBP 116 per person per day, bed included | LBP 231 |
El-Sahili guesthouse, for example, costs USD 30–40 per night for the whole house (sleeps 5–6).
2026 estimate in USD; prices often quoted in dollars on the ground. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Guesthouse room per nightcheck | USD 30–50 |
| Shared taxi Zahle → Rashayacheck | USD 3–8 |
| Meal at a local restaurantcheck | USD 8–15 |
| Coffeecheck | USD 1–2 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The citadel's opening hours are not consistently posted; check with the local tourism office or your guesthouse.
- Cash only in most shops and for the guesthouse; ATMs are scarce — bring enough Lebanese pounds or US dollars.
- The Roman temple ruin is unmarked and overgrown; you may need a local guide to find it.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Red Cross ambulance
- 140
- Civil defence
- 175
Pocket card
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Rashayaراشيا
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Red Cross ambulance140
- Civil defence175
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi Zahle → Rashaya: USD 3–8 (check)
- Private taxi Beirut → Rashaya: USD 40–80 (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- كم؟ — How much? (kam?)
- أين القلعة؟ — Where is the citadel? (ayn al-qalaa?)
- هل تقبل دولار؟ — Do you accept dollars? (hal taqbal dolar?)
US dollars are widely accepted; Lebanese pounds are also used. ATMs are scarce.
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 Rashaya. 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, some rain)
- 1 airport and 1 area 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 citadel and the Roman temple with verified opening hours.
- Eat pages for the two or three restaurants in town.
- Transport page for the shared taxi route from Zahle.
Sources
Ask about Rashaya
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