Lebanon is not normally on most people’s list of places to visit, but it should be!
While the country’s recent troubled history may be a deterrent for some, its ancient, classical and medieval history is amazing and deserves to be seen and adored. Let’s take a look at some eye-opening places to go in Lebanon.
Attractions in Lebanon – Ancient Ruins
There are a pile of ancient ruins in Lebanon, especially in the Baalbek District, about an hour and a half to two hours northeast of Beirut. Depending on traffic.
Some of the ancient ruins in Lebanon include the Phoenician ruins in Martyrs’ Square near the city centre and Roman bath ruins also near the centre.
Then there’s the Temple of Venus Baalbek, (sometimes also written as Balbec, Balbek, Balbeck or Ballbek) and the Temple of Bacchus Baalbek, one of the most amazing historic places to go in Lebanon. But we’ll get to that later.
First, let’s talk about how to get to Lebanon and some Lebanon attractions.
A Chat About How to Get to Lebanon and Places to Go in Lebanon
While I was in Istanbul, I was talking to a lovely Kyrgyz lady I had met about my plans to travel to Israel and Lebanon that year.
She advised me that Beirut was only a short, super cheap flight from Istanbul.
She had me at super cheap. I was on a flight the next day. It cost the equivalent of US$100 return.
Interestingly, Cyprus is also only a short, cheap flight from Lebanon as well.
Planning to See Lebanon Attractions in the City But Then Finding Other Places to Go in Lebanon
As my trip to Lebanon was so very last minute and way too short, I was planning on staying close to the city.
I had originally thought I’d check out the Raouche Pigeon Rocks on the coast right near the city, then maybe the Jeita Grotto which is only 20 minutes away from the city.
I was also thinking I might even take in some of the ruins around the city that hadn’t yet been swallowed by urbanism.
That was until I met a middle-aged lady who had been going to Lebanon once a year for the previous 15 years.
She had planned a trip to Baalbek and invited me along.
Places to Go in Lebanon – Baalbek District; Heliopolis of Greek and Roman Times
Baalbek was set up as a place of worship for Baal, the Phoenician Sun God. Then the Greeks came along and renamed it to Heliopolis, or ‘City of the Sun’.
You can see why. It was very sunny. In fact, a particularly intense sunset from Baalbek made our list of Sunsets Around the World.
The Romans later conquered Heliopolis and co-opted some Phoenician beliefs but Romanised the god’s names. Baal became Jupiter and his consort, Astarte became Venus.
The Roman Ruins of the Heliopolitan Triad in Baalbek – Places to Go in Lebanon
Roman temples to Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus (Jupiter’s Son), were built on the ruins of previous temples.
The Heliopolitan Triad makes for some impressive Lebanon Roman ruins. The Temple of Bacchus Baalbek is said to be the most well preserved of the Roman ruins in Lebanon.
Unfortunately, it was blocked off the day I was there, along with the Temple of Jupiter.
Temple of Venus Baalbek – Places to Go in Lebanon
The Temple of Venus however was accessible.
I imagine she would’ve been quite a grand building, because even in her ruined state she was still quite impressive.
Notice that there are no people in the photos?
Despite the fact that you would think a UNESCO site would be a major tourist attraction, there was almost no one around.
Even the town of Baalbek itself was relatively quiet as soon as you got away from the main road.
Places to Go in Lebanon – Quiet Towns With Soldiers
Possibly owing to it’s troubled history, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter soldiers in camo with honking big guns in Lebanon.
Just standing around nonchalantly, like it’s a normal thing to carry a death machine.
I live in a place with gun controls (that definitely work, by the way) where people just don’t walk around with guns.
So imagine how freaked out I was when I was first approached by a soldier on a road. I was by myself, minding my own business and didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.
Friendly Soldiers
It turns out he was just the first of many soldiers that approached me as I walked around because they were curious. They just wanted to chat!
So that may make you wonder what language do they speak in Lebanon. They generally speak a few!
What Language is Spoken in Lebanon
As a Middle Eastern country, a form of Arabic is spoken, but it has been strongly influenced by other languages given Lebanon’s position on the Mediterranean Sea and its colonial history. So the main language spoken in Lebanon is Lebanese Arabic, (you can find some Lebanese Arabic phrases here).
Due to their French colonial past, a lot of Lebanese people learn French as a second language. With the rise of English as a world language, many learn English as well as, or instead of French.
To answer the question, what language is spoken in Lebanon more directly; Lebanese Arabic, French and English.
All of the people I came into contact with, including the minivan drivers and the soldiers that approached me, spoke at least basic English.
What to do in Beirut – Places to Go in Lebanon
The city centre of Beirut Lebanon could be mistaken for a new European city. It’s very modern and none of the buildings look more than ten years old.
That’s the one of the consequences of wars and bombings in recent history.
To be honest, although it was aesthetically lovely, it felt like it was kind of sterile. It didn’t really have any character.
This city would be unrecognisable to anyone who visited Beirut prior to the 1990s.
If you hear anyone talking about old Beirut, it really doesn’t exist anymore. Well, except for a few spots in the city. Like Martyrs’ Square.
What to do in Beirut – Visit Martyrs’ Square: Places to Go in Lebanon
One of the more interesting things to do in Beirut is visit Martyrs’ Square.
This square in Central Beirut has been known as Martyrs’ Square since 1931, to commemorate the martyrs executed there under Ottoman rule.
It had several names and roles in Lebanese society before that. It has been a focal point for dividing lines in civil wars and protest movements.
Phoenician, not Roman Ruins in Lebanon – Places to Go in Lebanon
What’s so unique about Martyrs’ Square is what lies beneath it. Some of the most ancient ruins in Lebanon; Phoenician ruins!
Although there are a lot of Roman ruins in Lebanon and these ones are often, mistakenly called Roman ruins, they are not. They are Phoenician. I checked with some locals.
The Phoenician civilisation predates the Roman Empire.
Although there was a part of history where Phoenicia came under Roman rule.
These ruins are sneaky. You have no idea they’re there until you’re almost on top of them because they are below ground level.
Lebanon Monuments – Martyrs’ Monument in Martyrs’ Square: Places to Go in Lebanon
Overlooking the ruins is the Martyrs’ Monument, the most famous of Lebanon monuments in the most iconic of Lebanon places.
The sculpture was created by Italian sculptor Marino Mazzacurati to commemorate the hanging of Lebanese patriots who were vocal in their opposition to Turkish rule under the Ottoman Empire.
No list of attraction in Lebanon would be complete with a mosque!
The mosque that can be seen in the background of the Martyrs’ Monument is the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque.
Things to do in Beirut – Visit the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque
One of the most beautiful places to go in Lebanon and one of the big attractions in Lebanon is the Mohammed Al Amin Mosque in Downtown Beirut.
This mosque, like it’s counterparts in Istanbul and Tashkent, Uzbekistan is also known as the blue mosque.
Like most of the other buildings in the city of Beirut, this mosque is not very old.
It was only inaugurated in 2008.
What to Do in Beirut – See Some of the Remains of Old Beirut Outside of the City Centre
While everything in the city centre is mostly new, things are a little different in the suburbs.
There you can still see some buildings showing the tell-tale signs of civil wars and bombings.
You might see things like missing windows, holes or burn marks on buildings.
You may be surprised to know that some of the building are still in use.
Final Word on Lebanon Destinations and Attractions in Lebanon
There are some great Lebanon destinations that you should visit. There are also some amazing natural attractions in Lebanon like the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, an hour and 20 minutes north of Beirut and the Jeita Grotto, 30 minutes north of Beirut.
Heritage sites like Baalbek and the Temple of Eshmun in Sidon, 40 minutes south of Beirut, are huge historic attractions in Lebanon.
Spend More Time, Go to More Lebanon Destnations and See More Attractions in Lebanon
I did myself and Lebanon a great disservice by only going to the country for two days.
Of course I still had an amazing time, but with all the things to do in Beirut and all the Lebanon destinations full of history and nature, it deserved much more of my time. Don’t make my mistake!
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What do you think of these places to go in Lebanon? Let’s have a conversation below! :o)
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22 Replies to “Eye Opening and Historic Places to Go in Lebanon”
I have never thought of Lebanon as a travel destination. But some of the sites that you mention here look wonderful. Maybe I need to put it on my list.
If you love ruins and ancient history, Lebanon is a great destination!
You’re right that “Lebanon is not normally on most people’s list of places to visit, but it should be!”. It definitely wasn’t on my radar before, but now it certainly is. Sounds like there’s a lot to do and see here – thanks so much for sharing! Xx Sara
I would definitely recommend it and I’ll be going back for a better look one day!
I have always wanted to go to Lebanon. I love these ruins – they look amazing! Is it possible to visit them all in a week?
I think you could give it a good shot in a week! I saw a lot in 2 days.
Lebanon is a small country, so almost all sites are within a 2 hour drive of Beirut. That means you could do at least 7 sites in a week if you based yourself in Beirut and did them as day trips.
There us a pretty comprehensive and cheap minivan system for getting around, but it can be a bit confusing to know where the vans for each destination depart from.
Or you could possibly get more in if you hired a car and drove yourself, but Lebanon traffic is insane. So it might not be worth the stress.
My best friend at primary school was from Lebanon (fled during the south Lebanon in the 80s), so I have always wanted to visit. The Mohammed Al Amin Mosque looks stunning – I hope to visit one day!
Yes, the mosque was pretty impressive.
Lebaron is definitely a great place to visit!
Love your tips that are centred around the historical attractions in Lebanon! I haven’t had the chance to travel here yet, but it looks so interesting to explore.
There’s just so much history to see in Lebanon!
Wow! Looks like quite the adventure. I think the ruins would be really neat to see.
Yeah, the ruins were pretty amazing.
I haven’t ever considered going to Lebanon and didn’t realize how many awesome ruins there are. It looks like there are some really interesting things to see. I’m glad the soldiers weren’t a big deal – that would make me very nervous too!
It is an awesome place.
I absolutely love that you went there on a whim based on a chat with a stranger and then went touring with another stranger! You are an inspiration and Lebanon looks like a cool destination. Now I have to add it to my list.
That’s just how I roll! I mean, if people tell me there are cheap flights, I gotta take ’em!
I absolutely fell in love with Lebanon when I visited it! Will definitely be going back someday! Great ideas to add to my itinerary next time.
It’s such a great place and there’s so much to love about it.
You are so right, Lebanon is not really on my radar at all. Probably because I am a Gen X-er and thus Lebanon is imprinted on me as a war torn country of terrorists which is sad because of it’s amazing history and heritage. I mean I had no idea why you kept mentioning how you wanted to see the Jeita Grotto until I googled it just now and saw the amazing limestone formations! How gorgeous. Then I fell down the proverbial rabbit hole of google and checked out the Baatara Gorge Waterfall too after you mentioned it and dang…that looks AMAZING!!
Now I dont know if there is much to Beirut itself that I would be interested in, though I always travel with an open mind. But seeing the triad of Ruin Roman temples in Baalbek is right up my alley. I love how it all connected as I studied the Phoenicians in High School and the name Baal is one I knew too. Love how you found a friend to go with…it is always so cool how you randomly connect. I think you and Darcee, my wife are kindred spirits in how you make friends so easily while traveling!
That area of the world is scenically and historically amazing.
I’m also a GenX-er, but I also feel that at some point we need to go beyond what we hear about a place and explore it for ourselves. A lot of places have undeserved reputations.
Beirut itself, although very new and pretty, felt like it was lacking something. That could be because I was expecting a Middle Eastern city, but it was more like a French city.
You know, I don’t even really try that hard to meet people when travelling. They just approach me!
What an amaaazing place to visit Kez! I have wanted to visit the ancient sites in Lebanon and try as much of their incredible food as I can stuff into my belly for yeeears!
It sounds like you had a brilliant time! (even if Beirut felt a bit sterile/too modern)
Do you think you’ll go back to spend a little longer next time?
OMG, Lebanese food is the best. It’s like a combination of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, which are the two best cuisines in the world!
Yes, I definitely plan to go back. I want to see the other UNESCO sites plus some of the natural sites I missed.