7-Day Lebanon Trip Plan

Beirut; Although it is a preferred destination even for a long weekend getaway due to its lively streets at all hours of the day, its legendary nightlife, its cuisine that inspires the whole Middle East, its visa-free and proximity, it deserves much more with its historical and natural beauties in its immediate surroundings. for my part. Of course, it’s easy to rant like that… We all want to spend a month in the country we go to and explore every corner of it to heart, but we have to act according to our conditions most of the time.. Therefore, for those who can spare less time, I have added small alternatives to the plan I suggested below.. Thus, in the 7-Day Lebanon Travel Plan that we have implemented at the end of February and stopping by the ski resort, you can delete the days that are not suitable for you and make a shorter plan.

• Day 1-2: Beirut»

• Day 3: Baalbek – Ksara – Anjar»

• Day 4: Mzaar Ski Resort»

• Day 5: Mzaar Ski Resort – Byblos»

• Day 6: Byblos – Harissa – Jeita Grotto»

• Day 7: Farewell to Beirut»

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Day 1-2: Beirut (Accommodation: in Beirut)

Different venues that it incorporates every day, With its museums and art galleries, Beirut has long ceased to be a city to visit for the day.. If you have to spare a shorter time, my advice is to stop by Hamra Street; Before the sun goes down at Pigeon Cliffs; without tasting local delicacies such as hummus, fattoush, and manakesh; without finding at least 5 wall graphics; Without seeing the buildings covered with lead traces on the Green Line; Without getting involved with the people walking on the Corniche; Don’t leave Beirut without sitting in a hip cafe in Gemmayzeh. Don’t forget to arrange your taxi for the sights around Beirut within these two days.. For more information: THINGS TO DO IN BEIRUT STEP BY 48 HOURS»

Hotel recommendation: The Living by Beirut Homes. click» (collaboration link) to view other accommodation alternatives in Beirut

Day 3: Baalbek – Ksara – Anjar (Accommodation: in Beirut)

Since Lebanon is a small country in terms of area, Beirut is located in the center of the country and important points are 2-3 hours away, you have the chance to arrange all your accommodation in Beirut and visit the surrounding places as daily tours while planning your Lebanon trip.. The most popular of these tours and I think the one that should definitely not be skipped is the Baalbek tour.

The plan should be to leave Beirut early in the morning.. On the same day, you can visit the Baalbek Ruins, Ksara Wine Cellar and Anjar Ancient City on the same route and return to Beirut at around 17:00.

Baalbek Ruins

The famous Bekaa Valley on the Syrian border The Baalbek Ruins, which are located in Turkey and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, have miraculously managed to survive despite the great earthquakes, religious changes, wars and finally the threat of ISIS.. It is the largest Roman ruin outside of Italy that has survived to the present day… A breathtaking temple complex built on the highest point of the valley…. It is useful to underline the “high point” part; There is a serious temperature difference between Beirut and. I suggest you be prepared by taking into account that the weather will be colder when you come to visit here.

I can say this to those who hesitate to visit because it is both very close to the Syrian border and one of the regions under Hezbollah control: You can only visit the ruins by providing transportation with a Lebanese taxi driver. and we did not encounter any trouble in this tour, which we got out of the car for a lunch break, but it is possible to encounter -albeit very little-. For more information: LEBANON TRAVEL GUIDE»

How to Get to Baalbek

Participating in group tours from Beirut or arranging a private tour is of course an option. but since this option would be both more costly and more restrictive, we preferred to go by arranging a taxi.. We agreed on a $100 fee with a taxi driver that we found safe the day before; We asked him to pick us up from our hotel in Hamra at 08:00 in the morning, take us to 3 destinations (Baalbek, Ksara, Anjar) in the same day and drop us off at our hotel in the evening.. Since we do not regret the decision we have made, I can recommend you to apply this method.

If you think that the traffic problem in Beirut will not be seen around the city and plan to rent a car, we will pass through the mountains on one-lane and multi-curve roads, and on these roads, drivers do not overtake without even signaling.

It is possible to find minibuses going to Baalbek at the “Cola Station” in Beirut; costs about $4. In the forums, there are some people who say that there are direct minibuses, and there are those who say that you should go by connecting.. It is difficult for me to comment on its comfort because I do not use it, but for those who have budget concerns, the most suitable alternative is to provide transportation by minibus.

Baalbek Recommendations

♦ Before entering the ruins, you can include the Stone Quarry on the road in your plans, free to visit. This is the place where the giant stone blocks used in the construction of Baalbek and how they were transported are still unknown.. Also, the largest and heaviest stone block in the world, discovered in 2014, lies here.

♦ Making local sfiha (a kind of tiny lahmacun) using the products they grow, Lakkis Farms deserves a short lunch break.

♦ Tours usually form Anjar-Baalbek-Ksara route. Although it is not too crowded compared to its counterparts, it is a great feeling to visit Baalbek when there is no one.. If possible, make Baalbek your first stop of the day, not Anjar.

Chateau Ksara

Ksara, located on the Baalbek road, is Lebanon’s oldest winery that has been producing wine since 1857.. You can enter the cellar for free, taste wine and buy the wines you like.. Unfortunately, we did not take into account the details of Sunday, so we had to turn back from the door because it is closed on Sundays.

Anjar Ancient City

Included in the UNESCO World Heritage list and due to the civil war in Syria, Losing visitors in a sense – because it is an Armenian neighborhood only 2 km from the border – Anjar is an important ancient city from the Umayyad period.. To put it bluntly, Baalbek’s majesty cannot be seen next to it, but it is large enough to satisfy those who are interested in history.. You can spend an average of 1 hour for Anjar, which you can visit for a fee of $4 per person.

Day 4: Mzaar Ski Resort (Accommodation: in Kfardebian)

Saying for Beirut, “You can go to the sea in the morning and ski at noon” Have you heard of the definition of “the city you make”? The reason for this is Mzaar, one of the largest ski resorts in the Middle East, which can be reached in 1.5 hours from the city center.. One day before your departure, you can reach the ski resort by agreeing with a taxi driver for a maximum fee of $ 50 in Beirut.. If you make a day plan that you will return to Beirut in the evening, you should leave Beirut at 06:00 in the morning to enjoy it.. Since we wanted to spare 2 days, we set off at 08:00 in the morning and arrived at 10:00 and we made the evening stay in Kfardebian where the ski center is located.. For more information: VISESS-FREE WINTER HOLIDAY IN LEBANON: MZAAR SKI CENTER»

Hotel recommendation: L’escale du Mzaar. click to see other accommodation alternatives at Mzaar Ski Resort» (collaboration link)

Day 5: Mzaar Ski Resort (Accommodation: in Byblos)

At the end of a day of skiing until the runways are closed, it’s time to pack your belongings and move on to Byblos, known historically as “Jbeil” for public use.. The taxi fare for the journey, which takes about an hour, is still $50.. Although we couldn’t find the taste we were looking for in the streets of Byblos in the evening as we coincided with a disastrously rainy winter day, we had an unforgettable evening with Feniqia’s delicious Lebanese dishes.. If you come during the summer season, I am sure that you will be surprised to find out which Mediterranean city it will look like and that you will want to spend a long time here.

Alternative Plan: If skiing does not interest you, you will find Mzaar Ski Center in your Lebanon itinerary. you delete the days; 4. You will go directly from Beirut to Byblos in the morning of the day, spend the night here, and return to Beirut by stopping by Jeita Cave and Harissa Hill the next day.. Or; Taking the risk of having an extremely tight schedule, you can tour Byblos, Jeita and Harissa in the same day and spend the evening in Beirut.

Hotel recommendation: