Flights to Lebanon

Getting there and around

Most visitors to Lebanon are visiting family, travelling for work or returning to see relatives, and the non-stop Heathrow service is the main link. Flights can be disrupted at short notice during periods of regional tension, so keep your contact details up to date with the airline. Distances are short: Byblos is about an hour north of Beirut and the mountains rise straight from the coast. Taxis, private drivers and shared "service" taxis are the usual ways to travel, as there is no rail network.

History

Phoenician city states grew up along this coast, and Byblos, Tyre and Sidon traded across the Mediterranean thousands of years ago. Romans built the temple complex at Baalbek, and the Umayyads laid out the walled town of Anjar in the 8th century. The region was later part of the Ottoman Empire, came under French mandate after the First World War and became independent in 1943. A long civil war ran from 1975 to 1990, and much of central Beirut was rebuilt afterwards.

Coast, mountains and heritage

Byblos has a crusader castle, Phoenician remains and a small harbour lined with restaurants. North of Beirut, a cable car climbs from Jounieh Bay to the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, and Jeita Grotto has limestone caverns reached by boat. In the north, the Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Batroun is an old port with a Phoenician sea wall.

Entry, money and practical tips

British passport holders can usually get a free visa on arrival. Entry may be refused if your passport shows evidence of travel to Israel. The Lebanese pound is the official currency, but US dollars in cash are widely used, so bring enough for your stay. Arabic is the main language, and French and English are commonly spoken. Lebanon is two hours ahead of the UK. UK government advice has at times warned against travel to parts of the south and the Bekaa Valley, so check current UK government travel advice and your insurance before you go.

When to go

Spring and autumn bring warm, clear days that suit walking and sightseeing. Summers on the coast are hot and humid, with temperatures around 30°C, while the mountains stay cooler. Winter brings rain on the coast and snow on the higher peaks, where ski resorts open.

Planning a trip to Lebanon? Call 020 7871 4545 and our team will help with your flights.