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The following is a guest post by Breaking Barriers.Lebanon, that small country on the Mediterranean coastline, occupied by so many famous civilizations throughout the centuries, is regaining its status as a tourist destination. Lebanon is a country with a turbulent past, and a history that spans many different cultures. It is a country that is welcoming and inviting, but also one where you will need to be aware of some etiquette regarding the country and the people.
We have been to Lebanon many times, me as a tourist, and Misha as a Lebanese citizen. Below we outline some Lebanon travel tips for a first timer entering this beautiful country.
What To Know Before Reading These Lebanon Travel Tips
We are going to give you tips not only on the good points of Lebanon, but also on the things to look out for as a tourist in Lebanon.
While there are many amazing things to do in Lebanon, ranging from natural beauty and ancient ruins, to trying the local foods and drinks, there are also things you will need to be aware of due to the sometimes volatile atmosphere in the Levant region.
Our tips are not just for how to enjoy the country, but also how to make sure you respect the country and keep yourself out of any situations where you may be unintentionally doing something which may get you in trouble.
Without further ado, lets get into the reasons people go to Lebanon, and speak about what to see and do in Lebanon.
Take a Walk in Downtown Beirut
Downtown Beirut is a mix of both the modern city coming to life, and the preservation of the tragedies of the past that rocked Beirut. You will see buildings untouched since the civil war pock marked with bullet holes from machine gun fire, and Roman ruins dotted around everywhere. But you will also see the vibrancy and determination of a city and people coming together to forge out a new future.
(For more about downtown Beirut, please visit our guide at the previous link)
Marvel at Nature's Beauty in Jeita Grotto
Jeita Grotto has two large cave complexes, the Upper Cave which has an amazing collection of stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, and other geographical formations. The Lower Cave is accessed by a peaceful boat ride into the depths of the earth itself.
See the Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek
Baalbek, former name Heliopolis, is home to one of the best preserved Roman ruins in the world in the Temple of Bacchus. The temple is located in a Phoenician city, within a temple complex which also includes the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Venus.
What to Be Aware of When Visiting Lebanon
As beautiful as Lebanon is, there are also some things you will need to be aware of while there, not only to be safe but also not to disrespect the people and their past, or their culture.
Religion in Lebanon
Lebanon has a mix of a lot of different religions, mainly Christian and Muslim. While they have learned to live side by side for many years, and accept each other, you should not get involved in a religious debate. You can visit churches or mosques, and you should, but refrain from voicing your religious viewpoints.
Passport requirements
Access will not be granted into Lebanon if you have been to Israel in the previous six months. In fact if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport it is best not to try. This is due to the tense situation between Lebanon and Israel especially in the area known as the Golan Heights.
Military and Police
You will notice quite a large military presence in areas of Lebanon. Some are checkpoints stationed in areas that link to Syria, so be sure to have your documents with you at all times as they may check them. When taking a picture of something and there is a possibility that military or police personnel will be in the picture, make sure to ask them if you can take a picture of your subject making it clear that they themselves will not be in it. Show the picture to them afterwards so they can see they are not captured.
Politics in Lebanon
Like religion, politics is a subject best steered well away from. In some areas you will see yellow flags with green writing, these are the Hezbollah areas. Again, like the religion in Lebanon, do not get involved in a discussion about politics with someone you do not know.
Communicating in Lebanon
The main language in Lebanon is Arabic, followed by French. However, a lot of people will speak English so you should not have any difficulty. The only suggestion we would make is to get something written in Arabic regarding asking permission about taking photographs which we mentioned previously as some of the military personnel may not converse in English.
Borders with Other Countries
In some areas, due to political instability in neighboring countries, it is best to check the current situation before going there. If you go there make sure someone knows where you are intending on going. This would be mainly for areas close to Syria, or the south areas close to the aforementioned Golan Heights.
Currency in Lebanon
The currency in Lebanon is the Lebanese Lira. US$ can be used in places but it is best to carry the local currency with you especially if doing some souvenir shopping.
Respecting the Past of Lebanon
Walking around downtown Beirut you will come across bullet hole filled buildings and other symbols of the past such as sites of assassinations or the graves of former leaders. While it is ok to take pictures of these, it is advisable not to take pictures such as 'starjumping' or other popular social media poses, or anything which may be seen as disrespectful or mocking the area in question.
Driving in Lebanon
Take care on the roads especially in the cities like Beirut. The streets are narrow and the citizens are experts at navigating them as they have excellent spatial awareness from years of driving them! If you are not a confident driver then it is advisable to not hire a car. Take care when crossing streets as scooters and motorbikes can sometimes come from nowhere.
And finally......
Like a lot of countries in the world that have had a turbulent past, Lebanon is pulling itself back into the mainstream of tourism in the Middle Eastern region again. It is a country to be enjoyed and that is full of places to go and things to do. While it has had a poor reputation in recent years, it is a safe country once you follow the above tips and don't do anything which may seem disrespectful. It is a country which we will be returning to many times over the years, not just because Misha is from there, but because it is a country which both of us truly enjoy and love.
About the Author: Breaking Barriers is run by a couple who came together even though having many differences. Being from different countries, continents, faiths, race, and culture, we stuck it out and aim to prove that people can be happy together even with many differences between them.
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Images were provided courtesy of Breaking Barriers.