Country book · Middle East & Africa

Lebanon

Mediterranean table, mountain heart

Lebanon squeezes ski slopes, Roman ruins and a Mediterranean coastline into a country you can cross in a few hours. Beirut's resilience and its food culture — arguably the region's most refined — are what keep travellers coming back.

Myths

What's true, what isn't

Actually true

The food really is exceptional
Lebanese mezze culture is widely regarded as one of the most refined in the Middle East.
Beirut nightlife is intense
Despite crises, Beirut has kept a reputation for some of the region's best nightlife and live music.
It has skiing and beaches on the same day
You can ski in the mountains in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean by afternoon.
The cedar is a genuine national symbol
Ancient cedar forests, referenced in the Bible, still stand and appear on the national flag.

Commonly believed, wrong

"It's a desert country"
Lebanon is mountainous and green, with snow-capped peaks and fertile valleys.
"It's one uniform culture"
Lebanon has significant religious and regional diversity across its small territory.
"Beirut is still a warzone"
Despite past conflicts and crises, Beirut today is a functioning, vibrant Mediterranean capital.
"Lebanese food is the same as other Arab cuisines"
It has a distinct identity shaped by centuries of Mediterranean and Levantine trade.

Highlights

The best of Lebanon

Baalbek's Roman temples

Some of the largest and best-preserved Roman temple ruins in the world, built at massive scale.

The Cedars of God

Ancient cedar groves in the mountains, sacred for millennia and a national emblem.

Beirut's mezze culture

Long lunches of small plates on a coastal terrace, unhurried and abundant.

Byblos's ancient harbour

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a Crusader castle over a fishing port.

Culture

Cultural riches

Mezze as a social ritual

A meal is measured by how many small dishes cover the table, not by a single main course.

A famous diaspora

Millions of people of Lebanese descent live abroad, keeping strong ties to family and food traditions.

Mountain village life

Stone villages in the Chouf and Kesrouan mountains keep older rhythms of harvest and family gathering.

A strong arts and music scene

Beirut has long been a hub for Arabic pop, independent film and contemporary art.

Food

What to eat

Tabbouleh

A parsley-heavy salad with fine bulgur, tomato and lemon — greener and lighter than most imitations abroad.

Kibbeh

Bulgur and minced meat shaped into torpedoes or patties, fried, baked or eaten raw as kibbeh nayyeh.

Manakish

Flatbread topped with za'atar, cheese or minced meat, baked fresh each morning at neighbourhood ovens.

Kafta

Spiced minced meat grilled on skewers or baked with potatoes and tomato in a tray.

Baklava

Layers of filo, nuts and syrup, with Lebanese versions often lighter and less sweet than Turkish ones.

Music

World-famous voices

Fairuz

The morning voice of the Arab world.

Nancy Ajram

Arabic pop superstar.

Mashrou' Leila

Indie rock that shook the region.

Elissa

Beloved romantic ballads.

Ziad Rahbani

Composer, playwright, jazz-Arabic pioneer.

History

Important people in history

Bechara El Khoury

1943–1952

Lebanon's first president after independence from France in 1943.

Fouad Chehab

1958–1964

President credited with building state institutions after the 1958 crisis.

Rafic Hariri

1992–1998, 2000–2004

Prime minister who led Beirut's post-civil-war reconstruction.

Cities