Asia · Western Asia

Lebanon

Lebanese Republic

Flag of Lebanon
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+02:00
🏛️ Capital
Beirut
👥 Population
5,490,000
📐 Area
10,452 km²
💱 Currency
Lebanese pound (ل.ل)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic, French
📞 Calling Code
+961
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+02:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Lebanon

Lebanon is a country of astonishing contradictions and compacted wonders — a tiny Mediterranean nation where you can ski in the morning and swim in the sea the same afternoon, where Phoenician ruins sit beneath Roman temples that were later converted into Byzantine churches and then mosques, and where one of the world's great food cultures was born from millennia of civilisations layered upon each other. Despite its turbulent recent history, Lebanon remains a destination of extraordinary depth and beauty that rewards adventurous travellers who come with curiosity and care.

Beirut, the capital, is like no other city in the Middle East. It is a place of creative defiance — rebuilt multiple times from rubble, it has developed a cultural resilience that expresses itself in world-class art galleries, legendary nightlife, experimental restaurants, and a cosmopolitan street life where Arabic, French, and English flow interchangeably within a single conversation. The reconstructed downtown Solidere district stands beside the scarred facades of buildings still bearing Civil War bullet holes, creating an urban landscape where history is impossible to ignore and equally impossible to erase.

Beyond Beirut, Lebanon unfolds into a mosaic of historic sites, mountain villages, cedar forests, and coastal towns of great antiquity. Byblos is one of the continuously inhabited cities in the world, its Phoenician harbour still ringed by Crusader walls and Roman columns. The Qadisha Valley shelters ancient Maronite monasteries in a gorge of sublime beauty. The Bekaa Valley produces some of the Middle East's finest wines. Lebanon is compact enough to explore comprehensively in a week yet rich enough to deserve a lifetime's attention.

History & Background

Lebanon's history stretches back to some of the earliest human settlements in the world. The Phoenicians — the great maritime trading civilisation of antiquity — developed along this coast from around 1200 BCE, founding cities at Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos from which they carried their celebrated purple dye, glass, and the alphabet they invented to civilisations across the Mediterranean world. Their legacy is visible in every archaeological layer uncovered beneath Lebanese cities. Alexander the Great's siege of Tyre in 332 BCE, followed by Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Crusader, Mamluk, and Ottoman dominion, added successive chapters to one of the ancient world's most layered histories.

France's League of Nations mandate following the First World War shaped modern Lebanon's borders and political structure, including the confessional power-sharing system that still governs the country. Lebanon gained independence in 1943 and enjoyed a period of relative prosperity that earned Beirut the sobriquet "the Paris of the Middle East." The devastating Civil War from 1975 to 1990, the 2006 conflict with Israel, the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in August 2020, and ongoing economic collapse have tested Lebanese resilience to its limits — yet the country's people and culture persist with remarkable tenacity.

Culture & People

Lebanese culture is a living testament to the country's role as a crossroads of civilisations — Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, Crusader, Ottoman, and French colonial influences have all left indelible marks on how Lebanese people eat, speak, build, worship, and understand themselves. Lebanon is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the Arab world, with 18 officially recognised religious communities including Maronite Christians, Sunni and Shia Muslims, Greek Orthodox, Druze, and Armenians among others. This diversity has shaped a pluralistic, often fiercely debated national identity that is simultaneously a source of richness and tension.

At the heart of Lebanese culture is an extraordinary generosity and love of the good life. Hospitality is an art form — visitors are invariably overwhelmed with food, coffee, and warmth, and refusing a second helping is practically impossible. The Lebanese diaspora, numbering many millions across Brazil, the USA, West Africa, and Australia, maintains deep ties to the homeland and infuses it with cosmopolitan influences. Literature, music, and visual arts flourish in Beirut despite economic hardship, and the city's cultural institutions, from the Sursock Museum to the thriving independent publishing scene, speak to a people who refuse to allow creativity to be extinguished.

Food & Cuisine

Lebanese cuisine is one of the world's truly great food cultures — a generous, herb-fragrant, vegetable-forward Mediterranean tradition that has spread across the globe through the Lebanese diaspora and influenced cooking far beyond the Middle East. The mezze table is Lebanon's greatest culinary gift: a spreading feast of hummus with warm bread, smoky baba ghanouj, vibrant tabbouleh of finely chopped parsley and bulgur wheat, fatteh with crispy bread and yoghurt, stuffed vine leaves, kibbe (minced lamb and bulgur croquettes), and a dozen other dishes that accumulate into one of the most satisfying eating experiences imaginable.

The Bekaa Valley has nurtured a wine industry of genuine quality, and Lebanese wine — particularly from estates like Château Musar and Ksara — is increasingly celebrated internationally. Street food is outstanding: shawarma wrapped in thin flatbread, man'oushe (flatbread topped with za'atar and olive oil, eaten for breakfast), falafel fresh from the fryer, and knafeh (shredded pastry with cheese and sugar syrup) from Tripoli's famous sweet shops. Beirut's restaurant scene ranges from humble neighbourhood hummus institutions to adventurous modern Lebanese restaurants reinterpreting the tradition with creativity and international technique.

Top Attractions

  • Baalbek — Extraordinary Roman temple complex in the Bekaa Valley, with the Temple of Jupiter among the largest Roman structures ever built.
  • Byblos (Jbeil) — One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with Phoenician, Roman, and Crusader ruins overlooking a picturesque fishing harbour.
  • Qadisha Valley — UNESCO-listed sacred valley sheltering ancient Maronite monasteries carved into dramatic limestone cliffs.
  • Beirut Corniche and Gemmayzeh — The capital's Mediterranean waterfront promenade and its most vibrant creative neighbourhood of cafés, galleries, and nightlife.
  • Cedars of God (Arz el-Rab) — Ancient cedar grove near Bcharre with trees thousands of years old, sacred to Lebanese national identity.
  • Tyre (Sour) — UNESCO-listed coastal city with remarkable Roman hippodrome, colonnaded streets, and one of Lebanon's finest beaches.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Check your government's current travel advisory before visiting and monitor the security situation, particularly in border areas and southern Lebanon.
  • Carry US dollars — the Lebanese pound has been extremely volatile, and USD is widely used and preferred for larger transactions.
  • Beirut's taxi system uses a shared service (service taxis) along fixed routes; agree on the fare before departing in private taxis.
  • Visiting archaeological sites like Byblos, Baalbek, and Tyre early in the morning avoids crowds and the midday heat.
  • Try to spend at least one night in a mountain village — Lebanese mountain hospitality and mountain food are distinct and unforgettable experiences.
  • Be respectful when visiting religious sites and dress modestly, covering arms and legs, particularly in Muslim-majority areas.

Visa Overview

Lebanon's visa policy has undergone changes in recent years reflecting the country's complex situation. Citizens of many countries including EU member states, USA, UK, Canada, and Australia have historically been able to obtain a free visa on arrival valid for one month, extendable to three months. However, regulations and entry requirements can shift, and travellers should verify current policy with the Lebanese General Security Directorate or their country's embassy before travelling. Citizens with Israeli passport stamps or evidence of travel to Israel may be denied entry.

Getting Around

Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut handles all international flights with connections to major Middle Eastern, European, and global hubs. There is no passenger rail system in Lebanon. Shared service taxis (called service) run fixed urban routes cheaply and efficiently. Intercity buses and shared taxis connect major towns. Car hire gives the most flexibility for exploring the country — Lebanon is small enough to drive across in a few hours — but traffic in Beirut is notoriously chaotic. GPS navigation apps work well throughout the country.

Safety Notes

Lebanon's safety situation is complex and subject to rapid change. While Beirut and most tourist sites have historically been accessible, the country has experienced periods of instability, and certain areas — particularly southern Lebanon near the Israeli border and some parts of the Bekaa Valley near the Syrian border — carry elevated risk. Always consult your government's current travel advisory before and during your trip. Register with your embassy on arrival, keep a low profile, and follow local guidance during any periods of political tension or unrest.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Lebanon.

Lebanese pound (LBP) ل.ل
Updated: 2026-05-19
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000122
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000044
AED 0.000041
AFN 0.000697
AKT 0.000014
ALGO 0.000104
ALL 0.000915
AMD 0.004105
AMP 0.013332
ANG 0.000020
AOA 0.010246
APE 0.000077
APT 0.000012
AR 0.000005
ARB 0.000095
ARS 0.015573
ATOM 0.000005
ATS 0.000132
AUD 0.000016
AVAX 0.000001
AWG 0.000020
AXS 0.000009
AZM 0.094816
AZN 0.000019
BAKE 0.015087
BAM 0.000019
BAT 0.000115
BBD 0.000022
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.001371
BEF 0.000387
BGN 0.000019
BHD 0.000004
BIF 0.033231
BMD 0.000011
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000014
BOB 0.000077
BRL 0.000056
BSD 0.000011
BSV 0.000001
BSW 0.013032
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000029
BTN 0.001075
BTT 34.671547
BUSD 0.000011
BWP 0.000152
BYN 0.000031
BYR 0.306754
BZD 0.000022
CAD 0.000015
CAKE 0.000008
CDF 0.025600
CELO 0.000139
CFX 0.000189
CHF 0.000009
CHZ 0.000227
CLP 0.010051
CNH 0.000076
CNY 0.000076
COMP 0.000001
COP 0.042378
CRC 0.005050
CRO 0.000160
CRV 0.000047
CSPR 0.003776
CUC 0.000011
CUP 0.000268
CVE 0.001057
CVX 0.000006
CYP 0.000006
CZK 0.000233
DAI 0.000011
DASH 0.000000
DCR 0.000001
DEM 0.000019
DFI 0.011360
DJF 0.001985
DKK 0.000072
DOGE 0.000107
DOP 0.000660
DOT 0.000009
DYDX 0.000077
DZD 0.001481
EEK 0.000150
EGLD 0.000003
EGP 0.000595
ENJ 0.000260
EOS 0.000138
ERN 0.000167
ESP 0.001594
ETB 0.001756
ETC 0.000001
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000010
EURC 0.000010
FEI 0.000011
FIL 0.000012
FIM 0.000057
FJD 0.000025
FKP 0.000008
FLOW 0.000309
FLR 0.001335
FRAX 0.000011
FRF 0.000063
FTT 0.000035
GALA 0.003318
GBP 0.000008
GEL 0.000030
GGP 0.000008
GHC 1.276094
GHS 0.000128
GIP 0.000008
GMD 0.000824
GMX 0.000002
GNF 0.097847
GNO 0.000000
GRD 0.003265
GRT 0.000444
GT 0.000002
GTQ 0.000085
GUSD 0.000011
GYD 0.002333
HBAR 0.000124
HKD 0.000087
HNL 0.000297
HNT 0.000014
HOT 0.028114
HRK 0.000072
HT 0.000077
HTG 0.001460
HUF 0.003455
ICP 0.000004
IDR 0.197719
IEP 0.000008
ILS 0.000032
IMP 0.000008
IMX 0.000066
INJ 0.000002
INR 0.001075
IQD 0.014616
IRR 14.703751
ISK 0.001374
ITL 0.018554
JEP 0.000008
JMD 0.001764
JOD 0.000008
JPY 0.001773
KAS 0.000323
KAVA 0.000194
KCS 0.000001
KDA 0.001341
KES 0.001443
KGS 0.000976
KHR 0.044738
KLAY 0.000214
KMF 0.004714
KNC 0.000078
KPW 0.010039
KRW 0.016790
KSM 0.000002
KWD 0.000003
KYD 0.000009
KZT 0.005234
LAK 0.244674
LDO 0.000031
LEO 0.000001
LINK 0.000001
LKR 0.003715
LRC 0.000688
LRD 0.002044
LSL 0.000186
LTC 0.000000
LTL 0.000033
LUF 0.000387
LUNA 0.000176
LUNC 0.141919
LVL 0.000007
LYD 0.000071
MAD 0.000103
MANA 0.000127
MBX 0.000285
MDL 0.000193
MGA 0.046675
MGF 0.233377
MINA 0.000195
MKD 0.000590
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.023417
MNT 0.039923
MOP 0.000090
MRO 0.004460
MRU 0.000446
MTL 0.000004
MUR 0.000527
MVR 0.000172
MWK 0.019414
MXN 0.000193
MXV 0.000022
MYR 0.000044
MZM 0.712458
MZN 0.000712
NAD 0.000186
NEAR 0.000007
NEO 0.000004
NEXO 0.000013
NFT 39.439761
NGN 0.015294
NIO 0.000410
NLG 0.000021
NOK 0.000103
NPR 0.001721
NZD 0.000019
OKB 0.000000
OMR 0.000004
ONE 0.005442
OP 0.000087
ORDI 0.000003
PAB 0.000011
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000038
PEPE 3.029024
PGK 0.000049
PHP 0.000688
PI 0.000073
PKR 0.003108
PLN 0.000041
POL 0.000123
PTE 0.001921
PYG 0.067893
QAR 0.000041
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000012
ROL 0.499175
RON 0.000050
RPL 0.000006
RSD 0.001125
RUB 0.000808
RUNE 0.000025
RVN 0.002018
RWF 0.016310
SAND 0.000155
SAR 0.000042
SBD 0.000089
SCR 0.000164
SDD 0.669543
SDG 0.006695
SEK 0.000105
SGD 0.000014
SHIB 1.935249
SHP 0.000008
SIT 0.002296
SKK 0.000289
SLE 0.000255
SLL 0.255498
SNX 0.000036
SOL 0.000000
SOS 0.006374
SPL 0.000002
SRD 0.000415
SRG 0.415233
SSP 0.052590
STD 0.237292
STN 0.000237
STX 0.000047
SUI 0.000011
SVC 0.000098
SYP 0.001233
SZL 0.000186
THB 0.000364
THETA 0.000057
TJS 0.000104
TMM 0.195611
TMT 0.000039
TND 0.000032
TON 0.000006
TOP 0.000027
TRL 508.472250
TRX 0.000031
TRY 0.000508
TTD 0.000076
TUSD 0.000011
TVD 0.000016
TWD 0.000353
TWT 0.000023
TZS 0.029025
UAH 0.000492
UGX 0.042039
UNI 0.000003
USD 0.000011
USDC 0.000011
USDD 0.000011
USDP 0.000011
USDT 0.000011
UYU 0.000447
UZS 0.134214
VAL 0.018554
VEB 577,064.286758
VED 0.005770
VEF 577.038542
VES 0.005770
VET 0.001656
VND 0.293709
VUV 0.001324
WAVES 0.000029
WEMIX 0.000041
WOO 0.000661
WST 0.000030
XAF 0.006285
XAG 0.000000
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000030
XCG 0.000020
XCH 0.000004
XDC 0.000359
XDR 0.000008
XEC 1.520675
XEM 0.016761
XLM 0.000076
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.006285
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.001143
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000008
XTZ 0.000033
YER 0.002662
ZAR 0.000186
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.002837
ZMK 0.210825
ZMW 0.000211
ZWD 0.004037
ZWG 0.000289
ZWL 0.722186

No currencies match your search.

Cities in Lebanon 169
Browse all cities and towns
al-Batrun al-Hirmil an-Nabatiyat-at-Tahta Ba'labakk Beirut Jazzin Jdeidet el Metn Jnaah Jubb Jannin Juwayya Marj 'Uyun Nabatieh Rashayya Riyak Sayda' Sidon Sur Tarabulus ash-Sham Zahlah أميون أنطلياس أوتيل ديو إهدن الاشرفية الاونيسكو البارك البازورية الباشورة البترون البسطة التحتا البسطة الفوقا الجامعة الجسر الجعيتاوي الجية الحرج الحكمة الحوش الخضر الرميل السيوفي الصنايع الضبية الطيبة الظريف العاملية العباسية الغابي الغازية الفنار القاع القبيات القنطاري الكحالة الكسليك المجيدية المرفأ المزرعة المصيطبة المطيلب الملعب المنية الميناء الناصرة النبطية النبطية التحتا النجمة النقاش الهرمل الوطى اليسوعية انفه باب إدريس بتغرين بحمدون بحمدون المحطة برج أبي حيدر برج البراجنة برج الشمالي برج حموﺪ برجا برمانا بشامون بشري بصاليم بعبدا بعلبك بعلول بلونة بنت جبيل بياقوت بيت ليف بيت مري بيروت تبنين تلة الخيّاط تلة الدروز جب جنين جبيل جديدة المتن جزين جميزة جونيه حازمية حاصبيا حالات حبوش حلبا حمانا خلدة دار الفتوى دكوانة دنها دير الأحمر ذوق الخراب ذوق مصبح ذوق مكايل رأس النبع رأس بيروت راشيا رميش زحلة زغرتا سعد نايل سن الفيل شتورا شحيم شكا شياح صربا صور صيدا ضهور الشوير طرابلس طريق الجديدة عاليه عدلون عرسال ساحة عماطور عمشيت عنجر عين المريسة عين سعادة غبيري غزير فرن الحايك فرن الشباك فيطرون قب إلياس قرعون قليعات كفر دبش كفر شيما كفرعبيدا كورنيش النهر مار إلياس مار متر مار مخايل مار مرون مار نيكولا مرجعيون مستشفى الروم مغدوشة مقنة ميس الجبل نطقة ميناء الحصن وادي خالد ينار يونين

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Lebanon needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Lebanon?
The capital of Lebanon is Beirut.
What currency does Lebanon use?
Lebanon uses the Lebanese pound (ل.ل) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Lebanon?
The official language(s) of Lebanon include Arabic, French.
What is the population of Lebanon?
Lebanon has a population of approximately 5,490,000 people.
What region is Lebanon in?
Lebanon is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Lebanon?
The international dialing code for Lebanon is +961.
What time zones does Lebanon observe?
Lebanon observes the following time zone(s): UTC+02:00.
What is the current time in Lebanon?
The local time in Lebanon is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Lebanon?
Lebanon covers a total area of 10,452 km².
How many states or provinces does Lebanon have?
Lebanon is divided into 18 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Lebanon in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Lebanon in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Lebanon?
Visa requirements for citizens of Lebanon vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.