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: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000155
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000059
AED 0.000041
AFN 0.000708
AGIX 0.000143
AKT 0.000018
ALGO 0.000124
ALL 0.000913
AMD 0.004098
AMP 0.024965
ANG 0.000020
AOA 0.010227
APE 0.000079
APT 0.000018
AR 0.000006
ARB 0.000139
ARS 0.016620
ATOM 0.000007
ATS 0.000134
AUD 0.000016
AVAX 0.000002
AWG 0.000020
AXS 0.000011
AZM 0.094651
AZN 0.000019
BAKE 0.014820
BAM 0.000019
BAT 0.000126
BBD 0.000022
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.001373
BEF 0.000393
BGN 0.000019
BHD 0.000004
BIF 0.033150
BMD 0.000011
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000014
BOB 0.000077
BRL 0.000058
BSD 0.000011
BSV 0.000001
BSW 0.033270
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.000210
BTG 0.000039
BTN 0.001061
BTT 41.987069
BUSD 0.000011
BWP 0.000150
BYN 0.000032
BYR 0.218276
BZD 0.000022
CAD 0.000016
CAKE 0.000008
CDF 0.025692
CELO 0.000166
CFX 0.000249
CHF 0.000009
CHZ 0.000617
CLP 0.010258
CNH 0.000076
CNY 0.000076
COMP 0.000001
COP 0.037221
CRC 0.005074
CRO 0.000186
CRV 0.000052
CSPR 0.005734
CUC 0.000011
CUP 0.000295
CVE 0.001074
CVX 0.000009
CYP 0.000006
CZK 0.000236
DAI 0.000011
DASH 0.000000
DCR 0.000001
DEM 0.000019
DFI 0.013403
DJF 0.001983
DKK 0.000073
DOGE 0.000144
DOP 0.000660
DOT 0.000013
DYDX 0.000084
DZD 0.001481
EEK 0.000152
EGLD 0.000004
EGP 0.000547
ENJ 0.000385
EOS 0.000154
ERN 0.000167
ESP 0.001621
ETB 0.001781
ETC 0.000002
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000010
EURC 0.000010
FEI 0.000011
FIL 0.000014
FIM 0.000058
FJD 0.000025
FKP 0.000008
FLOW 0.000397
FLR 0.001602
FRAX 0.000011
FRF 0.000064
FTT 0.000047
GALA 0.004861
GBP 0.000008
GEL 0.000029
GGP 0.000008
GHC 1.265094
GHS 0.000127
GIP 0.000008
GMD 0.000821
GMX 0.000002
GNF 0.097630
GNO 0.000000
GRD 0.003319
GRT 0.000587
GT 0.000002
GTQ 0.000085
GUSD 0.000011
GYD 0.002331
HBAR 0.000147
HKD 0.000087
HNL 0.000298
HNT 0.000046
HOT 0.030858
HRK 0.000073
HT 0.000311
HTG 0.001458
HUF 0.003444
ICP 0.000005
IDR 0.200354
IEP 0.000008
ILS 0.000033
IMP 0.000008
IMX 0.000081
INJ 0.000002
INR 0.001061
IQD 0.014601
IRR 15.323281
ISK 0.001403
ITL 0.018859
JEP 0.000008
JMD 0.001764
JOD 0.000008
JPY 0.001802
KAS 0.000363
KAVA 0.000247
KCS 0.000002
KDA 0.001911
KES 0.001440
KGS 0.000974
KHR 0.044651
KMF 0.004792
KNC 0.000100
KPW 0.010023
KRW 0.017069
KSM 0.000003
KWD 0.000003
KYD 0.000009
KZT 0.005264
LAK 0.251762
LDO 0.000041
LEO 0.000001
LINK 0.000001
LKR 0.003729
LRC 0.000906
LRD 0.002022
LSL 0.000181
LTC 0.000000
LTL 0.000034
LUF 0.000393
LUNA 0.000227
LUNC 0.181373
LVL 0.000007
LYD 0.000071
MAD 0.000104
MANA 0.000160
MBX 0.000443
MDL 0.000196
MGA 0.047254
MGF 0.236268
MINA 0.000235
MKD 0.000600
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.023377
MNT 0.039911
MOP 0.000090
MRO 0.004447
MRU 0.000445
MTL 0.000004
MUR 0.000523
MVR 0.000172
MWK 0.019316
MXN 0.000195
MXV 0.000022
MYR 0.000045
MZM 0.711181
MZN 0.000711
NAD 0.000181
NEAR 0.000006
NEO 0.000006
NEXO 0.000014
NFT 42.017293
NGN 0.015259
NIO 0.000410
NLG 0.000021
NOK 0.000110
NPR 0.001698
NZD 0.000020
OKB 0.000000
OMR 0.000004
ONE 0.008909
OP 0.000104
ORDI 0.000003
PAB 0.000011
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000038
PEPE 4.082567
PGK 0.000049
PHP 0.000685
PI 0.000098
PKR 0.003098
PLN 0.000042
POL 0.000151
PTE 0.001953
PYG 0.067733
QAR 0.000041
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000016
ROL 0.509014
RON 0.000051
RPL 0.000005
RSD 0.001142
RUB 0.000858
RUNE 0.000027
RVN 0.002922
RWF 0.016323
SAND 0.000223
SAR 0.000042
SBD 0.000090
SCR 0.000159
SDD 0.668399
SDG 0.006684
SEK 0.000107
SGD 0.000014
SHIB 2.543335
SHP 0.000008
SIT 0.002334
SKK 0.000293
SLE 0.000254
SLL 0.254333
SNX 0.000049
SOL 0.000000
SOS 0.006359
SPL 0.000002
SRD 0.000419
SRG 0.419189
SSP 0.052884
STD 0.240401
STN 0.000240
STX 0.000065
SUI 0.000015
SVC 0.000097
SYP 0.001231
SZL 0.000181
THB 0.000370
THETA 0.000079
TJS 0.000103
TMM 0.195382
TMT 0.000039
TND 0.000033
TOP 0.000027
TRL 521.310330
TRX 0.000034
TRY 0.000521
TTD 0.000075
TUSD 0.000011
TVD 0.000016
TWD 0.000357
TWT 0.000032
TZS 0.029260
UAH 0.000496
UGX 0.040695
UNI 0.000004
USD 0.000011
USDC 0.000011
USDD 0.000011
USDP 0.000011
USDT 0.000011
UYU 0.000448
UZS 0.133267
VAL 0.018859
VEB 717,610.291617
VED 0.007175
VEF 717.546403
VES 0.007175
VET 0.002360
VND 0.292864
VUV 0.001338
WAVES 0.000042
WEMIX 0.000043
WOO 0.000940
WST 0.000031
XAF 0.006389
XAG 0.000000
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000030
XCG 0.000020
XCH 0.000007
XDC 0.000396
XDR 0.000008
XEC 2.096315
XEM 0.026012
XLM 0.000056
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.006389
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.001162
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000010
XTZ 0.000045
YER 0.002639
ZAR 0.000181
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.003610
ZMK 0.204328
ZMW 0.000204
ZWD 0.004030
ZWG 0.000299
ZWL 0.746349

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.