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: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000105
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000041
AED 0.000041
AFN 0.000716
AKT 0.000014
ALGO 0.000086
ALL 0.000910
AMD 0.004012
AMP 0.017293
ANG 0.000020
AOA 0.010157
APE 0.000069
APT 0.000014
AR 0.000002
ARB 0.000054
ARS 0.016854
ATOM 0.000006
ATS 0.000136
AUD 0.000016
AVAX 0.000001
AWG 0.000020
AXS 0.000008
AZM 0.094254
AZN 0.000019
BAKE 0.043201
BAM 0.000019
BAT 0.000105
BBD 0.000022
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.001363
BEF 0.000399
BGN 0.000019
BHD 0.000004
BIF 0.033315
BMD 0.000011
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000014
BOB 0.000133
BRL 0.000055
BSD 0.000011
BSV 0.000001
BSW 0.026947
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.000159
BTG 0.000017
BTN 0.001069
BTT 29.826649
BUSD 0.000011
BWP 0.000153
BYN 0.000034
BYR 0.217367
BZD 0.000022
CAD 0.000016
CAKE 0.000005
CDF 0.025626
CELO 0.000107
CFX 0.000202
CHF 0.000009
CHZ 0.000663
CLP 0.010790
CNH 0.000074
CNY 0.000074
COMP 0.000000
COP 0.035468
CRC 0.005074
CRO 0.000163
CRV 0.000030
CSPR 0.004347
CUC 0.000011
CUP 0.000266
CVE 0.001090
CVX 0.000005
CYP 0.000006
CZK 0.000242
DAI 0.000011
DASH 0.000000
DCR 0.000001
DEM 0.000019
DFI 0.012133
DJF 0.001973
DKK 0.000074
DOGE 0.000117
DOP 0.000665
DOT 0.000009
DYDX 0.000076
DZD 0.001491
EEK 0.000155
EGLD 0.000002
EGP 0.000581
ENJ 0.000335
EOS 0.000109
ERN 0.000166
ESP 0.001645
ETB 0.001804
ETC 0.000001
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000010
EURC 0.000010
FEI 0.000011
FIL 0.000009
FIM 0.000059
FJD 0.000025
FKP 0.000008
FLOW 0.000350
FLR 0.001538
FRAX 0.000011
FRF 0.000065
FTT 0.000043
GALA 0.004577
GBP 0.000008
GEL 0.000029
GGP 0.000008
GHC 1.303650
GHS 0.000130
GIP 0.000008
GMD 0.000821
GMX 0.000001
GNF 0.097493
GNO 0.000000
GRD 0.003369
GRT 0.000381
GT 0.000001
GTQ 0.000085
GUSD 0.000011
GYD 0.002315
HBAR 0.000110
HKD 0.000087
HNL 0.000297
HNT 0.000021
HOT 0.024213
HRK 0.000074
HT 0.000304
HTG 0.001449
HUF 0.003632
ICP 0.000003
IDR 0.198655
IEP 0.000008
ILS 0.000034
IMP 0.000008
IMX 0.000060
INJ 0.000001
INR 0.001069
IQD 0.014497
IRR 19.943161
ISK 0.001354
ITL 0.019145
JEP 0.000008
JMD 0.001755
JOD 0.000008
JPY 0.001753
KAS 0.000258
KAVA 0.000160
KCS 0.000001
KDA 0.001136
KES 0.001439
KGS 0.000970
KHR 0.044921
KLAY 0.000266
KMF 0.004864
KNC 0.000077
KPW 0.009981
KRW 0.014886
KSM 0.000002
KWD 0.000003
KYD 0.000009
KZT 0.005048
LAK 0.248814
LDO 0.000024
LEO 0.000001
LINK 0.000001
LKR 0.003657
LRC 0.001080
LRD 0.001892
LSL 0.000185
LTC 0.000000
LTL 0.000034
LUF 0.000399
LUNA 0.000217
LUNC 0.209711
LVL 0.000007
LYD 0.000071
MAD 0.000111
MANA 0.000107
MBX 0.000375
MDL 0.000199
MGA 0.049105
MGF 0.245526
MINA 0.000082
MKD 0.000608
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.023277
MNT 0.039866
MOP 0.000090
MRO 0.004440
MRU 0.000444
MTL 0.000004
MUR 0.000526
MVR 0.000171
MWK 0.019192
MXN 0.000200
MXV 0.000023
MYR 0.000045
MZM 0.707778
MZN 0.000708
NAD 0.000185
NEAR 0.000002
NEO 0.000004
NEXO 0.000013
NFT 46.468646
NGN 0.014660
NIO 0.000408
NLG 0.000022
NOK 0.000106
NPR 0.001711
NZD 0.000020
OKB 0.000000
OMR 0.000004
ONE 0.000076
OP 0.000082
ORDI 0.000002
PAB 0.000011
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000038
PEPE 2.563940
PGK 0.000050
PHP 0.000697
PI 0.000127
PKR 0.003066
PLN 0.000043
POL 0.000101
PTE 0.001982
PYG 0.064780
QAR 0.000040
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000011
ROL 0.528517
RON 0.000053
RPL 0.000006
RSD 0.001161
RUB 0.000941
RUNE 0.000014
RVN 0.004519
RWF 0.016344
SAND 0.000169
SAR 0.000042
SBD 0.000089
SCR 0.000157
SDD 0.665517
SDG 0.006655
SEK 0.000111
SGD 0.000014
SHIB 1.894274
SHP 0.000008
SIT 0.002369
SKK 0.000298
SLE 0.000256
SLL 0.255647
SNX 0.000044
SOL 0.000000
SOS 0.006309
SPL 0.000002
SRD 0.000418
SRG 0.418105
SSP 0.063500
STD 0.243959
STN 0.000244
STX 0.000030
SUI 0.000009
SVC 0.000097
SYP 0.144194
SZL 0.000185
THB 0.000373
THETA 0.000048
TJS 0.000102
TMM 0.194571
TMT 0.000039
TND 0.000033
TOP 0.000027
TRL 545.289068
TRX 0.000033
TRY 0.000545
TTD 0.000075
TUSD 0.000011
TVD 0.000016
TWD 0.000352
TWT 0.000019
TZS 0.029256
UAH 0.000499
UGX 0.044578
UNI 0.000001
USD 0.000011
USDC 0.000011
USDD 0.000011
USDP 0.000011
USDT 0.000011
UYU 0.000448
UZS 0.130437
VAL 0.019145
VEB 965,512.698035
VED 0.009655
VEF 965.512698
VES 0.009655
VET 0.001271
VND 0.288253
VUV 0.001333
WAVES 0.000037
WEMIX 0.000058
WOO 0.000810
WST 0.000031
XAF 0.006486
XAG 0.000000
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000030
XCG 0.000020
XCH 0.000007
XDC 0.000330
XDR 0.000008
XEC 1.390524
XEM 0.017662
XLM 0.000051
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.006486
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.001180
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000007
XTZ 0.000033
YER 0.002619
ZAR 0.000185
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.003039
ZMK 0.219226
ZMW 0.000219
ZWD 0.004013
ZWG 0.000297
ZWL 0.741769

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.