Attractions of Lebanon

To help inspire or plan your trip to Lebanon, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Lebanon which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Beirut
Beirut dates back to the Phoenician times, 1,500 BC, when it was a prosperous trading port. Once known as the 'Paris of the Middle East', Beirut was devastated by recent wars but is now undergoing reconstruction as a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Its attractions include Martyr's Square, the National Museum, the Corniche and Pigeon Rocks.

Anjar
The city of Anjar was founded by the Ummayads in the early 8th century, built on a site with Greek, Roman and early Christian buildings. The city incorporated the symmetrical Roman layout and had two palaces, baths a mosque and numerous shops. It flourished for only a short period before the Ummayads were defeated by the Abbasids. The ruins were rediscovered in 1949. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Anjar

Anjar

The city of Anjar was founded by the Ummayads in the early 8th century, built on a site with Greek, Roman and early Christian buildings. The city incorporated the symmetrical Roman layout and had two palaces, baths a mosque and numerous shops. It flourished for only a short period before the Ummayads were defeated by the Abbasids. The ruins were rediscovered in 1949.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Anjar

Baalbek
Baalbek was a Phoenician city before the arrival of the Romans, known as Heliopolis, the city of the sun, as the Phoenicians worshipped the sun god Baal here. The Romans arrived in 64 BC and began construction of huge temples to their gods Bacchus, Jupiter and Venus in addition to the Great Court of Baalbek, constructed in the 2nd century AD. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Baalbek

Baalbek

Baalbek was a Phoenician city before the arrival of the Romans, known as Heliopolis, the city of the sun, as the Phoenicians worshipped the sun god Baal here. The Romans arrived in 64 BC and began construction of huge temples to their gods Bacchus, Jupiter and Venus in addition to the Great Court of Baalbek, constructed in the 2nd century AD.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Baalbek

Byblos
Byblos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, stretching back to Neolithic times and was one of the oldest Phoenician cities. The world's first alphabetic script was developed here and the town's name, derived from 'biblos' or sheets of paper, gives its name to the Bible. Occupied and influenced by numerous civilisations over millennia, the ruins at Byblos include Egyptian temples, the Phoenician acropolis and the Crusader castle. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Byblos

Byblos

Byblos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, stretching back to Neolithic times and was one of the oldest Phoenician cities. The world's first alphabetic script was developed here and the town's name, derived from 'biblos' or sheets of paper, gives its name to the Bible. Occupied and influenced by numerous civilisations over millennia, the ruins at Byblos include Egyptian temples, the Phoenician acropolis and the Crusader castle.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Byblos

Jeita Grotto
The caves of the Jeita Grotto contains cathedral-like vaults and galleries formed by the action of water over millennia. The grotto contains a large lake on which boat rides can be taken to explore the dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Cedar Tree Reserves
The cedar tree is the national emblem of Lebanon and the great cedar forests have been used throughout its history in the construction of religious and political buildings. Today, the remaining cedar forests can be seen at a number of sites including Bcharre and the Tannourine Cedar Reserve in the north, which have trees up to 1,500 years old. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Cedar Tree Reserves

The cedar tree is the national emblem of Lebanon and the great cedar forests have been used throughout its history in the construction of religious and political buildings. Today, the remaining cedar forests can be seen at a number of sites including Bcharre and the Tannourine Cedar Reserve in the north, which have trees up to 1,500 years old.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Qadisha Valley
The Qadisha Valley in northern Lebanon contains important early Christian monastic settlements, particularly of the Maronite sect. Located in dramatic settings on the Qadisha slopes and built into cliff faces, many of these monasteries and chapels are still in use and the Maronite services are conducted in Syriac, a language closely related to the Biblical Aramaic. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Qadisha Valley

The Qadisha Valley in northern Lebanon contains important early Christian monastic settlements, particularly of the Maronite sect. Located in dramatic settings on the Qadisha slopes and built into cliff faces, many of these monasteries and chapels are still in use and the Maronite services are conducted in Syriac, a language closely related to the Biblical Aramaic.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Beiteddine Palace
Beiteddine Palace is a 19th century Ottoman palace, renowned for its impressive architecture and artworks. The gardens, Midan (public square) and some of the private apartments are open to visitors.

Sidon
The old Phoenician port city of Sidon is located south of Beirut. Today known for its atmospheric souks, its most notable historic monument is the 13th century Crusader castle, located on a small island just off the coast, connected to the mainland by a causeway.

Tyre
The city of Tyre, located in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, was one of the great Phoenician cities and one of the oldest metropolises in the world. Its ruins include remnants of the many periods in its history, particularly as a Roman city and Crusader stronghold. It was almost totally destroyed by the Mamelukes in the 13th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tyre

Tyre

The city of Tyre, located in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, was one of the great Phoenician cities and one of the oldest metropolises in the world. Its ruins include remnants of the many periods in its history, particularly as a Roman city and Crusader stronghold. It was almost totally destroyed by the Mamelukes in the 13th century.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tyre