Book flights to Beirut

Beirut was once dubbed the “Paris of the Middle East”, and its café culture is still a strong feature in the city. While people-watching may be a relaxing pastime, the Lebanese capital also has a wealth of other attractions to entertain and enthral.

Start with the Cilicia Museum, which houses a spectacular collection of Armenian cultural artefacts. The National Museum of Beirut also offers an in-depth timeline of the country’s past, including Phoenician marble statues from the 5th century BC.

If you fancy getting out of the city for a while, then head for the Horsh Beirut, a 40,000-square-metre pine forest on the edge of the city. There are also plenty of classical architectural sites to visit, including the Roman Baths and the ruins of the Cardo Maximus. The Grand Serail is an example of Ottoman architecture at its finest.

Your trip to Beirut won’t be complete without including the city’s café culture in your itinerary. Head for Al-Raouda, a waterfront café that’s a favourite with the locals, for a taste of authentic and strong Arabic coffee. For some laid-back jazz and traditional Lebanese music with your refreshments, check out Li Beirut on the Corniche. This boulevard is one of the traditional locations for the locals to see and be seen, so a stroll down the Corniche is a must.

There are also plenty of festivals and events held in the city during the year, including the Beirut International Film Festival in October, the Jazz Festival in September, and the Byblos International Music Festival in the summer.

Lebanese cuisine is a fusion of Turkish, Mediterranean and Arabian influences. The best way to experience as much Lebanese flavour as possible in one sitting, is to order a mezze. This is a collection of around 30 dishes that includes everything from salads like tabbouleh and fattoush, to moutabal, hummus and stuffed vine leaves.

Other local specialities are mankoushé, which is a Lebanese pizza that can be found in almost any bakery or shop. To satisfy your sweet tooth, sample traditional desserts such as maamoul, ktaef and halawet el jibn.

A trip to Beirut will uncover a shopper’s paradise. The city is divided up into sectors, and there are four main shopping areas to explore.

Downtown Beirut is the city centre and in recent years has undergone extensive renovations. It is now home to a variety of designer stores and boutiques. Hamra Street is an ideal location for anyone looking for international brands and up-market retail outlets.

Mar-Elias Street is located towards the south of the city and houses mainly Lebanese brands. This is the ideal area to find something authentically Lebanese, rather than the usual tourist trinkets. Finally, Rue Verdun provides visitors with a selection of high-end shopping malls and department stores.