Top Things to do in Bekaa Governorate
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The 10 Best Things to do in Bekaa Governorate, Bekaa Governorate
Discover the best top things to do in Bekaa Governorate, Lebanon including Temples of Baalbek, Chateau St Thomas, Coteaux Du Liban, Baalbek Roman Ruins, Umayyad Ruins of Aanjar, Bekaa Valley, Cave Kouroum, Chateau Ksara, Our Lady of Zahle and Bekaa, Domaine des Tourelles Winery.
Restaurants in Bekaa Governorate
1. Temples of Baalbek
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,059 reviews
Reviewed By MarieTips - Virginia, United States
One of the most spectacular Roman ruins in the world with a gorgeous mountain background. And basically devoid of tourists which made the visit so pleasant and special. We hired a chauffeur for the day from a company used by the University for safety reasons--one has to be mindful--and drove through the Bekaa valley which was pretty fascinating. We also went to Anjaar--not grandiose like Baalbek but it felt more intimate in a way and is well worth the visit. Important: toilets are on the left, right at entrance gate of Baalbek. Or you will have to wait upon exiting. Then you go to the right to buy tickets at the booth and go through a turnstile entrance (employees barely speak English and told us that toilets were inside the ruins). Guides are available, some speak English well; the one who offered his services had a very strong accent difficult to understand. They only accept "legitimate" parties and, as a principle, refuse people who want to join as a group in order to share the fee. The guy behind us was alone--so that hardly qualifies as a group--and offered to join us and share the fee, as we were just a couple. That was a no go; and it was too much effort to understand the guide, so we passed. However, later on we had and opportunity to converse with another guide whose accent was very good; so it's the luck of the draw. If you travel on a very tight budget, make arrangements with other people before you get to the ticket booth. Otherwise "splurge"...it is their livelihood and there are not that many tourists. But my advice is to inform yourself about the history in advance, so that you can relax and take all your time enjoying this exceptional monument from the past at your own pace and contemplate its breathtaking beauty, as well as take as many photos as you'd like (nobody in the background!!!) without any pressure. We spent at least three wonderful hours there. I'd say that the very minimum time you need to visit is one hour but you'll want to take your time...how often can you access a place like this in an area that is not always the safest?
2. Chateau St Thomas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Established in 1990 by Said Touma and his family on a hill overlooking the Bekaa valley, Chateau St Thomas estate is a vineyard spreading over 65 ha & a wine storehouse for fermentation and ageing. Winery is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm for winery tour, visit of St Thomas chapel & wine tasting.
3. Coteaux Du Liban
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Coteaux Du Liban is a small modern-family owned winery located in Zahle and founded in 2000 by Nicolas Abou Khater. The winery aims to produce high-quality wines, reflecting the true identity of Zahle's exceptional terroir as well as the family's passion and philosophy in wine and arak production. Tours and tasting sessions are free upon reservation one day or few hours before the visit.
Reviewed By Andrew11101982 - London, United Kingdom
We had a fabulous experience at the Coteaux du Liban. The owner gave us a fantastic overview of the history of the winery and how her husband had grown the winery up. You could feel his passion coming through her and the impact this has on the wines they produce. She was very hospitable during our visit in spite of us arriving without booking in advance. We tasted some fabulous wines that afternoon, and the whole experience was highly recommended - this is a definite winery to go to in Lebanon, and I would thoroughly recommend to anyone to go. A fantastic tasting all around! I would definitely recommend booking up, as we were lucky the owner was around when we visited, but if you book up then you won't be disappointed!
4. Baalbek Roman Ruins
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By 22jasper - Dunedin, New Zealand
Went Oct19, there were riots but still felt safe so if Lebanon doesnt collapse, Baalbek is astonishing and worth the effort. The journey from Beirut is a potpourri of civil war ruins and arriving in baalbek in a shoddy old minivan just takes your breath away, the magnitude of the site is gob-smacking. Moreso for me than Petra (in an indescribable way) There are quite a few little hotels so dont be put off by google searches yielding nothing. But the Palmyra is a groovy treat for a night. Also check out the unfinished stones hewn from the rock, again the scale is mindboggling. So glad I made the effort (and it truly was an effort during a mini revolution).
5. Umayyad Ruins of Aanjar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By halcatra - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
It is not Baalbeck but it is absolutely charming place to visit. It is not an accident that Anjar is at the Unesco list. I would recommend securing around 1,5h for a walk around the ruins. It is worth taking a guide as you may learn a lot about the history of the place. In the winter season it is quite windy so wrap yourself up.
6. Bekaa Valley
7. Cave Kouroum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By kareem023
Built in 1998; Cave Kouroum is the best winery out there. Professional staff, and the hospitality was one of a kind. The winery is just majestic. There are several types of wine available (red, rose, blanc, sweet wine) and even arak.
8. Chateau Ksara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
Chateau Ksara, the country's oldest winery, founded in 1857 by Jesuit Fathers. In August 1973, sold to a consortium of Lebanese businessmen Chateau Ksara's motto is "Modernity in Tradition". It is an idea that captures perfectly our position as Lebanon's oldest winery and the pioneering spirit that has kept Chateau Ksara at the forefront of Lebanon's wine industry, for over 156 years. Today's wine drinkers are both informed and discerning, and therefore we are committed to producing quality wines - varietals and blends made from our 25 local and international varieties - that will satisfy all palates and suit all occasions. Not only are our wines made to the most exacting standards with state of the art equipment, they also reflect the terroir of the Lebanon's historic Bekaa Valley, an area that has been making wine for over 2,000 years. It is a legacy that we respect with every bottle we make. Brand values The name of Chateau Ksara has become associated with the three core values: tradition, nobility and modernity. These are emphasized through name and lineage (tradition); through a high-quality product (nobility) and the tremendous innovative advances made since 1991 (modernity). Visit one of the world's most beautiful Wine Cellars 7 days per week from 9a.m till 6 p.m
Reviewed By Yucef-GB - Beirut, Lebanon
Famous for it's underground wine caves,the tour is informative and fun and the wine tasting part is the best part if the whole visit...
9. Our Lady of Zahle and Bekaa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By farahelzein - Beirut, Lebanon
The lady of Zahle and Beqaa is nestled between the sky and the berdawni river valley. The chapel at first a beautiful cozy wooden and glass capella then moving forward to the big church . In the middle between them the lady of Zahlé can be reached by stairs and you can overlook the whole area.
10. Domaine des Tourelles Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By RachelS768 - Beirut, Lebanon
We went today to Domaine des Tourelles for a tour and wine tasting....we liked it a lot...it’s an old winery...Reine was our tour guide she was smiling all the time and helpful...she even took us to see the vineyard and taste the grapes... and we were able to see how the cycle begin and were it ends...the wine tasting were under a big tree ...we liked sitting there...we were very near the road but we couldn’t hear anything...it’s an old place that attract you and you feel you want to stay more especially that they are very kind with us...we bought some bottles of wine and liquors ...they are very yummy...I will go back again for sure
