What to do and see in Lebanon, Lebanon: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

July 27, 2021 Roger Rusk

Discover the best top things to do in Lebanon, Lebanon including Saint Charbel Tomb, Temples of Baalbek, Mim Museum - Mineral Museum, Chateau St Thomas, Jeita Grotto, Tyre, American University of Beirut, The Cedars of God, Churches of Harissa, Byblos Castle.
Restaurants in Lebanon

1. Saint Charbel Tomb

Annaya, Byblos, Byblos Lebanon +961 9 760 130 [email protected] http://www.saintcharbel-annaya.com
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 214 reviews

Saint Charbel Tomb

Reviewed By 262basilm - Houston, United States

Every time we are in Lebanon we visit St Charbel Tomb so we had been to this Holy Place ..Even it was a Thursday Morning it was Crowded with Visitors .. We assisted a Mass in the small Church than we visited the tomb .. We enjoyed having the Blessing from the Priest also Communion..

2. Temples of Baalbek

Baalbeck Lebanon http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/294
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,059 reviews

Temples of Baalbek

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?

3. Mim Museum - Mineral Museum

Damascus Street Saint Joseph University Campus of Innovation and Sport, Beirut Lebanon +961 1 421 672 http://www.facebook.com/mim.museum
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 307 reviews

Mim Museum - Mineral Museum

mim is a private mineral museum in Beirut, Lebanon. It exhibits more than 1800 minerals, representing some 400 different species from over 70 countries. Created by nature itself, those works of art with their breathtaking aesthetics were formed in earth’s crust millions of years ago. Mr. Salim Edde has built up this collection starting 1997. You can discover pieces originating from a number of renowned collections --both old and more recent-- as well as from the major mining discoveries of our era. The mim collection is now considered to be one of the world's paramount private collections for the variety and quality of its minerals. A didactic circuit, accompanied by screens displaying films and scientific applications of mineralogy, will reveal a world of unsuspected marvels--priceless both from an aesthetic and scientific point of view. Mimodactylus libanensis “mimo”, the fossil of a pterodactyl is featured in a special wing. This one-of-a-kind complete specimen in the Middle-East was found in Lebanon. It is promoted by means of state-of-the-art modern techniques: a hologram, an auto-stereoscopic movie, a full-scale reconstitution and a game “fly with mimo” – an entertainment that delights children and adults. Moreover, mim hosts a thematic exhibition of 200 marine fossils. “Fish’n’Stone” was organized with the collaboration of Mémoire du Temps. Known throughout the world, those fossils were quarried in the Lebanese mountains. The history of the fossil formation is shown through an animation that submerses you in the marine life – a time capsule that takes you in a journey to some 100 million of years ago.

Reviewed By Ana_L_23 - Navan, Ireland

As a Mining engineer, I have visited several museums of this kind in the World, and I have to say, this is the best, so far. Very good collection, excellent way how minerals are displayed, and amazing interactive screens where we can learn everything about the minerals. You can easily spend hours there. Good place to take the kids. And maybe one of the top sites in Beirut.

4. Chateau St Thomas

Kab Elias Road 6km. from Chtaura, Zahle Lebanon +961 8 500 812 [email protected] http://www.chateaustthomas.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 29 reviews

Chateau St Thomas

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.

5. Jeita Grotto

Valley of the Dog River, Jitta Lebanon +961 9 220 841 [email protected] http://www.jeitagrotto.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,711 reviews

Jeita Grotto

Magnificent underground caverns can be explored by boat and on foot.

Reviewed By CKAbbott - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

We were complete surprised by the wonder and magic of this place, it is a spectacular natural wonder and I would highly recommend a visit. The entry price os USD 12 is more than worth it for a walk through the upper level and a mystical boat ride through the lower level. More people should be taking about this stunning natural wonder.

6. Tyre

Sur Lebanon
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 170 reviews

Tyre

The impressive ruins of a great Phoenician city.

Reviewed By halcatra - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

It is one of two archaeological sites in Tyre - smaller one but also beautiful. It is located at the seaside, which gives us a lot of photo opportunities in great scenery. I definitely recommend visiting both archaeological sites, if possible with a guide who can make them alive by telling all the amazing stories about the people who lived and worked in the ancient Tyre.

7. American University of Beirut

Riad El-Solh, Beirut 1107 2020 Lebanon +961 1 340 460 http://www.aub.edu.lb/
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 771 reviews

American University of Beirut

Reviewed By ofolokekolo - Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Located between a very busy city street and the Corniche, this beautiful garden forest offers to visitors the opportunity to enjoy the perfect match between arquitectura and nature, while being energized by the presence of young students all over the place. I spent almost 3 wonderful hours enjoying the environment and relaxing my mind between forest and sea view. The access It is totally free but your passport is required! Does miss it in your next visit to Beirut!

8. The Cedars of God

Bcharre Lebanon +961 6 671 068 [email protected] http://website.bcharri.net/places/lebanon/north-lebanon/bcharri/attractions/cedars-of-god/?lang=en
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 229 reviews

The Cedars of God

An ancient grove of cedars, the oldest in Lebanon, makes a beautiful site.

Reviewed By halcatra - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

It is one of five Unesco sites in Lebanon. The Cedars have couple of thousands of years - they are really impressive! In the summer season you can walk around the forest. In winter there is far too much snow and you can see them from outside. It is a shame though it does not change the fact they are still impressively beautiful! There are a lot of souvenir shops around. Some shop assistants are very pushy and it's better to avoid them, but there are some calm and friendly ones as well. You can get nice things with a very good price. We bought magnets for 1 dollar each from an elderly ill gentleman - he was super charming!

9. Churches of Harissa

Harissa, Jounieh Lebanon +961 9 263 660 http://www.ololb.org
Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 275 reviews

Churches of Harissa

Reviewed By gabyssssssss

We passed by this holy place after Paragliding Club Thermique. It's just 3 minutes away by car. We actually flew above it with pilot Elie Mansour and he suggested that we pass by to visit this amazing place. And glad we did :)

10. Byblos Castle

Byblos Lebanon
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 650 reviews

Byblos Castle

Reviewed By batoulr123 - Lebanon, null

Amazing building very big bery mystery A perfect historical place We had much fun spending all day without feel it

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