Lebanon September Tour

Itinerary

Monday 8 September – Beirut

• Arrive at your convenience into Beirut, Lebanon’s vibrant capital.
• Or: Arrival from Syria Cross Festival Tour.
• Meet fellow travelers and guides for a pre-tour briefing.
• Walk through downtown Beirut to explore and learn about its political history and civil war remnants.
• Visit the Beirut port where the 2020 explosion occurred.
• Stroll through Zeituna Bay and Ain Mraisseh and learn more about Lebanon’s history.
• Visit the Shatilla Palestinian refugee camp (special permission required).
• Discover the historic Deir El Qamar, a charming village that served as the residence of Lebanon’s Ottoman-era governors.
• Highlight: Explore Beiteddine Palace, a 19th-century architectural masterpiece showcasing Lebanon’s rich cultural and Ottoman heritage.
• Take a short hike in Al-Chouf Cedar Reserve, Lebanon’s largest nature reserve.
• Overnight stay in Beirut.

Tuesday 9 September – Jeita – Harissa – Byblos

• Visit the Jeita Grottos, a finalist in the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition. Explore the upper caves on foot and the lower caves by boat.
• Highlight: Experience the mystical atmosphere of Jeita Grottos, a breathtaking natural wonder.
• Stop at Jounieh to visit the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon, offering incredible panoramic views.
• Optional: paragliding adventure back down (additional cost).
• Head to Byblos, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Discover the Crusader Castle, Phoenician and Roman archaeological sites, the modernised old souk, and the historic Phoenician Harbor.
• Soak in the relaxed beachside vibes and explore the cool bar culture of Byblos.
• Overnight stay in Beirut.

Wednesday 10 September – Tripoli – Batroun

• Depart for Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city. Stop for photos of the beautiful views along the way.
• Highlight: Visit the 12th-century Citadel, built by Crusader Raymond de Saint-Gilles, and explore the old souk, Mansouri Great Mosque, and Mamluk-era architecture.
• Check out the Al-Abed Hammam, one of the city’s last traditional hammams. Visit khans, traditional inns or caravanserais that are an important part of the city’s trade and craftsmanship heritage.
• Enjoy the lively markets and try the local street food. Stop for some delicious oriental pastries at Hallab, a sweet institution since 1881.
• Explore the unfinished Tripoli International Fair, a UNESCO-listed modernist complex designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, and Tripoli’s former train station.
• Drive south to Batroun, a beautiful seaside town. Visit Saint-Stephen Cathedral, built on the ruins of a Crusader church, and the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Lady of the Sea, offering stunning views of the Phoenician Wall.
• Explore the ancient Phoenician Wall, which dates back millennia and protected the city from sea storms and invaders.
• If open, visit Batroun’s quirky wax museum, featuring figures from Lebanese culture and world history.
• Enjoy a drink at a local microbrewery before heading back to Beirut.
• Overnight stay in Beirut.

Thursday 11 September – Baalbek – Anjar

• Highlight: Explore the ancient ruins of Baalbek, one of Lebanon’s most impressive archaeological sites.
• See the Stone of the Pregnant Woman, a massive 1,000-ton stone once thought to be the largest carved limestone block in the world – a testament to ancient engineering.
• Visit the Roman Temples of Venus, Bacchus, and Jupiter. The Temple of Jupiter is the largest Roman temple ever built, with the tallest Roman columns.
• After exploring Baalbek, enjoy a delicious lunch of famous lamb meat pies from the region.
• Visit a local winery and taste seven different wines along with Arak, an alcoholic drink traditional to the Levant.
• Visit Anjar, the ruins of a city from the Umayyad Caliphate in the 8th century, once a major trade hub.
• Overnight stay in Beirut.

Friday 12 September – Beirut

• Depart Beirut at your convenience.
• End of tour.