Lebanon

After a tumultuous recent past, this historically and culturally rich little Mediterranean country has in recent years also been one of the Arab world's most fun, liberal, and sophisticated, with a vigorous wine country, beaches, skiing, and lots more. But obviously, with the current relentless Israeli assault on the country, Lebanon is at the moment a no-go for travelers, but we hope the situation will resolve itself as soon as possible.

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A country being unified through hiking

Abby SewellHere's an interesting piece put out by BBC Travel recently. Despite the severe economic and social crisis gripping Lebanon this year, it seems that life goes on, and hiking has increasingly become a way for visitors to learn about this beautiful country, and locals to learn more about themselves. Check it out here.

Hope in Lebanon that expats/domestic tourism can save the economy

Both the pandemic and the current economic crisis have gutted hospitality along with other businesses in Lebanon But as pandemic restrictions are being eased, the businesses that survived hope the dollars spent by visiting Lebanese expats and an increase in domestic tourism can get the wheels of the economy moving again. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mired-in-crises-Lebanon-hopes-summer-arrivals-16293567.php

The Arab world's most liberal country, beautiful Lebanon is an under-the-radar gem

The tiny Arab country of Lebanon (not even three-quarters the size of the U.S. state of Connecticut) on the Mediterranean bordering Jordan, Syria, and Israel, has been in the news this week thanks to universal street protests - peaceful and held in a festive atmosphere - aimed at getting its corrupt ruling politicians to step down. Additionally, the little many Westerners have known about this country is outdated, from when it was convulsed from 1975 to 1990 by a brutal civil war as well as an…

Comments

Maria de los Angeles December 24, 2025 at 10:59am

Here in Spain a guy named Joan Torres runs an eye-opening travel site called Against the Compass. It´s eye-opening because it mainly covers countries which are under the radar and for various reasons often considered "dicey" to travel to. Here he gives a great overview of Lebanon and shows how it´s not dicey at all: https://againstthecompass.com/en/things-to-do-in-lebanon/

Lebanon travel guide: a 2-week itinerary

This is the most complete Lebanon travel guide available on the internet, which includes a 2-week itinerary plus plenty of travel tips
Wissam Al Khoury December 23, 2025 at 2:45pm

The headlines about Lebanon are scary and the country´s problems are undeniable, but I spent several months there this past fall, and those headlines don´t reflect reality in most of Lebanon, especially the tourist areas. One great source is an excellent Lebanese guide Bashir Choucair, who in addition to running many great tours has an excellent blog in which he covers the many wonders of his country. And in this particular post he addresses the question: is Lebanon safe to travel to in 2025, with plenty of specifics; https://bashirchoucair.com/blog/is-lebanon-safe-to-travel-in-2025

Bashir Choucair: Is Lebanon Safe to Travel in 2025?

Is Lebanon safe for tourists in 2025? A local guide explains the truth, safe areas, travel tips, and how to enjoy Lebanon with peace of mind.
José Balido June 7, 2025 at 12:13pm

On my trip here in 2019 I recall seeing quite a few tourists from the Gulf states, attracted not just by the same allures that brought us here but also by the country´s free and liberal environment (at least compared to their own home countries). Tourism from there - as from elsewhere - took a beating from Covid and then Hezbollah and Leb being drawn into the Gaza war, but now it seems the tourism poobahs in Beirut are making more of a concerted push to lure those tourists back: https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-gulf-tourism-hezbollah-economy-s...

Lebanon aims to lure back wealthy Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

After a bruising war between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon’s new leaders sense an opportunity to revitalize the country’s devastated economy with hel…
Jorge Carlos Tejada Sobrino December 5, 2024 at 2:04pm

A not at all surprising look at how the Israeli attacks on Lebanon have essentially destroyed a tourism sector that was starting to bounce back - and this was back in August. Now I imagine there must be no hope. https://themedialine.org/life-lines/tourism-in-lebanon-crumbles-as-...

Tourism in Lebanon Crumbles as Conflict Escalates - The Media Line

Over the past week, fears of a full-scale […]
Wissam Al Khoury October 24, 2024 at 10:35pm

An inspiring article about my country´s flag carrier, Middle East Airlines: https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-middle-east-air...

Lebanon's national carrier braves Israeli airstrikes

Middle East Airlines is the only commercial airline still operating out of the Beirut airport.
David Paul Appell October 15, 2024 at 9:40am

Both on a humanitarian level and as someone who enjoyed a wonderful visit to this country five years ago, my heart is breaking over the radical new suffering of this country and its people as Israel bids to turn it into Gaza. And this piece just out from the BBC underscores the devastating effects the current assault has had on Beirut, where among other things 89% of eating and drinking spots have closed or restricted hours: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8xpqjqx7eo

How Israeli strikes transformed buzzing Beirut: 'Like someone pressed pause on life'

There's no music or dancing in central Beirut bars as fear spreads and displaced people fill the streets.
José Balido August 24, 2023 at 12:14pm

In researching a return to Lebanon - which I visited for the first time in 2019 - I came across this piece about Beirut. I love this city, and I´m taking notes! https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/09/25/beirut-discover-modern-s...

This Mediterranean city is the Paris of the Middle East

From mosques to beer bars, tradition and modernity coexist in Beirut.
Ahmed Abbas June 4, 2023 at 1:04pm

As the 2023 tourist high season is about to get underway here, it looks like this year tourism is going to be a rare bright spot in the Lebanese economy : https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/variety/705612/lebanons-tourism-season...

Lebanons tourism season to kick off: Jean Abboud reveals high influx of tourists

| Lebanon News
Max Pesling May 6, 2023 at 11:16am

The tourism sector here has of course been having a rough time of it along with the rest of the country. But one national group of tourists has been giving it a shot in the arm lately - would you believe Iraqis? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63329846

Lebanon: Iraqi tourists provide unlikely boost for failing economy

Despite power cuts, shortages and political strife, Iraqis (and their dollars) are coming to Lebanon.
Riccardo R January 26, 2023 at 11:07am

Sadly, UNESCO just added three sites to its "endangered" list, including Tripoli's trade fair grounds designed in 1962 by Oscar Niemayer: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/unesco-world-heritage-sites-...

Three sites 'in danger' added to UNESCO World Heritage List

The historic center of the Ukrainian port city of Odesa was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List as well as its list of sites "in danger" on Wednesd…