Lebanon is a beautiful country with many attractions that will amaze anyone. The country is tiny, so it will be possible to get the most of it in just 5 short days.
Day One- Beirut
Start your trip from the capital city of Beirut. The city makes a great introduction to Lebanon and is worth one full day to explore. It is a diverse city complemented by youthful and vibrant energy. There are many places in Beirut that you should not miss. Discover the fascinating history in the National Museum of Beirut that houses about 100,000 ancient and medieval artifacts. You can also see the most extensive collection of Phoenician objects. Then, take a tour to Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque or the Blue Masjid and immerse in its artistically decorated interiors and architecture. There are many other things you can do in Beirut like wander around the souks, explore the Saifi Urban Gardens complex, smoke shisha in Place d’Etoile, or enjoy the landscape of the Mediterranean Sea from the Avenue de Paris.
Day Two- Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos
On your second day, head north around 18 kilometers of Beirut to Jeita Grotto, one of Lebanon’s natural beauties. Jeita Grotto is the longest cave in the Middle East, consisting of two separate, interconnected limestone caves. It was inhabited by prehistoric men. You can watch a short documentary and hop on a boat to explore the cave. On the boat ride, you can enjoy the stalagmites and stalactites. When you are done with the cave, take a cable car in Jounieh up to the sanctuary of “Our Lady of Lebanon” in Harissa. Here, you will get a beautiful panoramic mountain and sea view. Then, continue to the Byblos archeological site to experience the Crusader Castle, the Phoenician ruins, and the Roman Amphitheater.
Day Three- Baalbek, Anjar, and Ksara Winery
You should take a full day tour to Baalbek, Anjar, and Ksara Winery on your third day. Start your tour in Anjar and stroll around the impressive Umayyad ruins where you can witness the remnants from the Umayyad period, see the protected city of the first dynasty of Islamic rulers. Continue your tour to Baalbek where you can visit the famous temple from the Roman period. Here, you will see three temples: The Jupiter Temple, the Venus Temple, and the Bacchus Temple. The three temples are equally amazing and will leave you in awe. When you have seen all that the temples have to offer, head to Ksara Winery, the oldest winery in the country. It has a huge underground cellar and you can even taste the local wines!
Day Four- Sidon and Tyre
Head south to enjoy Sidon and Tyre. Sidon has a 13th century Crusader Sea Castle, old souks, and the 20th-century soap museum. You can also visit the Debbane Palace, found inside the souks. The palace was originally built as a traditional Arab private residence in 1721 and was acquired by the Debbane family who added two upper floors in 1920. The family was forced to move out in 1978 due to the Civil War. The building became a refugee shelter for 5 years and now, it is one of the most popular sites in Sidon. Continue south, and you will arrive in Tyre. The city is known for its archeological remains of its Roman city as well as the medieval constructions of the Crusaders.
Day Five- Cedars of God
The best way to end your trip in Lebanon is to visit the Cedars of God. It takes about to hour from Beirut and the area is pretty small, making it suitable for a quick trip. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the rare Lebanese cedar trees. Once overflowed with the species of cedar, exploitation has led to mass deforestation. You can wander around the trees and admire the beauty.
