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Top Places to Visit in Lebanon by Car

The best places to visit in Lebanon by car, with approximate distances from Beirut: Byblos, Batroun, Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Baalbek, the Cedars, the Chouf, Sidon, Tyre and more.

Updated · 7 min read

The Crusader castle and ancient ruins of Byblos under a blue sky

Lebanon's main sights are spread across the coast, Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, which makes a rental car the most practical way to see them. Here are the top places to visit in Lebanon by car, grouped by region, with approximate driving distances from Beirut.

Beirut

Start in the capital: walk the Corniche seafront to the Pigeon Rocks at Raouche, explore the restored downtown around Nejmeh Square and its clock tower, and visit the National Museum of Beirut. A car is handy for reaching the city's different neighbourhoods, though parking in a paid car park is usually easiest.

North of Beirut

  • Jeita Grotto (about 20 km): spectacular limestone caves with an upper gallery and a lower grotto visited by boat; the lower cave can close in the wettest months.
  • Harissa (about 25 km): the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon overlooking Jounieh Bay, reachable by road or by cable car from Jounieh.
  • Byblos / Jbeil (about 40 km): UNESCO-listed ruins, a Crusader castle, an old souk and a picturesque harbour.
  • Batroun (about 55 km): a Phoenician sea wall, old churches, beaches and a lively seafront.
  • Tripoli (about 85 km): a medieval citadel, Mamluk-era architecture and traditional souks.

The mountains

  • Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God (about 120 km): a UNESCO-listed valley of monasteries and one of the last groves of ancient Lebanon cedars.
  • Faraya and Mzaar Kfardebian (about 50 km): skiing in winter, hiking and cool air in summer.
  • Deir el Qamar and Beiteddine (about 45 km): a historic stone village and a 19th-century palace in the Chouf.
  • Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve: Lebanon's largest nature reserve, with trails through cedar forests.

The Bekaa Valley

  • Baalbek (about 85 km): some of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world, including the Temple of Bacchus.
  • Zahle (about 50 km): riverside restaurants and a gateway to the Bekaa's wineries.
  • Anjar (about 60 km): the ruins of an 8th-century Umayyad city, also on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

South of Beirut

  • Sidon / Saida (about 45 km): the Crusader Sea Castle, old souks and the soap museum.
  • Tyre / Sour (about 80 km): UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, including a hippodrome and colonnaded streets, beside sandy beaches.

Check travel advice

Before visiting areas near the southern border or the north-eastern Bekaa, check your government's current travel advice for Lebanon.

Turn these places into an itinerary with our scenic road trips in Lebanon, then compare cars on Avis Lebanon (opens in a new tab) or Budget Lebanon (opens in a new tab).

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-see places in Lebanon?

Popular highlights include Byblos, Baalbek, the Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God, Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Batroun, Beiteddine and the Chouf, Sidon and Tyre.

How far is Baalbek from Beirut by car?

Baalbek is about 85 km from Beirut. The drive crosses Mount Lebanon and usually takes around two hours, depending on traffic and weather.

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