Itinerary Beirut & Byblos

May is an excellent time to visit Lebanon: expect mild, sunny weather (average 20–26°C), perfect for exploring cities, ruins, and the coast before the summer crowds.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1500 $
🏨 Accommodations	900 $
🧳 Gear	100 $
🗺️ On-site	900 $
Total	3400 $

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇱🇧 Beirut - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of Beirut ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Premier archaeological museum with artifacts from Phoenician, Roman, and Ottoman eras. Go early for fewer crowds.

• [ ] 🏙️ Beirut Central District (Downtown) ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)

  • Marvel at rebuilt squares (Place des Martyrs, Place de l’Etoile), churches, mosques, and lively souks. Ideal for a walking tour.

• [ ] 🏖️ Corniche Beirut ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Scenic seaside promenade, perfect for sunset strolling. Mix with locals, snack vendors, fishermen.

• [ ] 🏰 Zaitunay Bay ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Upscale harbor area with restaurants, cafes, and luxury yachts. Great for people-watching and a coffee break.

• [ ] 🌳 Sanayeh Public Garden ⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic city park for relaxation. Ideal spot for a morning walk.

• [ ] 🎨 Sursock Museum ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Beautiful mansion hosting contemporary and modern art exhibitions.

• [ ] 🛕 Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Stunning blue-domed mosque; non-Muslims welcomed outside prayer times—dress modestly.

• [ ] 🏛️ Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Lebanon’s oldest active cathedral; impressive ruins underneath.

• [ ] 🏘️ Gemmayzeh & Mar Mikhaël neighborhoods ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy streets lined with vibrant street art, hip cafes, galleries, and early-20th c. architecture.

• [ ] 🏛️ American University of Beirut (AUB) campus & Archaeological Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Historic campus; free entry to Lebanon’s second-oldest museum.

• [ ] 🏛️ MIM Mineral Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • World-famous mineral collection—fascinating for geology lovers.

• [ ] 🏘️ Hamra Street ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Lively boulevard; eclectic mix of shops, bookstores, and casual dining.

• [ ] 🏛️ Roman Baths & Grand Serail ⭐ (~1h)

  • Archaeological ruins right in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Ottoman-era government palace.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Aaliya's Books ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Literary bar-cafe with books, small plates, occasional live music. Intimate, relaxed atmosphere.

• [ ] 🎷 The Ballroom Blitz ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Beirut’s trendiest nightclub with eclectic DJ sets and events (check schedule).

• [ ] 🍸 Abdel Wahab Restaurant & Rooftop ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Rooftop with spectacular city views; elegant but welcoming vibe.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Souk el Tayeb Farmers' Market ⭐⭐⭐

  • Beirut’s best for local specialties, farm produce, and street food—Saturdays, ~10$+ per meal.

• [ ] 🍽️ Tawlet ⭐⭐

  • Celebrated farm-to-table lunch spot—menu changes daily, ~25$ per person.

• [ ] 🥙 Le Chef ⭐⭐

  • Beloved local institution serving authentic home-cooked Lebanese cuisine, ~10–15$.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏝️ Raouché Pigeon Rocks boat tour (~1h)

  • Short boat ride for photo ops at iconic rocks.

• [ ] 🏛️ Bourj Hammoud (~2h)

  • Lebanon’s Armenian quarter—fascinating food & culture scene.

🇱🇧 Byblos (Jbeil) - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Byblos Castle ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Crusader-era castle with ramparts, towers, and panoramic sea views; heart of the archaeological site.

• [ ] 🏛️ Byblos Archaeological Site ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Ruins spanning Phoenician, Roman, and medieval eras—amphitheatre, temples, royal necropolis.

• [ ] 🌊 Byblos Ancient Port ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Picturesque old harbor, historic boats, charming promenade.

• [ ] 🏘️ Byblos Old Souk ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Atmospheric streets lined with artisans, cafes, and souvenir boutiques.

• [ ] 🏛️ St. John-Marc Cathedral ⭐⭐ (~1h)

  • Ancient Romanesque church, serene ambiance.

• [ ] 🏖️ Byblos Public Beach ⭐ (~2h)

  • Relaxed pebble and sand beach, close to the old town.

• [ ] 🏛️ Wax Museum Byblos ⭐ (~1h)

  • Unique local museum depicting Lebanese historical figures.

• [ ] 🌳 Byblos Fossil Museum ⭐ (~1h)

  • Fascinating marine fossils from the region; great stop for science aficionados.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Iris Beach Club ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Trendy spot for sunset drinks and seaside lounging (evening events in summer).

• [ ] 🍸 La Pêche du Jour ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Harbourfront seafood bar with relaxed Mediterranean vibes.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍽️ Feniqia ⭐⭐⭐

  • Inventive Lebanese fusion menu in a stylish setting, ~35$.

• [ ] 🥗 Bab el Mina ⭐⭐

  • Fresh local seafood, harbor views, ~25–30$.

• [ ] 🥙 Locanda a la Granda ⭐

  • Lebanese-Italian, good value mezze, ~18$.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏞️ Nahr Ibrahim Valley (~2h)

  • Scenic river valley nearby, excellent for quick hikes and photos.

• [ ] 🏛️ Old Phoenician Wall (~1h)

  • Ruins just beyond the port, usually uncrowded.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇱🇧 Beirut

• [ ] 🎬 West Beirut (1998) — ⭐ 7.5 — Coming-of-age drama set during Lebanese Civil War — Netflix
• [ ] 🎬 Caramel (2007) — ⭐ 7.0 — Life of five women in Beirut, shot in a charming local salon — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 Beirut City (2018) — ⭐ 7.4 — TV drama about four friends navigating life in modern Beirut — YouTube
• [ ] 🎬 Capernaum (2018) — ⭐ 8.4 — Gripping story of a boy surviving Beirut’s tough streets — Hulu

🇱🇧 Byblos

• [ ] 🎬 Under the Bombs (2007) — ⭐ 7.0 — A journey across post-war Lebanon, including Byblos — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Little Wars (1982) — ⭐ 6.9 — Explores Lebanese identity through multiple cities — Mubi
• [ ] 📺 Al Hayba (2017) — ⭐ 7.8 — Popular Lebanese crime drama, rural and urban sights — Netflix

🍜 Local specialties

🇱🇧 Beirut

• [ ] Kibbeh Nayeh (raw minced meat with bulgur & spices)
• [ ] Fatteh (layered dish w/ yogurt, chickpeas, bread, pine nuts)
• [ ] Sfiha (open-faced Lebanese meat pies)

🇱🇧 Byblos

• [ ] Grilled fresh fish (daily market catch)
• [ ] Samke Harra (spicy baked fish with tahini)
• [ ] Moghrabieh (Lebanese couscous with lamb & chickpeas)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇱🇧 Beirut

1. National Museum of Beirut
2. Aaliya's Books
3. Beirut Souks
4. Albergo Hotel
5. Souk el Tayeb

🇱🇧 Byblos

1. Byblos Castle
2. Iris Beach Club
3. Byblos Old Souk
4. Aleph Boutique Hotel
5. Feniqia

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Beirut
• [ ] 🚅 Beirut → Byblos (private transfer, taxi, or intercity bus)
• [ ] 🚅 Byblos → Beirut → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Beirut	3	Albergo Hotel (4*)	600 $
Byblos	2	Aleph Boutique	300 $
Total	5		900 $