Lebanon

Lebanon is located in the Middle East, bordering the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, north of Israel and west of Syria. Most of the country is covered by the Lebanon Mountains which run parallel to the coast on the west side.

Travel Insurance for Lebanon:
Area: Worldwide exc. USA / Canada **

Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Lebanon
 

On the eastern side of the border is the Anti-Lebanon mountain range and between the two ranges lies the Bekaa Valley , which is the country’s main agricultural area.

The population is a mixture of Arab and Mediterranean peoples, comprised of mainly Arabs, with some Armenian and other races. The dominant religion is Muslim, with Christians and some Jewish. The official languages are Arabic and French, with some Armenian. English is used and understood in many areas.

Lebanon in the past was a very popular destination for travellers and business people. However, civil war and unrest changed things for many years but they are returning to normal. It is a very lovely country with mountains, beautiful scenery, and coastal resorts, which affords the opportunity to either go to the beach or go skiing in the same day.

The gigantic Roman temple remains at Baalbek are a must-see. Also coastal areas such as Tripoli . Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon , and a popular destination for visitors with the crusader ruins, castle and religious buildings. There are dozens of fascinating museums to visit containing ancient relics recovered from archeological sites and many fascinating cultural and historical exhibits. Byblos , north of Beirut , is a busy place with modern office buildings mingling with the old town and medieval Crusader and Arab archaeological sites and ruins. The caves at Jeita are a popular attraction for visitors, with the impressive caverns and subterranean lakes and boat tours.

In the southern part of the country are the Phoenician port cities of Tyre and Sidon . Some of the attractions in these areas are the Phoenician Temple of Echmoun from the seventh century BC. Thee are ancient castles, mosques, and remains of buildings from the Roman and Greek eras.

Lebanon also has world-class resorts, where you can swim, dive and sail and enjoy the Mediterranean climate.

There are too many fascinating places to visit in Lebanon to mention here, with its caves, churches, monasteries and glimpses into the lives of ancient civilizations that once thrived in this land.

Weather / Climate
Lebanon ’s climate is mainly Mediterranean , with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. In the mountainous areas there is snow during the winter months.

Links
www.lebanontourism.org This site gives a lot of useful information for anyone planning to visit Lebanon , including visa requirements and practical information.

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.

* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

** At the time of writing, the F.C.O. advised against travel to countries, or areas thereof, marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the F.C.O. advise against travel to.

You are strongly advised to visit the F.C.O. web site for up to date information and general travel advice before you travel.