LEBANON TRAVEL GUIDE

A Guide to Staying, Eating & Wandering Like a Local

Beirut from the sky feels still, but you know what’s coming.

Sit on the left side of the plane, most flights loop over the coastline before landing, giving you a hint of the city’s charming chaos. Outside the airport, Beirut hits you like warm wind, anything can happen from here. Skip the airport cabs and order an Uber or Allo Taxi, and always start a conversation. Taxi drivers, with their road-worn wisdom, have seen it all.

First stop? Falafel Sahyoun. No frills, just hot, crispy falafel wrapped in pita with mint, pickles, and tahini. Or try Em Sherif Deli for a modern, polished take on Lebanese comfort food.

Where to Stay

For local color, Airbnb in Gemmayze, Achrafiyeh, Saifi, Hamra or Badaro offers charming apartments, just be sure to check electricity coverage. If you’re after luxury, Hotel Albergo is a timeless classic. Another charming stay: ArtHaus, a boutique hideaway just off Gouraud Street.

Guesthouses Outside the City

Want to slow down? Beit Trad in Kfour is quiet luxury with Lebanese soul. In Deir el Qamar, Bouyouti blends heritage with family-run charm. Tawlet’s Beit Douma is a thoughtful stay, especially for food lovers. Further out, Hotel Palmyra in Baalbek sits near the grand Roman ruins, and Al Haush offers a rustic eco-retreat in the Bekaa.

A Northern Drive

Northbound? Head to Tripoli to see Oscar Niemeyer’s unfinished fairgrounds. While you're there, grab lahm bi ajeen at Al Hallab and ask for a tour of the kitchen. On your way back, lunch at Jammal in Batroun, tables sit right in the sea, so book early.

Markets, Manoushe & Wine

On Saturdays, stroll Souk El Tayeb, the farmers market in Mar Mikhael, grab a manoushe from Saj Rima, and stock up on local goods. Or go for a morning walk on corniche Ain el Mreisseh and grab a manoushe from Abou Shadi. Then pick a direction out of the city, toward the vineyards at Château Kefraya, Ixsir, or Sept Winery, and get a taste of Lebanon’s wine scene.

Everyday Beirut

Wander Ashrafieh for heritage homes and leafy streets. In winter, start the night at The Wine Room in Bread Republic; for lunch, L’Entrecôte Monot’s glass room is filled with natural light. For a proper Lebanese lunch in the city, Em Sherif and Tawlet Mar Mikhaelare both a must. Liza Beirut is also an experience. If you're heading out, Fadel or Tallet Nasr in the nearby mountains, just 25 minutes from downtown, are both worth the drive. Classic spots like Casablanca, Centrale, Marinella along with newer spots like The Malt Gallery, Maryool, Terrible Prince, and Butler's bottle, round out the evening.

The Creative Pulse

Stroll Gouraud Street in Gemmayze to feel Beirut’s creative energy. Explore Jaz Beirut for vintage furniture, and Nada Debs for design. Most designer stores and creative spaces are found around here and all the way through Mar Mikhael. Climb Daraj el Fan to reach Sursock Museum, or head to the National Museum in Badaro, don’t skip the underground room. Nearby, Pavilion, a café by chef Hassan Hadid, is perfect for a sunny Sunday and watching the horses race.

Last Stops

Swing by Orient 499 in Clemenceau for artisanal gifts. Go for a dip, a final Almaza beer, and fried bizri at Sporting Beach Club. If architecture’s your thing, pick up the Modernist Beirut book and take yourself on a beautiful tour.

And before it’s time to leave, try the left seat again, but this time, be the driver. Fairuz on Spotify, windows down, no plan needed. Just the early morning and the endless hidden villages. Before your flight, stop by Goodies at the airport for some jam, labneh, and preserved treats to take a little bit of Lebanon home.

You’ll be back. Everyone always comes back.

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Georges El Ten founded creatorandcurator in 2023, shaped by his global experience in the creative industry and his distinct approach to brand experiences and storytelling. Drawing from his personal way of working, fluidly balancing multiple roles, he built the agency to reflect his dynamic, hands-on style. Now leading projects across the Middle East and Europe, Georges brings in perspectives from his travels to enrich the work.

Inspired by his fascination with oysters and their symbiotic nature, he fosters a collaborative environment where both sides contribute equally to the creative process, just as an oyster forms its pearl through cooperation.