- Destinations
- Middle East
- Lebanon
- Beirut
Beirut
The capital of Lebanon, Beirut is enjoying a growing revival of
its reputation as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Middle
East. The city has survived a tumultuous history, with the
country's civil war nearly levelling it in the 1980s.
Since then however, citizens have worked hard to restore the
city's image as the 'Paris of the Middle East'. Its diverse
population includes more than 10 religious groups, and the majority
have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming to tourists.
The city's architecture is a blend of French colonial buildings
and religious structures sprinkled between modern skyscrapers and
apartment buildings. Beirut is divided into several districts,
including Ashrafieh, which is the focal point of Western culture in
the city; Hamra, home to an abundance of shops and restaurants;
Manara and Jnah, which are home to hotels and beach clubs; and
Ramlet el Baida, which features the city's only public (and sandy)
beach.
Information & Facts
Climate
Beirut has a typically Mediterranean climate, characterised by
hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The hottest month is
August, with temperatures reaching 84°F (32°C), and the coldest
months are January and February, with temperatures hovering around
50°F (10°C). The best time to visit Beirut is in spring (May) or
autumn (September), when the weather is perfectly mild and there is
plenty of tourist accommodation available.
Eating Out
Of all countries which boast a 'Mediterranean diet', Lebanon is
one of the luckiest when it comes to the richness and variety of
its fresh produce. Top-quality Lebanese restaurants are spread
throughout Beirut - pick one where the produce is on display, as
the freshness of the food is largely the point. The traditional
Lebanese meal known as 'Mezze' consists of up to thirty hot and
cold dishes, including salads such as tabbouleh and fattouche, dips
like hummus and moutabal, bite-sized lamb pies known as sambouseks,
stuffed vine leaves, and the ubiquitous pita bread. You should
definitely also try mankoushe (Lebanese pizza), ka'ek (massive,
thyme-flavoured bagels), and the huge variety of Lebanese sweets
that get turned out whenever there's a religious or national event
going on. For those who prefer international cuisine, don't worry,
Beirut is famously cosmopolitan, and has a huge array of high-end
international dining options (most of them located in the Ashrafieh
district, just east of Beirut's CBD). International fast food
outlets also abound in Beirut, for those times when you need to
grab something in a hurry.
Language
Arabic is the official language. French and English are
also spoken.
Money
The official currency is the Lebanese Pound (LBP), which is
divided into 100 Piastres. The Lebanese Pound is locally known as
the 'Lira'. ATM machines are widely available in Lebanon except in
isolated towns and cash can be withdrawn from banks during business
hours. Credits cards are widely used and travellers checks in US
dollars are accepted at major exchange offices.
Night Life
Beirut has a well-earned reputation for being something of a
party city - and night-owls will have no problem in getting their
late-night kicks in Lebanon's capital city. The consumption of
alcohol is commonplace in Beirut, and there are no curfews imposed
on downtown establishments - so parties tend to go on till the
break of dawn, at least. There are a lot of bars and clubs in
Beirut, and the 'scene' changes quite often - but generally, if
you're looking for a good time, head down to Gemmayze or Monot
Street. Two currently-trendy clubs are SkyBar (which overlooks the
Mediterranean Sea) and BO18, where revellers dance the night away
in an abandoned bomb shelter, adorned with baroque décor. One thing
to bear in mind: when Lebanese locals go out, they make sure they
look good - don't turn up to a club in your backpacker gear and
expect to be allowed in.
Shopping
Beirut is known as the 'fashion capital' of the Middle East -
and visitors to Lebanon who're looking to augment their wardrobes
with some stylish additions would do well to spend some time
looking around the nation's capital. Local brands specialising in
haute couture include Basil Soda, Elie Saab and Pierre Katra. The
best places to shop for fashion and accessories in Beirut are Hamra
Street and Rue Verdun; although Mar-Elias Street is lined with
stores stocked with Lebanese brands, which are generally cheaper.
Organised markets in Beirut include the wonderful Souk El Tayeb,
held in Saifi Village (itself a shopping hot-spot); and the Sunday
Market, which operates between 7am and 1pm next to Beirut River in
the east of the city. At these markets, you can expect to find
everything from fresh produce to antiques, clothing and keepsakes -
just be prepared to bargain vociferously for a good price.
Sightseeing
Beirut is uncommonly blessed with its wide range of sights and
activities - and is truly able to cater to any tourist's every
whim. If you're a culture junkie, be sure to check out the National
Museum of Beirut, which houses some important archaeological
artefacts; and the Temples of Baalbek, the world's finest surviving
example of Imperial Roman architecture. If languishing on the beach
is more your thing, you can do that at Ramlet el Baida (the city's
sandy beach) - and if you're more of an adventurous holidaymaker,
you can go skiing on nearby Mount Lebanon, go snorkelling among
shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea, or hike up to the Our Lady of
Lebanon statue in Harissa. Whether mixing with locals on the
Corniche at sunset, browsing some of Beirut's cosmopolitan shops
and restaurants, or exploring the incredible underground cave
network of the Jeita Grotto, you're sure to be blissfully busy
while on holiday in Beirut.
Time
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to
the last Sunday in October).