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.

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.

Arabic is the official language. French and English are also spoken.

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 ATM machines are widely available in Lebanon except in isolated towns and cash can be withdrawn from banks during business hours.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.

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.

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.

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.

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).