Shopping in Lebanon

For travelers whose motto is “to live is to shop,” Lebanon is the destination in the Middle East. In Beirut, you can find all the famous, cutting-edge designers in both clothing and furniture from all over the world.

There is also a very trendy, home-grown echelon of Lebanese fashion and furniture designers, artists, and photographers whose work should be checked out at the many galleries and shops throughout the city.For clothes lovers, trying on the latest outfits and accessories in Beirut is very much like doing so in New York, London, Paris, or Rome. Visit the large trendy shopping centers in the Verdun area, check out the designer stores in the Solidère area, or along Rue Hamra – a shopping-lover's paradise.

Hotels & Restaurants

Lebanon offers a variety of accommodations that cater to the budget and comfort requirements of any tourist.Whether you're looking to be pampered with five-star service and full spa facilities, or you desire to get off the beaten track and share a traditional Lebanese meal with a local family in a quiet mountain village, you're sure to find whatever suits your tastes.

Numerous quality restaurants offer international cuisines (Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, etc.), while restaurants serving delicious Lebanese food are too numerous to count. The Ministry of Tourism publishes a Hotel Guide and a Guide to Restaurants,Night Clubs and Cafes, both available at the Office of Tourism.

Entertainment

Beirut may be the nightlife capital of Lebanon, but also other cities in the country are brimming with restaurants, clubs, centers for performing arts, music venues, movie theatres, discos, pubs, bars and many more... In the summer, there are large festivals extending over several days or weeks in Baalbek, Byblos, Beiteddine, and Tyre headlining big name acts (both Lebanese and international performers).

Try the nightlife on the coast north of Beirut, such as Jounié and the Casino du Liban, or in the picturesque port town of Batroun. Broummana, a scenic hillside town with cafés, restaurants, and discos, located 23km east of Beirut, is also humming on the weekends. In winter, the ski resorts, such as Faraya-Mzaar, accommodate the jet-set crowd.

Getting to Lebanon

By Air : Beirut International Airport at Khaldé (7km south of Beirut) is Lebanon's only international airport. The airport is served by many international airlines, as well as the national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA). Connections to cities in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa are frequent.
By Land : There are four border crossing points between Lebanon and Syria: Masnaa (on the Beirut-Damascus Highway), Qaa (at the northern edge of the Békaa Valley), Aaridé (north of Tripoli along the coast), and Aabboudiyé (northeast of Tripoli).

You can travel between Lebanon and Syria by private/rental car, bus, private taxi, or service taxi. Nationals of many countries can get a Lebanese visa at the border.

Practical Information for Travelers to Lebanon

Visas : Travelers wishing to enter Lebanon must possess a valid passport with a visa obtained from a Lebanese embassy or consulate abroad. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Residents of 33 countries including the USA, members of the European Union, and countries of the Arabian Gulf and Malysia can obtain visas at the airport in Beirut.

For more details contact the Lebanese embassy or consulate in your country or visit the General Directorate of General Security website : www.general-security.gov.lb

Customs : All ordinary personal effects are exempt from customs duty.