8 Attractions You Cannot Miss in Lebanon

One of the most important archaeological sites in Lebanon, Baalbek is home to some of the finest Roman ruins in the world.

The extremely well-preserved Temple of the Bacchus and the colossal Temple of Jupiter will leave you awestruck. Plan your sojourn in July and August to take part in the famous Baalbeck International Festival.

The town of Tannourine holds a place of ethereal beauty like no other. Baatara Gorge Waterfall is a natural limestone formation where roaring water plummets 255 meters into a sinkhole behind three natural bridges.

Also known as the Three Bridges Chasm, the waterfall is said to be millions of years old. Geologists speculate that it exists since the time the mighty dinosaurs reigned over Earth. March, April and May are endorsed as the best months to visit this place, as the beauty of the falls is accentuated by the water from the melting snow.

The longest cave in the Middle East, and a top finalist for a place in the New 7 Wonders of Nature, Jeita Grotto is a beautiful cave structure in the vicinity of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon.

The grotto is divided into two levels – the Upper Grotto and the Lower Grotto. You can admire the gorgeous limestone formations on foot in the former and from a boat in the latter. Go to and fro between the two grottoes in a charming little train, and enjoy a scenic cable car ride for a sweeping view of the natural beauty surrounding the cave.

A flourishing agricultural region, Beqaa Valley (or Bekaa Valley) is one of the most beautiful places in the Middle East. The valley holds a myriad of tourist attractions including a number of lovely vineyards, the gorgeous Lake Qaraoun, the Baalbek Ruins, and charming local restaurants that serve delectable Lebanese cuisine.

With ornate architecture, a beautiful courtyard, embellished mosaics, and stunning interiors, the Beiteddine Palace is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Lebanon.

It is rumored that the owner of the palace, Emir Bashir Shihab II, had the palace architect’s hands cut off, so that an equal of the opulent palace could not be created. The nobles of old seemed quite fond of cutting off appendages, don’t they?

A charming mountain village, Harissa is a significant religious destination in Lebanon. Devotees of diverse religious backgrounds flock towards the mountain to visit The Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.

The shrine’s cynosure is the 19th century, 15-ton, grandiose statue of Mother Mary, which overlooks the Jounieh Bay with outstretched arms.

One of the oldest cities in the world, Byblos (locally known as Jbeil), is rife with ancient buildings and relics from the times past. The city’s delightful Old Souk is a popular tourist hotspot with charming antique and souvenir shops, quaint cobblestoned streets and cozy cafes.