Travel advisory · LebanonGovernments advise against all travel to Lebanon.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Bekaa Valley · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, US
- Border with Syria · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Italy, US
- Palestinian refugee camps · avoid all travel · Germany, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Southern Lebanon · avoid all travel · Germany, Italy, UK, US
- Southern suburbs of Beirut (Dahiyeh) · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, UK, US
- Baalbek · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Tripoli city · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy, New Zealand
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along the Syrian border (New Zealand), Akkar (Italy), Akkar Governorate, north of the Qlayaat road (UK), Baalbek-Hermel Governorate (Germany), Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, north of the Danniyeh-Hermel Road (UK), Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, north of the Hermel-Ras Baalbek Road and east of the Baalbek-Qaa Highway (UK), Beqaa Governorate, east of the Masnaa-Rachaiya Road (UK), Northern Lebanon, north of the Abdeh-Mechmech road (France), Refugee settlements (US), Saida (excluding city) to Jezzine and Machghara axis (France), South of the Zahrani River (Spain), Ain el Hilweh camp (near Sidon) (Italy), Arsal (Italy), Beirut (Ireland), Beqaa Governorate, south of the Kafraiya to Joub Jannine road (UK), Central Lebanon, from Tripoli to Sidon (France), Hermel (Italy), Jabal Mohsen and Bab el Tebbaneh (Tripoli) (France), Lebanon-Israel border area (US), Mount Lebanon Governorate, south of the Wadi El Zayni road (UK), Rest of Baalbek-Hermel Governorate (UK), Southern Lebanon coast up to Sidon (city included) and Qaraoun Lake (France), Tripoli-Abdeh-Mechmech triangle (France), Tripoli, east of the Bechara El Khoury road (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Lebanon for any reason | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Von Reisen in andere Landesteile dringend abgeraten | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Lebanon | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Do Not Travel; strongly advised against all travel to the rest of Lebanon | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Déconseillé sauf raison impérative (reste du territoire) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Byblos
Byblos is a small harbor town north of Beirut with Phoenician ruins, a Crusader castle and seafood restaurants by the water.
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Byblos, also called Jbeil, is a coastal town about 40 kilometers north of Beirut. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world. Phoenician walls and Roman columns stand near the excavated site, and a Crusader castle sits on the hill above the harbor, built partly from older stone. Below it, a small fishing harbor and a narrow old souk lead to cafes and seafood restaurants on the water.
Most visitors come on a day trip from Beirut or stay a night on the coast. Plan at least half a day for the archaeological site, the castle and a walk through the old town, or a full day if you want to swim or eat slowly by the sea. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for walking the ruins. Summer is hot and humid, with warm sea swimming and busier weekends.
Byblos in five
- Agree the taxi fare from Beirut before you set offByblos is about an hour by car from Beirut, and longer at rush hour. Agree the fare and the drop-off point before you get in, since taxis often do not use a meter.
- Get WhatsApp and an eSIM before you arriveMany guesthouses, restaurants and drivers in Byblos answer on WhatsApp, so you need data from the moment you land. Set up a plan before you travel.Phones and eSIM
- Carry small US dollar notes for small shops and taxisUS dollars are widely used in Lebanon. Small shops and drivers may not have change for large notes, and card payments are not reliable everywhere, so keep some cash on you.
- Check castle and site hours on the dayThe Crusader castle and the archaeological site are the main sights. Opening hours can change, so check them locally before you walk up.Getting around
- Cover shoulders and knees for churches and mosquesChurches and mosques in the old town expect visitors to dress modestly, and mosques require shoes to be removed. Carry a light scarf or shawl for the day.
Need to know
- Currency
- Lebanese pound (LBP); US dollar widely used
- Entry
- Visa-free or visa on arrival for many passports; check your nationality
- Emergency
- 112 police, 125 fire, 140 ambulance (Red Cross)
- Tipping
- Check the bill for a service charge; if none is added, round up
- Time
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, rainy
- FebruaryCool, rain
- MarchMild, green
- AprilMild, spring
- MayWarm, dry
- JuneHot, busy
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, sea
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberRain returns
- DecemberCool, rainy
Right now in Byblos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 56%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 33%
Byblos
12:39 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°20°33%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed24°19°28%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Thu22°19°25%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri20°19°61%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sat19°17°49%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun21°16°31%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 31%.
Updated 10:03 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 89,500 LBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Beirutabout 1 hour by car, more at rush hourThe capital, with museums and a busy waterfront. The main base for a Lebanon trip.Read the guide
- Batrounabout 30 to 40 min by car, north along the coastA seaside town with old stone streets and cafes by the water.Read the guide
- Tripoliabout 1 hour by car, northMamluk-era architecture and a busy old souk.Read the guide
Before you go to Byblos
Rules for Byblos, checked
- Check the visa or visa-on-arrival rules for your passport before you fly, using the General Security or your nearest Lebanese embassy.
- Carrying or using illegal drugs carries serious penalties in Lebanon. Check the rules with your embassy before you travel.
- Ask before photographing army posts, checkpoints or security buildings, since these are restricted.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at mosques. Ask before you enter a prayer area.
Plan around Byblos
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Lebanon trip
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, private cars and routes along the coast from Beirut
Read the guideMoney and costsHow to pay for stays, meals and sights in dollars and pounds
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport before you book flights
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels in the old town and near the harbor
Read the guideMiddle EastLebanon in a wider route through the region
Read the guideByblos FAQ
Is Byblos worth visiting?
Yes, for the harbor, the Crusader castle and the old souk in one compact town. It works well as a half day or a night, especially if you want a quieter base than Beirut.
How do you get from Beirut to Byblos?
By taxi or private car, usually about an hour along the coast road, longer at rush hour. Agree the fare before you set off, since taxis often do not use a meter.
Can you visit Byblos on a day trip from Beirut?
Yes. A day covers the castle, the Roman columns and the harbor. Stay a night if you want to see the town after the day visitors leave.
How many days do you need in Byblos?
One day for the main sights, or one night if you want an evening by the harbor. Add a second day if you plan to explore the coast north of the town.
When is the best time to visit Byblos?
April to May and September to October, when days are warm and dry. Winter is cool and rainy, and summer is hot and humid.