Beirut Travel Tips
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Banks: 08:30 to 12:30, Monday to Friday; 08:30 to 12:00, Saturdays
Post Offices: 08:00 to 21:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 18:00, Saturdays
Government Offices: 08:00 to 13.30 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 13.30 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 21:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 18:00, Saturdays
Government Offices: 08:00 to 13.30 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 13.30 and 15:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Beirut is still on shaky ground after the Syrian withdrawal in 2005 and the Israeli invasion of 2006 although tourists are returning. Although Beirut itself is safe, the Hezbollah-supported south should be avoided altogether. Avoid talking about politics and religion full stop, but keep abreast of the political situation through the news in case of flare ups. Beware pickpockets when out and about.
220V, 50Hz; European and UK style plugs are the norm.
The sun causes the biggest health problems in Beirut, with sunburn common in the summer. Avoiding the midday heat, wearing a hat and sunscreen on the beaches and when strolling the Corniche, and drinking lots of water are all imperative. The tap water in Beirut is not potable but food hygiene standards are high. Hospitals are expensive here and taking out good travel insurance is a must.
Emergency services: 112
American University of Beirut Medical Center:+961 1 350000
Multilingual Beirut has Arabic and French as the official languages, although English is spoken in tourist areas and shop signs and city restaurant menus are generally in English. Road signs are in Arabic and French.
The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound (LBP), where notes come in LBP50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 denominations. Coins are available in LL100, 250 and 500.
Duty-free limits for Lebanon are: 2 litres of spirits; 400 cigarettes or 20 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco; and 100ml of perfume and 1 litre of eau de cologne. Gifts and personal belongings will need to be declared if they exceed a value of LBP 2,000,000, or around US$1,300.
Although Lebanon is laid back and you could get away with shorts and a t-shirt during the summer, the country is very religious and being aware of your dress while at religious sites is advised. Topless sunbathing is not allowed, while dressing up when dining out is recommended. The handshake is the standard form of greeting here. Tip waiters who do a good job as restaurants rarely have service charges.
Everyone needs a visa to enter Lebanon, apart from Syrians, although citizens of the EU, the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand can easily obtain a 15-day or 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport.
The Lebanese Ministry of Tourism offers free brochures, maps and good travel information to tourists and is located at Rue Banque du Liban in the Hamra area of Beirut. Phone: +961 1 343 073
Travel Guide
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South Beirut
The room is spacious and very clean and it looks like new. The hotel location is very convenient and especially it is located in an upscale quite neighborhood in Beirut. The staffs are polite and ver...
The room is spacious and very clean and it looks like new. The hotel location is very convenient and especially it is located in an upscale quite neighborhood in Beirut. The staffs are polite and ver...
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