Beirut

City Information

Explore city history, fast facts, climate and practical visitor information for Beirut.

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City Information

Annual Temperature:

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Visa Information

Visa requirements for Lebanon

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City Information

The local currency is the Lebanese Pound, or as locally referred to, the “Lira”. The terms livre (French), pound (English), and lira (Arabic) are used interchangeably, and the currency’s abbreviation is LL (Livre Libanaise) or LBP (Lebanese Pound).

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Fast Facts

Location:: Middle East, south west part of Lebanon it is the capital and a port.; Dialing code: Country +961: : City 01 Emergency numbers:; • Ambulance: (01) 865 561: • Fire Department: 175 or (01) 310 105 • Tourist Police: 112/160 or (01) 350 901 • Civil Defense: 125 or (01) 425 244 • Red Cross: 140 or (01) 863 295 • Ministry of Tourism in Beirut: (01) 340940 /4 or 343 074 • Airport: (01) 628 000 • International Calls Operator: 100 • Telephone Directory Services: 120

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Public Holidays

• 1 January-New Year’s Day • 6 January—Christmas (Armenian Community) • 9 February--St. Maroun’s Day • Prophet’s Day-- Varies depending on the Muslim calendar • Easter (Western)--- Varies depending on the Gregorian and Western calendars • Easter (Eastern)-- Varies depending on the Gregorian and Western calendars • 1 May—Labor Day • 6 May—Martyr’s Day • 25 May—Liberation of South • August 15—Assumption of Mother Mary • Eid Al Fitr—Varies depending on the Muslim calendar • 1 November—All Saints Day • 22 November—Independence Day • Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)—Varies depending on the Muslim calendar • Islamic New Year-- Varies depending on the Muslim calendar • 25 December—Christmas • 27 December¬-Ashoora (1431Hijri)-- Varies depending on the Muslim calendar

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When to go

Beirut is good to visit any time of year, it really depends on your preferences. Winters are chilly (temperatures under 20C) and wet, but the mountains are snow covered and have the Middle East’s only outdoor skiing. Summers are hot and dry, but significantly cooler than the rest of the Middle East, thanks to the moderating influence of the Mediterranean. Average temperatures are around 30C, but regularly get into the mid-30s. The best weather is in April, May, October, and November when temperatures are comfortable and the weather is still dry and sunny.

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Residents

The residents of Beirut are educated, widely travelled and savvy. They are outward looking and ready to embrace new developments. With uncertain political conditions and the threat of war a constant factor, Beirutis it is said, party hard and live each day as if it may be their last. Their zest for living is reflected in their lifestyle, most prominent being their sense of dressing. Residents of Beirut are perhaps the most fashion conscious race in the world!

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Beirut Today

Beirut has had a tumultuous past, but like the phoenix it keeps rising from the ashes. Forget about the bombings, riots, and violence – Beirut is an amazing city that pulsates with life. New construction, as well as restoration, abounds.

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Beirut History

The first mention of Beirut in the history books comes from more than 3,000 years ago. Named for “the wells”, or Berytus, thanks to its vast reserves of fresh water, it was a Canaanite port built on two hills which came together to form a peninsula into the Mediterranean. The city hit the big time in 64BC when it was conquered by the Roman general Agrippa. Beirut became an important port in the Roman, and later Byzantine Empire. It also became home to a legendary law school, which would go on to produce the Justinian Code.

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