Home to the Paris of the Middle East, Lebanon is not only famous for Beirut. With its natural beauties, ancient cities, and caves, Lebanon is a country waiting to be discovered. Every single point of this country, which stands out with its differences, continues to surprise you. If you have come to Lebanon for a trip to Beirut, you can also allow other cities to have a pleasant time and get to know Lebanon.
When you come to Beirut, it is impossible not to go to the cities around 1-2 hours away. After completing the list of places to visit in Beirut, you can go to Tripoli, Byblos, and various ancient cities and points in the surrounding area. If you are ready, we are starting our Lebanese Tripoli and Byblos travel guide article outside of Beirut!
By the way, before reading our Tripoli and Byblos Travel Guide, I suggest you read our Beirut Travel Guide article…
Byblos Travel Guide / The Best Byblos Attractions
Byblos, whose history dates back to ancient times, is one of the must-see cities when you come to Lebanon. Byblos, located further north of Beirut, is actually a Phoenician port city. The history of the city dates back to 5000 BC. Therefore, Byblos rises as a living ancient city.
Byblos, whose Arabic name is Jubayl, takes its name from the Bible. It is possible to see a historical artifact in every corner of Byblos, which has been home to different civilizations for centuries. At the same time, since it is a port city, it is located as a more summer spot compared to Beirut and other cities.
Beirut, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, has been protected more carefully in recent years. Byblos, where local and foreign tourists are dense, is very famous for its list of places to visit. You can also come to Byblos by making a day trip from Beirut.
How to Get From Beirut to Byblos?
Byblos transportation is a subject that many tourists are curious about. Since there is no clear information on the internet, we tried to answer the question of how to get from Beirut to Byblos in detail. Because we had some difficulties in transportation on our Lebanon trip.
Byblos is located very close to Beirut. Since the distance between Beirut and Byblos is 35-40 km, you can reach Byblos in 30-40 minutes. Since it is located close, you can go to Byblos for a day and explore the city. Vans
1. Vans (MiniBusses)
There are basically 3 different options to go from Beirut to Byblos. The first and cheapest of these is public transportation. There are minibusses moving between Beirut and Byblos. There are buses and minibusses departing from the Beirut bus station almost every hour. Since different companies also go, it is enough to go to the bus station and get on the appropriate vehicle. However, it should be noted that public transportation does not consist of comfortable buses as we know. These public transportation vehicles, which are usually small and without air conditioning, are not very comfortable. They are still acceptable for a short-distance ride. You can go to the bus station and look at different bus options there, but they are not that different from each other.
2. Taxis ( Black Cabs)
Another option to go from Beirut to Byblos is by taxi. The taxi issue is also divided into two. Generally, we used Uber and Bolt in Beirut, so for us, a taxi means a little more of these applications. One option here is to take an Uber or Bolt from Beirut to Byblos. On average it costs 150 Lebanese Pounds (around £7). You can only use the Uber app in Byblos, Bolt does not work there. Therefore, when you want to return to Beirut from Byblos, you can call a taxi via Uber. Of course, taxi drivers may not want to go that long, but we did not encounter any problems. Since it is a close distance, it is very normal for the taxi drivers there.
3. Uber Or Bolt
Another option is one of the safest. You can ask the taxi drivers you meet via Uber or Bolt for daily tours of Byblos and its surroundings. They usually charge between $40 and $80. Together with Byblos, they take you to the ancient cities and Jeita Cave. Obviously, this is one of the safest and most comfortable options. If you are going with a group of 3-4 people, it is an option that can come at a much more affordable price.
One of the last options is to rent a car, but let’s mention that everyone drives like crazy in Lebanon. We do not recommend you to drive much due to the mixed traffic. At the same time, there are military controls at the entrances and exits of the city, so it may be difficult to travel with a rental car.
Things to Do in Byblos – The Best Attractions
After Beirut, Byblos is both a very touristic and a very quiet place. The architecture brought by being a port city is enough to fascinate people. Actually, Byblos is a pretty small area. You can easily finish the list of places to visit in Byblos in one day. Still, it’s important to take time to eat in old-timey restaurants and wander the streets.
Byblos, where the Christian population is high, is divided into old and new regions among itself. The old region is part of the ancient city and there are spots such as a bazaar and a castle. The new region, on the other hand, is the part where there is a little more coastal area and hosts summer houses. Still, every single point of Byblos is beautiful. If you are ready, let’s start our list of places to visit in Byblos!
The Old Souq
Byblos Souk, which carries medieval architecture, is one of the most important shopping streets in the city. The bazaar, where narrow streets connect to each other, is located in the middle of Byblos city center. This area, which welcomes you with the walls when you arrive by car, is an ideal spot to shop for souvenirs and eat.
Since Byblos is already a small city, Byblos Souk is the most lively spot here. You can enjoy getting lost while strolling in Byblos Souk, which houses different cafes and restaurants. It is useful to add this point, which also hosts beautiful photos of its historical houses, to the top of the list of places to visit in Byblos. You can reach other Byblos places to visit by passing the Byblos Souk, which is the heart of the city.
Byblos archaeological site
Artifacts that have survived from many civilizations, including the Phoenicians, are located in the Byblos Site. When you exit Byblos Old Souq, the history of the artifacts in the protected area goes back to 2700 BC. There are many important points such as the Roman Theater and the Baalat Gebal Temple on the site, which also includes the Obelisk Temple.
The protected area, which is at an important point in the list of places to visit in Byblos, is among the points that must be visited to understand Byblos and its history. At the same time, there are inscriptions written in the Phoenician alphabet within the site. You need to spare at least 1 hour to visit the site in detail.
Byblos Citadel
Located in the middle of the city in all its glory, Byblos Castle is one of the remnants of the Crusader Knights Templar. There are traces of many different periods and civilizations in the castle. Since Byblos is a city that hosts the longest uninterrupted life in the world, there is a trace of a different culture at every point.
You can easily visit the castle, which closes at 4 pm, at any hour during the day. From the castle, you can watch the ancient harbor and the sea, and see the houses with a unique Byblos view.
Sultan Abdul Majid Mosque
The Sultan Abdul Majid Mosque, which remained from the Mamluk period, is also on the list of places to visit in Byblos. The mosque, which carries the historical traces of the period, is located right next to Byblos Castle. Located in the city center, the mosque stands out in the city with its eye-catching blue dome.
Byblos Dock And Fishing Port
One of the most enjoyable spots of Byblos is undoubtedly the ancient port. Byblos Ancient Harbor, which was the center of world trade centuries ago, is one of the points of great importance. The ancient port, which was actively used for a period, was the place that made Byblos Byblos. There are fishing boats and smaller boats in the port, which are still actively used today.
There are two relatively smaller castles on either side of the port. The castle, which was built during the Mamluks period, transports you to those periods in an instant. Byblos is a very ancient place in general, but when you go down to the port, you see that difference and the journey in history. When you come to the ancient port, which is among the places to visit in Byblos, you can have a drink at the cafes here and enjoy the sunset.
Jeita Grotto Cave
Hidden Gem between Byblos and Beirut, the Jeita Grotto Cave is one of the must-see places in Lebanon. You can visit Jeita Grotto, one of the most remarkable caves in Lebanon, on the way to or returning from Byblos.
Discovered in the 19th century, the cave stands out with its length and eye-catching beauty. The underground river passes through the lower part of the Jeita Grotto Cave, which consists of 2 different large limestone caves. While visiting the lower part of the cave by boat, you can explore the upper part by walking. The cave, which stands out as the purest and most enjoyable state of natural beauty, is on the list of places to visit in Beirut.
The stalactites in the cave and the color of the river between that blue and turquoise fascinate you while you are visiting. At the same time, the Jeita Grotto Cave has even been nominated to be one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
This two-story cave with a total length of 9 km offers you a unique cave experience with its stalactites and stalagmites. However, attention is paid to some points in the cave. For example, it is forbidden to take photos in certain parts of the cave. If you are going to take a boat tour on the lower floor of the cave, you have to hand over your phones before getting on the boat. Of course, if the captain who drives the boat is also understanding, you can offer to pay some money and take pictures. It is generally accepted, that it is worth trying your luck.
Byblos Food Recommendations
The answer to the question of what to eat in Byblos is as important as the places to visit in Byblos. The abundance of places, especially in Byblos Souk and the port, can confuse people from time to time. That’s why we’ve compiled Byblos recommendations for you to eat and drink something nice in Byblos.
Khan Jbeil
Located in Byblos Souk, Khan Jbeil is an ideal restaurant for those who want to eat traditional food with its large garden and pleasant ambiance. If you want to sit quietly and taste the Lebanese cuisine, you can stop by here on your trip to Byblos. You can even make a reservation in advance as it is crowded on some days.
Souksixteen
SoukSixteen, located at the northern entrance of Byblos Souk, is an ideal spot for those looking for a different taste. They also make the kaak dish, which resembles a meal between pita and pizza. Kaak, which is served as both open and closed sandwiches, is among the foods that should be tried when you come to Byblos.
Souksixteen, which is more affordable than the restaurants in Byblos Souk, is not a place where you can sit and spend for hours. If you are looking to have a quick meal and go for a walk, you can grab a few things to eat here.
Fishing Club
The Fishing Club, which you will come across as you descend towards the Ancient Harbor, is one of the oldest spots in Byblos. Fishing Club, which has been operating since 1962, also has accommodation facilities. If you want to extend your Byblos trip a little longer, you can stay here as well.
When you come to an ancient port city, if you say you can’t do without eating fish, we can invite you to Fishing Club for a pleasant fish dinner. The food in this place, which will take you to ancient times with its pleasant and shabby ambiance, is quite delicious. Even if you go towards the sunset, you can enjoy your meals while the sun sets with the view of the harbor.
Hawa Chicken
Although the image of Hawa Chicken at the entrance of Byblos Souk does not quite match the ancient stance of Byblos, it is a very tasty and suitable option. Chicken is a very popular option all over Lebanon. Indeed, all of the chickens we ate in Lebanon were different. Hawa Chicken is a business that makes chicken wraps and you can find it in many parts of Lebanon. At this point, which stands out with its affordable prices, you can have a pleasant chicken wrap.
Tripoli (Trablusşam) Travel Guide
Tripoli, also known as Trablusşam, located in the north of Lebanon, is a very important place to understand Lebanese culture. Tripoli, one hour away from Beirut, is one of the largest cities in Lebanon. Although it is not similar to Beirut, it is a very interesting city with its unique texture and style.
Another interesting point of the city is the method of dealing with electricity. In general, the state of Lebanon cannot provide enough electricity to everywhere. Tripoli is a city that faces the same problem. That’s why it produces its own electricity. Tripoli, which produces its own electricity with solar panels, has so many electric wires in its streets that you will be shocked. You can almost see the sky through these electrical wires. There are quite chaotic and interesting images in this city.
Tripoli is also a very cheap city compared to Beirut. Even those living in Beirut come here for shopping because it is close. Tripoli is a shopping destination for locals with second-hand shops.
How to Get from Beirut to Tripoli?
There are many options for transportation to Tripoli, which is relatively close to Beirut. You can come to Tripoli by minibusses departing from Dawra Bus Terminal, which is located close to the city center in Beirut. The road takes 1 hour without traffic. While very few of the buses departing from here are luxury and air-conditioned, the rest are older minibusses with windows opened all the way. You can travel in this way for an affordable price of 1 hour. Generally, local people prefer these minibusses.
The other option is taxis, which you can use just as you go to Byblos. Here again, you can negotiate a day trip with taxis and get a price and go comfortably by taxi. Taxis cost between 40-50 dollars for a trip between Beirut and Tripoli, but you can reduce this price by bargaining even more.
The Best Tripoli (Trablusşam) Attractions
In fact, Tripoli is a chaotic, cheap, and completely different city. In Tripoli, which was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire years ago, you can come across many people of Turkish descent. The history and ethnic origins of this city are actually quite old. Tripoli is actually a good opportunity to get to know the Lebanese people which you are not used to reading in my Lebanon travel guide Articles.
Tripoli, which also contains Turkish culture with its castles, and baths, has a unique texture even though it is much more chaotic than Beirut. Since it is also a Mediterranean city, it also stands out with its islands. The Palm Islands, which are on the UNESCO list, are one of the places that add a whole new dimension to Tripoli. If you are ready, let’s start our list of Places to Visit in Tripoli!
Tripoli Citadel
Tripoli Citadel (Tripoli Castle), located at the top of the city, is one of the most enjoyable spots to watch the city. The castle, which you can reach by passing through the side streets of Tripoli, is even bigger than you expect. It also includes views of houses built on the hills. It’s almost like exploring Tripoli from a bird’s eye view, going up to the castle. The Mediterranean view also adds a whole new dimension to the city of Tripoli.
Tripoli Castle, known as an old Crusader castle, was built in 1289 by Sufyan El Azid. This castle, which was quite small at first, was enlarged by the Crusaders. The Mamluks and Ottomans, who came after the Crusaders, also expanded the castle to its present size. Standing out with its large garden and unique view, the castle is at the top of the list of places to visit in Tripoli.
Khan Al-Khayyatin
Khan Al-Khayyatin, one of the oldest and most historical markets in Tripoli, is among the must-see places in Tripoli. Khan Al-Khayyatin, a bazaar where locals also shop, also offers you an opportunity to experience real life in Tripoli. You can also add this semi-enclosed market area to your list, where grocery and clothing shopping is usually done.
Souk Al-Harajb
Another local shopping spot in Tripoli is Al-Harajb Bazaar. You can find many products such as food, spices, and clothes in this bazaar located in the center of the city. While visiting Souk Al-Harajb, one of the places where local people do their daily shopping, you can also experience the chaotic and crowded streets.
The Clock Tower (Tripoli)
The clock tower, which has become the symbol of Tripoli, also stands out with its story. The clock tower, which was gifted to the city by the Ottoman Empire, was built to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Abdulhamit II. In fact, this Clock tower is proof of how active the Ottoman Empire was, especially in Tripoli. Located in the middle of the city, the tower is the first place among the places to visit in Tripoli.
Ezzeddine Hammam (Tripoli)
During the Mamluk period, baths were built in many parts of the city. Therefore, one of the most common things you will see in Tripoli is the baths. There is a Turkish bath almost at the end of the streets of the old city. Ezzeddine Bath, which stands out with its colors and texture, is one of the symbols of the city.
The bath, which is not actively working at the moment, is actually one of the abandoned spots that welcome tourists with its colorful walls and gigantic size. At this point, which is ready to fascinate you with its ceiling details, you can take pleasant photos and visit the old bath.
