Lebanon offers a unique blend of ancient history, Mediterranean beaches, and vibrant culture. From Roman ruins at Baalbek to the bustling streets of Beirut, cedar forests, and mountain villages, this small country packs incredible diversity. Experience world-class cuisine, historic sites, and warm hospitality in one of the Middle East's most fascinating destinations.
Local currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP) — but USD widely used and preferred.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Lebanon.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $18-28 (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $45-80 (budget hotel)
- Midrange
- $100-180 (mid-range hotel)
- Luxury
- $280-550+ (5-star hotel)
Food
- Street
- $2-5 (falafel wrap, manoushe)
- Local
- $8-15 (casual Lebanese restaurant)
- Midrange
- $25-45 (mid-range restaurant with mezze)
- Fine
- $70-120+ (fine dining Em Sherif level)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.50-1 (shared minibus)
- Taxi
- $5-15 (Beirut ride-hailing)
- Airport
- $20-25 (official taxi to center)
- Daytrip
- $30-70 (private car day trip to sites)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-10 (National Museum, Sursock)
- Sites
- $7-10 (Baalbek, Byblos, Tyre)
- Tour
- $35-60 (organized half-day tour)
- Excursion
- $60-100 (full-day private guided tour)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Lebanon costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$350-490/week
Midrange traveller
$700-1050/week
Luxury traveller
$1750-3500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use shared service taxis (service/sherut) rather than private taxis for fixed routes — up to 80% cheaper than private hire
Eat like a local at neighborhood bakeries (manoushe $1.50-3) and falafel stands rather than tourist restaurants
USD cash is king — avoid using Lebanese bank cards which are subject to complex exchange restrictions
Visit major sites (Baalbek, Byblos) independently rather than on organized tours — shared minibuses from Cola terminal are fraction of tour prices
The Saturday Souk el Tayeb market is free to browse and excellent for a cheap artisan breakfast
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Raouché Corniche Walk
The scenic Beirut seafront promenade stretching from Pigeon Rocks to Zaitunay Bay is completely free. Watch the sunset over the Mediterranean with the famous rock formations — Beirut's most iconic free experience.
Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael Street Art
Wander through Beirut's hippest neighborhoods to discover some of the Middle East's finest street art and murals. Armenia Street and side alleys are an open-air gallery completely free to explore.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
Beirut's Blue Mosque in Martyrs' Square is free to enter for non-Muslims outside prayer times. The Ottoman-style interior with intricate mosaics and calligraphy is genuinely impressive.
Martyrs' Square and Downtown Walk
Explore Beirut's reconstructed downtown with its Roman archaeological excavations visible through glass panels — a free open-air museum showing layers of history from Phoenician through French Mandate periods.
Zaitunay Bay Waterfront
Beirut's modern marina boardwalk with luxury yachts, sea views, and lively atmosphere is free to walk. Pull up a seat at one of the outdoor areas for the view without purchasing anything.
Tyre Public Beach
Adjacent to the UNESCO Roman ruins of Tyre, this excellent free public beach is one of Lebanon's finest — clean golden sand, clear Mediterranean water, no entry fee.
Shouf Cedar Reserve (sometimes free)
The entrance to the main cedar groves is $3-7 but surrounding forest paths in the Shouf mountains can be accessed freely. Spring wildflower meadows are stunning.
Beirut Village Sunday Market
Rotating artisan and food markets in various Beirut neighborhoods on weekends are free to browse and offer excellent people-watching and local life immersion.
Fete de la Musique
On June 21 (Summer Solstice) Beirut hosts free outdoor concerts and performances throughout the city celebrating music in every genre. Completely free and one of Beirut's most beloved annual events.
Anjar Village Walk
The charming Armenian village of Anjar around the Umayyad ruins is free to wander — explore the fruit orchards, waterways, and village life while the site itself has a small admission fee.