For Bookings & Reservations
+961 1 56 56 46International Call Center
+961 1 560 960
Gemmayzeh
+961 1 565 646
+961 1 560 960
Travel Agent Desk
+961 01 563 603
+961 76 777 549
Private Desk
+961 1 56 36 01
Inbound desk
+961 1 56 56 06
+961 71 20 28 28
Corporate Desk
+961 1 444 744
+961 1 563 603
Group Desk
+961 1 56 05 66
To assist our clients during their travel and for emergencies our hotlines are reachable 24 hrs/day:
Lebanon: +961 3 852 815 | Corporate Desk: +961 3 02 19 21 | Inbound Desk: +961 71 20 28 28
| General Facts | Geography | Culture | Lebanese Food | Leisure | Shopping | |
| Country name: | Lebanon |
| Capital city: | Beirut |
| Government Type: | Republic |
| Borders: | West: Mediterranean Sea - North & East: Syria - South: Palestine |
| Geographical area: | 10,452 sq km |
| Highest point: | 3,083 m (Kornet Al Sawda) |
| National Airport: | Beirut Rafic el Hariri International Airport |
| Population: | 4.4 million (based on World Bank data 2002) |
| Independence Day: | 22 November |
| Language: | The official language is Arabic; however French and English are widely spoken |
| Religion: | Islam and Christianity are the main religions. However, the government recognizes 17 distinct religious sects: 5 Muslim (Shiite, Sunnite, Druze, Ismailite, and Alawite), 11 Christian (4 Orthodox, 6 Catholic, and 1 Protestant), and Judaism. |
| Time Zone: |
GMT + 2 (winter: October to March) |
| Banks & Currency: |
The official Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound or lira (LBP - LL). Notes are available in denominations of: LL,1 000; LL5,000; LL10,000; LL20,000; LL50,000; and LL100,000. There are also LL250 and LL500 coins. |
| Climate: | Mediterranean-type subtropical climate along the coast and in the Bekaa Valley to a generally cool one in the upper mountains. Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild and humid. Frost is rare at lower elevations. The mean temperature in the lowlands is 26.7° C (80° F) in summer and 10° C (50° F) in winter. In some spring months, one can ski in the mountains and swim on the coast, both in the same day. |
| Holidays: | Holidays with Fixed Dates: (New Year's Day – January 1, Christmas (Armenian-Orthodox) – January 6, St. Maron's Day – February 9, Labor Day – May 1, Martyrs' Day – May 6, Resistance and Liberation Day – May 25, Ascension Day – August 15, All Saints' Day – November 1, Independence Day – November 22) |
| Transportation: |
Beirut has frequent bus connections to other cities in Lebanon and major cities in Syria. Buses for northern destinations and Syria leave from Charles Helou Station. The Lebanese Commuting Company (LCC) is a privately owned company, and offers one of a handful of inter-city public transport options available in Beirut. There are 10 LCC bus routes that cover much of the central areas, as well as some suburban areas. Route 1 takes passengers from the airport roundabout, one kilometer from the terminal, to Rue Sadat in Hamra, whereas Route 5 takes to the Charles Helou bus station. LCC also offers pre-payed cards. A yellow card is a continually rechargeable card, and a red card is an unlimited monthly card. Apart from buses, the latter are served by either service or taxis. Yellow taxis also pick passengers from the international airport, however they are a bit expensive and it is better to order a taxi from a local travel agency. Taxis in Lebanon are not metered. However there are fixed prices from one destination to another. |
| Business Hours: |
Shops are generally open Monday through Saturday, 10:00-19:00. Restaurant hours vary, and many restaurants, especially in Beirut, are open late. |
| Communications: |
Telephones: While the telephone system in Lebanon is well-developed, there are few public pay phones, and international phone calls are expensive. Most Lebanese use mobile phones, and coverage extends throughout the country. |
| Electricity: | Electric current is 110/220 volts, 50 cycles. A two-pin plug, with round pins is commonly used (Type C, similar to many European countries), but other types of plugs are also in use so it is best to check before you go. |
| Tipping: | You usually tip porters, waiters, hotel staff, guides, doormen, etc. The average rate in restaurants in 10-15%, whereas with other service providers anywhere between 2,000LBP and 10,000LBP are acceptable (depending on service and quality provided). |
| Clothing: | Generally there are no particular cultural rules for this matter in Lebanon. Diversity appears also in the Lebanese clothing. For instance, mini skirts can be seen beside Islamic veils. However, wearing short clothing, such as short pants, is to be avoided in certain places such as the souk of Tripoli or Sidon… To visit religious places, modest clothing is required. Women need headscarves when visiting mosques, usually provided there. |
| Health & Safety: | No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Lebanon. The medical services in Lebanon are well developed and most doctors speak English or French as they have graduated overseas. |
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