5-Day Lebanon World Heritage Tour: Baalbek, Byblos, Tyre & Anjar

Tour Overview

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Lebanon on this 5-day world heritage tour, from the vibrant capital of Beirut to the monumental Roman ruins of Baalbek, the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos, the Crusader city of Tyre, and the Umayyad ruins of Anjar. Experience the unique blend of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes that make Lebanon one of the most fascinating destinations in the Middle East.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Beirut

Arrive at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Beirut, the vibrant capital of Lebanon, known as the Paris of the Middle East. Explore Beirut: visit the Beirut Souks (a modern shopping district built on the historic souks), the Nejmeh Square (Central Square with its iconic clock tower and French colonial architecture), the Corniche (waterfront promenade along the Mediterranean), the Pigeon Rocks (iconic natural rock formations off the coast), and the historic Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael neighborhoods with their trendy cafes, bars, and street art. Visit the National Museum of Beirut (with its world-class collection of Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab artifacts, including the famous sarcophagi of Ahiram and the Roman mosaics). Visit the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque (the iconic blue-domed mosque in downtown Beirut) and the nearby St. George Maronite Cathedral. Evening welcome dinner with Lebanese cuisine including mezze (hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, kibbeh, sambousek), grilled meats, fresh seafood, and the famous Lebanese wine. Overnight in Beirut.

Day 2: Baalbek & Anjar

Morning drive to the Bekaa Valley (approximately 1.5 hours from Beirut), a fertile valley between the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, famous for its vineyards and ancient ruins. Visit Baalbek (Heliopolis), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important and best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, with its monumental temples built on a massive scale. Explore the Temple of Bacchus (one of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world, remarkably intact, with its massive columns and beautiful carvings), the Temple of Jupiter (the largest Roman temple ever built, with its six remaining massive columns standing 22 meters high, each weighing over 100 tons), the Great Courtyard, the Propylaea, the Temple of Venus, and the museum. Visit the nearby town of Baalbek. After lunch, visit Anjar (also known as Haoush Moussa), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of an Umayyad palace city built in the 8th century by Caliph Walid I, with its unique Roman-style planning, colonnaded streets, palaces, baths, and a mosque. The site is unique in Lebanon as it is the only Umayyad-era site and is beautifully set against the backdrop of the Anti-Lebanon mountains. Visit the Anjar ruins and the nearby village. Evening return to Beirut. Overnight in Beirut.

Day 3: Byblos & Harissa & Jeita Grotto

Morning drive to Byblos (Jbeil), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (dating back over 7,000 years), the ancient Phoenician city where the first alphabet was developed (the Phoenician alphabet, which became the basis for the Greek and Latin alphabets). Explore the Byblos archaeological site with its ancient ruins spanning multiple civilizations: the Neolithic village, the Bronze Age temples (the Temple of the Obelisks and the Temple of Baalat Gebal), the Phoenician royal necropolis (with its beautifully carved sarcophagi), the Roman theater, the Crusader castle (built by the Crusaders in the 12th century), and the old medieval city with its narrow streets, souks, and historic churches. Visit the Byblos Wax Museum and the historic harbor. After lunch, visit Harissa, a mountain village overlooking the Bay of Jounieh, famous for the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (a 15-ton, 8.5-meter-tall bronze statue of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the Middle East). Take the cable car (teleferique) from Jounieh up to Harissa for stunning views. Visit the nearby Maronite patriarchate. Afterward, visit the Jeita Grotto, a spectacular natural cave system with two levels (the upper gallery and the lower gallery, accessible by boat), with its stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and underground river. The grotto is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Lebanon and was a finalist for the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Evening return to Beirut. Overnight in Beirut.

Day 4: Tyre & Sidon

Morning drive to Tyre (Sour), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest and most important Phoenician cities, famous in ancient times for its purple dye (extracted from the Murex shellfish, which was more valuable than gold) and its role as a major trading power in the ancient Mediterranean. Explore the Tyre archaeological site with its stunning Roman ruins: the Roman Hippodrome (one of the largest and best-preserved in the world, where chariot races were held), the Roman Baths, the Roman Street with its colonnades and triumphal arch, the Crusader Cathedral (the ruins of a 12th-century cathedral built on the site of an ancient church), the Phoenician port, and the ancient city on the island (now connected to the mainland by a causeway built by Alexander the Great in 332 BC). Visit the Tyre Museum and the beautiful Tyre beaches. After lunch, visit Sidon (Saida), one of the oldest Phoenician cities, famous for its soap-making industry and its beautiful Crusader castle (the Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 13th century on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway). Visit the Sidon Souk (one of the oldest and most authentic markets in Lebanon, with its narrow streets, traditional shops, and the famous Khan al-Franj), the Debbane Palace (a beautiful 17th-century Ottoman palace), and the Sidon Soap Museum (documenting the history of soap-making in Sidon). Visit the nearby Temple of Eshmun (an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the god of healing). Evening return to Beirut. Farewell dinner with Lebanese cuisine and wine. Overnight in Beirut.

Day 5: Beirut Final Day & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Beirut or shopping for Lebanese products including olive oil, thyme (za’atar), Arabic sweets (baklava, maamoul), Turkish coffee, Lebanese wine, arak (anise-flavored spirit), traditional crafts, and designer fashion. Visit the Beirut Souks or the trendy neighborhoods of Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael for boutique shopping. Visit the Sursock Museum (a beautiful 19th-century mansion turned modern art museum) or the Robert Mouawad Private Museum (with its collection of rare books, manuscripts, carpets, and art). Optional: take a day trip to the Chouf Mountains to visit the Beiteddine Palace (a beautiful 19th-century Ottoman palace, the summer residence of the Druze emirs) and the nearby Deir al-Qamar (a beautiful historic village with its 17th-century palaces and mosque). After lunch, transfer to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your 5-day Lebanon world heritage tour.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses