Lebanon is a small but interesting state in the Middle East with a rich history and culture. Lebanon’s cities date back thousands of years and still retain the atmosphere of the past.

Lebanon is a small Mediterranean country, characterized by a large number of monuments of history and culture located on its territory, as well as by the extraordinary mixture of East and West in its traditions. The mild climate, various natural attractions, numerous outdoor activities and a considerable stretch of the sea coast make rest in Lebanon desirable. At the same time, Lebanon is a secular state and there are no restrictions, which are characteristic of most Islamic countries. The nightlife is very lively here, and there are several discos, numerous sports clubs and restaurants.

Beirut is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was once nicknamed the ‘Paris of the Middle East’ and has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era. Today, this city is a true jewel of the eastern Mediterranean, and not even the legacy of the civil war could rid it of its charm.

The heart of Beirut is the Hamra district, which is a commercial and financial hub of the capital. Most of the shops, banks, restaurants and cinemas are located here. It is interesting to see the Grand Palais, the Clock Tower, the Archaeological Park and the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut. Other attractions of the capital include numerous ruins of Roman buildings, the magnificent National Museum, the private Sursock museum, the Parliament House on Place de l’Etoile, the Lebanese National Museum, the Cathedral of Saint George and Saint Elijah, the Pigeon Rock and the famous Manara lighthouse. Tourists with children often go to the local amusement park and visit the beautiful sandy beaches of Rafik Hariri Beach. This part of the city is populated mostly by Christians, so the nightlife is quite lively here.

Particular attention should be paid to the tourist suburb of Jounieh and the Virgin Mary statue on Haris Hill, the churches of St. Paul and St. Anthony of Padua, the residence of the Papal Nuncio and the Patriarch of the Armenian Church. The resort town of Zahle is the location of the famous palace complex of Beit al-Din, which is the official summer residence of the President of the Lebanese Republic.

Byblos is one of the oldest cities on Earth. According to historians, it is the oldest continuously inhabited city. It was here that the Phoenician alphabet originated, which became the progenitor of many alphabets in existing languages. In such a small piece of land, there are the traces of many civilizations manifested in numerous historical monuments. The ruins of ancient places of worship and the remains of the walls of the Bronze Age period, the Phoenician tombs of the kings, the 12th century castle and the Church of San Juan Bautista are now vast areas of archaeological excavations. .

Baalbek includes one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here is a huge temple complex, built in Roman times on the site of a Phoenician temple, and some parts are in almost pristine condition, including two towers, a large altar, the Acropolis, the Temple of Bacchus, the temple of Jupiter and the Pantheon. Perhaps, Baalbek is the most famous monument in the Lebanese Republic.

Tripoli is the second largest city in Lebanon and the main port in the north. It used to be a cultural center of the Mediterranean Sea in ancient times. It is known for its preserved mosques, medieval places of worship, religious schools, more than 20 madrasas, the Saint-Gilles fortress, the Lion’s Tower, medieval markets, narrow streets, and many well-preserved 14th century buildings.

The cedar forest reserve in Lebanon still has a few hundred of the legendary cedars that once covered the mountains of Lebanon. Some of the trees are between 1,500 and 2,000 years old.

Other destinations in the country include Tire, the legendary city founded by the Phoenicians, Saida and Ayn Anjar with the ruins of its picturesque fortress, numerous mosques and shopping centers.