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Lebanon
Byblos, Lebanon's ancient port, is counted among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. A short drive north of Beirut, it pairs Phoenician history and a crusader castle with a lively old souk and seafood by the harbor.
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At a glance
From the United States
The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.
Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.
Few places carry as much history in so small a space. Byblos has been settled for some seven thousand years, and its harbor was a great Phoenician trading port, shipping cedar wood to Egypt in the age of the pharaohs. The Greeks named the town after the papyrus that passed through it, which is how Byblos gave its name to the word for book, and ultimately to the Bible. Scholars also trace the roots of the Phoenician alphabet, ancestor of the Greek and Latin letters we use today, to inscriptions found here. Read more in Lebanon's history and culture.
Today, the old town is one of the most charming places on the eastern Mediterranean. Stone lanes lead from the restored souk down to a small fishing harbor framed by a medieval tower, and the archaeological site spreads over the headland above the sea, with layer upon layer of temples, ramparts and tombs.
Byblos is an easy trip from Beirut, but it deserves an evening: the souk lights up, the harbor restaurants fill and the sunset over the sea is superb.
A twelfth-century crusader castle, built partly from older Roman stones, guards the entrance to the site. Beyond it are the remains of Bronze Age temples, including the Temple of the Obelisks, Phoenician ramparts, royal tombs and a small Roman theater facing the sea.
Restored stone lanes of craft shops, fossil sellers, cafes and galleries. It is at its best in the late afternoon and early evening.
A small, sheltered port with fishing boats and the ruins of medieval towers, ringed by seafood restaurants. Lunch here, overlooking the water, is a Byblos tradition.
A twelfth-century crusader church with a graceful open-air baptistery, still in use today.
Byblos is known for remarkable fish fossils from the nearby mountains, sold and displayed in specialist shops around the old town.
A summer music festival staged by the sea against the ancient ruins, drawing international and Arab stars. Programs vary by year; check the official program. See music venues and concerts.
Byblos has charming boutique hotels; for five-star choice, stay in Beirut, under an hour away.
A long-standing boutique hotel at the edge of the old harbor, with sea-view rooms and an infinity pool overlooking the water. The best address for staying in the old town; confirm its current status before booking.
For the widest choice of luxury hotels, restaurants and nightlife, base yourself in Beirut and visit Byblos as a half-day or evening trip.
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Beirut; travelers usually connect in Europe or the Gulf, on carriers such as Middle East Airlines through Paris or London, or through Istanbul, Doha or Dubai. See nonstop flights from the US for the hubs. From Beirut's airport, Byblos is about 45 minutes to an hour by car along the coastal highway, depending on traffic.
US citizens should apply for a visa before they travel. Rules can change, so check our visas and entry page and confirm with Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security before you travel.
May, June, September and October bring warm days and a swimmable sea without the summer heat; July and August are festival season. Winter is mild and green, and you can pair the coast with Lebanon's ski slopes, described in skiing and winter sports. Compare seasons in when to go.
Weather
Average day highs, night lows, sea temperature and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.
| Month | Day high | Night low | Sea | Rainy days | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °F | °C | °F | °C | °F | °C | ||
| Jan | 62° | 17° | 52° | 11° | 69° | 21° | 16 |
| Feb | 62° | 17° | 51° | 11° | 66° | 19° | 11 |
| Mar | 65° | 18° | 54° | 12° | 65° | 19° | 16 |
| Apr | 73° | 23° | 61° | 16° | 68° | 20° | 7 |
| May | 78° | 26° | 66° | 19° | 72° | 22° | 4 |
| Jun | 83° | 28° | 72° | 22° | 79° | 26° | 2 |
| Jul | 88° | 31° | 77° | 25° | 84° | 29° | 0 |
| Aug | 89° | 32° | 78° | 25° | 87° | 31° | 1 |
| Sep | 87° | 30° | 75° | 24° | 85° | 30° | 3 |
| Oct | 82° | 28° | 70° | 21° | 81° | 27° | 4 |
| Nov | 74° | 23° | 62° | 17° | 75° | 24° | 11 |
| Dec | 67° | 19° | 56° | 14° | 71° | 22° | 11 |
Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Sea temperatures: 2023–2024. Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Archaeologists date its first settlements to around seven thousand years ago, and it has been inhabited ever since, which places it among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Yes, it is under an hour away. Staying for dinner at the harbor, or overnight, lets you enjoy the old town after the day visitors leave.
Some of the earliest inscriptions in the Phoenician alphabet were found here, including on the sarcophagus of King Ahiram, now in the National Museum of Beirut. The Phoenician script is the ancestor of the Greek and Latin alphabets.
Easily. Combine Byblos with Beirut, the Jeita Grotto nearby and, on another day, the cedars and Roman temples inland. Start with our Lebanon travel guide.
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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.