Journey Through Lebanon: 30 Fascinating landmarks and archaeological sites to Discover
Our guide features 30 can’t-miss landmarks and archaeological sites in Lebanon for your next adventure. Explore the best of Lebanon with our list of top-rated landmarks and archaeological sites. For thrill-seekers, we’ve compiled 30 exciting landmarks and archaeological sites. Journey through Lebanon and discover 30 fascinating landmarks and archaeological sites with unique stories.
Information about Lebanon
It is an Arab country located in the Middle East, specifically in the west of the Asian continent, and is bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Palestine to the south, and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from the west. It is a democratic, republican, sectarian country whose population is mostly Arab Muslims and Christians. Unlike most Arab countries, there is an active presence of Christians in public and political life. Lebanon is considered one of the countries of the Levant, and it is similar to the rest of the Levantine countries in its delicious dishes and traditional dances such as the Dabkeh, and the accents are also similar. Despite the small area of Lebanon, it is one of the countries that has a history full of events, as some of the first human civilizations such as the Phoenicians settled in it, and many great empires passed through it throughout history, and therefore, during your wandering in it, you will find many amazing monuments and evidence left by those civilizations. Lebanon is also distinguished by its picturesque nature and its beautiful mild climate.
A list of the best Landmarks and archaeological sites in Lebanon
Looking for the best landmarks and archaeological sites in Lebanon? Look no further than our carefully curated list, selected by our team based on visitor ratings and reviews to help make your trip planning a breeze.
1- Hamra
Hamra – The Hamra area has been located in West Beirut since the late nineteenth century, and it is a very lively area, as well as one of the most popular evening entertainment centers. The area is originally inhabited by Muslims and Orthodox Christians in harmony, as evidenced by the fact that it is full of churches and mosques, which He explains that nowadays it attracts a mixture of people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, and this area, which is considered a commercial area par excellence, has been a center of Beirut’s cultural activity since 2005, and the area also includes a huge variety of shops and restaurants.
Place address: Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon
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2- Deir Qannoubine monastery
Deir Qannoubine monastery – The Monastery of Our Lady of Qannoubine is located in Wadi Qannoubine, which is considered one of the most beautiful natural areas in Lebanon, and includes a number of distinctive archaeological sites, including this monastery, which was originally the seat of the Maronite Patriarchate, and it served as a permanent home for three nuns. The monastery has a unique architectural design that includes rooms with arched ceilings, at the bottom of which are catacombs and stores dedicated to preserving food and ancient books.
Place address: 7W4X+XV6, Wadi Qannoubine, Lebanon
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3- Mar Saba – Church
Mar Saba – Church – Mar Saba Church was built in the village of Al-Akoura in the Middle Ages. It is a Crusader church dating back to 1262 AD. It was designed in a Roman, rural and military style, with very large walls, large columns, and narrow windows for archers. The church is distinguished by its frescoes, which were restored in 2014 by the Association for the Restoration and Study of Medieval Frescoes in Lebanon (AREFML). On the north wall are the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and Syriac inscriptions, while on the south wall are the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.
Place address: Bcharre, Aabdine, Lebanon
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4- The Great al-Omari Mosque
The Great al-Omari Mosque – This mosque is located within the ancient city of Sidon in the Dahr El-Mir area, on a high hill that overlooks the sea from the west. Which allows sunlight to flood the hall, and every conqueror of this city used to transform that Canaanite temple into a temple that corresponds to his belief, after he made the necessary repairs on it, until the building returned to a mosque steadily at the end of the Ayyubid era, after the Muslims liberated Sidon from Crusaders.
Place address: Masjid Al Omary Al Kabir, Saida, Lebanon
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5- Saint Charbel Tomb
Saint Charbel Tomb – In the tomb of Saint Charbel, you will learn about the monk, Saint Charbel, and specifically about the last 23 years of his life. According to many witnesses, the monk’s body was found intact four months after his burial without a coffin, as it is said that the people of Byblos saw a sparkling light on the night of his burial. Above his tomb, and the light appeared repeatedly for 45 nights, so Patriarch Elias Howayek authorized the opening of his tomb, and his body was found safe from corruption, and since then people flock to his tomb because they believe that he heals the sick. And cut trees that he used as a pillow, and the area surrounding the temple provides stunning views of the mountains and the sea, and the landmark is one of the well-known destinations in the region for history lovers, tourists and locals.
Place address: Monastery Saint Maroun Annaya (Tomb Saint Charbel)- Lebanese Maronite Order, Aannaya, Lebanon
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6- Moghr Tehine
Moghr Tehine – The cave of flour was named by this name in relation to its fragile limestone rocky nature, and it is a Roman quarry consisting of dozens of caves and grottoes intertwined with catacombs and passages with patterns, decorations and engineering drawings dating back thousands of years, and the depth of the tunnels in it reaches more than 200 meters, in addition to that It includes cemeteries and houses indicating that the age of this quarry dates back to all the historical periods that the city went through.
Place address: Baalbek, Lebanon
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7- Our Lady of Lebanon
Our Lady of Lebanon – This Catholic church is famous for the tall bronze statue that sits above the holy shrine of the Virgin Mary of Lebanon, among Christians and Muslims alike. Through it, you can see a distinctive panoramic view of the surrounding villages from the top of the hill. The shrine was built eight meters high to give respect to the Virgin Mary. You can reach the village by car or by taking a cable car ride and enjoy the enchanting views of the bay along the way. There are also some churches surrounding it, so do not hesitate and visit them with family or friends.
Place address: Our Lady of Lebanon بازيليك سيدة لبنان, Harissa, Lebanon
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8- Temple of Bacchus
Temple of Bacchus – The Temple of Bacchus is distinguished for being one of the best-preserved Roman structures, and the most ingenious inscription and decoration of all. The performance of religious rituals of certain sects, and these rituals and worships centered around the young god of Baalbek known as Bacchus, who was supervising the growth of plants and herds, and the temple and the tower adjacent to it are still known today as the House of Happiness, and it stands to the western side From the temple are the ruins of a mosque from the Ayyubid era, known as the Ibrahim Mosque. The garrison of Baalbek at that time used to meet in it to perform prayers.
Place address: Temple of Bacchus (Roman’s god of Wine), Baalbek, Lebanon
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9- Lady Of Zahle
Lady Of Zahle – The Monument of Our Lady of Zahle is located on top of a hill in the southwest of Zahle. It is a 54-meter-high concrete tower completely clad in white marble and topped with a 10-meter-high bronze statue of the Virgin Mary. This monument is the most prominent building in Zahle, and can be seen from practically every spot in the city. At its base is a chapel that can seat just over a hundred people, a beautiful wooden and glass chapel, which gives you an atmosphere of inner peace.
Place address: Zahlé, Lebanon
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10- Mar Lichaa monastery
Mar Lichaa monastery – The Monastery of Mar Elisha is located at the beginning of the Qadisha Valley, and it is one of the ancient monasteries built in the rocks and among the mountains. It is famous and distinguished because of the small churches that appeared among the rocks. This monastery has been home to Christian monastic communities for centuries, and it has received many priests who chose to flee their lives to pray and lived their whole lives in it.
Place address: Bsharri, Lebanon
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11- Mar Edna Monastery
Mar Edna Monastery – Mar Edna Church is one of the ancient churches in the village of Aqoura, and believers visit it on the occasion of Saints’ Day every year. Because of the succession of civilizations in Lebanon and the many wars in it, nothing remains of this church today except for some antiquities and historical pieces, which still testify to the ancient place. Standing in the middle of the outer square is the statue of St. Trachos, to whom this church and monastery originated. Visitors and tourists come here to perform some religious rites and rituals of their own.
Place address: Aaqoura, Lebanon
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12- Taynal Mosque
Taynal Mosque – Al-Taynal Mosque was built in the year 1377 A.D. on the ruins of a Crusader church that was demolished after the conquest of Tripoli under the leadership of Sultan Al-Mansur Qalawun. It is one of the most beautiful and luxurious mosques in Tripoli. It is located on the southern side of Tripoli in the locality known as Bab Al-Raml. The mosque attracts many Worshipers for more than one reason, including the beauty of its design, and also because Tarawih prayers in the blessed month of Ramadan are held in its spacious courtyard, which has increased in spaciousness after adding a wide space to it, and one of its advantages is its minaret from which two people can go up and down at the same time, which is a rare case in minarets, Among its external aesthetics is the presence of four domes of varying size. You must definitely visit it upon your arrival in Tripoli.
Place address: Taynal Mosque, Tarablus, Lebanon
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13- Byblos Castle
Byblos Castle – Jbeil Castle is one of the most wonderful historical monuments in Mount Lebanon, and one of the most famous and oldest castles in Lebanon in general, and it is distinguished by its wonderful designs that blend ancient European architecture and Persian arts that are aware of its general character, and it is considered one of the most beautiful tourist places in Mount Lebanon, and its history goes back Byblos Castle, Lebanon, to the twelfth century, as it was built by the Crusaders, and was used during their era and in the era of the various empires and kingdoms that ruled Lebanon for defensive purposes, and Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi was the most prominent of those who used it, and today it is one of the largest tourist attractions in the country and is visited by hundreds of thousands annually from foreign tourists.
Place address: Byblos Citadel, Jbeil, Lebanon
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14- Al Mansouri Mosque
Al Mansouri Mosque – The Great Mansouri Mosque is one of the greatest mosques in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, and it is the first architectural landmark to be erected in Mamluk Tripoli, where it was called the Great Mansouri Mosque after the name of the conqueror of Tripoli, Mansour Qalawun, and because it was and still is the largest mosque in the old city, Its building is characterized by simplicity and the absence of decorations, but it is known for its semi-square minaret, and the main gate, in addition to the presence of a sundial to determine the times of the call to prayer. The archives of the sacred deposits in Istanbul, and they have been preserved in the Great Mansouri Mosque.
Place address: Al Mansouri Mosque, Tripoli, Lebanon
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15- Stone of the Pregnant Woman
Stone of the Pregnant Woman – The Rock of the Pregnant Woman, also known as the Rock of the South, is a Roman landmark located in the Lebanese city of Baalbek, and it is a huge rock that was cut down two thousand years ago, and it is likely that it is from the remains of a Roman temple that was built in this area, and the length of the rock is more than From 21 meters, and weighing more than 1000 tons, and it is said that the name of the rock comes from the legends in which the jinn assigned pregnant women the task of cutting and moving the stone, while others said that the name reflects the belief that the woman who touches the stone increases the possibility of her having children, in any case, This rock remains an important and attractive archaeological site in Baalbek, you cannot miss visiting it.
Place address: Stone of the Pregnant Woman, Lebanon
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16- Jeita Grotto
Jeita Grotto – Jeita Grotto consists of a group of small karst caves formed by the disintegration of limestone over the ages, and this disintegration creates many doubts and expansions within the rocks, and these caves contain many different rock formations such as columns, stalagmites, and stalagmites. Jeita is the longest cave in Lebanon, extending to a depth of 2130 meters underground. The cave consists of an upper cave and a lower cave. The cave was equipped for visitors by cutting a concrete tunnel 117 meters long and providing it with the latest lighting technologies. The area also provides visitors with many different restaurants, cafes and shops.
Place address: Jeita Grotto, Valley of the Dog River, Keserwan, Bayrut, Lebanon
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17- Temple of Venus
Temple of Venus – The Temple of Venus was built in the third century, and it is a wonderful building with a unique design that differs from other Roman buildings in Baalbek, as it is built on a platform in the form of a pebble horseshoe, and it consists of a circular shrine, and its external facade is adorned with five niches and beautiful statues. This majestic landmark is visited by millions of visitors every year to witness the rich and long history of the region, do not miss the opportunity to visit it!
Place address: Baalbek, Lebanon
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18- Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque – The Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque overlooks the famous Martyrs’ Square, and houses the tomb of the famous Lebanese leader, Rafik Hariri. The mosque is famous for its blue domes, its four minarets, and its special architecture, which makes the viewer from any side see it complete and harmonious. It combines in its design the styles of Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluk and Ottoman architecture, where colors, glass, faience and arches overlap together, making it one of the most distinguished monuments in the country. It’s a really cool place, and an ideal destination for taking beautiful souvenir photos.
Place address: Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, ساحة الشهداء، Beirut, Lebanon
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19- Mar Semaan Church
Mar Semaan Church – The Church of Saint Simeon is located in the locality of Saint Simeon in Byblos. It is known as the Church of Saint Simeon the Vertical due to the presence of an archaeological column in its centre. This column is considered one of the remains of a temple that was adjacent to it. Other monuments from the ancient temple appear in the apse of the church. One of the most prominent features of this church is its square shape, which is surmounted by a dome, and it summarizes Christian architecture in its various eras.
Place address: Batroun, Lebanon
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20- Fortress of Niha
Fortress of Niha – Niha Castle is one of the most prominent tourist and historical landmarks in Lebanon. It is a stone castle consisting of a group of caves carved on the front of a rocky cliff, in a way that makes it appear as if it is suspended between heaven and earth. The castle is distinguished by its strategic location overlooking most of Mount Lebanon, and this is the reason that gave it great military and defensive importance!
Place address: HJH5+WHJ, Niha, Lebanon
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21- Palais du Mzar
Palais du Mzar – The history of the Palace du Mazar dates back to the middle of the eighteenth century, when it was built as a gift from one of the rulers to his new-born brother, and after that during the war, the palace was the shelters for many individuals, and it was restored over different periods of time, which made it maintain its splendor And the beauty of its unique details, which people enjoy seeing when visiting the palace, and many public and private events are held in it.
Place address: Mzar street, غزير، Lebanon
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22- Chateau Ksara
Chateau Ksara – Chateau Ksara is the oldest winery established in Lebanon, dating back to 1857 AD, and it is one of the pioneering landmarks that preserved the history of winemaking in Lebanon for more than 156 years. The factory offers a variety and innovative blend of wines of more than 25 local and international varieties, which satisfy all tastes and suit all occasions. Today, the factory is a legacy linked to the three basic values: tradition, nobility and modernity, and it exports its products to all parts of the world.
Place address: Ksara, Lebanon
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23- Saydet Al Talle Church
Saydet Al Talle Church – The parish of Our Lady of the Hill is a Maronite church in the heart of the beautiful town of Tal al-Qamar, and the church is considered one of the most important historical and religious sites in the town, because it is very old and was built by the monk Nikola Smisati over the ruins of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, but an earthquake destroyed it in the year 895 and it was rebuilt by order From the Knights Templar during the Crusades, the Muslims destroyed the second church and it was rebuilt a third time during the reign of Fakhr al-Din I (1518-1544). The church was built in a simple oriental style, and visitors will find a high tower, beautiful interior arches, and paintings of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Place address: Chouf, Deir El Qamar, Lebanon
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24- Sursock Palace
Sursock Palace – Located in the Achrafieh district of Beirut, Sursock Palace is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back more than 160 years, and was recently listed as a cultural heritage site. The palace was characterized by a unique classic design that includes spacious external and internal courtyards. Its internal walls were distinguished by their golden inscriptions. As for its external courtyards, it is a complex of green gardens that includes stone statues and distinctive fountains. The palace is considered today as one of the art museums, where international and local periodic art exhibitions are held.
Place address: VGV8+FXQ, Beirut, Lebanon
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25- Mseilha Fort
Mseilha Fort – Msailha Castle is located in the city of Batroun, and it is a fortress located north of the village of Hama in Lebanon. The current fort was built by Emir Fakhr al-Din II in the seventeenth century to protect the road from Tripoli to Beirut. The fort was built on a long and narrow limestone rock near the Al-Jawz River. Its walls were constructed with small sandstone blocks quarried from the nearby coast and built on the edge of a rock. Limestone, and the thickness of the walls ranges from 1.5 to 2 meters. The Citadel is one of the most important tourist attractions in Lebanon.
Place address: Batroun, Lebanon
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26- Liza
Liza – Lisa Restaurant, which is located in the center of the Achrafieh area in Beirut, occupies the forefront among the list of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. It is an old villa that is more than a hundred years old, belonging to the Bustros family, as it constituted the family home for members of this aristocratic family, which was one of the famous seven families. In the region, Lisa offers a wide and varied menu, based mainly on the old Lebanese cuisine, with the introduction of some other dishes that are out of the ordinary in it, and among the dishes that you find on the restaurant’s menu are the famous Lebanese mezze dish, mixed vegetable trays, and kofta Al-Shahyah, and Shish Tawook, in addition to many other delicious dishes.
Place address: Liza, Doumani, Bayrut, Lebanon
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27- Khan Al Saboun
Khan Al Saboun – local history market specialized in traditional soap, and this market has existed in the city for nearly 1,000 years, and during that long period the craft of soap making has been inherited by hundreds of generations, and the soap is still prepared with high professionalism from olive oil and other ingredients. There are also several blacksmiths and gold sellers in the market that you can see while they are doing their wonderful crafts. This market is also distinguished by its beautiful old buildings with arched ceilings.
Place address: Khan Al Saboun, Tripoli, Lebanon
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28- Place de l’Etoile
Place de l’Etoile – Nejmeh Square is the central square in the downtown area of Beirut in the Lebanese capital, and its area is 2245 square meters, and it contains the Lebanese parliament and its annexed buildings, and the square also contains two cathedrals and a museum, in addition to many cafes and restaurants, and this square has become A distinctive symbol of the city of Beirut all over the world, and its center is the Hamidiye Clock Tower, which was built in 1930, and it displays huge Rolex watches on its four faces, and the tower was a gift from the Lebanese-Mexican immigrant Michel Abed, and it is usually filled with tourists and residents Locals, who come to eat, walk, or enjoy life on the street.
Place address: Place de l’Etoile, Bayrut, Lebanon
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29- Niha Temple
Niha Temple – The small village of Niha is famous for its impressive Roman temple, which has been preserved to this day, and is located among the pine trees just west of the village. It is an ancient Roman temple whose construction dates back to the first century BC and was dedicated to the worship of ancient gods such as the god of day and water and others. You will be amazed by the architectural formations that still stand to this day, and that store among their stones a long and deep history. There are also the remains of another small temple just below.
Place address: VXV7+X85, Niha, Lebanon
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30- Lebanon castle
Lebanon castle – This distinctive restaurant is located in the north of Lebanon, about two hours drive from Beirut, and inside the famous Lebanon Citadel that was built by Dr. Sarraf’s dentist, where the castle was built mainly from black basalt stones transported from the Akkar region, and it was intended to be a model of coexistence Lebanon is united, and the restaurant offers a variety of delicious Lebanese food.
Place address: 8V36+XJP, Kousba, Lebanon
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Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the unique and fascinating region of Lebanon. From its stunning natural wonders to its rich cultural heritage, Lebanon is a destination that promises to leave you awe-inspired and enriched. We encourage you to take your time and immerse yourself in the local culture, learn about the history and traditions of the region, and connect with the people who call it home. Remember that every journey is a personal one, and your experience in Lebanon will be different from anyone else’s. So, don’t be afraid to follow your instincts, take a detour, and explore the unknown. As you journey through Lebanon, we invite you to embrace the unexpected and discover the hidden treasures that await. We hope that our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels, happy exploring, and until next time!