festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays in Lebanon, along with brief explanations of their cultural traditions and celebration:
1. Independence Day (November 22): This holiday commemorates Lebanon's independence from France in 1943. It is a national holiday that is celebrated with parades, fireworks displays, and speeches.
2. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: These two Muslim holidays mark the end of Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca, respectively. Celebrations include prayer services, feasts, and gift-giving.
3. Christmas (December 25): Celebrated by Christians in Lebanon, Christmas is a time for family gatherings, gift exchanges, and special meals. Many churches hold midnight masses on December 24th.
4. New Year's Day (January 1): Like in many other countries, New Year's Day in Lebanon is a time for parties and celebrations. Fireworks displays are common, and some people make resolutions for the coming year.
5. Saint George's Day (April 23): This day honors the patron saint of Lebanon, Saint George. Celebrations include parades, religious processions, and feasting.
6. Labor Day (May 1): This holiday celebrates the contributions of workers to society. In Lebanon, it is a public holiday and many businesses and schools are closed.
7. Eid al-Mawlid al-Nabawi (Birth of the Prophet) (the date varies according to the Islamic calendar): This holiday celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations include prayer services, religious lectures, and feasts.
8. Lebanese Independence Day (August 15): This holiday celebrates Lebanon's independence from French Mandate rule in 1920. Celebrations include parades, fireworks displays, and speeches.
9. Ashura (the date varies according to the Islamic calendar): This day marks the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and is a solemn occasion for Shia Muslims. In Lebanon, the day is observed with processions and mourning rituals.
These are just a few of the many holidays and festivities celebrated in Lebanon. The exact dates and traditions may vary depending on the region and religious affiliation of the individuals observing them.
seasons
In Lebanon, the tourist seasons are generally divided into three main categories:
1. Summer Season: From June to September, the summer season is the peak tourist season in Lebanon, with warm temperatures and many outdoor activities available. Recommendations include visiting popular beach towns such as Byblos and enjoying water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
2. Winter Season: From December to March, the winter season offers skiing opportunities at various ski resorts in the mountains of Lebanon. Recommendations include visiting the Cedars ski resort or Faraya Mzaar ski resort for skiing and snowboarding.
3. Spring/Fall Season: From March to May and October to November, the weather is mild and pleasant, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities. Recommendations include hiking in the beautiful nature reserves such as Horsh Ehden or Tannourine, or exploring cultural sites such as Jeita Grotto or the Baatara Gorge waterfall.
visa
Some special visa rules for visiting Lebanon include:
1. Visa on Arrival: Citizens of certain countries can obtain a visa upon arrival in Lebanon, provided they meet certain requirements. These countries include the GCC countries, EU member states, and some other countries. The cost of this visa is around $90.
2. E-Visa: Citizens of some countries can obtain an e-visa before traveling to Lebanon. This option is available for citizens of Australia, Canada, the USA, and some other countries. The cost of the e-visa is around $40.
3. Embassy Visa: Citizens of other countries that are not eligible for a visa on arrival or an e-visa must apply for a visa through the Lebanese embassy in their home country. The cost of this visa varies depending on the country and the type of visa requested.
It's important to note that visa requirements can change frequently, so it's always best to check with the nearest Lebanese embassy or consulate to confirm the latest regulations.
souvenirs
1. Lebanese sweets like Baklava, Maamoul, and Nammoura are popular souvenirs. Prices vary depending on the type and quantity, but expect to pay around $10-$20 for a box. You can find them at specialty sweet shops such as Abdul Rahman Hallab in Tripoli or Al Baba Sweets in Beirut.
2. Lebanese olive oil is another great souvenir, with prices ranging from $10-$30 for a small bottle. Look for high-quality extra virgin olive oils that are locally produced, which you can find at stores like Areej el Mamlouka in Beirut or Saida's Souk el Tayeb Farmers' Market.
3. Lebanese soap, also known as Aleppo soap, is a traditional craft made from natural ingredients like olive oil and laurel berry oil. Expect to pay around $5-$10 for a bar of soap, which you can buy at places like the Khan al Saboun factory in Tripoli or Le Senteur soap shop in Beirut.
4. Lebanese wine is gaining popularity and is a great souvenir for wine lovers. Prices vary depending on the brand and quality, but expect to pay at least $15 for a bottle. You can find local wines at wineries like Chateau Musar in Bekaa Valley or at specialty wine stores like Les Caves de Taillevent in Beirut.
5. Lebanese pottery and ceramics are also great souvenirs, with prices ranging from $10-$50 for a small item. Look for hand-painted plates, bowls, and vases at shops like Sarj in Beirut or Al Shams Pottery in Tyre.
6. Lebanese spices, such as Za'atar and Sumac, are great souvenirs for foodies. Prices vary depending on the size and quality, but expect to pay around $5-$10 for a small bag. You can find spices at stores like Souk el Tayeb Farmers' Market in Beirut or at specialty spice shops like Al Souk Spices in Tripoli.
It's worth noting that prices may vary depending on the location and the vendor, and it's always a good idea to haggle for a better price.
If you have 1 week
As a DAN, I would suggest a completely unique itinerary that will take you off the beaten path and give you a taste of Lebanon's hidden gems.
Day 1: Alternative Beirut - Instead of following the typical tourist route, start your trip by exploring the secret corners of Beirut such as Mar Mikhael, an artsy neighborhood filled with cool bars, cafes, and street art. Alternatively, check out Gemmayze, another hip area filled with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and trendy restaurants.
Day 2: Hiking in Tannourine - Escape the city and head to Tannourine, a mountainous region northwest of Beirut, for a day of hiking in nature. Explore the beautiful forests, valleys, and waterfalls, and experience the hospitality of the local villagers who will welcome you into their homes for traditional Lebanese meals.
Day 3: Wine tasting in Bekaa Valley - Head to the fertile Bekaa Valley, Lebanon's main wine-producing region, for a day of wine tasting and touring the picturesque vineyards. Learn about the different grape varietals and production methods while enjoying the stunning views of the valley.
Day 4: Archeological Sites - Explore some lesser-known archeological sites such as Anjar, a well-preserved Umayyad city, and the ancient ruins of Tyre. Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Lebanon through these amazing sites and marvel at the impressive architecture and engineering of the past.
Day 5: Souks and Bazaars - Visit some of Lebanon's lesser-known souks and bazaars such as Chouf Souk, a traditional market filled with local handicrafts, spices, and herbs. Or check out the Mina vegetable market in Tripoli, where you can find fresh produce and seafood caught just hours before.
Day 6: Eco-tourism in Akkar - Head north to the region of Akkar for a day of eco-tourism activities such as bird watching, hiking, and camping in the stunning natural landscapes of the area. You'll be amazed by the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna in this hidden corner of Lebanon.
Day 7: Traditional Lebanese Villages - Explore some of Lebanon's beautiful traditional villages such as Amchit, Beit Ed Dine, and Douma. Wander through the narrow streets lined with beautiful stone houses and enjoy the authentic Lebanese food and hospitality of the locals.
If you have 2 weeks
As a DAN, I suggest that you begin your two-week itinerary by indulging in the local cuisine. Sample traditional dishes such as tabbouleh, kibbeh, and shish taouk at local eateries, and don't be afraid to try something new.
Next, immerse yourself in the local culture by attending a music concert or festival. Lebanon is known for its thriving music scene, and you're sure to find a performance that suits your tastes.
For a unique experience, visit one of the country's many ancient ruins after dark. Seeing sites like Baalbek by moonlight can be a surreal and unforgettable experience.
Another must-visit attraction in Lebanon are the stunning beaches. Whether you prefer secluded coves or bustling seaside towns, you'll find plenty of options along the Mediterranean coast.
Finally, take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life by visiting one of Lebanon's beautiful nature reserves. The Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful cedar trees in the world, while the Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve boasts breathtaking views and challenging hiking trails.
Culture
The culture of Lebanon reflects the legacy of various civilizations spanning thousands of years. Originally home to the Canaanite-Phoenicians, and then subsequently conquered and occupied by the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Fatimids, the Crusaders, the Ottoman Turks and most recently the French, Lebanese culture has over the millennia evolved by borrowing from all of these groups. Lebanon's diverse population, composed of different ethnic and religious groups, has further contributed to the country's festivals, musical styles and literature as well as cuisine. Despite the ethnic, linguistic, religious and denominational diversity of the Lebanese, they "share an almost common culture". Lebanese Arabic is universally spoken while food, music, and literature are deep-rooted "in wider Mediterranean and Levantine norms".
In visual arts, Moustafa Farroukh was among Lebanon's most prominent painters of the 20th century. Formally trained in Rome and Paris, he exhibited in venues from Paris to New York to Beirut over his career. Many more contemporary artists are active, such as Walid Raad, a contemporary media artist residing in New York. In the field of photography, the Arab Image Foundation has a collection of over 400,000 photographs from Lebanon and the Middle East. The photographs can be viewed in a research center and various events and publications have been produced in Lebanon and worldwide to promote the collection.
In literature, Khalil Gibran is the third best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Laozi. He is particularly known for his book The Prophet (1923), which has been translated into over twenty different languages. Ameen Rihani was a major figure in the mahjar literary movement developed by Arab emigrants in North America, and an early theorist of Arab nationalism. Mikha'il Na'ima is widely recognized as among the most important figures in modern Arabic letters and among the most important spiritual writers of the 20th century. Several contemporary Lebanese writers have also achieved international success; including Elias Khoury, Amin Maalouf, Hanan al-Shaykh, and Georges Schehadé.
While traditional folk music remains popular in Lebanon, modern music reconciling Western and traditional Arabic styles, pop, and fusion are rapidly advancing in popularity. Lebanese artists like Fairuz, Majida El Roumi, Wadih El Safi, Sabah, Julia Boutros or Najwa Karam are widely known and appreciated in Lebanon and in the Arab world. Radio stations feature a variety of music, including traditional Lebanese, classical Arabic, Armenian and modern French, English, American, and Latin tunes.
The cinema of Lebanon, according to film critic and historian, Roy Armes, was the only cinema in the Arabic-speaking region, besides the dominant Egyptian cinema, that could amount to a national cinema. Cinema in Lebanon has been in existence since the 1920s, and the country has produced over 500 films with many films including Egyptian filmmakers and film stars. The media of Lebanon is not only a regional center of production but also the most liberal and free in the Arab world. According to Press freedom's Reporters Without Borders, "the media have more freedom in Lebanon than in any other Arab country". Despite its small population and geographic size, Lebanon plays an influential role in the production of information in the Arab world and is "at the core of a regional media network with global implications".
Lebanon celebrates national and both Christian and Muslim holidays. Christian holidays are celebrated following both the Gregorian Calendar and Julian Calendar. Greek Orthodox (with the exception of Easter), Catholics, Protestants, and Melkite Christians follow the Gregorian Calendar and thus celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Armenian Apostolic Christians celebrate Christmas on 6 January, as they follow the Julian Calendar. Muslim holidays are followed based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslim holidays that are celebrated include Eid al-Fitr (the three-day feast at the end of the Ramadan month), Eid al-Adha (The Feast of the Sacrifice) which is celebrated during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and also celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and Ashura (the Shiite Day of Mourning). Lebanon's National Holidays include Workers Day, Independence day, and Martyrs Day. Music festivals, often hosted at historical sites, are a customary element of Lebanese culture. Among the most famous are Baalbeck International Festival, Byblos International Festival, Beiteddine International Festival, Jounieh International Festival, Broumana Festival, Batroun International Festival, Ehmej Festival, Dhour Chwer Festival and Tyr Festival. These festivals are promoted by Lebanon's Ministry of Tourism. Lebanon hosts about 15 concerts from international performers each year, ranking 1st for nightlife in the Middle East, and 6th worldwide.
Lebanese cuisine is similar to those of many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, such as Syria, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. The Lebanese national dishes are the kibbe, a meat pie made from finely minced lamb and burghul (cracked wheat), and the tabbouleh, a salad made from parsley, tomatoes, and burghul wheat. Lebanese restaurant meals begin with a wide array of mezze - small savoury dishes, such as dips, salads, and pastries. The mezze are typically followed by a selection of grilled meat or fish. In general, meals are finished with Arabic coffee and fresh fruit, though sometimes a selection of traditional sweets will be offered as well.
Lebanon has six ski resorts. Because of Lebanon's unique geography, it is possible to go skiing in the morning and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon. At the competitive level, basketball and football are among Lebanon's most popular sports. Canoeing, cycling, rafting, climbing, swimming, sailing and caving are among the other common leisure sports in Lebanon. The Beirut Marathon is held every fall, drawing top runners from Lebanon and abroad.
Rugby league is a relatively new but growing sport in Lebanon. The Lebanon national rugby league team participated in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, and narrowly missed qualification for the 2008 and 2013 tournaments. Lebanon also took part in the 2009 European Cup where, after narrowly failing to qualify for the final, the team defeated Ireland to finish 3rd in the tournament. Hazem El Masri, who was born in Tripoli, is considered to be the greatest Lebanese to ever play the game. He immigrated to Sydney, Australia from Lebanon in 1988. He became the greatest point-scorer in National Rugby League history in 2009 by scoring himself 2418 points while playing for Australian club, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs where he also holds the record for most first grade appearances for the club with 317 games and most tries for the club with 159 tries. At international level, He also hold the records as top-try scorer with 12 tries and top-point scorer with 136 points for the Lebanese national team. Lebanon participates in basketball. The Lebanese National Team qualified for the FIBA World Championship 3 times in a row. Dominant basketball teams in Lebanon are Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut, who are the Arab and Asian champions, Club Sagesse who were able to earn the Asian and Arab championships before. Fadi El Khatib is the most decorated player in the Lebanese National Basketball League.
Football is also among the more popular sports in the country. The top football league is the Lebanese Premier League, whose most successful clubs are Al Ansar FC and Nejmeh SC. Lebanon's most notable players include Roda Antar, Youssef Mohamad, and Hassan Maatouk.
In recent years, Lebanon has hosted the AFC Asian Cup and the Pan Arab Games. Lebanon hosted the 2009 Jeux de la Francophonie, and have participated in every Olympic Games since its independence, winning a total of four medals.
Prominent Lebanese bodybuilders include Samir Bannout, Mohammad Bannout and Ahmad Haidar.
Water sports have also shown to be very active in the past years, in Lebanon. Since 2012 and with the emergence of the Lebanon Water Festival NGO, more emphasis has been placed on those sports, and Lebanon has been pushed forward as a water sport destination internationally. They host different contests and water show sports that encourage their fans to participate and win big.
Lebanon was ranked 92nd in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, down from 88th in 2019. Notable scientists from Lebanon include Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah, Rammal Rammal, and Edgar Choueiri.
In 1960, a science club from a university in Beirut started a Lebanese space program called "the Lebanese Rocket Society". They achieved great success until 1966 where the program was stopped because of both war and external pressure.
Religion
Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East. Because the relative sizes of different religions and religious sects remains a sensitive issue, a national census has not been conducted since 1932. There are 18 state-recognized religious sects – four Muslim, 12 Christian, one Druze, and one Jewish. The Lebanese government counts its Druze citizens as part of its Muslim population, although most Druze today do not identify as Muslims, and they do not accept the five pillars of Islam.
It is believed that there has been a decline in the ratio of Christians to Muslims over the past 60 years, due to higher emigration rates of Christians, and a higher birth rate in the Muslim population. When the last census was held in 1932, Christians made up 53% of Lebanon's population. In 1956, it was estimated that the population was 54% Christian and 44% Muslim.
A demographic study conducted by the research firm Statistics Lebanon found that approximately 27% of the population was Sunni, 27% Shia, 21% Maronite, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Druze, 5% Melkite, and 1% Protestant, with the remaining 6% mostly belonging to smaller non-native to Lebanon Christian denominations. The CIA World Factbook estimates (2020) the following (data does not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations): Muslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni, 31.2% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 4.5%, and very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus. Other sources like Euronews or the Madrid-based diary La Razón estimate the percentage of Christians to be around 53%. A study conducted by the Lebanese Information Center and based on voter registration numbers shows that by 2011 the Christian population was stable compared to that of previous years, making up 34.35% of the population; Muslims, the Druze included, were 65.47% of the population. The World Values Survey of 2014 put the percentage of atheists in Lebanon at 3.3%.
The Sunni residents primarily live in Tripoli, Western Beirut, the Southern coast of Lebanon, and Northern Lebanon. The Shi'a residents primarily live in Southern Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and Southern Lebanon. The Maronite Catholic residents primarily live in Eastern Beirut and the mountains of Lebanon. They are the largest Christian community in Lebanon. The Greek Orthodox, the second largest Christian community in Lebanon, primarily live in Koura, Beirut, Rachaya, Matn, Aley, Akkar, in the countryside around Tripoli, Hasbaya and Marjeyoun. They are a minority of 10% in Zahle. The Greek Catholics live mainly in Beirut, on the eastern slopes of the Lebanon mountains and in Zahle which is predominantly Greek Catholic.
In the Christian village of Hadat, there has been a municipal ban on Muslims from buying or renting property. It has been claimed that it is due to an underlying fear of mixing with one another's salvation since for three decades, the village of Hadat has been predominantly Christian.
Demographics
The population of Lebanon was estimated to be in, with the number of Lebanese nationals estimated to be 4,680,212 (July 2018 est.); however, no official census has been conducted since 1932 due to the sensitive confessional political balance between Lebanon's various religious groups. Identifying all Lebanese as ethnically Arab is a widely employed example of panethnicity since in reality, the Lebanese "are descended from many different peoples who are either indigenous, or have occupied, invaded, or settled this corner of the world", making Lebanon, "a mosaic of closely interrelated cultures".
The fertility rate fell from 5.00 in 1971 to 1.75 in 2004. Fertility rates vary considerably among the different religious groups: in 2004, it was 2.10 for Shiites, 1.76 for Sunnis and 1.61 for Maronites.
Lebanon has witnessed a series of migration waves: over 1,800,000 people emigrated from the country in the 1975–2011 period. Millions of people of Lebanese descent are spread throughout the world, especially in Latin America. Brazil and Argentina have large expatriate population. (See Lebanese people). Large numbers of Lebanese migrated to West Africa, particularly to the Ivory Coast (home to over 100,000 Lebanese) and Senegal (roughly 30,000 Lebanese). Australia is home to over 270,000 Lebanese (1999 est.). In Canada, there is also a large Lebanese diaspora of approximately 250,000–700,000 people having Lebanese descent. (see Lebanese Canadians). United States also has one the largest Lebanese population, at around 2,000,000. Another region with a significant diaspora are Gulf Countries, where the countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar (around 25,000 people), Saudi Arabia and UAE act as host countries to many Lebanese. 269,000 Lebanese citizens currently reside in Saudi Arabia. Around a third of the Lebanese workforce, about 350,000, live in Gulf countries according to some sources. Over 50% of the Lebanese diaspora are Christian, partly due to the large period of Christian emigration before 1943.
, Lebanon was host to over 1,600,000 refugees and asylum seekers: 449,957 from Palestine, 100,000 from Iraq, over 1,100,000 from Syria, and at least 4,000 from Sudan. According to the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia of the United Nations, among the Syrian refugees, 71% live in poverty. A 2013 estimate by the United Nations put the number of Syrian refugees at over 1,250,000.
In the last three decades, lengthy and destructive armed conflicts have ravaged the country. The majority of Lebanese have been affected by armed conflict; those with direct personal experience include 75% of the population, and most others report suffering a range of hardships. In total, almost the entire population (96%) has been affected in some way – either personally or because of the wider consequences of armed conflict.
Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East. Because the relative sizes of different religions and religious sects remains a sensitive issue, a national census has not been conducted since 1932. There are 18 state-recognized religious sects – four Muslim, 12 Christian, one Druze, and one Jewish. The Lebanese government counts its Druze citizens as part of its Muslim population, although most Druze today do not identify as Muslims, and they do not accept the five pillars of Islam.
It is believed that there has been a decline in the ratio of Christians to Muslims over the past 60 years, due to higher emigration rates of Christians, and a higher birth rate in the Muslim population. When the last census was held in 1932, Christians made up 53% of Lebanon's population. In 1956, it was estimated that the population was 54% Christian and 44% Muslim.
A demographic study conducted by the research firm Statistics Lebanon found that approximately 27% of the population was Sunni, 27% Shia, 21% Maronite, 8% Greek Orthodox, 5% Druze, 5% Melkite, and 1% Protestant, with the remaining 6% mostly belonging to smaller non-native to Lebanon Christian denominations. The CIA World Factbook estimates (2020) the following (data does not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations): Muslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni, 31.2% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 4.5%, and very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus. Other sources like Euronews or the Madrid-based diary La Razón estimate the percentage of Christians to be around 53%. A study conducted by the Lebanese Information Center and based on voter registration numbers shows that by 2011 the Christian population was stable compared to that of previous years, making up 34.35% of the population; Muslims, the Druze included, were 65.47% of the population. The World Values Survey of 2014 put the percentage of atheists in Lebanon at 3.3%.
The Sunni residents primarily live in Tripoli, Western Beirut, the Southern coast of Lebanon, and Northern Lebanon. The Shi'a residents primarily live in Southern Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and Southern Lebanon. The Maronite Catholic residents primarily live in Eastern Beirut and the mountains of Lebanon. They are the largest Christian community in Lebanon. The Greek Orthodox, the second largest Christian community in Lebanon, primarily live in Koura, Beirut, Rachaya, Matn, Aley, Akkar, in the countryside around Tripoli, Hasbaya and Marjeyoun. They are a minority of 10% in Zahle. The Greek Catholics live mainly in Beirut, on the eastern slopes of the Lebanon mountains and in Zahle which is predominantly Greek Catholic.
In the Christian village of Hadat, there has been a municipal ban on Muslims from buying or renting property. It has been claimed that it is due to an underlying fear of mixing with one another's salvation since for three decades, the village of Hadat has been predominantly Christian.
Article 11 of Lebanon's Constitution states that "Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which the French language is to be used". The majority of Lebanese people speak Lebanese Arabic, which is grouped in a larger category called Levantine Arabic, while Modern Standard Arabic is mostly used in magazines, newspapers, and formal broadcast media. Lebanese Sign Language is the language of the Deaf community.
There is also significant presence of French, and of English. Almost 40% of Lebanese are considered francophone, and another 15% "partial francophone", and 70% of Lebanon's secondary schools use French as a second language of instruction. By comparison, English is used as a secondary language in 30% of Lebanon's secondary schools. The use of French is a legacy of France's historic ties to the region, including its League of Nations mandate over Lebanon following World War I;, some 20% of the population used French on a daily basis. The use of Arabic by Lebanon's educated youth is declining, as they usually prefer to speak in French and, to a lesser extent, English, which are seen as more fashionable.
English is increasingly used in science and business interactions. Lebanese citizens of Armenian, Greek, or Assyrian descent often speak their ancestral languages with varying degrees of fluency. , there were around 150,000 Armenians in Lebanon, or around 5% of the population.
Cities:
