Beirut Travel Forum

Hi to all u guys!!:)

I m a Greek and soon I hope that I ll manage to pay my first visit in this beautifull-as people saying-city of Lebanon.

I have no idea about visas or way to go there (except airplane),what i ve to see,to taste,to enjoy,to avoid etc..in my mind I expect to feel the arab calm atmosphere along with the smell of the war..shortly i expect to have the best and the worst..from the greatest fun i ever had,in the Skybar,till a ''dangerous'' experience..

so if anyone feeling glad to speak about life there,in any aspect of it,please contact me and lets have a chat about all..any info is useful!!:)

Thanx in advance

hey there>

u can check my cousin's page or e.mail her....she lives in beirut:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/8ffc4/

best wishes.
marimar_72

Re visas, most EU citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Beirut international airport, provided of course that you don't have any Israeli stamps in your passport in which case you won't be allowed in.
However, I would strongly advise you to check the current situation with the nearest Lebanese consulate in Greece, probably:
Embassy of Lebanon, 6, 25th March Street, 154 52 ﾑ. Psychico,
Tel 2106755873, 2106755874, Fax 2106755612
Visa hours: 09:30-12:30

Marimar_72 thanx for the help.I ve alreadu sent her an email and waiting for her reply.

Gaminari thank you as well,very much!Th eonly thing is that by that time I ll be in Cyprus and i suppose that i ll have to find out from there whats goin on..but as someone has the opportunity to obtain a visa uppon arrival,u think its a need to go for it in the Embassy? :)


Thanx
Anestis

Hi,

This might be a bit late; I just noticed your question as I was editing my Beirut pages.

We were on vacation in Cyprus and flew to Beirut; it took only 35 minutes. I know some cruise ships go there as well but it is expensive perhaps and slow.

Just like someone down there said; you can buy the "visa" from the airport upon arrival; the cost is according to the length of your stay. And yes, no Israeli stamps or get your passport changed.

Beirut is an awesome, great city. I'm sure you know these, but a few tips to see and to avoid:

To see:

- Take the "teleferique", the cable car, up to the hills (800-900 m) in the area named Jounieh near Beirut city. From up there there is a great view to the Mediterranean and to the city. Up there is also a big statue of Virgin Mary, and people can actually walk up to the statue to see even better.

- If you don't have friends there, a good idea is to hire a driver. It is not so expensive as one might think. He knows the hectic (horrible and dangerous) traffic and the rules (the one comes to crossroads who is fastest). He will wait for you, pick you up, even be your guide and a friend if he happens to be a nice guy as we had.

- Ask the driver (or go yourself) to show you the Green Line that used to divide the Christian and Muslim side; and the green small house that used to serve as the checkpoint; it was still up at least in 2004.

- A once-in-a lifetime experience is said to be Casino du Liban. We didn't have time to go there; and I do not know about entrance, fees, dresscode etc. I'm sure they have web pages.

- A super restaurant: M'Hanna in the area of Antelias. Try their "meze" table (see my tip); it's huge. No main dish is needed.

- Go see the hotel named Le Meridien Commodore even if you didn't stay there yourself. It's in the muslim side, area named Hamra. It is famous; it used to act as the "base" for all foreign journalists during the Lebanon civil war. They have some memorabilia of that time left in the lobby bar downstairs.

- Naturally the beautiful ocean front walks by the Mediterranean

- Taste the national drink Arrak (little bit like Ouzo); anizee tasting strong spirit mixed with water and ice cubes (it gets milk white like Ouzo)

- If I had more time, I would go out from Beirut to visit the home and home town of the past author/poet Kahlil Gibran in the mountains. Also I would see the wineyards in Bekaa Valley. I heard in the southern part of the country (not very safe right now I guess...) there at least has been a Hizbollah souvenir shop, believe it or not. They sold everything from mouse pads to flags and T-shirts...

To avoid:

- At least now (political situation should always be checked; sometimes it is OK and peaceful; sometimes very easily becomes unrest) I would not go to the southern part of the city. Check this with locals or the Embassy/Consulate. Have a good map with you. If possible, an old/present (if existing) UN map - they would have the "borders" marked.
In the south there are the Hizbollah quarters (we visited with our local guide; don't go without, it doesn't help that you are a man unless you can mix with the local muslims by your outlook and clothing) and the other poorer areas. People were living even in buildings and block houses totally ruined by the war.

Also, in the south, take care that you enter the city from the airport along the new motorway (clear route to city); not the smaller roads as there might still be some Hizbollah checkpoints. If nothing else, you just have to pay in vain to get through; loss of money. If you for some reason want/need to go to their area, it was at least earlier recommended that you informed the local Hizbollah boss that you are entering their area then-and-then (also the reason and place of your visit) and he would keep the others ínformed not to touch you.

One more thing that used to exist in the south was the Palestinian refugee camps; lots of poor unsatisfied people. I wouldn't go there.

But just by using common sense and taking the normal travel security precautions one will be OK in any place practically. Not to be too visible, to avoid all demonstrations and unrest (in some countries the authorities take everyone in the neighbourhood into custody even if you were just watching, so just better to walk away fast).

Summa summarum: I immediately fell in love with Beirut. A beautiful city, wonderful helpful hospitable people both Christians and Muslims. Handsome men, very beautiful (western looking) women. Beachlife, nightlife, Mediterranean but yet so different (Middle Eastern). Fascinating mixture of Christiany and western stuff and Islam and arabic speech, writing, mosques with minarets and the prayer calls many times a day. You will definitely like the place!

Have a great trip :) I wish I could afford to go back there. Some day I will!!!

waw!!!just read your post!!:) thanx a lot Mrs Finn (still didnt saw who r u)!!

I ll have in mind all those things..time is coming and i hope the guys down there to relax till then :) maybe i ll see u around too :)