Beirut
Capital of Lebanon
Beirut is the capital city of Lebanon and has a population of about 2.4 million people. Travelers visit the city to see sites including the National Museum of Beirut, the Maghen Abraham Synagogue, and the coastal landmark of Raouché.
What to see
The city features a mix of cultural and historical locations. The National Museum of Beirut houses significant collections, while the Maghen Abraham Synagogue represents the city's religious architecture. Visitors often explore the neighborhood of Achrafieh or head to the coast to view the rock formations at Raouché. Other areas of interest include the Al-Omari Grand Mosque, the Maronite Cathedral of Saint George, the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, and the Sursock Museum. For shopping and walking, Nejmeh Square, Saifi Village, and the streets of Hamra, Ras Beirut, and Rue Verdun are notable locations.
When to go
Beirut has warm, dry summers and cooler, wetter winters. The months of June through September are hot, with daily highs ranging from 28 °C to 30 °C and almost no rain. April and May are mild, with highs of 22 °C to 25 °C and minimal rainfall, making these good months for outdoor sightseeing. From November through March, the city experiences significant rain, particularly in January when it rains on about 14 days.
Getting there
The city is served by Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, which is located 8 kilometers from the city center.
Top sights in Beirut
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is January, with about 243 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 18 |
| Average low, °C | 9 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 11 |
| Rainfall, mm | 243 | 183 | 127 | 48 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 55 | 154 | 182 |
| Rainy days | 14 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Beirut (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Al-Omari Grand Mosque
- Hamra, Beirut
- Maronite Cathedral of Saint George, Beirut
- Nejmeh Square
- Ras Beirut
- Rue Verdun
- Saifi Village
- Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
- Sursock Museum