Surrounding the Lebanese capital, the Beirut Governorate is an economic, political and cultural hub on the country’s west coast. It has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years, with its earliest settlement on an island in the Beirut River. Today, it is one of the most religiously diverse areas of the Middle East.
Things to do in Beirut
With outstanding museums, architectural wonders and bustling entertainment districts, Beirut Governorate has it all.
Visit the National Museum of Beirut. Occupying a monumental building designed in an Egyptian Revival style, the National Museum of Beirut tells the history of Lebanon from prehistoric times to the medieval Mamluk period. Get up close to Iron Age sarcophagi and figurines from the Temple of the Obelisks in Byblos, as well as Roman mosaics and Byzantine coins.
Get your art fix at the Sursock Museum. Housing an impressive collection of contemporary art is the Sursock Museum, which occupies a villa built by the Lebanese aristocrat, Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock. The building combines Italianate and Ottoman architectural influences and regularly hosts cultural events. Works by Chaffic Abboud, Mouna Bassili Sehnaoui and Hussein Madi are exhibited.
Marvel at the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque. Holding the title of Lebanon’s biggest mosque, the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque is located on the site of a 19th-century zawiya. It is often referred to as the Blue Mosque due to its azure-coloured domes, which are surrounded by four minarets rising to 65 metres. Step inside to see the mosque’s beautifully patterned ceilings and its centrepiece chandelier.
Relax in Zaitunay Bay. Encompassing the Beirut Marina, Zaitunay Bay is a lively dining and entertainment district with public green spaces and retail stores. Grab a coffee and relax on one of the open-air terraces or feast on seafood at the Em Sherif SEA Cafe. Views across the Mediterranean can be enjoyed from the Balcony Overlooking the Sea.
Getting around Beirut
Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport is the main aviation gateway to Beirut Governorate and has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance buses connect Beirut to cities across Lebanon while commuter services travel throughout the governorate.