Lebanon Tourism

Northern Lebanon uniquely blends the outdoors with extensive historical and cultural attractions. With the country's highest mountain, Qornet Es-Saouda (3,090m), as well as the highest ski resort, The Cedars, this region offers a rocky, rugged terrain that makes Lebanon unique in the Middle East. At the far northern end of the Mt. Lebanon range, the Aakkar region is the most remote area of the country, housing traditional villages and beautiful scenery. Throughout northern Lebanon, mountain climbing, skiing, hiking, caving, and other outdoor opportunities abound.

In the heart of northern Lebanon are some of the country's most unique and sacred religious sites, making the region a spiritual – as well as natural – haven. The Holy Qadisha Valley has been a place of refuge for those fleeing religious persecution since the 5th century. As the seat of the Maronite Church (a Catholic sect established in Lebanon in the 6th century A.D.), the Valley houses some of the most important early Christian monastic settlements in the world. The Qadisha's ancient, rock-cut monasteries are a destination for those seeking pilgrimage and retreat.

Tripoli, now Lebanon's second largest city, faced its share of drama through the ages. Inhabited since the 14th century B.C., it was ruled sequentially by the Persians, Alexander the Great's successors, the Romans, Mamluke Muslims, and Turkish Ottomans. As a result, the city is filled with history, including mosques, Turkish baths, a crusader castle, and restored souks (traditional marketplaces).

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Lebanon Tourism