Byblos

Understand

300px|thumbnail|Traditional Lebanese house

Byblos is a true microcosm of the civilizations that have populated Lebanon over the centuries. Arguably one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the modern port city of Byblos is built upon multiple layers of ruins, dating back to as early as the Stone Age and extending to the more recent Ottoman days. A visit to Byblos is a chance to walk through the annals of Lebanese history and experience firsthand the diverse cultures that have made this area a mosaic of civilizations. Byblos is not simply a picturesque seaside town, but has a history that has been closely tied to the Mediterranean for millennia.

A major book (in French), Je m'appelle Byblos (My name is Byblos), by Jean-Pierre Thiollet, H & D, 2005.

Get in

If you are coming from the north or from Beirut, you can easily take a taxi or bus to Byblos. Remember that Byblos is the historical name and many Lebanese refer to the city as Jbeil. Another option is to take a bus or minibus that goes to Tripoli, ask them to drop you off at the highway exit of Byblos. From there it is only a short walk to the historical centre.

Get around

Jbeil is a small city so getting around should not be a problem for tourists. You can find many taxis and buses in Jbeil and you can contact the Byblos taxi company at +961 9949494 24h/24h 7 days a week.

Buy

The old city of Byblos shelters a souk (market in Arabic) extremely popular for its souvenirs and antiques.

Jbeil (or Byblos) is also home to many supermarkets and stores and you can find everything from clothes to electronics to home appliances...

Eat

Byblos has many restaurants and cafes, including Lebanese, Chinese food and fast food restaurants such as Pizza Hut and McDonald. Byblos Old port is also home to many restaurants that mainly serve sea food from which you can have a great-panoramic sea view. The old souk in jbeil also contains many great side-way cafes and restaurants with a great view and a romantic atmosphere.

Byblos Fishing Club. This restaurant is located on the Mediterranean Sea. It's the perfect place to have a great lunch or romantic dinner. Decorating the walls are pictures of many international personalities that have visited the restaurant, including Brigitte Bardot, Jaques Chirac, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra and Fraga Iribarne.

Eating here is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in Lebanon. The food is great, the atmosphere is wonderful-especially in Summer-and compared to many other restaurants in the area it is very affordable.

Drink

Jbeil has some open air bars and clubs. These pubs and bars provide music, drinks and great atmosphere, they are mainly located in the old souk. Prices mainly range from $10 to $30. And you can always go have a free walk among these side by side pubs.

Sleep

To the North of Byblos Harbour, overlooking the beach there is a great hotel called Hotel Ahiram. Walking distance to everything. Plenty of hotels all over the city.

Go next

If you want to travel to any other part of Lebanon, contact any taxi/bus driver and he'll know how to take you there. If you're travelling outside Lebanon, get a taxi to the airport in Beirut (Rafic Hariri International Airport) and book your tickets there.