A Day Trip to Byblos is a must-do when visiting Lebanon, Byblos is one of the oldest cities in the world and it’s easy to do a Day Trip to Byblos from Beirut once you know how to! I liked Beirut but it is a big and busy city and lacked the Middle Eastern culture I was looking for when visiting Lebanon, however, I got this from my Byblos day trip from Beirut!
There are 2 main ways you can do a day trip to Byblos from Beirut on your own as a tourist in Lebanon. Well actually 3, but the third option involves hiring a car and driving yourself from Beirut to Byblos and I do not recommend that as the traffic and driving in Lebanon, especially in and around Beirut is crazy!
So then you are left with getting an Uber from Beirut to Byblos and exploring Byblos yourself which is what I did. Or you can join an organised day tour like this which will take you to Byblis and also some other popular attractions in Lebanon like Jeita Grotto, Harissa. So in this Lebanon travel blog, let me tell you how to visit Byblos both ways and things to do in Byblos!
Day Trip To Byblos
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Day Tours to Byblos from Beirut
The positive to doing an organised day tour to Byblos from Beirut is that you will not have to worry about transport, you’ll get to see more places in Lebanon in one day like Jeita Grotto and Harissa, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide, and it will work out cheaper, especially if you are a solo traveller as taxi and uber costs in Lebanon and around Beirut add up I found and are not really cheap!
Some options for shared and private day tours to Byblos from Beirut are:
From Beirut: Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour – 8 hours – The Cheapest Option!
Byblos, Jeita Grotto and Harissa Day Trip from Beirut – 8 hours – Shared
Jeita Grotto, Byblos and Harissa Day Trip from Beirut – 8 hours – Private
I recommend booking the tours online as I didn’t see anywhere in Beirut I could book them in person with a company.
Byblos from Beirut via Uber
Byblos is actually really close to Beirut, it’s just 30km up the coast from Beirut to Byblos. But thanks to the Beirut Traffic, which is busy and hectic at the best of times, what should be a 20-30 minute drive takes at least an hour so keep this in mind when planning your day trip to Byblos!
I decided to get an Uber from Byblos to Beirut so I knew what the set cost would be before I started the ride. The cost came up as $30.95 USD which is what I expected to pay for a one way Uber from Beirut to Byblos.
My Uber driver picked me up, we had a chat about the traffic. I feel like just how British people talk about the weather, Lebanese and those living in Beirut chat about the traffic. To be fair, it’s bad and conversation-worthy!
On the way to Byblos, my Uber driver asked how I was going to get back. I was aware that Uber isn’t big in Byblos and there are not drivers waiting around nearby like they are in Beirut so getting an Uber back from Byblos to Beirut could be harder.
I told the Uber Driver my plan and we agreed to meet at the same place he dropped me off at 3:00 pm. Long story short, was he there ar 3:00 pm?? No! He said he got caught in traffic (no surprise there) and said I should use someone else. I didn’t have a sim card and therefore had no internet to get an Uber in Byblos back to Beirut but luckily a guy was waiting around who claimed he was a taxi driver, we agreed on the equivalent of $33.00 for him to take me back and he did.
Although I do recommend Uber as a way to do your day trip from Beirut to Byblos because I did it with no major issues, I will warn you that it may not be totally easy and straight forward, and you will get caught in traffic!
Also, be sure to take into account the costs, if you are a solo traveller, it would be cheaper to do a day tour to Byblos like this rather than paying for 2 x $30.00+ Ubers. (That tour wasn’t available when I went otherwise I would have done it!)
- For more of my posts on Lebanon see:
- How To Spend One Day in Beirut!
- The Cost of Travelling To Lebanon!
- The Meshmosh Hotel Review!
- A Day Trip to Chouwen Nature Reserve with Explore Lebanon Tours!
Things To Do in Byblos
Byblos is fascinating. It’s said to be one of the oldest settlements in the world! Around 7000 years old in fact!
Byblos is a city though, a big sprawling City actually that goes all the way up the Hill away from the coast, but the main centre of Byblos where tourists visit is small and quaint.
It’s touristy in a way that I never saw in Beirut. Beirut and all of its areas are for the people who live there, tourists just pass by. From what I saw of Byblos, at its centre, it’s aimed at tourists- Lebanese and International tourists. This wasn’t a bad thing though and was a welcome change compared to Beirut!
Byblos Souks
I would recommend heading to the Souks first which are open-air and you walk through them to get into the main part of Byblos. I got such a big Middle Eastern feeling from these which was exactly why I wanted to visit Byblos and Lebanon itself.
Byblos Harbour
The harbour is only small but full of boats and seafood restaurants, plus the famous hotel of Byblos Sur Mer. I went to the edge of the water and was in shock when I saw the colour of the water. I saw a beach that belongs to a resort and definitely regretted not making a full day of going to Byblos and taking swimwear so I could see the town and then sunbathe on the beach and swim in the water. It was a hot day and getting in the water was so so tempting.
If you’re visiting Byblos as a day trip with a group in the summer, definitely plan some beach time in!
Byblos Castle
The castle is one of the top things to do in Byblos and there is an amazing view from the top of the castle that’s worth paying for in itself.
It’s not just about the view though, enclosed in the Castle is a Museum that provides a lot of detailed history about Byblos, plus Roman Ruins to walk around.
To SEE my Day Trip from Beirut to Byblos using Uber, have a watch of my YouTube video here!
ECafe Eddeyard Courtyard
There is a really pretty courtyard that belongs to ECafe Eddeyard, I had seen photos of this courtyard on Instagram and it is very pretty with its lilac seating and overhanging flowers.
I had lunch there and I recommend you to do too! There are lots of restaurants offering International Cuisine and Lebanese food.
I ended up having lunch at Old Patio, and I had the most incredible Fattoush Salad and Baba Ghanoush dip and I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard!
This will cover you for things to do in Byblos in 1 day on your day trip to Byblos! After this, you’ll be ready to go back to Beirut!
I really loved Byblos, it was a highlight of my time in Lebanon so I really recommend you go too!
- For more of my Lebanon posts see:
- How To Spend One Day in Beirut!
- The Cost of Travelling To Lebanon!
- The Meshmosh Hotel Review!
- A Day Trip to Chouwen Nature Reserve from Beirut with Explore Lebanon Tours
Timothy
Sunday 26th of May 2019
I just found your blog while searching the age of Byblos. Coincidentally, I've been invited to Beirut for a stay because my good friend from Lebanon was denied a tourist visa to the US. Very disheartening, we're hoping I do not get denied a Visa to Lebanon since they are not issued until arrival in country for Americans.
So, I was intrigued with your blog because I am looking to tour historical places, ancient cities and possibly some popular nature settings. I'll continue reading/watching your content to become somewhat familiar with being a tourist in Lebanon. My friend will be available to me, making the small language barrier a non issue if it should occur. I'd like to do some sight seeing on my own though, which is why I'm finding your content extremely helpful. Two questions though:
Do you think touring Lebanon will be a bit more troublesome being an American male? Meaning will locals may be standoffish or indifferent in my dealings with them.
There is a lot of tension building in the region partly due to the current US administration, of which I am not in support, yet sadly it projects onto us citizens. I am due to travel in July. Am I overreacting by feeling apprehensive about my safety while in Beirut and surrounding?
TheWanderingQuinn
Sunday 26th of May 2019
Hello, I can’t 100% say what it would be like bring an American Male and I’m not aware of any political issues but I found the people there to be very nice and Americans do visit Lebanon so if you have been invited by your friend I would say to go.
Bazza
Monday 18th of February 2019
Am off to Lebanon in a couple of weeks and reaching where to go and came across your site. Great info and it has confirmed what I want to do and how to do it - many thanks, keep up the great blogs ! barry
TheWanderingQuinn
Tuesday 19th of February 2019
Hi Barry, that’s so great to hear! I wrote them how I’d want to read them, so glad it’s helped! Enjoy Lebanon, it’s a cool country!