8 Reasons You Should Travel to Beirut this Summer

posted on: Jul 17, 2019

By: Nana Osei/Arab America Contributing Writer 

Summer is the time for traveling the world! However, choosing your destination is not a simple task. Some people may suggest the Caribbean or Italy. But if you’re going to choose anywhere to go, choose this gorgeous city, Beirut.

Other than being the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, without exaggeration, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is also Lebanon’s largest city with so much to offer. In this article, see the 10 reasons you should travel to Beirut this summer!

The Amazing Weather

When traveling, the weather is one of the most important factors in planning your trip. No one likes having to deal with rainy or cold weather when they’re trying to enjoy their summer. Luckily, Beirut has some of the sunniest and clear weather you could ever ask for. Lebanon has very long summers so don’t worry about extending your vacation! During the summer the temperature is always around 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It also hardly rains during Spring, Summer, and Fall,  so you don’t have to worry about your beach day being ruined!

Safety

When traveling, safety is something that should always be of utmost importance. Especially when traveling with family, you worry about the safety of your children or elderly members. When it comes to Beirut, don’t worry, it’s very safe, contrary to any of the misconceptions you may have heard in the media. Lebanon is actually one of the safest countries in the Middle East and has some of the lowest crime rates in the world. Of course, just like every other city, petty crime can be a problem in Beirut, but law enforcement is always there to protect.

Museum

Whenever you travel anywhere, you’ll always want to learn about the culture of the place you’re visiting. Beirut is a country with an ancient and beautiful history. The National Museum of Beirut encompasses that; it holds over 1000 artifacts that come from prehistoric times to the medieval Mamluk period. The museum’s collections will allow you to learn so much about Beirut’s rich history. Moreover, Beirut also has many art museums for those that appreciate fine art.

Beach

Every summer vacation needs some time on the beach. Whether it’s to get a tan, play beach volleyball, or simply wade in the water; without going to the beach a vacation can’t be complete! Thankfully Beirut has many beaches for you to enjoy. There is the White Beach which is literally full of bright, white sand spanning far and wide. Also, there is the Tyre beach which is free to enter and is popular among tourists. It comes with a clean ocean and great dining options!

Food

One of the best parts of going on a vacation is trying out new dishes and splurging on high-quality meals! Lebanese food contains some of the most tasteful and diverse food of the Arab world. These dishes include Kafta, which is a meaty kebab, Kibbeh which is a tasty ground meat pie, the famous parsley-cracked wheat salad, tabbouleh and much more. One of the best parts of Lebanese food is that it contains delicious vegan food for those of you that are vegetarian or full-on vegan!

Language

The languages of the world are beautiful. There are so many different languages with dialects and accents. Being able to experience a different language of another country is always a treat. If you are an English speaker, don’t worry about not understanding anyone or not being able to communicate. English is actually the second spoken language, besides French.  Also if you’re trying to learn to speak Arabic, then you’ll get a treat by learning basic spoken Arabic in Lebanon which is the most spoken in Lebanon.

People

When traveling to a new place one of the most important aspects is the people. When you go to Beirut, you’ll be able to meet so many people from diverse backgrounds and occupations. You’ll also be able to have fun with new faces when you’re participating in the nightlife! There are many parties and resorts you can enjoy with old friends and new ones!

In the end, you only live once. Life is about taking chances and gathering invaluable knowledge about foreign lands and their people. Going on vacation to a country you’ve never been to is definitely scary, but it’s also exciting. So take a chance and experience life in Beirut! You won’t regret it!