Lebanon
Middle East · Arabic · Lebanese Pound
Refuse the food once, accept it the second time — and never compare the cooking to anywhere else in the Levant.
Today in Lebanon
No Lebanon stories in today's wires — read the global briefing.
5 phrases you need in Lebanon
- Helloمرحباmar-HA-ba
- Goodbyeمع السلامةma-a s-sa-LEH-meh
- Pleaseمن فضلكmin FAD-lak
- Thank youشكراًSHOOK-ran
- Excuse meعن إذنكan IZ-nak
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Lebanon phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
money
Bring cash US dollars in small bills — the banking system is broken, local cards barely function, and the street exchange rate moves daily. Small USD notes settle almost everything.
etiquette
Hospitality is serious business: refusing food outright offends. Decline once out of politeness, then accept the second offer — that's the dance.
transport
There's no real public transport — 'service' shared taxis run set routes for a fixed per-seat fare. Confirm 'serviss?' before getting in or you've hired the whole car.
safety
Check current advisories before travel and take local advice on neighborhoods seriously — Beirut varies block by block, and conditions near borders change fast.
Get Lebanon updates
News, fees, and rule changes for Lebanon — in your inbox as they break.