TRAVEL
LOCAL FAVORITES
Al Ferdaws: a traditional Lebanese restaurant overlooking Ehden, which specializes in "kibbeh zghartawiye", a type of meatball made with bulgur.
Bayt Setti: a small Lebanese eatery with a twist.
Patisserie Angela: a local favorite famous for their cheese and zaatar croissants. Make sure to go early or place your order in advance as they tend to run out!
Teshreen: a lebanese breakfast place serving the traditional "manqoushe", a flat bread with a wide variety of toppings. Go early to get a good seat and enjoy the mountain views.
Haze Sunset Bar: a must visit during sunset hours. Make sure to try their local wines and kaak.
Minus Pub: off the beaten track, and only accessible by buggy during the summer months, Minus offers an unbeatable sunset view nestled in the mountain of Ehden.
FURTHER AFIELD
There are many good restaurants all around Lebanon, especially during the summer months when you can sit outside and enjoy the views. Here are some of our favorites:
Bistr'eau: a trendy Lebanese seafood restaurant located in L'Auberge de la Mer, an old style Lebanese home, overlooking the port of Batroun.
Lola: a European style restaurant in the mountains of Bikfaya, overlooking the coast line.
Tavolina: an Italian restaurant located in the heart of Beirut in the Mar Mikhael area.
Cyrano: located in the Gemmayze neighbourhood of Beirut, this popular bar is perfect for grabbing a drink and small bites.
Ginette: a trendy coffee shop in the heart of Gemmayze, Beirut, serving top notch coffee and healthy food.
Abu Joseph: located in the Sin El Fil neighbourhood of Beirut, this no frills place is hands down our favorite shawarma in town.
EHDEN
Visit Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Ehden, Mount Lebanon, which offers unparalleled views of beautiful gorges and valleys. It's the perfect setting for going on a hike.
Visit Local Churches and Monasteries
The northern mountains of Lebanon are nestled with hundreds of ancient churches and monasteries, which historically offered refuge to the Christian minorities in times of persecution. Do not miss the Qozhaya Monastery located in the nearby Qadisha Valley or Ehden's very own Mar Sarkis Monastery, commonly referred as the Watchful Eye of Qadisha.
FURTHER AFIELD
The Cedars of God: Bsharre, a short drive from Ehden, is home to Lebanon's oldest cedar forest.
Sursock, Gemmayzy and Mar Mkhayel: these trendy areas in Beirut offer a wide variety of nightlife options for those looking for a more laid back vibe.
Batroun / Jbeil: You'll find old market places and delicious seafood restaurants lining winding cobble stone roads in these coastal fisherman towns - making them the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Beirut.
Chouf: the Chouf region is rich in both nature and architectural feats, such as the Beittedine Palace and Moussa Castle.
Tyre: this coastal city, once a prosperous Phoenician stronghold, is home to many ancient ruins, including the Hippodrome and the Al Mina Ruins. You can find many sand beaches and good restaurants along the coast, making it worth the drive south.
Car Rental
The best way to get around Lebanon is by car. You can book a car online using the link below for pickup directly at Beirut airport.
Taxi Companies
Elegance Taxi: +961 9333 332
Lord Taxi: +961 1217770
Hair Salons
Tony Assouny | +961 6 661 157
Makeup Studios
Nina Chami | +961 3 982179
Alain Hayek | +961 70367980
Weather
Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate, which means the summers are sunny, warm and humid by the coasts, with average temperatures of around 28°C in August. Temperatures are much cooler in the mountains (like in Ehden), and can dip as low as 13°C in August.
Currency
Lebanon's official currency is the Lebanese Lira, and the US Dollar. With the current economic crisis in Lebanon, the Lebanese Lira has lost most of it's value over the last few years, which means that prices are in flux. Don't be surprised if you're asked to pay a few million Lebanese Lira for a meal at a restaurant!
We recommend paying in cash as much as possible, so make sure to bring enough US Dollars with you which you can exchange at any currency exchange. We also recommend checking the rates to make sure you are getting the best rate.
We will provide the names of exchanges you can go to shortly, so please keep checking back!