Byblos - A Guide to Exploring

Why visit Byblos?

Byblos is a small coastal town located 40km north of Beirut. It may be small in size but its history is vast as it is one of the oldest Phoenician cities. It has been inhabited since Neolithic times and bears the ruins of many successive civilisations. Byblos is the best place to make you feel as though you have travelled back in time to the times of the Crusaders or even the ancient Roman times with the number of different archaeological finds you can find here. It is also the best place to enjoy the delicious local Lebanese cuisine whilst watching the bustling life of Byblos in the old souks.

How to get here?

To get to Byblos you should take the Connexion buses which are going to Tripoli from Beirut which depart near the car park of the Mohammad Al Amin Mosque in Beirut as there is currently no official bus station for buses going up north. You will see they are clearly labelled as Connexion buses and are either white or yellow in colour.

You can find the times they depart on their Facebook page here. You can buy a ticket on the bus so don’t worry about buying a ticket beforehand. This journey should cost you around $2-3. Just make sure to let the driver know you want to leave the bus at Byblos so they know where to drop you off. You can also take a Connexion bus from Tripoli and let the driver know you want to get off at Byblos.

To return to Beirut you cannot get on the Connexion buses as they do not stop for people who are getting on inbetween Beirut and Tripoli. What you need to do is head back to the motorway where you were dropped off originally and you will see buses waiting on the side of the motorway and ask if these are heading to Beirut and then board the bus from here.

The bus stop is clearly labelled with signs on the road so you will know you are in the right place. And if there aren’t any buses waiting there then you won’t be waiting longer than 10-15 minutes for the next one. This journey cost $0.50.

Top things to do:

Byblos Castle:

This is an absolute must see if you visit Byblos. This Crusader castle belonged to Genoese Embriaco family who were lords of the city. The castle was built from limestone and the remains of Roman structures and was surrounded by a moat in the 12th century.

One of the most interesting things about this site is that you can also visit the buildings the castle had for neighbours such as: ancient roman ruins, Phoenician royal necropolis, a few Egyptian temples and there is even a museum inside the castle as well. There is so much to see in this site so make sure you have enough time to see it all.

Around Byblos Castle you can see:

- Ancient Roman Ruins

- Othman Al Housami House

- Stunning Views over the coast of Byblos

Saint John Marc Church

This church was built by the Crusaders in 1115 AD and was originally known as Saint John the Baptist Cathedral. It has been hit by a number of disasters over the years such as earthquakes and actually fell into disrepair until 1764 where it was restored and reopened in 1776.

Although it may not be the most impressive church you have ever seen, it is nice to admire the architecture from the inside and outside as well as the nicely maintained grounds where it has been built. It is free to go inside, so if you have the time make sure to have a stroll past.

The Old Souk

One of the best things to do whilst in the Middle East is to visit the Souks! In most cities and towns you will find a Souk just like you do in Byblos. This is the perfect place to stop by for lunch or dinner and to observe the bustling life of Byblos. You can also buy your souvenirs here or other things such as local crafts, clothes food, etc.

Byblos Docks and Fishing Port

The docks of Byblos are a great place to have a wander down after visiting the Citadel, Church, and Souks. Here you will be able to see the local fisherman getting their boats ready to go out to see as well as seeing the breathtaking views of the coastline Byblos. It is truly a beautiful scenic place and a great place enjoy the Lebanese culture.

Author

Katie

Full-time doctor, part-time traveller. I am the kind of traveller who travels on a shoestring and somehow manages to pack two weeks worth of clothes, a tripod and all my books into a little rucksack.