Exploring the Ancient Wonder of Baalbek: A Guide to the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Why visit Baalbek?
Baalbek is home to one of the most incredible UNESCO World Heritage you will ever see. A trip to Lebanon is not complete without a visit here. Baalbek is an old city that has been occupied since 10,000 BC so it has plenty of history and ancient sites to keep you busy for the day. The breathtaking view of the valleys and mountains alongside the colossal ancient temple truly makes this an incredible place.
How to get here?
The cheapest and best way to get here is to use public transport. You can take a bus to Baalbek from Cola bus station in Beirut, just ask the people who work there where the buses to Baalbek are and they will point you to the right bus. This bus may be direct or you may switch buses in Chtoura to then take another bus to Baalbek. The bus driver will tell you to get onto the next bus which will pick you up straight away and you will be on your way to Baalbek so don’t worry about this, it is really easy. It costs $5 each way from Beirut to Baalbek.
Tours:
You can take a tour to come to the Baalbek ruins which is easier and less stressful than taking public transport, however this is a lot more expensive. The prices range from $75-100. A lot of the tours include extra stops on the tour like seeing Anjar and Chateau Ksara so if you’re interested in seeing all 3 sights then this would be a good option for you. You can book onto tours using websites like Viator or GetyourGuide. You could also look on Zingyride.com for cheaper tours as they offer you to join a tour that’s already running for $35, however, it is is only this cheap if one person has already signed up to the tour and you will have to be flexible with the date you go.
Safety and Security:
Baalbek is located 5km away from the border with Syria and a lot of Travel insurance companies may not cover you for travel to this region as this is extremely close to the border with Syria and the route you will take to get here will pass through cities that are also very close to the border. The reason it could be potentially a dangerous place is due to the risk of terrorist attacks, you should exercise caution whilst visiting this place and check the local news before travelling here.
My experience of Baalbek was extremely positive. I felt incredibly safe here as a lot of tour groups come up to this region to see the ancient ruins and there was a heavy military presence as well so it didn’t feel as though a terrorist attack could happen. If you feel uneasy about travelling alone to this region then join a tour group to see the ancient ruins.
Things to do:
Baalbek Ruins:
Baalbek is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built over more than two centuries making it one of the most famous Roman architectural pieces. Over the years it has suffered numerous earthquakes and the reuse of temple stone for fortification and other construction. At different times in history, Baalbek has been occupied by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and the Mongols.
The cost of entering the Baalbek ruins was 300,000 LBP in 2023, however, as the value of the currency fluctuates so much this could change by the time you get here.
The cost of entering the Baalbek ruins was 300,000 LBP in 2023, however, as the value of the currency fluctuates so much this could change by the time you get here.
The Temple of Jupiter:
The Temple of Jupiter was completed in the 60AD and only portions of it now remain. It was a massive building measuring 104m long and 103m wide. It was built on a broad platform of stone raised 7m above the huge stone foundations. It was the biggest temple dedicated to Jupiter in all the Roman Empire. The columns were 19.9m high and have a diameter of 2.5m.
The Temple of Bacchus:
The Temple of Bacchus has 42 columns which make up its peripheral colonnade and 23 of them have fallen over. It was dedicated to the same architectural gods as the great temple. It still has many of its sculptures and reliefs intact today and is considered one of the best preserved and grandest Roman temple ruins. It’s age is unknown but is thought to date back to the 2nd century BC.
The Temple of Venus:
The Temple of Venus is located south-east of the altars of the Temple of Jupiter. This was built in the 3rd century and consists of a circular shrine with a square entrance and has five niches on the outer facade with representation of doves and shells.
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