Things to do & places to visit in Bekaa Governorate, Lebanon

Bekaa Governorate #3 destination in Lebanon 2023. The average rating score is 4.74 based on 2.315 traveler reviews, of 39 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Beirut, current date and time: Friday, May 10, 2024, 6:31.

Bekaa Governorate Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

74°F - 49°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

Chance of rain

39.0 millimeters

Amount

11.0 mph

Wind speed

51%

Humidity

13.9

Daylight length

5:34 AM

Sunrise

7:28 PM

Sunset

71%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (29)

Top destinations in Bekaa Governorate 20

See more 8 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Temples of Baalbek (1.249 reviews)
- The glory of Baalback
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites

Amazing Roman temples. One if the biggest Roman temples in the world . Every stone of this temple can tell you a story of many civilisations and occupations passed by this area . Nice place for walking, taking thousand of pictures . In the summer , this temple become the center of the Baalback international festival who received the most prestigious artists and troupe of the world. See more..
5.0 Chateau St Thomas (32 reviews)
- Great wine tasting
Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Established in 1990 by Said Touma and his family on a hill overlooking the Bekaa valley, Chateau St Thomas estate is a vineyard spreading over 65 ha & a wine storehouse for fermentation and ageing. Winery is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm for winery tour, visit of St Thomas chapel & wine tasting. See more..
5.0 Chateau Rayak (31 reviews)
- Hidden gem...chateau Rayak
Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Distilleries • Wineries & Vineyards

A hidden gem in zahle bekaa, it was beyond what we expected, we were stuck in a huge traffic and were 3 hrs late but still the owner Mr Elies Maalouf was so welcoming..we started the tour with trying the rosé of Chateau Rayak amazing. Then the best part, Mr Elies Maalouf takes you to another section of the winery to try the different authentic artisanal white wine, such amazing smells taste and experience..he explains all the details, gives you the chance to experiment 6 different types then he lets you terminate with having your own combination. Then you get to the 3rd part of the tour, the red wine, between “station” and “chateau” you just get transported to another level of taste. To finish with the Arak of rayak and that’s another level of taste and experience.. A must visit..just amazing experience and winery..thank you See more..
5.0 City sightseeing Lebanon - From Beirut to Baalbeck Temples -Zahle-Chateau Ksara Winery tour (26 reviews)
- Stunning experience
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Multi-day Tours • Private Tours • Day Trips

The visit to Baalbek left me speechless! Never did I expect the sight to be as big and well preserved as it was. It is a must visit and thanks to Carla, our great bus driver (who also provides you with excellent coffee on the first stop) and the whole team you are also provided with a great guide who knows everything there is about these ruins. I can recommend Citysightseeing Lebanon to everyone who is interested in a fun experience that also provides you with the necessary information about the sights you visit. Habibi - come to Lebanon! See more..
5.0 Coteaux Du Liban (24 reviews)
- One of our best memories of Lebanon
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Coteaux Du Liban is a small modern-family owned winery located in Zahle and founded in 2000 by Nicolas Abou Khater. The winery aims to produce high-quality wines, reflecting the true identity of Zahle's exceptional terroir as well as the family's passion and philosophy in wine and arak production. Tours and tasting sessions are free upon reservation one day or few hours before the visit. See more..
5.0 Chapter ll (9 reviews)
- Great place
Friday: 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM Bars & Clubs

The life of Zahle ! Meet , have a drink, chill & be merry... Chapter II , your home away from home ... See more..
5.0 Rafting Squad (8 reviews)
- Amazing Lifetime experience
River Rafting & Tubing

That was my 3rd visit to Beirut and rafting was the best highlight of this trip. we were a group of 5 girls started with a bit panic but I would really like to thank Nour Eldin the owner and guide for his super hospitality at the club and his professionalism and being an amazing host. He made our experience amazing with his sense of humour, it took us 2 hours and we felt like they were way more less because of the fun we hadand nevertheless the mouth watering lebanese home made lunch that was really made with love.. THANK U Nour for this amazing experience and memory that we will keep for life See more..
5.0 Chateau Heritage (5 reviews)
- We had another great visit to the Château Héritage and this time we were joined...
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Wineries & Vineyards

Chateau Heritage, one of the oldest and most loved Lebanese wines has been on the market, both locally and internationally, since 1999. After a lot of demand and requests from local and international wine lovers for winery visits and tours, we finally opened our doors for visitors from all over the world with a variety of touristic packages that vary from hiking and ecotourism tours. See more..
5.0 Cave Kouroum (4 reviews)
- A Majestic Wineey
Wineries & Vineyards

Built in 1998; Cave Kouroum is the best winery out there. Professional staff, and the hospitality was one of a kind. The winery is just majestic. There are several types of wine available (red, rose, blanc, sweet wine) and even arak. See more..
5.0 Megaplay (1 review)
- wonderful indoor play area for all ages
Spent More than 3 hours Game & Entertainment Centers
Experience the fun at MEGAPLAY , the largest indoor playground and family entertainment center in Lebanon. See more..
5.0 Baalbek Roman Ruins (1 review)
- Architectural masterpiece?
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Historic Walking Areas
It's big, it's old, and it's amazing. How were they able to build it? I keep saying the same thing. Apparently Baalbek has many different names, all the same place. About 2 hours from Beirut or Byblos, Baalbek is a wonder. Towering columns, and carvings 50 feet and more in the air. It is just amazing. A must see day trip when you visit Lebanon. See more..
5.0 Ras El Ein (1 review)
- Baalbak tour
Parks

حلوة الكزدورة عالعشب وتحت الشجرات وصوت المي والحو البارد ، ومقام راس الحسين تاخذ منو شوية بركة ، وترجع تشيش عند مطعم ليالينا See more..
5.0 Domaine Wardy (1 review)
- During the summer they conduct their wine tasting a short distance from...
Spent 2-3 hours Wineries & Vineyards

I discovered a new and very interesting Winery in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Domaine Wardy is very close to the valley’s largest city called: Zahleh. I had this Domaine Wardy winery on my list of: ‘must visit Lebanese Wineries’ for a long time and it wasn’t until yesterday that I had contacted the owners by email for an appointment to sample their fantastic Wine Tasting. During the summer they conduct their wine tasting a short distance from their actual winery. It is in a very nice area of the Bekaa Valley called Freijeh Farms. The owners of Domaine Wardy have constructed three large Bedouin Tents and they have divided each tent off into comfortable seating areas. A very nice ‘natural touch’ are the tables as they simply use three wooden pallets on top of each other for each ‘table’! These three Bedouin Tents are in a nice large grass area and all face a sizeable horse paddock as one of the owners raises Arabian horses! This wine tasting area is very conducive for enjoying a great time with the wineries owners and management team plus enjoying their numerous and very, very flavorsome wines. The wine glasses they use are very special and quite unique as they are all crystal and ‘stem less’. This is a very good idea as there is very little chance these wine glasses will tip over and spill, especially on their irregular wooden table tops. The owners do recommend that you email them to make an appointment for your wine tasting. This can be completed on their very professional Domaine Wardy website or directly by email. Finally, Domaine Wardy are in the midst of changing all their wine labels and the new wine labels are all very, very unique and distinctive. See more..
5.0 Saint Elie Church (1 review)
- Peaceful and old Church!!
Churches & Cathedrals

It is one of the oldest churches in Zahle... It was renovated to show the old cachet of the monastery and church... It is very beautiful... At Christmas it is all lit with wonderful colors all over it from outside and a very big Christmas crib inside... It is a place to visit when you are in Zahle... It is highly recommended See more..
4.5 Chateau Ksara (286 reviews)
- beautiful & tasty
Wineries & Vineyards

Chateau Ksara, the country's oldest winery, founded in 1857 by Jesuit Fathers. In August 1973, sold to a consortium of Lebanese businessmen Chateau Ksara's motto is "Modernity in Tradition". It is an idea that captures perfectly our position as Lebanon's oldest winery and the pioneering spirit that has kept Chateau Ksara at the forefront of Lebanon's wine industry, for over 156 years. Today's wine drinkers are both informed and discerning, and therefore we are committed to producing quality wines - varietals and blends made from our 25 local and international varieties - that will satisfy all palates and suit all occasions. Not only are our wines made to the most exacting standards with state of the art equipment, they also reflect the terroir of the Lebanon's historic Bekaa Valley, an area that has been making wine for over 2,000 years. It is a legacy that we respect with every bottle we make. Brand values The name of Chateau Ksara has become associated with the three core values: tradition, nobility and modernity. These are emphasized through name and lineage (tradition); through a high-quality product (nobility) and the tremendous innovative advances made since 1991 (modernity). Visit one of the world's most beautiful Wine Cellars 7 days per week from 9a.m till 6 p.m See more..
4.5 Umayyad Ruins of Aanjar (173 reviews)
- Beautiful site
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Castles

It is not Baalbeck but it is absolutely charming place to visit. It is not an accident that Anjar is at the Unesco list. I would recommend securing around 1,5h for a walk around the ruins. It is worth taking a guide as you may learn a lot about the history of the place. In the winter season it is quite windy so wrap yourself up. See more..
4.5 Hajar al-Hibla (124 reviews)
- Worth a brief stop
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Site of an old Roman quarry with allegedly the largest stone in the world. Not too much to see, but welcoming site/shopkeeper and well worth a brief stop as part of a trip out of Beirut ti the nearby Baalbek temples. Restrooms on site and small souvenir shop. The stone is enormous!!. See more..
4.5 Our Lady of Zahle and Bekaa (57 reviews)
- Nice view...!
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Nice view of the valley from above... unfortunately we could not reach the top since no electricity... but the scenery was beautiful. And the place worth to visit. Going down to visit also the monastery with his beautiful chapel and see the miraculous lady icon and also the church fully painted... the valley of Sahel is peaceful and clam and the atmosphere is cool. To be visited See more..
4.5 Bekaa Valley (41 reviews)
- Anjar is a town close to the border of Syria and the Road to Damscas which houses some wonderful Roman ruins
Valleys

Hire a car for the day and be amazed at what you can see. Anjar was our 1st stop on a busy day visiting lots of Roman ruins but when we arrived we did not even know what we were visiting so we were truly amazed and delighted especially as there were only a handful of other visitors meandering around the site. See more..
4.5 Bekaa Valley (18 reviews)
- Stunning and surprising landscape
Valleys

The valley is around 1.5 hours drive from Beirut on the main Damascus highway ..which can take longer depending on time of day, security checkpoints and accidents…pick your time ..Friday afternoons very busy people leaving Beirut for weekend. This is the garden of Lebanon with lots of arable farming and vineyards. Beautiful scenery ..a long valley with hills on either side dotted with château’s for lunch stops and tastings. Great green region away from the busy Beirut. Definitely worth a trip out of Beirut. See more..
4.5 Domaine des Tourelles Winery (6 reviews)
- Excellent tour
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

We went today to Domaine des Tourelles for a tour and wine tasting....we liked it a lot...it’s an old winery...Reine was our tour guide she was smiling all the time and helpful...she even took us to see the vineyard and taste the grapes... and we were able to see how the cycle begin and were it ends...the wine tasting were under a big tree ...we liked sitting there...we were very near the road but we couldn’t hear anything...it’s an old place that attract you and you feel you want to stay more especially that they are very kind with us...we bought some bottles of wine and liquors ...they are very yummy...I will go back again for sure See more..
4.5 Aammiq wetland (3 reviews)
- the largest remaining freshwater wetland in Lebanon
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Aamiq wetland is in the west Bekaa, 25 minutes from Zahle. It’s a nice place for Hiking or biking with family. See more..
4.5 Bekaa Valley (18 reviews)
- Stunning and surprising landscape
Valleys

The valley is around 1.5 hours drive from Beirut on the main Damascus highway ..which can take longer depending on time of day, security checkpoints and accidents…pick your time ..Friday afternoons very busy people leaving Beirut for weekend. This is the garden of Lebanon with lots of arable farming and vineyards. Beautiful scenery ..a long valley with hills on either side dotted with château’s for lunch stops and tastings. Great green region away from the busy Beirut. Definitely worth a trip out of Beirut. See more..
4.0 Chateau Kefraya (98 reviews)
- Superb vineyard and spot for lunch
Wineries & Vineyards

Chateau/vineyard located in the beautiful Beqaa valley around 1.5 hours drive from Beirut in a stunning setting with the vines surrounded by hills on either side. Wine tasting was poor with little explanation of the vineyard and wines , but have previously visited and taken the full tour and tasting which was very good. Some of the wines are excellent and a good range of prices ..particularly the Comte de M red at the top end which is around $35 a bottle with your lunch ..found this $100 in some Beirut restaurants. Lunch menu is pretty good and all well cooked and presented. There is an outside terrace, garden and indoor space for dining. The outside spaces are a perfect spot for lunch as part of a tour of the Beqaa valley and surrounding areas. Highly recommended. See more..
4.0 Sayyida Khawla Shrine (50 reviews)
- One of the best Mosques
Religious Sites

We had a brief stop here after visiting the ruins/temple. This mosque is one of the best we have been to, a statement made after visiting other mosques in Iran, Jordan, UAE, Malaysia and Brunei. The artwork and decoration was simply stunning. Discreet photography was permitted. Ensure you dress appropriately and note that there are separate entrances for women and men. Highly recommended if you like visiting mosques. See more..
4.0 Anjar Citadel (12 reviews)
- Interesting Anjar
Ancient Ruins

Anjar, a Roman-Byzantine trading place, is very interesting though not as spectacular as Baalbek. We first visited Anjar before we went to Baalbek and we had a nice stroll through the remains of the old city. It’s definitely worth a visit. Opposite the entrance there’s a souvenir shop where you find many items for a very reasonable price and much better than in the shops around Baalbek. So make sure you do your souvenir shopping there. We booked our excursion at Lebanon Local Tour and their guide Jad was a very experienced driver and guide. This tour company is very reliable and they react always directly through WhatsApp. You can ask them any question concerning your trip to Lebanon. Absolutely the best. See more..
4.0 Kamouh el Hermel (4 reviews)
- mysterious pyramid
Spent < 1 hour Ancient Ruins

...this lonely “pyramid” stands on a hill in the middle of nowhere in the most northern end of the Beqaa, inscriptions are not longer there so no one knows why it s there or what was meant to be, an intriguing mystery......worth visiting! See more..
4.0 Chateau Marsyas (1 review)
- The Château Marsyas is a very nice way to spend a few hours enjoying some fine wines as well as to totally enjoy the...
Wineries & Vineyards
See more..
4.0 Chateau Marsyas (1 review)
- The Château Marsyas is a very nice way to spend a few hours enjoying some fine wines as well as to totally enjoy the...
Wineries & Vineyards
See more..
3.5 Massaya Winery (38 reviews)
- beautiful winery
Wineries & Vineyards

surely a must to visit for all tourists coming to lebanon or even for the locals . great experience . See more..