Turkish-Style Pizza Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Turkish-Style Pizza Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Turkish-Style Pizza.

Italians usually get the credit for inventing pizza, but some people believe that Turkish pide (flatbreads with toppings) may have come first. This recipe is an adaptation of a pizza discovered in a street-side cafe in the Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya.

One 14 1/2-by-9 1/2-inch pizza, for 6 slices

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough.

To improve the nutritional profile of pizza, include whole-wheat flour in the crust. Using half whole-wheat and half all-purpose yields a light crust with a distinctive nutty taste. Quick-rising yeast shortens rising time to just 10 minutes, making wholesome homemade pizza a possibility for busy weeknights.

Makes 1-12 ounce or 1 pound dough

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Easy Chicken Kebabs Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Easy Chicken Kebabs Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Easy Chicken Kebabs. 

Try this tasty family recipe that the kids will love – you can even get them to help you make it! With the chicken providing a good source of protein, and the valuable addition of an array of vegetables, this can provide a healthy meal that is suitable on both a summer or winter’s evening. Serve the kebabs with salad in the summer, and rice or potato in the winter for a more warming dish.

Serves 4

Spinach and Feta Cheese Sambousek Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Spinach and Feta Cheese Sambousek  Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Spinach and Feta Cheese Sambousek.

Ingredients (Serves 22)

500g fresh spinach leaves
1 large onion, chopped
40ml LURPAK BUTTER, salted
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp ground allspice
60g THE THREE COWS White Cheese, crumbled
Juice of 1 lemon
400g puff pastry
Flour    

A’rrass Kebbeh Recipe - How to Make A’rrass Kebbeh

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try A’rrass Kebbeh  Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make A’rrass Kebbeh.

Kebbeh has many tastes and ways, but comes as a’rrass mee’lyieh (fried balls) for a mezzeh. Oval shaped, thin and crispy, and filled with spicy minced meat and pine nuts. In coastal cities, kebbeh is of fish and not meat anymore.

Ingredients

500 g finely minced meat (lamb or beef)
400 g fine burghol
1 onion, grated
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil for deep frying
100 g coarse minced meat
50 g pine nuts
1 onion chopped fine
1 tbsp veg oil

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak-Inab) Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak-Inab) Recipe. Enjoy the Lebanese Cuisine and learn how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak-Inab). This recipe is vegetarian style vine leaves.

Ingredients

400 g of fresh grape leaves or 200 g of preserved ones
½ bunch of parsley
¼ bunch of mint
1 onion
2 tomatoes
1 chili
salt and pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
juice of 2 lemons
½ cup of rice

Preparation

Chop finely the parsley, mint and the onion.

Dice finely the tomatoes.

Mix all previous ingredients with the rice, olive oil, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Roll flat each grape leave, keeping its smooth side down.

Put a small amount of stuffing in a thin line in the middle. Close a bit from both sides and roll tight.

Arrange stuffed leaves in a pot.

When full add water to cover them to the 3/4. Put on a low fire and let it cook.

Leave to cool and serve cold.

More cooking from the Lebanese Recipes Kitchen:

Waraa' 3inab (stuffed vine leaves)
Yalanji Recipe
Malfouf Stuffed Cabbage
Kousa Mahshi Bi Laban
Kousa Mahshi B'banadoura
Stuffed Baby Zucchini and Vine Leaves with Lamb Chops 

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Lebanese Hommos Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Lebanese Hommos Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Lebanese Hommos.

Ingredients

1 cup dried chick-peas
½ cup of tehini
juice of 2 lemons
1 clove of garlic
salt
radish slices to garnish
cumin to garnish

Directions

Soak the chick-peas overnight.

Change the water and boil the chick-peas until soft, with a pinch of sodium bicarbonate, or better still a small strip of kombu (seaweed) to soften the chick-peas.

Drain the cooked chick-peas and process to a fine paste in a food processor. Hommos is best smooth, without any lumps.

Add the clove of garlic, tehini and lemon.

Season to taste with salt and lemon juice, bearing in mind that it must not be too sour so as not to overpower the taste of the chick-peas

If too thick, add some of the chick-pea boiling water, bearing in mind that it will thicken later when it has cooled.

Garnish with radish slices and cumin.

Serve with olive oil

More cooking from the Lebanese Recipes Kitchen:

Balila
Hummus with Yogurt
Hummus without Tahini
Middle Eastern Hummus with veg sticks
Roasted Garlic Hummus
Classic Lebanese Hummus Dip

Save and share Lebanese Hommos Recipe

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Vegetarian Moghrabieh Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Vegetarian Moghrabieh Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Vegetarian Moghrabieh.  

Ingredients

1 15 oz can of moghrabieh
1 diced tomato
2 thinly chopped green onions
1/2 lemon squeezed
2 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons pure olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Batata harra (spicy potato) Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Batata harra (spicy potato) Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Batata harra (spicy potato). 

Potato is always on the top of the list for everyone ... but in a mezze it comes as batata harra – spicy potato (not so spicy, and can even be not spicy at all). Batata harra are cubes of golden fried potato, seasoned at the last minute in a sauce of fresh coriander, garlic and lemon juice, one of the most fragrant and delicious combinations of the Lebanese cuisine.

Ingredients

2 potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes
½ bunch of coriander
1 clove of garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt
chili pepper
Frying oil

Balila Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Balila  Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Balila.

In the same repertoire as foul mdammas, balila is a chick-pea salad, and a staple of the souk’s breakfast. So hommos comes in many ways, from a salad to the smoothest paste as hommos b’tehini!

Ingredients

1 cup chick-peas
1 clove of garlic, crushed
juice of 2 lemons
5 tbsp olive oil
salt

Spiced lamb with cucumber salad and yoghurt recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Spiced lamb with cucumber salad and yoghurt Recipe. Enjoy quick and easy Middle Eastern food recipes and learn how to make Spiced lamb with cucumber salad and yoghurt.

A crisp cucumber salad and cool, tangy yoghurt gives a summery edge to this tender, slightly spicy Indian-style lamb.

Cooking Time 30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

500g lamb leg steaks
1 1/2 tbs Sharwood's Korma Curry Paste
130g (1/2 cup) low-fat natural yoghurt
Olive oil spray
2 small Lebanese cucumbers, halved, thinly sliced diagonally
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh coriander leaves
1 tbs fresh lime juice
4 slices Lebanese bread

White chocolate and pistachio rocky road recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try White chocolate and pistachio rocky road Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern desserts and learn how to make White chocolate and pistachio rocky road.  

Your sweet-toothed pal will love every piece of this pretty white, green and pink treat.

Makes 27 pieces

Ingredients

350g Turkish delight
75g (1/2 cup) pistachio kernels, coarsely chopped
20g (1/4 cup) desiccated coconut
200g white chocolate, coarsely chopped

White Christmas bites recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try White Christmas bites Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern desserts and learn how to make White Christmas bites. 

Makes 24

Ingredients

1/3 cup mixed dried fruit
1 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup icing sugar mixture
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1 1/2 cups puffed rice cereal
125g copha
90g white chocolate, roughly chopped
76g packet Turkish delight chocolate bar, roughly chopped
Silver cachous, to decorate

Carrot and cumin dip recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Carrot and cumin dip  Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Carrot and cumin dip. 

This deliciously tasty carrot dip is an exciting addition to an entertaining platter.

Preparation Time 10 minutes
Cooking Time 30 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

1kg carrots, peeled, coarsely chopped
60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Turkish pide, to serve (see related recipe)

Chorizo & chickpea pan-fry recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Chorizo & chickpea pan-fry Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Chorizo & chickpea pan-fry. 

Ingredients (serves 4)

700g chat potatoes, quartered
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
400g chorizo, diced
1 tsp pimenton (sweet smoked paprika)*
2 garlic cloves, crushed
850g canned chopped tomatoes
400g canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained
2 tbs chopped flat-leaf parsley
Toasted Turkish bread, or rice, to serve

Method

Place potato and bay leaf in a pan of cold salted water and bring to the boil. Cook for 6 minutes or until just starting to soften.

Drain and discard bay leaf.

Heat oil in a large frypan and cook onion for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, for a further 2-3 minutes until starting to crisp. Add paprika, garlic and tomato, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until sauce has thickened.

Stir in chickpeas and cook until heated through. Stir in chopped parsley just before serving. Serve on toasted Turkish bread or rice.

Notes

* Pimenton is from delicatessens, supermarkets and spice stores.

Source
delicious. - November 2005, Page 128
Recipe by Valli Little

More Middle Eastern Recipes

Spiced chickpea dip with garlic bread
Brunch bake
Tomato dolmas
Haloumi with basil and tomato
Turkish lamb pizza with pumpkin & lentils recipe
Turkish Bread Pizza Recipe

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Spiced chickpea dip with garlic bread recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Spiced chickpea dip with garlic bread Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Spiced chickpea dip with garlic bread.

This recipe is vegan friendly.

Preparation Time 2 minutes
Cooking Time 10 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tsp ground cumin
1 small red chilli, seeded and thinly sliced
2 tbs lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup extra light olive oil
1 loaf Turkish bread
Extra 2 tbs extra light olive oil

Brunch bake recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Brunch bake Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Brunch bake.

This fast and fabulous dish makes a brilliant breakfast, lunch, and, not surprisingly given its name, brunch!

Ingredients (serves 8)

    200g Turkish bread, cut into 1cm slices
    500g (about 16) chipolata sausages
    2 red capsicums, thickly sliced
    4 tomatoes, quartered
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a large roasting pan with baking paper. Arrange bread, chipolatas, capsicum and tomato in a single layer in pan. Drizzle with oil and turn to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, for 30 minutes or until bread is brown and tomatoes collapse.

Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.

Source
Super Food Ideas - September 2007, Page 43
Recipe by Kirrily La Rosa

More Middle Eastern Recipes

Tomato dolmas
Haloumi with basil and tomato
Turkish lamb pizza with pumpkin & lentils recipe
Turkish Bread Pizza Recipe
Turkish Doughnuts with Rose Hip Syrup
Roasted chicken with creamy walnut sauce

Save and share Brunch bake recipe

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Moroccan apricot chicken recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Moroccan apricot chicken Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Moroccan apricot chicken.

Buy chicken in bulk and make meals to eat now or freeze for later.

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 (150g each) chicken breast fillets, trimmed
1 medium brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon Moroccan seasoning mix
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons honey
400g can whole peeled tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup dried apricots
400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed
Fresh coriander leaves and couscous, to serve

Dates and Biscuit Slices - How to Make Dates and Biscuit Slices

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Dates and Biscuit Slices Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Dates and Biscuit Slices.

Preparation time :     15 minutes
Cooking time :     25 minutes

Ingredients

1 tin NESTLÉ® Sweetened Condensed Milk or 397 g
½ cup butter or 100 g
1 tin NESTLÉ® Cream or 170 g
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1 cup dried dates or 200 g, pitted
1 cup water or 250 ml
3 eggs
2 cups tea biscuits or 200 g, broken into pieces
1 cup ground pistachio nuts or 100 g

Almond Sesame Balls -How to Make Almond Sesame Balls

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Almond Sesame Balls Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Almond Sesame Balls.  

Ingredients

2½ cups ground almonds or 650 g
1 tin NESTLÉ® Sweetened Condensed Milk or 397 g
¼ cup rose water
1 cup icing sugar or 125 g
3½ tablespoons butter or 50 g
1 egg white
1½ cups toasted sesame seeds or 250 g

Moroccan Bean Salad Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Moroccan Bean Salad Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Moroccan Bean Salad. 

total time 35 min
prep 5 min
servings 8 servings, 1/2 cup each

What You Need

1/2 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/2 tsp.  ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cans  (15 oz. each) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup  PLANTERS Slivered Almonds

Bulgur with Roasted Red Peppers, Chickpeas, and Spinach

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Bulgur with Roasted Red Peppers, Chickpeas, and Spinach Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Bulgur with Roasted Red Peppers, Chickpeas, and Spinach.

Bulgur is a common ingredient in Middle Eastern dishes. It has a light, nutty flavor and, along with the chickpeas, adds protein to this vegetarian dinner.

Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Yield Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup bulgur
2 red bell peppers
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 can (14.5 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
2 cups baby spinach

Meat pies, Damascus-style recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Meat pies, Damascus-style Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Meat pies, Damascus-style.

Meat pies are a must in all of the Levant, however, each region or community prepares them a bit differently.

The dough is made with yogurt and is easy to work with; I let the dough rise all night covered in the fridge.

INGREDIENTS: Makes 35 to 40 pies

For the dough: (recipe for the dough from alef ba’ al-tabekh, adapted)

5 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/4 cup of yogurt
4 teaspoons of instant yeast
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/2 cup of olive oil
Oil, as needed to stretch the dough into pies

Filling:

1 pound of fatty lamb
1 tablespoon of red pepper paste or tomato paste
1/4 cup of pomegranate molasses
1/2 cup of pine nuts (preferably Lebanese or Turkish); can substitute other nuts
2 medium yellow onions
Spices: 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon of allspice, 1 teaspoon of hot Aleppo pepper (can substitute hot paprika or chili powder)
2 teaspoons of sugar (can substitute grape or carob molasses)
1 tablespoon of butter (to fry the pine nuts)

Egyptian Foul Mudammas (with poached eggs) Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Egyptian Foul Mudammas (with poached eggs) Recipe. Enjoy traditional Egyptian recipes and learn how to make Egyptian Foul Mudammas (with poached eggs).

Foul (pronounced fool) is Egypt‘s food of the common folk, prepared by street vendors who cook it in huge cauldrons overnight until it becomes meltingly tender. Foul is the Arabic word for fava bean.

It is an ancient food which some people claim was eaten by the Pharaohs and certainly their subjects.

In Lebanon, we also eat and love foul; however it is prepared a bit differently and usually contains some chick peas. Growing up in Beirut we would have foul mudammas on Sundays for brunch.

Fava beans are extremely rich in nutrients, fiber, protein, minerals.

Cauliflower Fritters with Tarator Sauce Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Cauliflower Fritters with Tarator Sauce Recipe. Enjoy authentic Lebanese food and learn how to make Cauliflower Fritters with Tarator Sauce.

I know what you’re thinking! Cauliflower! How dull!

Well, trust me, this dish will completely change your mind about this admittedly unexciting vegetable. In fact, you will first try one, just for kicks, then another, then you will not allow anyone to get close to the plate! You will finish the entire cauliflower in one sitting!

The secret is that the cauliflower comes alive when it is gently sauteed in oil;  combine it with the tarator sauce  it becomes irresistible…

Tarator is a multi-purpose sauce, used on falafel or shawarma sandwiches and with baked and fried fish.

The key to a good tarator is the right dosage of garlic and fresh lemon juice with tahini.

This dish is ideal for a party.

It can be prepared ahead of time. You can boil or steam the cauliflower up to 2 days ahead and let it sit in the fridge, covered in plastic wrap.

It is served  at room temperature.

This recipe will feed 4 to 6 people as an appetizer or mezze.

Tomato dolmas recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Tomato dolmas Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Tomato dolmas.

Preparation Time 20 minutes
Cooking Time 80 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

8 vine-ripened tomatoes
1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 tbs pine nuts
150g (3/4 cup) long-grain rice
310ml (1 1/4) cup water
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground allspice
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
500ml (2 cups) chicken stock

Spiced-Up Hummus Recipe

The Lebanese Recipes Kitchen (The home of delicious Lebanese Recipes and Middle Eastern food recipes) invites you to try Spiced-Up Hummus Recipe. Enjoy Middle Eastern food and learn how to make Spiced-Up Hummus.

The ginger, cumin, and cilantro in this recipe are anti-inflammatory, and the chickpeas are full of fiber. Toasted whole-grain pita is great for scooping up hummus.


Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Yield Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

15 (1 can) ounces chickpeas drained, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground star anise (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup cilantro leaves finely chopped, plus whole leaves for garnish (optional)
1 plum tomato peeled, seeded, and very finely chopped
2 scallions very thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

In a food processor combine beans and reserved bean liquid, tahini, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, star anise (if using), ginger, and cumin; puree until smooth.
Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in cilantro, tomato, and scallions; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons oil over the top of the hummus. Before serving, garnish with cilantro leaves if desired.  

Source  http://www.marthastewart.com

More Middle Eastern Recipes:

Chunky Vegetable Hummus Spread
Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Wrap
Red Pepper Hummus with Toasted Pita Triangles
Extra Easy Hummus
Reduced-fat hummus
Zucchini and haloumi fritters with dill yoghurt dressing

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Attractions in Lebanon - Water Sports

Water Skiing

With 225km of Mediterranean coastline, as well as numerous rivers throughout the country, Lebanon offers many salt- and fresh-water sporting activities. Lebanon's rocky coastline and underwater terrain make it a unique destination for snorkeling and diving. A 600m deep underwater valley runs from Beirut to the Bay of Jounié, creating interesting rocky gorges and underwater cliffs and dropoffs for divers to explore. Another popular diving area is at Chikka (near Tripoli), which offers some of the best marine landscapes and flora and fauna off the Lebanese coast.

Attractions in Lebanon - Skiing & Winter Sports

Skiing in Lebanon

With six ski resorts catering to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, and with kilometers of backcountry Nordic cross-country and snowshoe trails waiting to be explored, Lebanon has something for everyone.

Lebanon Attractions - Mountain Climbing

Mountain Climbing in Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the few places in the Middle East to offer a broad range of mountain climbing activities, from relatively easy summit climbs and technical peak ascents, to bouldering and adventure climbing. Limestone mountains, beautiful scenery, and easily accessible climbs welcome climbers to Lebanon.

Lebanon Attractions - Hiking & Trekking

Hiking & Trekking in Lebanon

Varied terrain, scenic vistas, and historic environs combine to create unique hiking and trekking opportunities throughout Lebanon. Popular areas for hikes include the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve near Tripoli, and the Al-Shouf Cedar Reserve, both of which offer good and extensive trail systems. Other areas with spectacular scenery and unique historical and cultural attractions include the Qadisha Valley, Makmel Park, and the remote Aakkar region in the North.

Lebanon Attractions - Cycling

Cycling in Lebanon

Lebanon's rugged mountains, hills, and valleys, and its spectacular scenery immersed in history, make for some truly unique mountain biking opportunities. Cyclists can ride up Qornet Es-Saouda (Lebanon's highest peak) with views of the Békaa Valley to the east, Syria to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. You can also ride through rugged mountainous terrain and Cedar groves in the Horsh Ehden and Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserves, and at the Cedars ski resort. The high plateaus of the Mount Lebanon Range are covered with extensive trail networks, offering technically challenging terrain for seasoned cyclists.

Lebanon Attraction - Caving

Caving in Lebanon

A mountainous and rocky country composed primarily of limestone, Lebanon offers exciting opportunities for caving. Over 400 caves, caverns, and sinkholes are scattered throughout the country, offering something for everyone, from the expert spelunker to the casual tourist.

Lebanon Attractions - Camping

Camping in Lebanon

More and more camping options are emerging in Lebanon, and many existing sites are simply spectacular. Campers can set up their tents overlooking the sea north of Jbail (Byblos) and walk down from their site to the Mediterranean for a swim and some snorkeling. Alternatively, campers can retire in the Adonis Valley, home of the legendary frolicking of Adonis and Aphrodite of Greek mythology.

Lebanon Attractions - Bird Watching

Lebanon is an important stopping-off point for migratory birds along African-Eurasian migration paths, creating a wealth of bird watching opportunities, especially during the spring and fall. The peak bird watching seasons are mid-September through mid-October, and early March to mid-April.

Lebanon Attractions - Beaches & Seaside

Beaches & Seaside

With 225km of Mediterranean coastline extending the entire length of the country from north to south, you'll find plenty of sun and sand in Lebanon. Beach season in Lebanon stretches from April to October, with sunny, dry weather and warm temperatures (20-32°C / 68-90°F) for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. However, even in the winter season you will find plenty of activities to take advantage of along Lebanon's scenic shore.

Lebanon Attractions - Explore Nature & Adventure

Explore Nature & Adventure

The blue sky and warm waters of the Mediterranean, the fresh air and rugged mountain peaks, and the pleasant chill of snowmelt-fed rivers make Lebanon a perfect destination for those who enjoy nature and the outdoors. From a leisurely afternoon of snorkeling or diving on the coast to a multiple-day trek through ancient cedar forests and mountains, the compactness of the country makes it possible to explore much of Lebanon's natural beauty and the cultural diversity in a single trip.

South Lebanon - What to see & do

El Nabatieh

El Nabatieh

Aalma Ech Shaab
This village is situated in the south on the border with Israel. Since the departure of Israeli troops in May 2000, the citizens of Aalma ech Shaab have taken strides to reinvest in their town and revitalize it. Village highlights include the very beautiful narrow streets running between the old white stone houses and the old churches. Accommodation includes a local guesthouse.

North Lebanon - What to see & do

Akkar

Wadi Jhannam

Akroum
This remote village on the northeast border of Lebanon houses a Roman temple (Qalaat Bargis) and a Byzantine church dedicated to Mar Shamshoum Al Jabbar, in addition to other ruins including water cisterns and tombs.

Ancient Tell of Aarqa
One of the most important archaeological sites in the Akkar region. Many important structures were discovered here, mainly mud brick houses from the Bronze Age (3rd millenium BC). Much evidence has also revealed the significance of Arqa in the Roman period (64 BC-330 AD). Because of its strategic location, the Crusaders built a fortress here.

Mount Lebanon, Lebanon - What to see & do

Aley

Aley City, Lebanon

Al Amir Al Sayyed Abdallah Al Tannoukeih Shrine

Al Amir Al Sayyed is considered one of the most important Druze religious leaders because of his wisdom, asceticism, and religious faith. He founded the Religious, Conduct, and Social Rules that are still used by religious Druze to this day. He also wrote extensively on literary, religious, judicial, and social matters. He insisted on educating both female and male children, and treating women as equal to men. A shrine dedicated to the leader is located south of Beirut in Aabey, on a hill overlooking the mountains and coast.

Bekaa, Lebanon - What to do & see

Baalbek  

Baalbeck
Located in the Bekaa Valley ("the breadbasket" of the Roman Empire), the city of Baalbeck originated as a place of worship to Baal, the Phoenician Sun God. Later, in Greco-Roman times, Baalbeck was known famously as Heliopolis, or "City of the Sun." Today, Baalbeck is world renown as the site of some of the largest and best preserved Roman temples in the world.

Beirut, Lebanon - What to see & do

AFDC - Association for Forest Development and Conservation

Established in 1993 to promote sustainable conservation of natural resources, AFDC runs a variety of ecotourism projects and activities. Its programs include trails for hiking and biking, camping, and special outdoor and educational activities for children. AFDC is teaming with Wild Expeditions, an outdoor adventure company, to offer rappelling and other activities. Its facilities, which also include hostel-style lodging, are located in a pine forest ten minutes away from the Al Shouf Cedar Reserve, at an altitude of 700 meters.

Lebanon Useful Information

1-Entry Requirements

Visas:
All foreigners must have a valid passport and visa to enter Lebanon. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Visas can be obtained in advance at Lebanese embassies and consulates around the world.

Nationals of many countries can also obtain business or tourist visas upon arrival at the Beirut Airport and at other ports of entry on the Lebanese border. At the Beirut Airport, visa stamps can be purchased at a window directly across from passport control. You can pay in cash in U.S. dollars or Lebanese pounds. The price of a 15-day visa is US$17 (LL25,000). A single entry, three-month visa is US$35 (LL50,000).

Contact the Lebanese embassy or consulate in your country or see the General Directorate of General Security website for additional visa information.

Important Note: Travelers holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel are likely to be refused entry into Lebanon.

Customs
All ordinary personal effects are exempt from customs duty.

Lebanon Traditional Crafts

Soap
Olive oil soap, the traditional soap of Lebanon, is gaining worldwide popularity for its purity and natural moisturizing qualities. Traditionally made with oil originating from each family's own olive trees, the soap is imprinted with the family name in Arabic or with other symbols, suggesting the quality of the olive oil used, the soap maker's skill, or secret recipe. The areas of Lebanon famous for olive oil soap production include Koura, Hasbaiya, Saida, and the Chouf. However, olive oil soap can be purchased in small stores or souks all over the country.

According to Lebanese tradition, olive oil soap is a cure-all for countless ailments, from balding, to dandruff, to eczema.

A specialty Lebanese soap is produced in Tripoli, typically made from a mixture of vegetable oils, using methods inspired by the North Middle Eastern soap-making tradition. The Tripoli soap workshops are also widely known for their massage and spa oils used in the old Turkish-style hammams.

Lebanon Religious Heritage

Christian Heritage
Lebanon's Christian heritage can be traced back to the Old Testament. The famed Cedars of Lebanon are referred to numerous times in the Bible as symbols of beauty and strength. Moreover, Lebanese cedar wood was sent to Jerusalem for the construction of Solomon's Temple. Jesus and his disciples preached in the cities of Sour (Tyre) and Saida (Sidon), and Christianity was brought to Lebanon by the apostle St. Peter.

Lebanon is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible, and there are ancient Christian sites of interest scattered throughout the country. For example, the village of Qana, where it is believed Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, is located in South Lebanon. In addition to the many Biblical sites in the South, the Qadisha Valley ("Holy Valley"), the seat of the Maronite Church, offers a wealth of hidden, rock-cut monasteries, grottoes, and sacred sites waiting to be explored. Visit the ancient ruins of Sour (Tyre), Baalbek, or other sites to discover traces of Lebanon's Byzantine/Orthodox heritage.

Lebanon History and Civilizations

Prehistoric Times (5,000-3,500 B.C.)
A trip through Lebanon's history begins in Jbail (Byblos), where archaeologists have discovered the earliest known settlements in Lebanon. Today, remnants of prehistoric huts with crushed limestone floors, primitive weapons, and burial jars are evidence of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic fishing communities who lived on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea over 7,000 years ago.

Lebanon Culture and History - Introduction

An interesting archaeological relic found throughout Lebanon is the hundreds of well-preserved mosaics from the Roman and Byzantine eras. Countless colorful, tiny stones form intricate images of mythological figures, religious deities, and geometric designs. The mosaic is symbolic of modern-day Lebanon, which is a country characterized by a diversity of cultures, traditions, and religions interwoven through time. It is this unique diversity which fascinates travelers.

Facts About Lebanon

CAPITAL: Beirut

POPULATION: Approximately 3.8 million

LANGUAGES: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

AREA: 10,452 square kilometers

CLIMATE: Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

ELEVATIONS: Highest point – Qornet Es-Saouda (3,090m). Lowest point – Mediterranean Sea (0m). 

FLAG: The Lebanese flag is divided into three wide horizontal stripes, with red on the top and bottom and a wider white stripe in the middle. In the center of the white stripe is a green cedar tree, the emblem of the country.

Hidden Lebanon

Beirut's oft-invoked “Paris of the East” designation is certainly well deserved, with plenty of sightseeing, shopping, cuisine, and nightlife to keep any fast-moving bon viveur (“enjoyer of the high life”) within the city limits for the duration of his or her stay.

However, also consider the fabulous countryside beyond Beirut if you're looking for a true taste of Lebanon, an experience best found through a more lengthy exploration of the country's mountain villages, small seaside towns, and vibrant agricultural hamlets.

Profile of Lebanon

Lebanon's diverse patchwork of Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged alpine peaks, and green fertile valleys is packed into a parcel of land some 225km long and 46km wide – an area approximately the size of Cyprus or Connecticut. An ancient land, Lebanon features in the writings of Homer and in the Old Testament. Its cities were major outposts and seaports in Phoenician and Roman times, just two of the great civilizations that touched this important Middle Eastern crossroads.

The cosmopolitan flair of modern-day Beirut, the gastronomic renown of the country's food and wine, and an educated and outward-looking population complement a country that is both traditional and progressive in outlook. For all the flavors of its storied past and rugged natural beauty, Lebanon is a well-kept tourist secret that begs exploration.