Travel information
Lebanon offers ancient history, Mediterranean coastline, mountain scenery, and some of the finest cuisine in the world. Nigerian citizens can obtain a free visa on arrival.
Entry requirements for Nigerians
Nigerian passport holders are eligible for a free visa on arrival at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, valid for one month and extendable to three months through the Directorate General of General Security.
There are currently no direct flights from Nigeria to Lebanon. The most common routes are via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates or flydubai), Cairo (EgyptAir), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Beirut is approximately 9 hours from Lagos including connections.
Where to go
Lebanon packs extraordinary variety into a small country — ancient ruins, Mediterranean beaches, mountain villages, and one of the great cities of the Arab world, all within a few hours' drive of each other.
Lebanon's capital and largest city is often called the "Paris of the Middle East." A city that has been rebuilt many times, Beirut blends Ottoman and French colonial architecture with modern buildings, a vibrant arts scene, and extraordinary food. Key attractions include the National Museum of Beirut, the Gibran Museum, the iconic Corniche seafront promenade, and the lively neighbourhoods of Hamra and Ashrafieh. Beirut Souks in the city centre offers shopping above Phoenician-era archaeological excavations.
In the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek contains some of the most impressive Roman ruins in the world. The Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Bacchus, and the Temple of Venus date from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD and are extraordinarily well preserved. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of any visit to Lebanon.
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Byblos has been home to Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Crusader civilisations. The ancient harbour, crusader castle, and Phoenician ruins sit alongside a charming old souk and seafood restaurants. The name "Bible" derives from the Greek name for Byblos.
Lebanon's national symbol, the cedar tree, is represented in this ancient grove in the mountains above Bcharre. Some trees are over 3,000 years old and the grove is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding area is beautiful mountain country, home to the Qadisha Valley and the birthplace of the poet Khalil Gibran.
A dramatic glacial valley in northern Lebanon, the Qadisha Valley (also known as the Holy Valley) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carved deep into the mountains, it has been a refuge for Christian communities since the earliest centuries of the faith, and its ancient monasteries cling to vertical cliff faces in extraordinary fashion.
Beirut's most iconic natural landmark — two massive sea stacks rising from the Mediterranean off the Raouché district. Best visited at sunset, when the rocks are lit dramatically against the sea. Local boat operators offer trips through the arch and around the rocks. The surrounding area has excellent restaurants and cafes on the clifftop.
Lebanon has several mountain ski resorts — Faraya, Mzaar, and The Cedars among them — making it one of the few countries in the world where you can ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean in the afternoon. Resorts are typically open from December to March and are easily accessible from Beirut.
Practical information
Practical details for Nigerian travellers visiting Lebanon.
Food & culture
Lebanese food is considered among the finest in the world, and visitors from Nigeria will already be familiar with many Lebanese dishes that have become part of Lagos dining culture — shawarma, hummus, and falafel are well established. In Lebanon, these dishes and many others are experienced in their full, authentic richness.
The mezze tradition — a spread of many small shared dishes — is central to Lebanese eating culture. Classics include hummus, tabbouleh, kibbeh, fattoush, baba ghanoush, kafta, manouché (the Lebanese flatbread eaten for breakfast), and grilled meats. Lebanese wine, grown in the Bekaa Valley, is excellent and widely available.
Beirut in particular has a restaurant and café culture that rivals any city in the region — from street food to fine dining, eating well is one of the great pleasures of visiting Lebanon.