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Beirut digital nomad guide

Overview Economics Demographics Politics Environment Cities Map Jobs Visas Taxes Groups
Nomad score 5.3/10

33.8959, 35.4784 Asia/Beirut #1107

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Researched Updated Oct 22, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Business

Property Tax
Built property tax is an annual progressive tax of 4% to 14% on the net income of each built property. The 2024 budget widened the brackets again. There is no net wealth tax. 17
Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
About USD 4,450 per m2 in the centre on Numbeo, 22 October 2026 (USD 413.42 per square foot; a 40 m2 studio about USD 178,000). DoorEast asking prices for 1-31 October 2026 are higher in prime pockets: Downtown about USD 6,653 per m2, Achrafieh about USD 3,201. 21 32
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
About USD 1,930 per m2 outside the centre on the same Numbeo survey (USD 179.17 per square foot; a 40 m2 studio about USD 77,000). Livingcost in June 2026 put suburban purchase prices at USD 1,988 per m2. 21 22
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Numbeo does not split by bedroom count. Using the 22 October 2026 centre rate of about USD 4,450 per m2, a 60 m2 one-bedroom is about USD 267,000. Prime asking prices are higher; see the studio line. 21 32
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Using the Numbeo outside-centre rate of about USD 1,930 per m2 (22 October 2026), a 60 m2 one-bedroom is about USD 116,000. 21
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Using the Numbeo centre rate of about USD 4,450 per m2 (22 October 2026), an 80 m2 two-bedroom is about USD 356,000. The survey is one rate for all flats in the centre. 21
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Using the Numbeo outside-centre rate of about USD 1,930 per m2 (22 October 2026), an 80 m2 two-bedroom is about USD 154,000. 21
Corporate Tax
17% on profits realised in Lebanon, for companies on the real-profit method and as a flat rate under the deemed-profit method. There is no extra governorate income tax. 19
Dividend Withholding Tax
10% withholding on dividend distributions. 19
Tax System
Territorial. You are tax resident with a place of business, a home permanently available to a spouse or dependent children, or more than 183 days in any 12 months. Salary tax can also apply when the work is done in Lebanon or the pay comes from Lebanon, even if you are not resident. 16 18 19
Highest Income Tax Bracket
25% on employment income and on business profits. Payroll starts at 2%. 16 19
VAT
11% standard VAT. When a price is in foreign currency, VAT is converted at the Sayrafa rate until a single official rate is set. 17
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
There are no CFC rules. There is also no group taxation regime. 20
Property Transaction Tax
PwC, reviewed 1 July 2026, says registration fees on a real-estate transfer are approximately 6%, of which 2% is paid within 15 days of the contract. Stamp duty on deeds is 0.4%. Another guide reads the Land Registry fee as 3% for Lebanese buyers and 5% for others, so the all-in percentage is not one number. 17 41
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
There is no digital-nomad visa or nomad tax regime. British citizens, as an example, can get a free one-month tourist visa on arrival at Beirut airport, extendable to three months at General Security, and that visa does not authorise local employment. Foreign-source income of someone who is not tax resident is often outside Lebanese salary tax, but residence starts at 183 days, a family home, or a place of business. 15 16 18 19

Culture and Attractions

Music Scene
Gemmayze bars and, in summer, Skybar at BIEL are where live sets and DJs land. A small dedicated room was not reconfirmed. 10
Must-See Landmarks
The Pigeon Rocks at Raouche, especially at sunset, and Place de l Etoile (Nejmeh Square) downtown, with the Martyrs statue just east of it. The Corniche walk ends at the rocks. 10
Museums & Art Venues
Sursock Museum, Greek Orthodox Archbishopric Street, Ashrafieh, is free and open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00. The National Museum of Beirut, in south Ashrafieh on the old Green Line, holds the archaeology collection. A current National Museum ticket price was not on an official page. 24 10
Historical Sites
Downtown sits on Phoenician, Roman, Arab and Ottoman layers, and the French-built Place de l Etoile was restored after the civil war. The National Museum of Beirut tells that story in one building. 10 1
Religious Sites
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral stand side by side in the centre. Cover shoulders and knees in both. Beirut has more than 10 recognised religious communities. 10
Annual Events
Wikivoyage lists a Beirut International Jazz Festival in July by the marina and a Beirut film festival in October. Treat the month as a hint and check the year. The Baalbeck festival is in the Bekaa, not in the city. 10
Cultural Districts
Hamra is the university and cafe quarter. Ashrafieh, especially Gemmayze and Monot, is the nightlife and museum side. Badaro, by the National Museum, is the quieter residential alternative. 10 35
Theater Venues
Metro Al Madina (Masrah al Madina) in Hamra is the independent stage Wikivoyage names, including for the francophone film festival at Cinema Metropolis. 10
Local Markets
Souk El Tayeb, Saturdays, is the organic farmers market (honey, cheese, bread). The Sunday flea market by the Beirut River runs about 07:00-13:00. Burj Hammoud, east of the river, is the Armenian quarter for cheaper goods. 10
Street Art
Mar Mikhael and Gemmayze, along Armenia Street and Gouraud Street, are the streets with murals and restored heritage houses. The Saint Nicolas stairs sit beside Sursock Museum, a short walk off Gouraud Street. 35 24
Cooking Classes
Souk El Tayeb, the Saturday farmers market, runs cookery classes (tabbouleh and similar). A current price was not listed. 10
Art Galleries
Sursock Museum (free, Ashrafieh) is the public modern-art room. Wikivoyage also names Beirut Art Center on Rue 97 in Sin el Fil. Independent commercial galleries were not checked one by one. 24 10
Historic Buildings
Sursock Museum occupies a historic villa on Greek Orthodox Archbishopric Street. Place de l Etoile downtown is the restored French square, with Parliament in the middle and heavy security. 24 10
Local Heritage
The cedar is the national emblem. Beirut itself is the city that keeps being rebuilt: the civil war, the 2006 war, and the 2020 port explosion. The name comes from the Phoenician word for wells. 1 10

Essentials

City
Beirut, Beirut Governorate, is the capital of Lebanon, on a Mediterranean peninsula. The municipal area is about 19 km2. 1
Population
Greater Beirut is about 2.4 million (Wikipedia, as of 2025). Livingcost lists 2.42 million (June 2026). The municipality is much smaller, about 433,000 in a 2017 estimate, and Lebanon has not held a census since 1932. 1 22
Internet Speed
Ookla medians for Beirut in September 2026 were 48.55 Mbps down on mobile and 21.72 Mbps down on fixed broadband. Ogero unlimited up to 50 Mbps is 2,250,000 LBP a month before 11% VAT (about USD 25 at 89,500 LBP per USD), with an 800 GB fair-use cap. The 2026-2028 fiber list includes Mazraa, Ras el Nabeh and Sin el Fil. 11 12 13 2
Currency & Banking
Lebanese pound (LBP, also called the lira) and US dollars both circulate. This file uses 89,500 LBP per USD, the Sayrafa rate fixed in December 2023 and still the rate Wikipedia records for 2024-2025. Cash dollars are what shops expect. 2 9
Tap Water
Do not drink the tap. Use bottled water. Livingcost (June 2026) puts 1 litre at USD 0.47, about USD 0.71 for 1.5 litres. 9 22
Power
220 V, 50 Hz, plug types A, B, C, D and G. State power is unreliable, so ask for a private generator or solar backup. Round-the-clock power is the norm in hotels more than in cheap stays. 8 9 35
SIM Card
Touch and Alfa are the only networks. Touch Visitor Line needs a passport with an entry stamp under three months old: USD 19 covers the line and a 14-day bundle of 10 GB, 100 local minutes and 100 SMS (renew by texting VB to 1100). For a longer stay, Touch Magic is USD 31 for 77 GB for 30 days (text M77 to 1188). A new Touch eSIM prepaid line is USD 7. Prices exclude tax. Alfa sells ordinary prepaid, not a tourist pack. 3 4 5 9
Banking for Expats
Bring cash dollars. Since 2019, dollars already in Lebanese banks have been restricted, and Wikivoyage (January 2026) says visitors should not count on cards or ATMs. OMT counters are widespread (they also sell ACTC bus tickets). AUBMC does take international cards. 9 7 25
Accommodation
A housing guide puts a one-bedroom in Hamra, Achrafieh or Gemmayze at about USD 500-900 a month, a monthly Airbnb studio around USD 1,080, and a coliving bed around USD 540. Livingcost (June 2026) puts a 40 m2 centre one-bedroom at USD 758. Confirm a working private generator before you sign. 35 22
Cashless Friendly
Cash US dollars are the default. Toters and AUBMC take cards, and the Beirut travel page says many shops do too, but the country page says to assume cards and ATMs fail. Carry cash. 9 10 38 25
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb is the usual first month. The housing guide puts a monthly studio around USD 1,080. 35
Budget Accommodation
The housing guide puts a dorm bed around USD 22 a night and a coliving bed around USD 540 a month. Livingcost (June 2026) puts a cheap 40 m2 one-bedroom at USD 406 a month. A named hostel tariff was not reconfirmed. 35 22
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael for walkable cafes, street art and nights out, plus downtown and the Corniche for the rocks, the mosque and the cathedral. Hamra if you want the university quarter. 35 10
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Mar Mikhael, Gemmayze, Hamra or Badaro, all with cafes, and Beirut Digital District if you want a desk at USD 110 a month. Ask the building about generator hours before you commit. Badaro is the quieter of the four. 35 6

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Beirut Digital District: hot desk USD 15 a day or USD 110 a month including VAT, with internet and coffee. A dedicated desk is USD 199 a month. Email [email protected] or call +961 1 660 941. 6
Best Cafe for Work
Gouraud Street in Gemmayze and Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael are the cafe streets used for remote work, in buildings restored after the 2020 port explosion. The housing guide names the bars Internazionale and Torino Express on that circuit. 35
Networking Events
Beirut Digital District is the tech campus. The coworking floor (hot desk USD 110 a month) is the practical place to meet other remote workers. Write to [email protected]. 6
Social Events for Expats
Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael are where people go out. Wikivoyage also lists Walk Beirut, a local walking tour that runs weekly. 35 10

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Uber operates in Beirut and says rides can be requested at any hour. Street taxis have no meter: a shared service inside the city is about 150,000 LBP and a private taxi about 600,000 LBP on the guide scale (about USD 1.70 and USD 6.70 at 89,500). Agree the fare before you get in. Livingcost puts a typical 8 km taxi at USD 23. 26 34 22 2
Bike/Scooter Rental
Wave rents e-bikes from 14 St Louis Street, Geitawi (Kishishian building, basement). The basic plan is USD 72 the first month, then USD 62; students pay USD 56. A USD 150 deposit is refundable. Hub hours are Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00 and Saturday 09:00-12:00. 28
Best Beach Nearby
Sporting Club Beach, Charles de Gaulle Street, Ras Beirut, is open year-round with saltwater pools and the sea. An adult day pass is USD 35 on Monday-Thursday and USD 45 from Friday to Sunday and on holidays. Front desk 08:30-19:00, +961 1 742 200. 23
Top Regional Airline
Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national carrier. Its hub is Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY), about 9 km south of the centre. 29 30
Top International Airline
MEA is the airline based at BEY and publishes Beirut departures, including Istanbul, Amman, Abu Dhabi and Baghdad. Other long-haul carriers use the same airport; the set changes, so check the board for the day you fly. 29 30 10
Highway Access
The coastal highway north toward Jounieh, Kaslik, Byblos and Tripoli is the main road out of the city and is heavily congested at peak times. Southbound coaches use the Cola stop in Mazraa. 9 10 34
Main Train/Transit Hub
There is no passenger rail. Charles Helou bus station, on Charles Helou Avenue by the port, is the coach hub for the north and for links into town. Cola, by the Cola bridge in Mazraa, is the stop for buses to the south. 10 34
Public Transport Passes
ACTC does not sell a monthly pass. Buses run about 06:00-19:00, roughly every 25 minutes. A one-trip QR ticket is 70,000 to 200,000 LBP depending on the line. An NFC card costs 250,000 LBP and includes one 70,000 LBP ride. Buy tickets from the driver or at Katsh, BOB and OMT. 7
Regional Travel
Northbound coaches (Jounieh, Byblos, Tripoli) leave from Charles Helou. Southbound buses (Sidon and beyond) leave from Cola. ACTC also runs longer ML lines; the fare sits in the same 70,000-200,000 LBP band. 10 7 34

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC, also called AUH) in Hamra, beside the AUB campus. The international patients office is +961 1 350000 ext 5346, hotline +961 3 978678, [email protected], and takes cards, transfer or cash. Private hospitals often still want a cash deposit; ambulance is 140. 25 9 10 14
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Fitness Zone has clubs in Hamra (since 2010), Beirut Souks downtown, Verdun, ABC Achrafieh and Manara. It does not publish a tariff. Livingcost (June 2026) puts a typical monthly gym membership at USD 76.30. 31 22

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Toters delivers restaurants, coffee, groceries and other shops, and takes card or cash. Track the order in the app. [email protected]. 38
Best Local Dish to Try
Manakish, a flatbread with zaatar or cheese, is the everyday breakfast from a neighbourhood bakery. A simple lunch menu is about USD 10.80 (Livingcost, June 2026). 9 10 22
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Lebanese meze is the easy vegetarian meal: tabbouleh, fattoush, hummus and moutabal are on ordinary menus. A dedicated vegan restaurant was not reconfirmed. 9
Best Dessert Spots
Knefeh, a cheese pastry in syrup, is the local sweet, and patisseries sell maamoul and halawet el jibn around holidays. A named ice-cream shop and its scoop price were not reconfirmed. 9 10
Affordable Shopping Spots
Mar Elias Street is the strip for local brands at local prices. Hamra is pricier. Souk El Tayeb is the Saturday farmers market, and a Sunday flea market sits by the Beirut River to the east. 10
E-commerce/Online Store
Toters is the local app for ordering from shops, not only restaurants. It lists groceries and electronics and takes card or cash. 38
Grocery Delivery
Toters delivers fresh groceries along with restaurant orders, paid by card or cash. 38
Bar/Nightlife Area
Gemmayze (Gouraud Street) and Mar Mikhael (Armenia Street) are the bar streets, with spots such as Internazionale and Torino Express. Monot Street in Ashrafieh is the other cluster. Skybar at BIEL is the summer open-air club and closes in winter. 35 10
Local Brewery
Almaza is the everyday local lager. 961 Beer is the craft label Wikivoyage names, but 961beer.com is only a coming-soon page, so a taproom visit was not confirmed. 10 40
Wine Bars
Chateau Musar, at Ghazir about 25 km north, is the tasting room Wikivoyage names. In the Bekaa, Ksara, Kefraya and Massaya also receive visitors. A dedicated wine bar inside Beirut was not reconfirmed. 9
Street Food Stalls
Shawarma rolled in thin Lebanese bread, from roadside shops, and kaak (a large sesame bread) from street vendors who honk a horn. Wikivoyage puts a kaak around the old LL 1,000, which is not a current dollar price. 9 10
Popular International Cuisine
Hamra Street has the international chains; Wikivoyage names Starbucks, Costa, Nandos and Roadster. Italian, French and Japanese restaurants are spread through the city, and a lunch menu is about USD 10.80. 10 22

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Jeita Grotto, about 20 km north in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, is the limestone cave pair (upper galleries and a lower river cave). A September 2023 operator survey put adult entry at USD 9. No 2026 official tariff was found. 9 33
National Parks Nearby
The Chouf cedar reserves at Ain Zhalta and Barouk are the large protected cedar forests south of the city. A September 2023 survey put the foreigner fee at USD 10. Horsh Beirut, the pine wood by the Hippodrome, is the in-city green space, not a national park. 33 10
Cycling/Walking Paths
The Corniche, Paris Avenue into General de Gaulle Avenue, is about 5 km from the marina downtown to the Pigeon Rocks. Wave e-bikes from Geitawi are the rental option on the same seafront. 10 28
Scenic Viewpoints
Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, reached by the Teleferique from Haret Sakher in Jounieh. A tourist adult round trip is 1,100,000 LBP (about USD 12 at 89,500) and includes the funicular. Children under 8 are free. Buy at either station. 27 2

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
LibanPost is the national post and handles parcels, registered mail and EMS from its individual-services desk. 37
Language Classes
ALLC International House Beirut teaches spoken Lebanese Arabic, plus other languages. Wikivoyage also names Saifi Institute for colloquial and Modern Standard Arabic. A current hourly price was not in that guide. 10
Libraries & Study Spots
ASSABIL runs the municipal libraries in Bachoura (Elias Khoury Library, the largest, open since 2001), Geitawi (in the Jesuit garden) and Monnot (internet and work tables). Sursock Museum library is Wednesday to Sunday 13:00-18:00. 39 24
Community Centers
ASSABIL, founded in 1997, runs those three municipal libraries as non-sectarian rooms and about 120 cultural events a year, plus the Kotobus mobile library. 39
Casino & Gaming Halls
Casino du Liban is in Maameltein, Jounieh, about 22 km north of Beirut. A hotel sightseeing page describes about 400 slot machines and 60 gaming tables. 36

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 22, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. Wikipedia BeirutSecondary
  2. Wikipedia Lebanese pound, Sayrafa 89,500Secondary
  3. Touch Magic prepaid data bundlesOfficial
  4. Touch Visitor Line overviewOfficial
  5. Touch eSIM line pricesOfficial
  6. BDD coworking tariffsOfficial
  7. ACTC public busesOfficial
  8. Lebanon plugs and voltageSecondary
  9. Wikivoyage LebanonSecondary
  10. Wikivoyage BeirutSecondary
  11. Ookla Speedtest Beirut, September 2026Index
  12. Ogero home internet plansOfficial
  13. Ogero FTTx deploymentOfficial
  14. UK FCDO Lebanon healthOfficial
  15. UK FCDO Lebanon entry requirementsOfficial
  16. PwC Lebanon personal income tax, reviewed 1 July 2026Secondary
  17. PwC Lebanon VAT, built property tax, registrationSecondary
  18. PwC Lebanon tax residenceSecondary
  19. PwC Lebanon corporate tax and dividend WHTSecondary
  20. PwC Lebanon CFC rulesSecondary
  21. Numbeo Beirut property prices, 22 October 2026Index
  22. Livingcost Beirut, updated 21 June 2026Index
  23. Sporting Club Beach day passesOfficial
  24. Sursock Museum visitOfficial
  25. AUBMC international patientsOfficial
  26. Uber BeirutOfficial
  27. Teleferique Lebanon ticket pricesOfficial
  28. Wave e-bike subscriptions, GeitawiOfficial
  29. MEA, Rafic Hariri AirportOfficial
  30. Middle East Airlines homeOfficial
  31. Fitness Zone branchesOfficial
  32. DoorEast asking prices, 1-31 October 2026Secondary
  33. Beirut.com attraction fees, 8 September 2023Secondary
  34. Beirut bus hubs and official taxi scaleSecondary
  35. Beirut housing guide, Airbnb and neighbourhoodsSecondary
  36. Casino du Liban, MaamelteinSecondary
  37. LibanPost individual servicesOfficial
  38. Toters deliveryOfficial
  39. ASSABIL Beirut public librariesOfficial
  40. 961 Beer site, coming soon pageOfficial
  41. Land Registry fee 3 percent Lebanese, 5 percent foreignSecondary

Change history

    • Grocery Delivery Spinneys Lebanon app or Instashop. Toters delivers fresh groceries along with restaurant orders, paid by card or cash.
    • Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness Zone (various locations) or Barbell House in Mar Mikhael (approx. $60-$80/month). Fitness Zone has clubs in Hamra (since 2010), Beirut Souks downtown, Verdun, ABC Achrafieh…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 25%. 25% on employment income and on business profits. Payroll starts at 2%.
    • Highway Access M1 Coastal Highway connects Beirut to Tripoli (North) and Saida (South). The coastal highway north toward Jounieh, Kaslik, Byblos and Tripoli is the main road out…
    • Historic Buildings The Grand Serail (Government Palace) and the Yellow House (Beit Beirut). Sursock Museum occupies a historic villa on Greek Orthodox Archbishopric Street. Place de…
    • Historical Sites Roman Baths (Downtown) and National Museum of Beirut ($5 entry). Downtown sits on Phoenician, Roman, Arab and Ottoman layers, and the French-built Place de…
    42 more changes
    • Internet Speed Variable; Fiber optic in select areas (Hamra, Ashrafieh) averages 50-100 Mbps, but 4G/LTE… Ookla medians for Beirut in September 2026 were 48.55 Mbps down on mobile and 21.72 Mbps…
    • Language Classes ALPS Beirut (Hamra) - Levantine Arabic specialties. $15-25/hour. ALLC International House Beirut teaches spoken Lebanese Arabic, plus other languages…
    • Laundry Services Lavanderia in Ashrafieh; weight-based pricing around $5-10 per load. not set
    • Libraries & Study Spots The ASSABIL Public Libraries (Bachoura branch). ASSABIL runs the municipal libraries in Bachoura (Elias Khoury Library, the largest, open…
    • Local Brewery Almaza (Standard) and 961 Beer (Craft). Almaza is the everyday local lager. 961 Beer is the craft label Wikivoyage names, but…
    • Local Heritage The Cedar Tree flag; Phoenix symbolism representing the city's many reconstructions. The cedar is the national emblem. Beirut itself is the city that keeps being rebuilt: the…
    • Local Markets Souk Al Ahad (Sunday Flea Market near Sin el Fil). Souk El Tayeb, Saturdays, is the organic farmers market (honey, cheese, bread). The Sunday…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Charles Helou Bus Station (Eastbound/International) and Cola Intersection (Southbound). There is no passenger rail. Charles Helou bus station, on Charles Helou Avenue by the…
    • Museums & Art Venues Sursock Museum (Contemporary art in a stunning villa) - Free admission/Donation. Sursock Museum, Greek Orthodox Archbishopric Street, Ashrafieh, is free and open Wednesday…
    • Music Scene Onomatopoeia The Music Hub (Sioufi) for intimate live performances. Gemmayze bars and, in summer, Skybar at BIEL are where live sets and DJs land. A small…
    • Must-See Landmarks Raouche Rocks (Pigeon Rocks) at sunset; Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque. The Pigeon Rocks at Raouche, especially at sunset, and Place de l Etoile (Nejmeh Square)…
    • National Parks Nearby Chouf Cedar Reserve (1.5 hours) for hiking and ancient trees. The Chouf cedar reserves at Ain Zhalta and Barouk are the large protected cedar forests…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Jeita Grotto (30 mins drive) - massive limestone caves ($10 entry). Jeita Grotto, about 20 km north in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, is the limestone cave pair…
    • Networking Events Beirut Digital District (BDD) hosting tech meetups; Berytech for entrepreneurship… Beirut Digital District is the tech campus. The coworking floor (hot desk USD 110 a month)…
    • Parcel Delivery Service Aramex or DHL (Sodeco branch). High reliability for international shipping. LibanPost is the national post and handles parcels, registered mail and EMS from its…
    • Popular International Cuisine Tavolina (Italian, Mar Mikhael) or Shogun (Japanese, Downtown). Hamra Street has the international chains; Wikivoyage names Starbucks, Costa, Nandos and…
    • Population Approximately 2.4 million (Metropolitan area) Greater Beirut is about 2.4 million (Wikipedia, as of 2025). Livingcost lists 2.42 million…
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, Type C/D/G. Daily state power cuts; ensure accommodation has a "Private… 220 V, 50 Hz, plug types A, B, C, D and G. State power is unreliable, so ask for a private…
    • Property Tax Yes, progressive rate based on the estimated rental value. Built property tax is an annual progressive tax of 4% to 14% on the net income of each…
    • Property Transaction Tax Approx. 5-6% total (Registration + Stamp Duty). PwC, reviewed 1 July 2026, says registration fees on a real-estate transfer are…
    • Public Transport Passes No formal passes. Cash-only "Service" (shared taxis) $1-2 per ride or white minivans… ACTC does not sell a monthly pass. Buses run about 06:00-19:00, roughly every 25 minutes…
    • Regional Travel Connex Busses from Charles Helou to Byblos ($2) and Batroun ($3). Northbound coaches (Jounieh, Byblos, Tripoli) leave from Charles Helou. Southbound buses…
    • Religious Sites Saint George Maronite Cathedral (located next to the mosque in Downtown). Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral stand side by side in the…
    • SIM Card Alfa or Touch. A 20GB data plan costs approx. $20-25 USD per month. Touch and Alfa are the only networks. Touch Visitor Line needs a passport with an entry…
    • Scenic Viewpoints Harissa (Our Lady of Lebanon) accessible via Teleferique from Jounieh ($10 round trip). Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, reached by the Teleferique from Haret Sakher in Jounieh. A…
    • Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local guest houses like Baffa House in Mar Mikhael ($70/night). Airbnb is the usual first month. The housing guide puts a monthly studio around USD 1,080.
    • Social Events for Expats Internations Beirut events and the "Beirut Hikers" group for weekend social trips. Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael are where people go out. Wikivoyage also lists Walk Beirut, a…
    • Street Art Murals throughout Mar Mikhael, particularly the 'Colorful Stairs'. Mar Mikhael and Gemmayze, along Armenia Street and Gouraud Street, are the streets with…
    • Street Food Stalls Barbar (Hamra) - open 24/7 for shawarma and falafel ($3-$5). Shawarma rolled in thin Lebanese bread, from roadside shops, and kaak (a large sesame…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000) - Market fluctuates significantly. About USD 4,450 per m2 in the centre on Numbeo, 22 October 2026 (USD 413.42 per square…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $60,000) in areas like Mansourieh. About USD 1,930 per m2 outside the centre on the same Numbeo survey (USD 179.17 per square…
    • Table Tennis Spots Hoppins (Beirut Waterfront). not set
    • Tap Water Not drinkable. Rely on bottled water brands like Sohat or Rim (approx. $0.50 per 1.5L). Do not drink the tap. Use bottled water. Livingcost (June 2026) puts 1 litre at USD 0.47…
    • Tax System Territorial/Resident basis (Worldwide income for residents). Territorial. You are tax resident with a place of business, a home permanently available…
    • Tech Repair Services iStyle (Authorized Apple) or independent shops in the Kataneh building, Hamra. not set
    • Theater Venues Metro Al Madina (Hamra) for cabaret and independent theater. Metro Al Madina (Masrah al Madina) in Hamra is the independent stage Wikivoyage names…
    • Top International Airline Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Air France. MEA is the airline based at BEY and publishes Beirut departures, including Istanbul…
    • Top Regional Airline Middle East Airlines (MEA). Middle East Airlines (MEA) is the national carrier. Its hub is Rafic Hariri International…
    • VAT 11%. 11% standard VAT. When a price is in foreign currency, VAT is converted at the Sayrafa…
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Options Luna's Kitchen (Hamra) - 100% vegan local and international food. Lebanese meze is the easy vegetarian meal: tabbouleh, fattoush, hummus and moutabal are on…
    • Wine Bars Cyrano (Gemmayze) or Motto (Badaro). Chateau Musar, at Ghazir about 25 km north, is the tasting room Wikivoyage names. In the…
    • Yoga & Wellness Centers Union2 (Ashrafieh/Mar Mikhael) - $15-$20 per drop-in class. not set

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