Essentials
- City
- Byblos (Jbeil), Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon
- Population
- 40,000 (City), 100,000 (Greater Jbeil District)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optics in select spots 50-100 Mbps; standard DSL 4-10 Mbps. Use 4G/LTE (30-60 Mbps) as backup.
- Currency & Banking
- Lebanese Pound (LBP) and USD. Dual economy. 1 USD ≈ 89,500 LBP (Market Rate March 2026).
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Buy 19L gallons for roughly $3-5 USD delivered.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/D/G. Note: Daily state power cuts; ensure your rental has a private generator (moteur).
- SIM Card
- Touch or Alfa. 10GB data plan costs approx. $15-20 USD per month. Available at official stores in Jbeil Center.
- Banking for Expats
- Mainly cash-based. Use 'Fresh Dollar' accounts at Bank Audi or Blom Bank for international transfers/ATM access.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, or local Facebook groups like 'Apartments for Rent in Jbeil'. Price: $600-$1,200/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- No. Lebanon is heavily cash-reliant (USD or LBP). High-end hotels and supermarkets may take cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Monoberge Hotel ($80/night) or Airbnb apartments near the Old Souk.
- Budget Accommodation
- Byblos Sur Mer (Economy rooms) or small guesthouses like Byblos Comfort Hotel (approx. $45/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Souk or the Harbor area for history, walking distance to ruins and nightlife.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Mastita or Blat. More modern apartments, lower noise, and better proximity to LAU university fiber lines.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The NRC (Next Rise Center) in Jbeil. Daily pass approx. $15. Includes 24/7 power and high-speed fiber.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Eddé Yard in the Old Souk (morning hours) or Starbucks Jbeil Highway for reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Check events at the Lebanese American University (LAU) Byblos Campus or Berytech Jbeil meetups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Byblos International Festival (Summer) and 'Expats in Lebanon' Facebook group gatherings at local pubs.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (cheapest) or Uber (limited in Jbeil). Average local ride: $3-5 USD.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Byblos Bike (near the harbor). Approx. $5/hour for a bicycle.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bahsa Beach (Public) or high-end beach clubs like Eddeh Sands ($20-30 entry).
- Top Regional Airline
- Middle East Airlines (MEA)
- Top International Airline
- Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Emirates (flying into Beirut BEY, 45 mins away).
- Highway Access
- Directly on the Beirut-Tripoli Coastal Highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. The 'Connexion' bus hub on the Jbeil Highway is the main transit point for Beirut/Tripoli.
- Public Transport Passes
- No official passes. Pay-per-ride on white 'Service' taxis ($1.50-$3.00 depending on distance).
- Regional Travel
- White vans (Bosta) to Beirut cost approx. $1-2 USD. Private taxis to Beirut cost $25-30 USD.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Notre Dame de Secours (CHNDS) - University Hospital of the Holy Spirit of Kaslik, Jbeil.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Soul in nearby Batroun (15 mins) or small classes at localized studios in Jbeil city center.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pulse Fitness Jbeil. Monthly membership approx. $40-$60 USD.
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Shop, Jbeil Center. Approx. $10 per large load (wash and fold).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Toters. Covers most restaurants in Byblos and offers grocery delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Grilled Fish at the Harbor or 'Manoushe' at Furn el Sabaya (nearby Amchit).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Olive Grove. Offers traditional mezze like Hummus, Tabbouleh, and Moujadara ($15-25 for dinner).
- Best Dessert Spots
- L'Abeille d'Or for traditional Arabic sweets like Knefe.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Spinneys Jbeil or local vegetable markets in the 'Souk el Atika'.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Ishtari.com (Local Amazon alternative) or Ubuy Lebanon.
- Grocery Delivery
- Toters Fresh or Happy Supermarket app.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Old Souk (nightlife hub). Famous bars include El Molino and Kina.
- Local Brewery
- Colonel Beer (nearby Batroun, 15 mins drive). Microbrewery with great outdoor seating.
- Wine Bars
- Sept Winery tasting room (nearby mountains) or wine selection at Byblos Sur Mer.
- Street Food Stalls
- Malak Al Tawouk on the highway (Tawouk sandwich for approx. $4).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Locanda a la Granda (International fusion) in the Old Souk.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Byblos Castle (Crusader Castle), entrance approx. $5 USD.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Byblos Fossil Museum and the Wax Museum.
- Historical Sites
- The Phoenician Royal Necropolis and the Roman Amphitheater.
- Religious Sites
- St. John the Baptist Church (Crusader era) in the old town.
- Annual Events
- Byblos International Festival (Music/Culture in July/August).
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Souk (unesco world heritage site).
- Theater Venues
- Performances are usually held at the Byblos International Festival site (seasonal).
- Local Markets
- The Old Souk for crafts; Jbeil Farmers Market (seasonal weekends).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic nights at 'The Garden' and late-night DJ sets in the Souk bars.
- Street Art
- Murals near the harbor and university district of Blat.
- Cooking Classes
- Dar Alma guesthouse sometimes offers traditional Lebanese cooking workshops by request.
- Art Galleries
- Alice Mogabgab Gallery (seasonal exhibitions near Jbeil).
- Historic Buildings
- The Ottoman-era houses surrounding the harbor.
- Local Heritage
- The Phoenician Alphabet (originating in Byblos); the Cedar tree symbol.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Bnachii Lake or the mountains of Annaya (St. Charbel).
- National Parks Nearby
- Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve (30 mins drive). Excellent hiking.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Amchit Corniche (coastal walkway), 5 mins north of Jbeil center.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The top of the Byblos Castle tower or 'The View' lounge in the hills of Blat.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Coastal cliffs between Jbeil and Fidar.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public pebble beaches in Amchit (check local regulations and wind conditions).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- LibanPost (Main office in Jbeil Highway) or Aramex.
- Tech Repair Services
- MicroCity Jbeil. Reliable for laptop and phone repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Hoops Club Jbeil.
- Language Classes
- Lebanese Arabic Institute (online or Beirut HQ) or private tutors from LAU university.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- LAU Byblos Library (requires guest pass/student ID) or Cloister of St. John Baptist.
- Community Centers
- The Jbeil Municipality Cultural Center.
- Gaming Lounges
- G-Planet Jbeil. High-end PC gaming lounge.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino du Liban (Maameltein, 15 mins south).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $102,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $144,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $90,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 17% on corporate profits.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system for some entities; residents are generally taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for personal income.
- VAT
- 11%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently enforced.
- Property Tax
- Annual tax based on rental value, typically low (approx. $100-$300/year for mid-range units).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6% (Registration fee and stamp duties).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; most stay on 1-3 month tourism visas. Foreign income is often not reported locally.