If you are going on a trip to Byblos in Lebanon, don’t get confused if some people refer to it as Jbeil or Jbayl. Those are its Arab names. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s major tourist spots.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
This city is situated 23 miles to the north of Beirut. The easiest way to get there is to get a taxi from the Byblos taxi company. Many of the buses and taxis in Beirut can bring you to the city directly. Again, don’t forget that most people refer to the place as Jbeil.
What to See There
At the city’s archeological site is the Great Temple. Also called the L Temple, it was constructed in 2700 BC. Other shrines in the area are the Temple of the Obelisks and the Temple of Baalat Gebal.
A trip to Byblos in Lebanon won’t be complete without visiting the Byblos Castle and the wax museum. Other landmarks are St John the Baptist Church, the Fossil Museum and the medieval city wall. The Edde sands sea resort, the NE Gate and the Kings’ Tombs are also popular among tourists.
History
It is an old city once ruled by the Phoenicians. Its original name was Gebal. The oldest artifacts date from Neolithic times over 5,000 years ago. The writer Philo once said that Gebal was the oldest city on the planet. Legends point to the god Cronus as its founder.
The first signs of anything resembling a town date from 3,000 BC. By this time, dwelling places of similar sizes had been built. As the city grew, it formed an alliance with Egypt.
Cost
A tour of the city has a starting cost of $133. If traveling on your own, expect to pay at least LL2000 for a taxi. The bus fare is less than LL1000. But if you are far off, the cost will go up. Some taxi drivers may want to negotiate for the price while others have fixed rates.
Other Info
The city has several restaurants and fast food chains. The old city section has many eateries where you can eat seafood. The Byblos Fishing Club is situated along the Mediterranean Sea. Another good place to dine is Flobby Dine.
There are many hotels you can stay in while on a trip to Byblos in Lebanon. One of the best is the Hotel Ahiram to the north of the city harbor.
