natural wonder
Cedars of God
A UNESCO grove of the ancient Lebanon cedars that once covered Mount Lebanon, some trees over 1,000 years old and symbols of the nation.
30 km · about 35 min drive
Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, Lebanon · Asia
Baalbek is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Brîtel, 30km from Cedars of God.
Baalbek is a town located in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, Lebanon. With a population of 30,916, it is an important destination in Asia.
On a road trip, Baalbek sits in Lebanon. It's in the Asia/Beirut time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Baalbek to your route.
Baalbek ( BAHL-bek, BAY-əl-bek; Arabic: بَعْلَبَكّ, romanized: Baʿlabakk, Lebanese: Bʿalbak; Syriac: ܒܥܠܒܟ; Phoenician: 𐤁𐤏𐤋𐤁𐤊, romanized: bʿlbk) is a city located east of the Litani River in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, about 67 km (42 mi) northeast of Beirut. It is the capital of Baalbek-Hermel Governorate. In 1998,Read more
the city had a population of 82,608. Most of the population consists of Shia Muslims, followed by Sunni Muslims and Christians; in 2017, there was also a large presence of Syrian refugees.
Baalbek's history dates back at least 11,000 years. After Alexander the Great conquered the city in 334 BCE, he renamed it Heliopolis (Ancient Greek: Ἡλιούπολις, romanized: Hēlioúpolis, lit. 'Sun City'; Syriac: ܐܝܠܝܘܦܘܠܝܣ, romanized: ʾĪliyōp̄ōlīs). The city flourished under Roman rule. However, it underwent transformations during the Christianization period and the subsequent rise of Islam following the Arab conquest in the 7th century. In later periods, the city was sacked by the Mongols and faced a series of earthquakes, resulting in a decline in importance during the Ottoman and modern periods.
In the modern era, Baalbek is a tourist destination. It is known for the ruins of the Roman temple complex, which includes the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter, and was inscribed in 1984 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other tourist attractions are the Great Umayyad Mosque, the Baalbek International Festival, the mausoleum of Sit Khawla, and a Roman quarry site named Hajar al-Hibla. Baalbek's tourism sector has encountered challenges due to conflicts in Lebanon, particularly the 1975–1990 civil war, spillover from the Syrian civil war between 2011 and 2017, and the Israel–Hezbollah conflict since 2023.
Baalbek is considered to be part of Hezbollah's heartland and is known to be their political stronghold. During the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon (1982–2000), the group managed to overpower the Lebanese army in Baalbek and gain control of the city. The settlement was subsequently used as a base to recruit and train men for attacks against Israeli forces. Hezbollah continues to hold significant political influence and popular support in Baalbek. In the 2022 Lebanese general election the Amal-Hezbollah list won 9 out of 10 seats in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate.
Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes and raids against military and civilian targets in the Baalbek area in the past decades. For instance, in 2006 during the Operation Sharp and Smooth, Israeli commandos raided a hospital and bombed multiple houses, killing two Hezbollah fighters and at least eleven civilians. In 2024, during the Israel–Hezbollah conflict, Israel sent forced displacement calls for the entire city. Shortly after, Israeli airstrikes killed 19 people, including 8 women.
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Baalbek offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Baalbek is located in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, Lebanon, Asia. The coordinates are 34.0058 latitude, 36.2181 longitude.
Baalbek has a population of approximately 30,916 people, making it a town in Lebanon.
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6 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
A UNESCO grove of the ancient Lebanon cedars that once covered Mount Lebanon, some trees over 1,000 years old and symbols of the nation.
30 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
A UNESCO deep gorge that sheltered persecuted Christian monastic communities for centuries, with ancient cave monasteries clinging to sheer cliff walls.
31 km · about 35 min drive
waterfall
A meltwater cascade drops roughly 90m past three stacked natural limestone bridges into a 240m chasm near Tannourine. The bridges are the reason to come, and the falls only run in spring.
37 km · about 45 min drive
natural wonder
A spectacular system of two interconnected limestone caves with the world's longest stalactite, explored by foot and underground boat.
54 km · about 60 min drive
ancient ruins
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with Phoenician temples, a Crusader castle, and a charming ancient harbor.
54 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
An ancient Phoenician coastal town with a natural sea wall, medieval churches, and a vibrant nightlife scene in a charming old quarter.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Baalbek.
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