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Lebanon

Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان, French: Liban) is a country in the Middle East, on the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in diversity and history, Lebanon has hosted the Roman Empire, the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire, and was, for a period of time, controlled by France. The majority of Lebanese are Arabs, as are most of the Palestinians and Syrians living there, but there are also small communities of Assyrians, Armenians and Kurds. Lebanese cuisine is among the most famous of all Middle Eastern cuisines.

Lebanon has been in a state of flux since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990s, and it continues to face numerous economic difficulties. That aside, the country has plenty to offer to the traveller: vineyards, nightclubs, ski resorts, and numerous historical and cultural attractions.

Regions
Lebanon can be divided into five regions:

Cities
Many cities in Lebanon have names in English which are significantly different from their official Arabic or French names; the Romanised versions of the Arabic names for some cities are given in parentheses below. Note that signs in Lebanon are in Arabic or French only, and so spellings in Latin script can differ from how a place can be spelled in English.

 * ( بيروت / Beyrouth  ) — the cosmopolitan capital city, and largest city in the country, with a mash-up of all the country’s religious sects, as well as historic Franco-Mediterranean architecture, serving as a major luxury shopping centre, a free press, and possessing the liveliest nightlife scene in the Arab world.
 * ( طرابلس / Tripoli  or  Trípol ) — the second-largest city in the country and the ‘capital of the North’, this port city was heavily built by the Islamic Mamluk dynasty, holding the second highest amount of Mamluk architecture after Cairo, giving the city a ‘medieval Islamic feel’. It is also home to the major Crusader site of “Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles”. The city was deeply scarred and almost completely destroyed by the Lebanese Civil War, and as such the city has never really recovered; it is nowadays extremely impoverished, with architecture that is severely crumbling and destroyed from the war. However, it is also unspoilt by mass-tourism.
 * ( صيدا / Sidon  or  Sayette ) (Romanised as  Saida  in English) — The third-largest city in the country. The city is known for its beautiful view of the Mediterranean, as well as being home to a lot of historic Crusader and Ottoman architecture, including the “Khan al-Franj” (“Caravanserai of the French”) caravanserai (Ottoman guest house). It is also home to plenty of other medieval remains, as well as a fascinating museum about the local soap industry here and the art of Levantine soapmaking.
 * ( صور / Tyr )(Romanised as Sour in English) - a medium-sized, ancient city, famed for its strong Phoenician heritage, with many Phoenician sites and a rich history of being a Phoenician cultural centre. The city is also famed for its beautiful coastline, with wide expanses of sandy beaches that saw a mass-scale construction boom of luxury resorts during the “Golden Age” years of the 1960s and early-1970s. It is home to many ancient Roman and Phoenician sites, including its Roman Hippodrome which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
 * ( جبيل/Byblos  or  Gibelet ) (Romanised as  Joubeil  in English) — one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the world, believed to have been first occupied between 8800 and 7000 BC, this historic city is home to dozens of historic Phoenician, Roman, Crusader and Ottoman remains, Crusader castles and culturally rich museums. It is also home to a beautiful harbour and a souk.
 * — known for its seaside resorts and nightclubs
 * — main summer resort and tourist destination of South Lebanon
 * — capital of Bekaa Valley

Other destinations

 * — known for its grotto with spectacular caves
 * — visit the home of the (now deceased) Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran
 * — traditional village in Chouf district.
 * — a Phoenician and Roman archaeological site

Geography
The Republic of Lebanon is marked by two mountain ridges that run parallel to the Mediterranean coastline. The Mount Lebanon ridge is close to the sea, and is cut across from north to south by transverse valleys and canyons. The landscape is mostly mountainous and sometimes very rugged, with steep cliffs and gradients. Streams are frequent and provide ample resources for cultivation and natural vegetation.

The Anti-Lebanon runs parallel east of the Mount Lebanon ridge, and forms part of the border with Syria.

The Bekaa valley, with ample flatlands traversed by the Orontes (Nahr al-Aasi) and Litani rivers, runs between the two ridges.

History
Lebanon has a long and complex history since the Neolithic age. The most important Phoenicians cities (Byblos and Tyre among others) were founded here and have been thriving since then. The area was under the sphere of influence of Egyptian, Mesopotomian, and Persian ancient civilizations. Lebanon has a rich heritage of Hellenistic and Roman monuments, including among others the temples of Baalbek and Tyre. After the Byzantine and Umayyad rule (which left behind the ruins of Anjar), the area of today's Lebanon was conquered by the Crusaders and the Mamluks, with many significant monuments (fortresses and places of worship) scattered over the country, and notably in Tripoli.

Four centuries of Ottoman rule (1516–1918) with significant degrees of autonomous rule were ended with the creation of the French Mandate after World War I. Lebanon became independent in 1943. For a period of time, Lebanon was referred to as the "Switzerland of the Middle East". Under a free-market economy, Lebanon enjoyed three decades of prosperity and many moved to Lebanon in search of a better life.

Three decades of growth were crippled by a long civil war (1975–1990), which ended with a power-sharing agreement and a complicated process of reconciliation and reconstruction. The civil war forced many Lebanese people to move abroad.

Political tensions and regional conflicts with Hezbollah (such as the July 2006 war and the ongoing civil war in Syria) have affected the country, which remains nevertheless resilient.

People
The people of Lebanon comprise a wide variety of ethnic groups, religions and denominations, with the two main groups split between Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek-Catholic Melkites, Armenians, Protestant, Syriac Christians) and Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni, Alawites), and Druzes. The Maronites are a branch of Eastern Catholicism; they celebrate their liturgy according to the Eastern (specifically West Syriac) Rite like Oriental Orthodox Christians, but recognise the Pope as their leader like Roman Catholics. There are more than 250,000 Palestinian refugees in the country, who fled their homeland in 1948. There are also around two million Syrian refugees and displaced persons due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.

One of the rare things that most Lebanese religious and political leaders will agree on is to avoid a new general census, for fear that it could trigger a new round of denominational conflict. The last official census was performed in 1932, when Christians were once a majority in Lebanon. Estimates today are academic and unofficial, due to this sensitivity. A power-sharing agreement among the Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims and Maronite Christians ensures that important posts in the government are divided among the three communities; under that agreement, the position of prime minister is reserved for Sunni Muslims, the position of speaker of parliament is reserved for Shia Muslims, and the presidency is reserved for Maronite Christians.

The population increases in the summer months (June to September), due to the large influx of returning members of the Lebanese diaspora and Lebanese citizens working abroad.

People are generally very easy-going and welcoming. Many people are multilingual and highly educated, particularly in Beirut and its suburban areas. Attitudes and behaviours tend to be more conservative in the Bekaa Valley and rural areas of the north and south.

Climate
Lebanon has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters.

Summer is usually the most popular time for people to visit, as there is virtually no rain between June and August, and the temperatures ranges between about 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, there can be occasional heatwaves with the temperature rising, and generally, it can be very, very humid along the coast line during the summer months. It is somewhat dryer and somewhat cooler in the mountains, and many Lebanese tend to visit and vacation in the mountains during the summer if they wish to escape the heat and humidity of the coastline.

Autumn and spring are also good times to visit, with a bit more rain, but without the tourist crowds attracted in summer, and also with considerable less humidity.

Snow falls for a large part of winter in the mountain regions that form a large portion of the country, and there are numerous ski resorts. However, the coast is still relatively mild, with maximums rarely falling below 13°C (55°F), although it can fall much lower than that and has on many occasions.

Time zone
Lebanon is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes daylight saving from the end of March to the end of October.

Holidays
Lebanon has a number of Christian and Islamic holidays. Holidays that are observed by the Lebanese Government are indicated in bold letters.
 * New Year's Day (January 1)
 * Epiphany & Armenian Christmas (January 6)
 * St. Maroun's Day (February 9)
 * Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
 * Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)
 * Good Friday (Catholic) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
 * Easter Sunday (Catholic) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
 * Good Friday (Orthodox) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
 * Easter Sunday (Orthodox) (variable according to the lunar calendar)
 * Labor Day (May 1)
 * Liberation Day (May 25) (anniversary of the liberation of the South from Israeli occupation in 2000)
 * St. Elias' Day (July 20)
 * Assumption of Mary Day (August 15)
 * Ramadan (variable) (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
 * Eid al-Fitr (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
 * Eid al-Adha (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
 * Ashura (variable according to the Islamic calendar)
 * Independence Day (November 22)
 * Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day (December 4)
 * Christmas Day (December 25)
 * New Year's Eve (December 31)

Tourism information

 * Ministry of Tourism website

Visa policy
Citizens of Turkey get a free 3-month visa that can only be renewed before one month passes since their entry. Citizens of Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritania, the Comoros, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire get a free one-month tourist visa provided they have a return plane ticket, a hotel reservation/place of residence and USUS$2,000 (the cash conditions can be waived if you get the visa from the Lebanese embassy beforehand).

Citizens of India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and several other "labor exporting" countries not otherwise listed in this section cannot get a visa directly at the airport or at a Lebanese embassy. Instead, a visa needs to be arranged by a Lebanese sponsor in Lebanon through the General Security head office in Beirut. This is a convoluted process that can take months, so start early. Visas issued this way are valid for 1 month but can be extended until 3 months at General Security once in Lebanon.

Three-month visas are free for nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan. Other nationals can obtain a 15-day visa or a three-month visa). These visas are single-entry; nationals of many countries can also obtain multiple-entry visas. 48-hour free-of-charge transit visas (valid for three calendar days) are available if you enter by land and leave via the airport or vice-versa.

Visas can be obtained at Lebanese embassies and consulates in other countries, or upon arrival at Beirut airport and other points of entry for some nationalities. The cost for a visa at the airport is US$17 (2021), it is for one entry and valid for 3 months.

A free, single-entry, one-month valid visa, renewable till 3 months, is granted to the citizens of these countries who are coming for tourism: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (People's Republic), Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey (exclusively at the airport), Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

For more information, visit the General Security page.

By plane
Beirut International Airport (BEY), is 5 km (3 mi) south of the city centre). Middle East Airlines has daily flights from Abidjan, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Amman, Athens, Cairo, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Istanbul IST, Jeddah, Kano, Kuwait, Lagos, Larnaca, London-Heathrow, Milan-Malpensa, Nice, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh and Rome-Fiumicino, Warsaw-Okęcie.

In addition the airport is served by the following foreign airlines:

For flights from the United Kingdom try Turkish Airlines, Cyprus Airways or Czech Airlines. These three airlines are often cheaper even than MEA direct from Heathrow. Czech airlines are consistently the cheapest bet from Manchester.

By bus
Buses leave Damascus every hour. The trip is normally 4–5 hours, depending on traffic at the border. When leaving Syria, you must pay an exit fee and must acquire a Lebanese visa on the other side of the border, payable in Lebanese pounds only. Money changers can exchange currency.

By taxi
Taxis leave Damascus for Lebanon.

By ship
Reaching Lebanon by ferry is quite a challenge, the only regular passenger ferry is a twice-weekly service from Tasucu, just outside Mersin, Turkey to the northern city of Tripoli by the Lebanese company MedStar. Apart from that single passenger ferry, only way of reaching Lebanon by sea is by cruise ship or — for the more adventurous traveller — freighter travel.

Get around
Due to the relatively small size of the country, the best way to get around the country quickly is by car.

A trip from Tyre to Beirut will easily take you 1½ hours, depending on traffic and security conditions. This is not to say that it's entirely safe — Lebanese roads are not in perfect condition and drivers aren't known for being very cautious. Still, travelling by car is your best bet.

By taxi
The majority of travellers use service taxis to get from place to place. "Service" taxis often operate like buses on set routes between towns and cities, though they can be hired to visit other places with some negotiation. Depending on the type of vehicle, each taxi carries between 4 (inside metropolitan areas) to 6 (longer distances) passengers, who share the fare between them. The fare increases depending on distance to be travelled, traffic on that specific road and of course, like everything in Lebanon, persuasion/negotiation skills. A private taxi ride, without having to share with other passengers is similar to a "service" taxi, in that the same pre-negotiation is required to determine the fare. Never get in a taxi or "service" without agreeing on the fare first.

Taxis and service taxis are basically the same, and the mode of operation depends on the availability of passengers and their demands. The majority of service taxis in Lebanon are 1975 Mercedes cars that roam the streets searching for passengers using their car-horns. Newer car models working as mainly "service" taxis are appearing on the Lebanese streets with nevertheless the same price tag as their elder sisters.

All types of public transportation vehicles in Lebanon (taxis, buses, mini-vans and even trucks) can be recognized by their red-coloured licence plate.

Beirut has Uber which offers competitive prices and no hassle negotiating a price with taxi drivers. Both a passenger and a driver get a fair price. However, ordering Uber requires an internet connection and might be expensive to use international roaming. In this case, international chains like Starbucks or McDonald's provide free wifi around their shops so you could book Uber.

By bus
City link bus routes are available and cheap. Most buses for north Lebanon depart from the Charles Helou Station (east of downtown), while most buses to regions south or southeast of Beirut (including Damascus and Baalbek) depart from the Cola "Station" (which is really an intersection adjacent to the Cola bridge/overpass).

By train
There has been no passenger rail service in Lebanon since before the Civil War.

By car
Car rental is relatively expensive in Lebanon compared to elsewhere in the region. Reasonable, if not exactly cheap rates can, however, be found with perseverance and negotiation and — once you have your rental — fuel is easy to get. Fuel is not cheap, with fuel prices being among the most affected by inflation.

Lebanon's roads are generally in quite poor condition and Lebanese drivers are not known for their caution. Exercise extreme caution when driving in Lebanon. Even in central Beirut, even in areas undamaged by the Israeli assault, there can be massive potholes on busy multi-lane roads.

Driving in Lebanon should be considered an extreme activity for Western drivers accustomed to safe driving. Street names are virtually non-existent. Mountain driving is particularly hazardous, often involving 1-car roads in 2-way streets. Traffic, especially in major cities like Beirut and Tripoli, and on the highway from Beirut to Kaslik, can be extremely crowded and time-consuming, turning a normally 20-minute trip into over an hour during peak times.

By hitchhiking
Some mountain villages don't have public transport links between them hence hitchhiking is a way to get around. The distances between villages are not huge so one might start walking along the road and wave cars down if any is approaching. The fewer cars pass the bigger chance is it that someone will stop.

The hitchhiking concept is well understood among the people and locals are keen to pick up travellers even if they don't speak any foreign languages. Wait times are low usually less than 10 minutes or if the traffic is low than the first few cars would pick you up.

Contribution for the ride or any other payment is not expected, locals would not even take cash if you hand them in.

Talk
The official and national language of Lebanon is Arabic. The local vernacular is Lebanese Arabic, which is closely related to the Arabic spoken in Syria, Jordan, among Israeli Arabs, and in Palestine.

Know that Modern Standard Arabic is rarely spoken in everyday conversations, and among younger Lebanese it may not be even understood. However, most Lebanese people have knowledge in MSA, so if you wish to improve your Arabic skills, you shouldn't have any problems. You're not expected to know the local dialect, which makes use of code-switching between Arabic, French and English and uses the Latin alphabet, but if you make an attempt to learn a few words of the local vernacular, you will impress the locals!

French also has official status as a co-official language and is widely spoken, a reminder of the country's colonial heritage. Note that older Lebanese people know more of French than English, and it is often used in schooling and popular culture in Lebanon. A Francophone shouldn’t have trouble using French in Lebanon.

English is widely spoken by the younger generation, some in areas such as Beirut using it as a major language.

Street and place signs are in both Arabic (first) and French (second).

See
Lebanon is a country rich in natural scenery from beautiful beaches to mountains and valleys. Lebanese people take pride that Lebanon is one of the few countries that gives you the opportunity to go skiing in the morning and going to the beach in the afternoon (although it is impossible to actually do that because of traffic). This is only possible for a few days in the year, usually in the few days when winter shifts to spring and/or summer shifts to autumn.

Beirut Downtown Visitors from all around are astonished by its beautiful downtown. At Place de l'Etoile, tourists can enjoy a delightful meal or a cup of coffee at the outdoor cafes. In addition to those, the capital provides other restaurants and hangouts that people of all ages can enjoy. There are also many nightclubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants, catering to a diverse amount of styles and budgets.

Baalbeck Roman Temples in the city of Baalbeck are among the largest and most beautiful Roman ruins.

Al Bass Archaeological Site, Tyre, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and best preserved Roman archeological sites in the world. The site is made up of a huge Necropolis, a massive monumental arch leading to a Roman Road, alongside which there is an excellent example of an aqueduct as well as the largest and best preserved Roman Hippodrome found to date.

Jeita Grotto is a compound of crystallized caves in Lebanon 20 km north of Beirut in the Valley of Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). This grotto is made up of two limestone caves, upper galleries and a lower cave through which a 6230-m-long river runs. Geologically, the caves provide a tunnel or escape route for the underground river. In this cave and galleries, the action of water in the limestone has created cathedral-like vaults full of various sizes, colors and shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, majestic curtains and fantastic rock formations. The total length of the cave is more than 9000 m and there is one among the biggest stalactites in the world hanging 8.2 m. The grotto accommodates a huge hall with a distance of 108 m from the ceiling till the water level.

Beiteddin One of the most authentic Arabic architectural jewels is the palace of Beiteddine. This historic monument comprises two large courtyards: the “midane”, a vast rectangular place for visitors, and a smaller one for the royal private apartments, with a magnificent fountain in its centre.

Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley) Located in north Lebanon, the “Holy Valley” spreads from Bcharreh to the coast. Classified under UNESCO's world heritage, it is full of countless caves, chapels, and monasteries.

Byblos also known in Arabic as "Jbeil", is an ancient Phoenician city that had been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its touristic attractions include a medieval castle and a Roman amphitheater, as well as many seaside cafes and restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Anjar is a city in the Beqaa Valley with many local restaurants where you can enjoy the unique Lebanese cuisine. The city is home to the unique ruins of an 8th-century Umayyad city.

Lake Qaraoun is an artificial lake in the Beqaa Valley which is popular during late spring and summer. Restaurants are located on the western side of the lake and boats operate for lake viewing.

Nightlife
The Lebanese people have had to adapt to the political turmoil. Lebanon is easily the party capital of the Middle East. Beirut features a range of distinct nightlife neighbourhoods, such as Gemmayze district, mostly full of bars and restaurants, or the Monot Street which features nightclubs and bars. Lebanon is also known for its open-air nightclubs such as Sky Bar, White, and Iris. Greater Beirut is a sleepless city, as the great majority of it open 24 hours a day.

Lebanese nightclubs are widely diverse, as one can find both the "oriental" and "occidental" style, and in some cases, a mix of both.

Lebanon also has a huge beach party scene having exquisite beaches and beach resorts including Sporting Club, Oceana, Laguava or Edde Sands and Janna Sur Mer. However, these places can be very expensive, especially for the budget traveller.

Hike

 * Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) – a more than 350-km national hiking trail extending from Al Qobaiyat in the north to Marjaayoun in the south. The Trail is not well marked and it is recommended that you get a guide because you will get lost.  The guides can be expensive but it is worth talking them down on price.  If you do decide to go alone, the country side is populated and you are never very far from people.  This is by far the best way to see wild Lebanon!

Ski

Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the ski-able domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor.

Wine tasting
Lebanon has some of the oldest sites of wine production in the world and today enjoys a burgeoning industry producing award-winning wines for worldwide export, though mainly in the UK, Europe and the United States. Wine tasting is an absolute must with any visit to Lebanon. Below are some wine producers in Lebanon for you to keep an eye out for:
 * Chateau Musar, Chateau Ksara, Chateau Kefraya, Domaine Wardy, Vin Héritage, Chateau Fakra, Domaine de Baal, Chateau Nakad, Massaya, Domaine des Tourelles, Clos Saint Thomas, Cave Kouroum, Clos de Cana, Nabise Mont Liban, Chateau Khoury,

Money
The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound, which is most commonly known in Lebanon as the Lebanese lira. It is denoted by the symbol "ل.ل., " or "LL" (ISO code: LBP). After the Lebanese Civil War ended, its value was kept stable relative to the US dollar for decades, at a value of LL1,500 to US$1, but has been in free fall since October 2019, resulting in a major economic crisis that has paralyzed the country. In February 2023, the pound was devalued by 90%.

Credit card and ATM card use are charged at the Sayrafa rate, which is below the black market rate. You can get the best rate by bringing cash to exchange at the money shops. Though due to the financial crisis, you have to assume you can't use your debit/credit card in Lebanon at all. In most cases, you cannot use it to purchase stuff, you cannot use it in restaurants or hospitals and you cannot use it in the ATM to withdraw money. Cash is the key to paying in Lebanon at the moment.

Lebanese lira and US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and it is common to pay in dollars but receive change in lira (in which case, make sure you don't get short-changed). Since the financial crisis began, there are two types of US dollars talked about in Lebanon: “lollars”, which are US dollars stuck in Lebanese bank accounts frozen by the banks, and such are worthless, and "fresh dollars", which are in huge demand in Lebanon. As a visitor carrying fresh dollars, you may run the risk of being scammed. Since October 2019, banks have been running short of US dollars, and a black market has emerged with rates that have drastically diverged from the official (fixed) exchange rate. The currency has continued to fall in value.

Bills used are LL1000, LL5000, LL10,000, LL20,000, LL50,000 and LL100,000. You may find two forms of LL1000 and they are both accepted. There are LL250 and LL500 coins. LL25, LL50 and LL100 coins are virtually never used.

Eat

Lebanon fosters exquisite cuisine ranging from a mezza of vegetarian dishes such as tabouleh, fattoush, and waraq ainab to delicious dips like hommos and moutabal.

Must haves include Lebanese barbeque such as shish tawouq (barbequed chicken) – usually consumed with garlic, lahm mashwiye (barbequed meat), and kafta (barbequed seasoned minced meat).

Lebanese "fast food" is also available as sandwiches offered in roadside shops, such as shawarma sandwiches (known in other countries as doner - or gyros in Greece). Shawarma is rolled in Lebanese thin bread. Various barbequed meat sandwiches are also available, and even things such as lamb or chicken spleen, brains, lamb bone marrow or lamb testicles can be served as sandwiches.

Breakfast usually consists of manaeesh which look like folded pizza, the most common toppings being zaatar (a mixture of thyme, olive oil, sesame seeds), jebneh (cheese), or minced meat (this version is more properly referred to as lahm bi ajin).

Another traditional breakfast food is knefeh, a special kind of breaded cheese that is served with a dense syrup in a sesame seed bread. It is also served as dessert.

Lebanon is also very famous for its Arabic sweets which can be found at leading restaurants. The city of Tripoli, however, is considered to be "the" city for Lebanese sweets, and is sometimes even referred to as the "Sweet Capital" of Lebanon.

International food chains are widely spread across the country. Italian, French, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines, as well as café chains (such as Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, etc.), are particularly popular across the country, with a higher concentration in Beirut and the urban sprawl north of the capital.

Drink
Lebanon's wines have an international reputation. Grapes have been grown since antiquity, and the vineyards, largely in the Bekaa Valley, produce the base wine for distillation into the national spirit Arak, which, like Ouzo, is flavoured with aniseed and becomes cloudy when diluted with water. Arak is the traditional accompaniment to Meze.

But the grapes have also historically been used to make wine. This used to be predominantly white and sweet, but the soldiers and administrators that came to administer the French mandate after World War I created a demand for red wine, and large acreages were planted especially with the Cinsault grape. Over the last 20 years, these have been supplemented with the most popular international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Wineries often offer wine tasting and are very welcoming. The highly individual, old-fashioned, Chateau Musar, is based at Ghazir, 25 km (15 miles) north of Beirut, and trucks in the grapes from Bekaa. In Bekaa itself, wineries include the large Kefraya, Ksara, the oldest winery of all, Massaya, a fashionable new producer in Tanail, and Nakad in Jdeita, which like Musar has stuck with an idiosyncratic old-fashioned approach. Kefraya, in the West Bekaa region, also has a nice restaurant attached, and the region is beautiful to pass through.

Sleep
Lebanon is full of hotels, with a range in price and quality, from USD10/night to many hundreds of dollars per night, and the quality ranges just as much. Many international hotel chains, such as Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, can be found here. In Beirut, in coastal cities, and around the historic site of Baalbek, many luxury hotels built in the “Golden Age” boom of the 1960s and early 1970s can be found all over and stayed in for a luxurious and nostalgic experience. They offer a variety of services, including pools and restaurants, amidst the ongoing financial crisis they, although expensive, are your best bet for staying somewhere in Lebanon, as 24-hour electricity is generally nowadays only found in these hotels.

If you want something more affordable, although be prepared to suffer electricity and wifi outages for long hours each day, you can also stay in the many “mom-and-pop” style hotels and boutique hotels found in the country. The best way to save money if you are staying for a long visit is furnished apartments or all-suite hotels, as they come with cleaning and other services.

Secondary schools
French-language private schools (and some English-language schools) dominate the education system, due to the widespread inefficiency of the Lebanese state education system since 1975. As such, most schooling is held in either French or English, though students typically learn (Modern Standard) Arabic as a second language in these schools.

A handful of private schools, such as the Lycée Français (several branches over the country), the Collège Protestant Français, Collège Saint Joseph Antoura ,Lycée Abdel Kader, Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour and Collège Elysée among others follow the official French curriculum. The official French Baccalaureate exams can be taken in Lebanon, but prove highly competitive.

Some schools (such as ACS) teach English as a first language and follow an English or American curriculum.

Beirut is also home to one of the most prestigious schools in the region, the International College (IC) which teaches both French and English as first languages among many others. Furthermore, IC offers a variety of baccalaureate programs such as the French, Lebanese, High School, and International Baccalaureate.

Universities
French-language or English-language universities also dominate given the inefficiency of Lebanon’s state university system since 1975. These universities have operated as a major hub of Lebanese cultural, political and social life for decades.

The American University of Beirut - AUB is considered the best American university in the Middle East, and enjoys a highly prestigious reputation in Lebanon. The teaching language there is in English. Other Anglophone private universities include: Antonine University - UPA  | Notre Dame University - NDU | Lebanese American University - LAU ...

Some private universities have French as the main teaching language. Université St.Joseph - USJ is one of these, it is an old and respected institution in Lebanon, and probably offers the best price/quality ratio among private universities in the country. It is the private university which has enrolled most of the Lebanon students as well as foreign students from other countries in Middle East, Africa and Europe. Other francophone private universities are USEK and Balamand.

If you wish to enroll in the Lebanese state system, the Lebanese University is a recommended state-owned/public university, teaching in Arabic, French and English, and is the largest learning institution in the country. It offers virtually free tertiary education.

Volunteer
Lebanon continues to face numerous problems, including the 2020 explosion in Beirut, which exacerbated the situation. The scarcity of basic supplies, such as food and water, has made them difficult to access for many Lebanese people. Offering sympathy whenever possible is appreciated by the Lebanese people.

If you really want to make a difference in Lebanon, you can donate to or help out with the following charities:

 * Nusaned - Lebanon's largest NGO
 * Lebanese Food Bank - A non-profit organisation established to eliminate malnutrition in Lebanon

Connect
MTC Touch  Mobile phone operator offers a GSM card for US$15 including a $10 credit (the START plan). Internet access starts at $10 for up to 100 MByte in a month. Alfa  is another mobile phone operator which offers several prepaid plans ranging from $10 to $68. Like MTC Touch, internet access starts at $10 for a 500 MByte bundle per month.

Stay safe
Though many foreign visitors fear widespread violence and destruction upon arrival in Lebanon, since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990 Lebanon has remained relatively peaceful. The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly, and most tourists experience no problems. Nevertheless tensions with neighbours Israel and Syria sometimes erupt (but are usually confined to South Lebanon) and therefore travellers should follow the independent press while in the country.

Like in any country, it is preferable to be accompanied when visiting certain locations. In general, immediate proximity to the borders with Syria and Israel, and any Palestinian or Syrian refugee camps should be avoided.

Some areas in Lebanon are likely to be dangerous for tourists, such as the town of Arsal in the Northern Bekaa, known for kidnapping expats for ransom. In the 2010s, Arsal was also known for the activities of ISIS cells in the area fighting in neighbouring Syria, and some may still operate in the area. As such, you should generally avoid the town of Arsal.

Since the end of the war, in Southern Lebanon, the pro-Iran Shi’a militia Hezbollah holds complete dominance over everyday life, with virtually no government presence and no army presence. As such, the region has been described as “lawless”. You should avoid making any kind of criticism of Hezbollah or Iran while in Southern Lebanon, or any praise of Israel, Saudi Arabia, or Western countries as you can land in serious trouble. Though many locals in the region are angered by Hezbollah’s dominance over politics, economics, and civil life in Southern Lebanon, do not be tempted to join them in anger as you could be used as a political bargaining chip if unlucky.

Visitors should always register with their respective embassies once they enter Lebanon and keep up-to-date regarding any travel warnings regarding Lebanon.

Useful phone numbers:
 * Police: 112 or 911 or 999 (it is common that if you call them for small-scale infractions e.g. pick-pocketing or sexual harassment they will not come).
 * Fire brigade: 175 (metropolitan Beirut only)
 * Civil defense: 125 (outside Beirut)
 * The Red Cross (Medic Response): 140
 * Information: 1515

Stay healthy
As a key destination for health tourism in the region, Lebanon has a professional and private healthcare system. Located mainly in Beirut, key hospitals include:

 * AUH (American University Hospital), Hamra area: +961-1-344704.
 * RHUH (Rafic Hariri University Hospital), Bir Hassan area: +961-1-830000.
 * Hotel Dieu de France, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-386791.
 * Rizik Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-200800.
 * Mont Liban Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-955444.
 * Sacré Coeur Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-451704.
 * Saint George Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-441000.
 * Tel Shiha - Zahle, Beqaa
 * Nini Hospital - Tripoli, North Lebanon: +961-6-431400.
 * Hopital Albert Haykel - Koura, North Lebanon: +961-6-411111.
 * Sahel Hospital - Airport Ave Area: +961-1-858333
 * Jabal Amel Hospital - Jal Al Baher Area, Tyre: +961-7-740343, 07-740198, 07-343852, 03-280580
 * Labib Medical Center - Abou Zahr Street, Sidon Area: +961-7-723444, 07-750715/6
 * Bahman Hospital - Beirut, Haret Hreik Area: +961-1-544000 or 961-3-544000

It is extremely important that you get travel insurance prior to your departure to Lebanon. Hospitals in the country can be very expensive and, with the lack of insurance, cash payments may be expected beforehand.

It's recommended to drink bottled water rather than tap water.

Respect
Lebanon is a country of many different religious sects, so it is wise to respect the religious differences of the Lebanese population. It is recommended to wear modest clothing when visiting religious sites (churches, mosques, etc.) and when visiting rural towns and villages. Sectarian attitudes, although widespread during the war, have largely decreased, especially in the wake of the recent financial crisis, which has seen large sectors of Lebanese society come together in unity. However it has not fully disappeared in areas such as the South.

Even in Beirut, some areas (notably the Shi’a-majority southern suburbs) are more conservative than others, thus visitors should bear that in mind when exploring the city. Overall, however, clothing considered 'western' is largely acceptable, with a large number of Lebanese women not wearing hijab in stark contrast to neighbouring Syria, and with a huge cosmetics, plastic surgery, and beauty industry. But to hedge your bets, keep your dress generally modest. Bear in mind, however, that as open and western as Beirut is, this is not Europe; "topless" at any beach, whether private or public, is not recommended at all.

In Tripoli, especially in the old city, it is recommended that women dress conservatively. The same applies on most traditional "souks" in the country. In general, Lebanese are accustomed to different lifestyles and some do not take offense easily, especially with matters related to dress. The Lebanese are people accustomed to diversity and are therefore quicker to accept different lifestyles, though not all Lebanese are so open-minded.

Social etiquette

 * The Lebanese are indirect communicators. They are tempered by the need to save face and they will avoid saying anything that could be construed as critical, judgmental, or offensive. This said, the Lebanese value transparency and openness and they take words at face value.
 * The Lebanese value sincerity and openness. Expect a Lebanese person to do exactly what they say they will do. To them, their word is their bond. Don't say something if you don't mean it. Don't say "next time" if there isn't going to be a "next time".
 * The Lebanese respect their elders. You are expected to act politely around someone older than you, and it would be seen as rude if you attempt to challenge someone older than you.
 * Never beckon a Lebanese person directly, even if they have done something wrong in your opinion. The Lebanese are quite sensitive to being beckoned directly, and it is considered very rude manners.
 * If a Lebanese person asks you for a favour, try to follow through with it. It's completely normal for the Lebanese to try to help each other out as much as possible. Being reluctant to accept favours is considered extremely rude.

Politics
Lebanon has been facing a large-scale, multi-dimensional economic crisis since 2019, resulting in the majority of citizens losing their life savings due to banks' refusal to allow withdrawals. Furthermore, a failed "Revolution" (Thawra) in October 2019 has caused the country to unite against the government.

Discussing politics is not a social faux pas; in fact, the Lebanese may delight you with conversations about how hapless their government is.

title: Lebanon


text:
Lebanon (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Lebanon:

Middle East

 * Lebanon - A country in the Middle East.

United States of America

 * Lebanon (Connecticut) - A town in Connecticut.
 * Lebanon (Illinois) - A town in Illinois.
 * Lebanon (Indiana) - A town in Indiana.
 * Lebanon (Kansas) - A town in Kansas.
 * Lebanon (Kentucky) - A town in Kentucky.
 * Lebanon (Maine) - A town in Maine.
 * Lebanon (Missouri) - A town in Missouri.
 * Lebanon (Nebraska) - A town in Nebraska.
 * Lebanon (New Hampshire) - A town in New Hampshire.
 * Lebanon (New Jersey) - A town in New Jersey.
 * Lebanon (New York) - A town in New York.
 * Lebanon (Ohio) - A town in Warren County, Ohio.
 * Lebanon (Oregon) - A town in Oregon.
 * Lebanon (Pennsylvania) - A town in Pennsylvania.
 * Lebanon (South Dakota) - A town in South Dakota.
 * Lebanon (Tennessee) - A town in Tennessee.
 * Lebanon (Virginia) - A town in Virginia.
 * Lebanon (Wisconsin) - A town in Wisconsin.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Lebanon (disambiguation)


text:
Lebanon (Illinois)

Lebanon is in St. Clair County, part of the St. Louis Metro East area of Illinois.

Do

 * Looking Glass Playhouse - Periodic productions of well-known stage plays by a local troupe of various actors, the Looking Glass Playhouse has been in existence for over 2 decades and has a strong regional following.

Buy

 * Fezziwig's - A wonderful, eclectic shop with wines, accessories, teas and music on some evenings. On St. Louis Street...

Eat

 * Dr. Jazz - An old time ice cream, soda fountain...with outstanding food to boot!

Drink

 * Ron's Lounge - For the classic small town tavern

title: Lebanon (Illinois)


text:
Lebanon (Indiana)

Lebanon is a town in the Nine-County Region of Indiana. It is the seat of Boone County.

title: Lebanon (Indiana)


text:
Lebanon (Missouri)

Lebanon is a city of 15,000 people (2019) in Central Missouri on the historic Route 66. It is a good base for exploring Bennett Spring State Park. As the home of several factories, it has been dubbed the "Aluminum Fishing Boat Capital of the World", a claim that has not been challenged by any other town.

Understand
Lebanon was founded in 1849 and named after Lebanon (Tennessee), the home of many of its original settlers. I-44 bypassed Route 66 in this area in 1957.

During the heyday of the Mother Road, Lebanon had many independent motels and roadside businesses – some of which are now gone. The owners of a now-defunct Munger-Moss Sandwich Shop moved their business from Devil's Elbow to Lebanon at the end of World War II and added a motel in 1946 as their old location was to be completely bypassed by the new road. Oddly, their former location survived as the Elbow Inn (which is rebuilding after 2017 flooding) but the sandwich shop in Lebanon is now gone.

Get in
From I-44, exit on Millcreek Road to return to Route 66.

title: Lebanon (Missouri)


text:
Lebanon (New Hampshire)

Lebanon is a city in New Hampshire.

Get around

 * Advance Transit, +1 802 295-1824. Serves the Upper Valley towns including White River Junction, Wilder, Norwich, Hanover, NH and West Lebanon, NH, Lebanon, Enfield and Canaan. All routes are free.

title: Lebanon (New Hampshire)


text:
Lebanon (Ohio)

Lebanon is a city of 21,000 people (2020) in Warren County, Ohio.

Get in

From Interstate 75 take exit 29, then drive eastward on OH-63, then follow US-42 into Lebanon. Alternatively, if you're taking I-71 get off at exit 28, follow OH-48 north for about 3.4 miles, take the OH-123 exit ramp and drive westward into Lebanon.

Attractions

 * Get Fit, Countryside YMCA is one of the largest in the country, with 2 indoor pools, a large weight facility, three basketball courts, and a game room. Also, there are many scenic bike trails around the town.
 * Get Fit, Countryside YMCA is one of the largest in the country, with 2 indoor pools, a large weight facility, three basketball courts, and a game room. Also, there are many scenic bike trails around the town.
 * Get Fit, Countryside YMCA is one of the largest in the country, with 2 indoor pools, a large weight facility, three basketball courts, and a game room. Also, there are many scenic bike trails around the town.
 * Get Fit, Countryside YMCA is one of the largest in the country, with 2 indoor pools, a large weight facility, three basketball courts, and a game room. Also, there are many scenic bike trails around the town.

Golf

 * Harmon Park Golf Course
 * Harmon Park Golf Course

Sporting events

 * Devil's Staircase Motorcycle Hillclimb, Oregonia. Cheer on motorcycle thrill-seekers as they race uphill at this exciting annual October event.
 * Devil's Staircase Motorcycle Hillclimb, Oregonia. Cheer on motorcycle thrill-seekers as they race uphill at this exciting annual October event.

Festivals

 * Historic Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival, +1 513 932-1100. Historic buildings are the perfect backdrop for this popular and growing event. Lebanon's Christmas parade has even been featured on Martha Stewart's television show. More than 100 horse-drawn antique carriages parade through the streets pulled by Clydesdales, miniature horses, and many other horse breeds.
 * Lebanon Apple Festival In the fall on Main Street. Tasty baked goods, local arts and crafts, fun atmosphere.
 * Lebanon Blues and BBQ Festival In the summer on Main Street. Great live music, local goods for sale.

Drink

 * The Pub, 915 N. Broadway, +1 513 932-4104.

Go next

 * Cincinnati
 * Dayton
 * Hamilton
 * Maineville
 * Mason
 * Monroe
 * Morrow
 * Pisgah
 * West Chester

title: Lebanon (Ohio)


text:
Lebanon (Pennsylvania)

Lebanon is in Pennsylvania.

See

 * The Union Canal Tunnel is located north of the city of Lebanon on Tunnel Hill Road. The tunnel is the oldest transportation tunnel in the nation.  It was built during the canal era and blasted through limestone.  Two team started on opposite sides of the hill and met in the middle.  When the teams met they were less than 2 inches off from a perfect meeting.  The Lebanon County historical society restored the tunnel.  In spring the county host Union Canal Days.  The tunnel park is the site of various activities.  Canal boat rides are offered through the tunnel (for a fee).  The site of the tunnel is the summit of the Union Canal.  The summit leaked badly. A pumping station was built in nearby North Annville Township.  A dam was built and through a system of aqueducts and the pumping station, built at the Union Water Works, water was pumped to the summit.

title: Lebanon (Pennsylvania)


text:
Lebap Province

Lebap Province is a very sparsely populated province of Turkmenistan along the Amu Darya River, forming the country's eastern boundary with Uzbekistan.

Cities

 * — the largest city in the region, on the road to Bukhara.
 * — a remote town on the Amu Darya.

Other destinations

 * – home to the Dinosaur Plateau, which contains more than 400 footprints of dinosaurs
 * , famed for its zemzen, or desert crocodiles. Established in 1928 for the study and preservation of a sand-desert ecosystem, it covers an area of.

Understand
About three-quarters of the region's land area is in the Karakum Desert.

The region's sunny weather and abundance of water resources help produce high-quality long-staple cotton – but the water use along the Amu Darya results in the river not reaching the Aral Sea any more.

title: Lebap Province


text:
León (Mexico)

León is a city in Guanajuato, Mexico, known for its leather goods. It is known as the "Pearl of the Bajío" and the "Footwear Capital of the World" because it is here where more footwear is produced nationally.

Understand
Its population of 1.7 million (2017) makes it the fourth most populous municipality in Mexico.

It is considered one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Mexico and has a high number of cyclists, in part because of integrating a network of bike lanes into the SIT system.

León's strong leather industry makes shoes, boots, belts, jackets, and other leather accessories for national and international markets. The leather industry earned its inhabitants the nickname of "green belly" (panzaverde in Spanish) because of the green tainting in the workers' bodies resulting from treating leather.

By plane

 * Aeromexico & Aeromexico Connect Mexico City, Atlanta
 * American Airlines Dallas Ft Worth.
 * Mexicana Mexico City–AIFA
 * United/United Express Houston
 * Viva Aerobus Cancún, Chicago–O'Hare, Ciudad Juárez, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston–Intercontinental, Mérida, Monterrey, San Antonio, Tijuana
 * Volaris Cancún, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O'Hare, Fresno, Hermosillo, Los Angeles, Mazatlán, Mérida, Mexicali, Oakland, Puerto Vallarta, Sacramento, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo, Tijuana, Tuxtla Gutiérrez
 * Volaris Cancún, Chicago–Midway, Chicago–O'Hare, Fresno, Hermosillo, Los Angeles, Mazatlán, Mérida, Mexicali, Oakland, Puerto Vallarta, Sacramento, San Jose (CA), San José del Cabo, Tijuana, Tuxtla Gutiérrez

As of August 2018 state sponsored, Unebus Guanajuato operates buses from the airport to Leon, Guanajuato and San Miguel Allende. The stop is right turn when coming out from the airport, past the building in front of the taxi stand.

Alternatively if you're flying from Europe, Canada, Caribbean or South America you can fly through Mexico City 319 km to the SE and take a bus or a flight from there. Primera Plus operates a direct bus from Mexico City's airport to Queretaro where passengers transfer to another bus to continue to Leon or Guanajuato City.

By bus
If you want to look for an intercity bus ride in the app CheckMyBus, you need to select "León de los Aldama".

From Guanajuato it's M$62 (Dec 2021) with Unebus and M$95-105 (Dec 2021) with Primera Plus.

Coming from Mexico City, Guadalajara or Querétaro: If you want to take a second-class van to León: Roll&bits has daily rides for about M$200 (May 2022), from Mexico City M$350 (May 2022). Just book your ticket online on their website. The vans have a big trunk for luggage. In Mexico City it departs in front of the "Monument to Gr. Div. Joaquin Amaro" which is at the auditorio and near the bus stop of metro bus line 7 from the city center. In Querétaro the vans of roll&bits stop at La Comer Estadio. In Google Maps the stop is called "Lateral Queretaro-Mexico y Mega Estadio". In March 2022 it was better to pick a seat in the front half of the van because of better A/C.

By e-hailing
Uber and Didi are available.

By bus
For finding a connection, Moovit is somewhat better than Google Maps, because Moovit shows you the frequency of the buses. You can pay every bus ride with the bus card or in cash. It costs M$12 (Dec 2021).

The buses only stop at bus stops. The non-express buses must be flagged down, and in order to exit the bus, the stop button must be pushed.

The Sistema Integrado de Transporte (SIT) operates a bus rapid transit (BRT) system named “Optibús”. The route system is divided into four categories: There are three permanent transfer stations (San Jeronimo, Delta de Jerez and San Juan Bosco), two micro-stations (Santa Rita - Parque Juarez), which are the endpoints for trunk routes, feeder routes and auxiliary routes. Passengers at these stations are allowed to transfer without cost from any of these lines.
 * Trunk routes: eight main lines that cross the city from end to end. The buses are known as Orugas (caterpillars in Spanish) due to their articulated midsections. The Optibús transit system consists of 52 stations located in the central area of the main avenues of the city.
 * Feeder and Auxiliary Routes: urban bus routes that have one or more transfer stations. Are identified by the letter A (Feeder route/yellow decals) or X (Auxiliary route/blue decals).
 * Conventional Routes circulate through most of the city and are distinguished by having the corporative colors from its owners: orange, red, pink, purple and green.
 * Suburban Routes: routes are circulating outside or on the city edge communities as Comanjilla, Duarte, Loza de los Padres, La Hacienda.

By bicycle
The city's bicycle paths are extensive. Leon is one of the most bicycle-friendly large cities in Latin America and has an extraordinary track record in active transport, keeping the biking and walking share above 39% of the total trips, one of the highest values in Latin American cities.

See

Near León you can find the archaeological zone of Ibarilla, of Tarasco-Chupicuaro origin.

Do
While this is not a capital city, so there is enough to do such as catching a game of their two professional baseball teams, their top-flight soccer team and a nascent professional basketball team.

 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.
 * Bowl Leon: This bowling alley also contains a domino room, pool tables, ping pong, foosball and coffee shop.

Buy
In the intercity bus station are ATMs of Libertad and Caja Popular Mexicana. Both charge just M$17 (Dec 2021) for a withdrawal.

Around the intercity bus station are Oxxo's, a Circle K and some minimarkets.

León is known as 'the shoe capital of the world', and is a great place for discounted top footwear. Every major brand from Nike to Steve Madden shoes is outsourced to León. There are lots of cheap places to buy shoes and leather in general, some outlets on the sides of the manufacturers.

Just walk north-west from the intercity bus station and you will immediately see a lot of local shoe stores.

There are also retail outlets of leather goods that are relatively cheap when compared to Mexico City or Guadalajara.

Street Food
There is some street food in town.

around the bus station:
There are private rooms in very good rated hotels where both the stadium and the intercity bus station are. Prices are around M$300-400 (Dec 2021). For example:

Go next
All of these places have hostels and private rooms:

Guanajuato – 60 km. From there to San Miguel de Allende.

San Luis Potosí – 180 km

Querétaro – 180 km

Guadalajara – 220 km. From there to Puerto Vallarta and the nearby villages Bucerias, Sayulita and San Francisco (Mexico).

title: León (Mexico)


text:
León (Nicaragua)

Founded in 1524, León is one of the oldest cities in the Americas. With colonial splendor, it is the intellectual center of Nicaragua, renowned for its university, old churches, fine museums, revolutionary history and student life. It is also the home town of two of the finest poets in the Spanish language, Rubén Darío and Alfonso Cortés.

Understand
The core of León is its Central Park (Parque Central) with the adjoining cathedral. Most important sights can be found within a 10-minute walk from there. From the perspective of the Central Park, the city’s lively commercial area is in the northeastern quadrant, where you will find the banks, most stores, the two municipal markets behind the cathedral and the San Juan church respectively, as well as many hotels and hostels. This is also where the main bus station is located, serving all destinations except the Pacific Ocean beaches. The more quiet cultural part of the city is in the northwestern and southwestern quadrants, and here you will find the university, the municipal theater, the cultural center, the park of the poets, the old monastery, most of the museums and the city's best restaurants. The southeastern quadrant is home to the hospital, and it is the least interesting quadrant from a tourist perspective. The major exception to this general outline is a cluster of bars one block west of the Central Park.

León is the home to the oldest university i Nicaragua and the second oldest in Central America. It is filled with students and has a vibrant night life. While older tourists flock to Granada, young volunteers, backpackers and other extranjeros meld more with the locals in León compared to its colonial rival.

Fourteen blocks west of the cathedral is the center of Sutiava, which is older than León, and which used to be an independent town populated by indigenous Americans. It still has its own cultural flavor and traditions. Here you will find the Suitava church and central square, a couple of museums, old church ruins, a small municipal market and the bus station for the Pacific Ocean beaches.

History
The official name of the city is Santiago de los Caballeros de León, named after the city of León in Spain. When founded in 1524, it was located further east, at the western end of Lake Xolotlán. Ten years later, the Diocese of Nicaragua was established in León. After a destructive volcanic eruption of Momotombo, the city was moved to its present location in 1610. Almost the entire city was moved, including the saints in the churches and some of the dead in the cemeteries, but ruins of the old city can still be seen at León Viejo. In 1812, the second oldest university in Central America was established in León.

Together with Granada, León has the most colonial architecture in Nicaragua. León has more colonial churches than any other place in Nicaragua, and if you are on the church tour, there are thirteen to check out.

After independence, the liberals of León and the conservatives of Granada struggled over which city would be the capital, ultimately leading to civil war in the 1850s. As a compromise, Managua became capital, but Granada conservatives held onto the presidency until the rise of liberal president José Santos Zelaya in 1896.

León used to be the hub of cotton growing but that industry has declined, being replaced by sugar cane and other crops.

During the Somoza family dictatorial rule, León was a center of resistance. In 1956, president and dictator Anastasio Somoza García was assassinated at the Casa del Obrero in León by the young poet Rigoberto López Pérez.

In 1979, the Sandinistas took over León in violent street by street fighting. After losing the city, the dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle bombed it, hitting civilians and fighters alike. You can still see the bombed out San Sebastián church three blocks south of the cathedral, as well as bullet marks on some buildings.

On April 2018, there were protests in León against changes to the governments social security system. When repressed, the protests spread to the rest of the country, leading to many deaths in the hands of the Ortega government. Since then, the economy has been relatively depressed. Tourism took a big hit, although León is still popular among backpackers.

By plane
The closest commercial airport is in Managua, roughly a 2-hour drive from León.

By car
The main roads to and from León are in excellent condition.

From Managua: The best road to León is the Carretera Nueva a León (new road to León), which is about a 90-minute trip from center to center, although more during the Managua rush hour. At Mirador de Mateare (km 30) you can stop by the shore of Lake Managua for nice views of the Mombotombo and Mombotombito volcanos across the water. If hungry, stop for quesillo and tiste in Nagarote or La Paz Centro. Alternatively, you can take the newly renovated Carretera Vieja a León (old road to León), which is about the same distance with less traffic, but the road has more hills and turns.

From Granada and Masaya: first drive to Managua, then follow the directions above.

From Rivas, San Juan del Sur and Los Pueblos Blancos: take the road to Jinotepe and El Crucero and then the Carretera Vieja a León (old road to León).

From Boaco, Juigalpa, Bluefields, San Carlos and other places to the east of Lake Nicaragua: There are two options. You can either drive to Managua, and then follow the directions above. The roads are good but the Managua rush hour traffic can be bad. Alternatively, when you get to the Panamerican highway in San Benito, make a right instead of a left, and after 6.5 km on that highway, take a left to San Fransisco Libre and continue on to El Tamarindo on the highway that connects León with Estelí and Matagalpa. In El Tamarindo make a left, followed by another left when you reach Telica on the León to Chinandega highway. This route is about the same distance as the one through Managua, and it has much less traffic, but, while most of the road is in excellent shape, the 26 km between San Francisco Libre and El Tamarindo is a wide and flat gravel road.

From Estelí, Matagalpa and other places in the north: take the Panamerican Highway to Emplame San Isidro León, which is 3 km southeast of San Isidro. From there, head southwest on highway No. 26 which is in great shape. When you reach Telica and the highway between León and Chinandega, make a left.

By bus

 * From Managua: Take the vans leaving from Mercado Israel Lewites or the microbuses (camionetas) leaving from UCA (Universidad Centro Americana). The vans from Mercado Israel Lewites are 15-passenger vans that are fairly crowded, but not excessively uncomfortable, particularly when you sit next to a window. Buses run regularly, leaving from the Mercado every 15-20 minutes. Microbuses leave from La UCA beginning at 04:30 until approx. 21:00. They leave whenever they are full, usually every 15 minutes. The bus from either terminal costs C$46. If you take the bus, make sure to get an expreso - otherwise the bus makes stops to pick up passengers on the side of the road along the way. Direct transportation is available directly from the Managua airport via private van service, up to US$60-70 one-way.
 * From Granada: Take a minivan to Managua UCA station and transfer to another minivan to León. It takes around 4 hours and costs less than C$90.
 * From Esteli: There is one direct bus daily. If you miss it, you have to change in San Isidro on the Panamerican Highway. Minivan service directly to Leon is also available from Esteli (C$75, 2 hours) but times and availability are not regular, and they will not leave until full.
 * From Matagalpa: There are two direct buses running daily, otherwise take a bus to San Isidro and transfer to León.
 * From Chinandega: Buses for León depart every 15 minutes.

The León bus terminal is 1.9 km northeast of the Central Park. If you do not want to make the 20-minute walk to the center, take the local bus, a bicycle taxi or a regular taxi for about C$20 per person.

Get around
The city is a great place to walk, and by foot you can easily reach every major tourist attraction except those in Sutiava, which is a bit more of a hike but still doable.

Bicycling is popular among the locals. Many hotels and hostels offer bike rental for around USD10 per day.

White local buses run from the inter-city bus station in the northeastern part of the town and the municipal market behind the San Juan church, to the center of León. They also go to the municipal market in Sutiava, where buses leave for the beach towns of Las Peñitas and Poneloya.

Bicycle taxis are widely available but not allowed close to the Central park. Regular taxis are C$20 anywhere in the city before 19:00, C$30 after 19:00. Within the city, you always pay per person and you may share the taxi with other passengers heading in the same direction.

See
The main attraction in León is the city itself, with its colonial houses and churches, and its vibrant student life. The two specific sights not to miss are the cathedral, with a side visit onto its roof, and the beautiful Ortiz-Gurdián Art Museum.

Parks Churches Museums Other

Volcano climbing
Leon lies below the Cordillera de Los Maribios, a mountain range with multiple volcanoes, and it is possible to hike most of them. The most popular volcano is Cerro Negro, a young, small volcano that offers incredible views and slopes to practice volcanoboarding, where you can descend the volcano in great speed. Nearby there are two atypical volcanoes; Las Pilas and El Hoyo, which can be hiked together. Telica, the most active volcano in the region, is climbable but only when it is calm so be prepared to give this one a miss. Hikers interested in a demanding climb should head to Momotombo, which is also an active volcano. It is the most difficult volcano to hike but has the most spectacular views in Nicaragua, and it is worth the effort. Below Momotombo there are two volcanic lagoons: Asososca and Monte Galan, and these are great for cooling off after a long day or two of hiking.

While it is possible to climb the volcanoes on your own, it is recommended to go with a guide or an organized tour, as hiking the volcanoes can at times be dangerous due to volcanic activity. It is also easy to get lost or run out of water.

Volcano boarding
It is almost a rite of passage for every traveler that visits Leon to board down the side of Cerro Negro. Even for those not so interested in boarding, the 45-minute hike up offers spectacular views of a moonlike landscape. The actual boarding down is fun and generally involves sitting down on the board, leaning back and controlling the speed with your feet in the sand. If you dare, you can reach speeds of up to 95 km/h on the steepest sections of the hill. All tour companies provide equipment, transport and usually a beverage after the ride. No tour organizations offer stand up style boarding so if you want to do this you will need to find your own gear.

Hot springs
The hot springs at Hervidores San Jacinto, at the foot of the Telica volcano, makes for a great daytrip. Catch a bus at the terminal or take a taxi, round trip for C$300. Entrance is C$20 and you'll be hooked up with one of the local kids/guides. They are really nice and a must. Pay careful attention to where they walk, and take the same path, as you will be walking just above thermal activity. As someone said, "It's like a mini Yellowstone, without the fences."

Baseball
Catch a baseball game if you are there during the season. For C$50 you can sit right behind home plate, or pay less for 3rd base side where the lively crowd sits with the unofficial band. Order some vigoron, get a Victoria and enjoy. The stadium is in the northern part of the city, but a new larger one is being built south of the city, as of 2024, next to the road to Managua.

Swimming
Go on a day trip to to the beach to swim in the Pacific ocean. Choose between Las Peñitas, which is known for its mellow vibe, or Poneloya, which is less touristic. These are two of Nicaragua's nicest beaches, and they are both reached by a half hour bus ride from Sutiava or in 15 minutes by taxi (C$150-200 per person). The last bus back to León leaves the coast around 18:30 which gives you enough time to watch the spectacular sunsets over the beach.

Surfing
Las Peñitas is a great place for surfing, with lessons are available for beginners. There are plenty of good reliable waves to enjoy, although they are not among the very best in the country.

Kayaking
The Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve is a wonderful place for kayaking, cruising among the mangroves and watching birds and other wildlife. The long and narrow estuary between the island and the mainland goes all the 20 kilometers between Las Peñitas and Salinas Grande, but most people make a shorter return trip with a nice break on the beach at the ocean side of the island. Kayaks can be rented in Las Peñitas or you can join one of the tours operating from León.

Spanish
There are Spanish schools in León, but you can also get excellent classes with private teachers.

Work
Volunteer work: There may be volunteer opportunities with local tour groups.

Work for pay: For long-term visitors (6 month or so) it's sometimes possible to teach English.

Groceries and household items
All across the city you will find small pulperias that sell food, drinks, phone cards and common household items. Most of these operate out of the owners home. León has three main municipal markets, in central León just east of the Cathedral, in the northeast next to the San Juan church, and in Sutiava. There are also a few large supermarkets.

Clothing and apparel
There are many small clothing and shoe stores around the city. For fast and cheap shoe and clothing repairs, head to the Central Market behind the cathedral.

Budget
Food is sold by street vendors all across town and they are a popular source of energy among the local student population. Some good places to find them are in the Central Park, outside the La Union supermarket, and by the La Salle School three blocks west of the Central Park.

Bars and dancing
There is a cluster of bars just west of the Central Park. Another option is:

Budget
Dormitories (many with private rooms as well) Private Rooms

Stay safe
León is by both Central American and Nicaraguan standards a safe city. You can safely walk in the city center during both the day and in the evening.

Connect
There are Cybers all over town

Go next

 * Poneloya and Las Peñitas - Two Pacific Ocean beach towns and fishing villages. Great for swimming, surfing and kayaking. Located 20 km southwest of the city, they are easily reachable by taxi (C$150-250) or buses that depart from the municipal market in Sutiava.
 * Chinandega - A neighboring commercial city that is even hotter than León. It has an excellent archeological museum and some beautiful churches. It is 40 km northwest of León; buses leave every 15 minutes from the main bus terminal.
 * The northern beaches of Aposentillo, Juiqilillo, Padre Ramos and Mechapa, for swimming, surfing and kayaking in the Padre Ramón nature reserve. First go to Chinandega and then continue further north by car or bus.
 * Estelí - A lively mountain city in the cooler northern part of the country, famous for its murals and cigar makers, and surrounded by nature reserves. Direct bus service from the main bus terminal.
 * Ruins of León Viejo — The original site of León on the shore of Lake Managua and at the foot of the Momotombo volcano. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is almost half way to Managua; take a bus to La Paz Centro, and then another bus to Puerto Momotombo.
 * Granada - The other more touristy colonial city in Nicaragua. From the bus terminal, take a minivan to Managua UCA station and transfer to another minivan to Granada. It takes around 4 hours and costs less than C$90.
 * Honduras - From the neghboring city of Chinandega there is regular bus service to the Honduras border at El Guassaule. If you're heading all the way to the Bay Islands, there are 3-4 weekly shuttles to La Ceiba ($65, 13 hours) leaving at 02:00 and arriving in time for the afternoon ferry to Útila or Roatán.
 * El Salvador - To El Tunco, El Salvador there is a 10-person direct mini-shuttle with a/c ($45pp, 10 hours). $7pp fee at Nicaragua-Honduras border not included. If you want to avoid Honduras, take a bus to Chinandega and then another bus to Potosí on the Gulf of Fonseca. From there you can take a boat to La Unión in El Salvador.

title: León (Nicaragua)


text:
León (Spain)

León is a city in Spain, and capital of the province of the same name. It is on the Way of St. James and has a vast cultural, historical and architectural heritage. Some of the city's most prominent historical buildings are the Cathedral, one of the finest examples of French-style classic Gothic architecture in Spain, the Basilica of San Isidoro, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Spain and resting place of León's medieval monarchs, the Monastery of San Marcos, an example of plateresque and Renaissance Spanish architecture, and the Casa Botines, a Modernist creation of the architect Antoni Gaudí. An example of modern architecture is the city's Museum of Contemporary Art (MUSAC).

Understand
The city of León is in the northwest of Spain. León was founded in the 1st century BC by the Roman legion Legio VI Victrix, which served under Caesar Augustus during the Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BC), the final stage of the Roman conquest of Hispania. In the year 74 AD, the Legio VII Gemina —recruited from the Hispanics by Galba in 69 AD— settled in a permanent military camp that was the origin of the city. Its modern name is derived from the city's Latin name Legio. The Kingdom of León (established in 910 CE) was an ancient territory with a great Dynasty of Kings that would become kings of Spain after the union with the Kingdom of Aragon. The counties of Portugal and Castile were born as divisions of the ancient kingdom of León that remained independent until the union with Castile again.

It has a city population of about 125,000 inhabitants and a metropolitan area of 203,000 (2018).

Climate
In winter, temperatures normally range from −1 °C (30 °F) to 13 °C (55 °F). Frost is common in the early hours of the morning before the dawn during the coldest days of the winter, but normally melts after sunrise. Snowfalls are not rare in the city (9 days a year), however heavy snowfalls are extremely rare. During spring, temperatures are usually between 10 °C (50 °F) on the coldest days and may easily surpass 25 °C (77 °F) on some days. Summers are warm and relatively dry, with temperatures usually oscillating between 16 °C (61 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F). In the hottest days of summer, it's uncommon that temperatures reach over 35 °C (95 °F).

By bus
ALSA runs buses from Madrid several times a day (3½ hr). Buses leave from Estación Sur de Autobuses at the metro station Méndez Álvaro, a round trip costs €20-40 per person. There are also some direct bus connections from Madrid Barajas International Airport.

By train
Renfe,, operates train service from Madrid (2 hr). Trains leave from Chamartin (Madrid north station) to León several times a day.

There are also direct train connections from Valladolid (1 hr), Oviedo (2 hr 30 min), Barcelona (5 hr 40 min), and other Spanish cities.

By plane
Taxi to the city centre costs between €20-25. There is also a public bus which costs €3, for the schedule,.

Nearby airports are Valladolid Airport (125 km) and Asturias Airport  (170 km). ALSA operates daily direct services from Valladolid airport to León.

Get around
The city is not too big to see on foot, especially the main attractions, which are all quite close to one another. Parking is available in underground carpark close to centre, 0.03¢ per minute.

See
The city of León was founded by the Romans. Its name originates from the name Romans gave to the city, "Legio VII". Tourists who come to León can enjoy many monuments such as the city walls, the gothic cathedral or Roman monuments such as the Church of San Marcelo €14.

 * Leon-Casa-Botines-Back.jpg
 * Palacio de los Guzmanes, a 15th-century palace, and current seat of Lèon administration. Free, guided tour you need to sign up first. Wednesday to Sunday.
 * Palacio de los Condes de Luna. It's under restoration.
 * Roman Walls near Plaza San Isidoro
 * Palacio de los Guzmanes, a 15th-century palace, and current seat of Lèon administration. Free, guided tour you need to sign up first. Wednesday to Sunday.
 * Palacio de los Condes de Luna. It's under restoration.
 * Roman Walls near Plaza San Isidoro

Buy
From the cathedral, to the Bernesga River, there are two main streets, Calle Ancha, and Ordoño II, full of shops. In the middle of Ordoño II there's Alcázar de Toledo Street with shops.

Eat
Within the wide range of Leonese cuisine the following dishes are the most representative: Cecina (cured, smoked beef), morcilla (a superb variant of blood sausage), botillo (a dish of meat-stuffed pork intestine), garlic soup, el cocido leonés (a mix of meat with vegetables and chickpeas, served after a vegetable-vermicelli soup) and mantecadas (a sweet).

Another very important part of the gastronomy of León are the tapas that you can get in most of the many bars in the city. The most important thing about these tapas is that they are free unlike in most cities in Spain. It is a very common thing to do to go "de tapas" or "tapear" i.e. to go for a few drinks ("un corto", which is a very small beer, "una caña", which is roughly half a pint of beer or "un vino," a glass of wine) just before lunch, but more normally as a light form of dinner.

Any tourist visiting León will enjoy the ancient streets of "Barrio Húmedo". There it is possible to visit many bars in which tapas (for free) are served along with nice wines from "Tierras de Leon", "Ribera de Duero", or "Vino del Bierzo".

You can also visit some villages near Leon with vineyards such as Valdevimbre. There you will find caves that are as old as 300 years. Originally they were dug for wine cellars since they maintain nearly the same temperature year round. Today they are still used to make wine. Some of them have become restaurants or pubs.

The oldest cave-restaurant was opened in 1979 and it is called La Cueva del Tunel. It has a typical decoration with an Indian touch.

In Los Poinos you can find a mix between new cuisine and typical food from Leon.

In any of the Cuevas restaurants you will be able to enjoy the typical food from Leon such as cecina, callos, morcilla (blood pudding), etc. all those traditional place will be accompanied by local wines as Pardevalles, Tampesta, Barcillo or Los Palomares (inside the new D.O. Tierras de Leon).

Valdevimbre is 23 km from Leon and you can drive there or get a taxi for approximately €25 from Leon.

Budget
All these are in the city center:

Drink
Tierra de León is a Spanish Denominación de Origen (DO) for wines from the south of the province of León. This wines are usually done with the unique grape variety typical from Leon, the Prieto Picudo, although Mencía type of grapes are also used. The Tierra de Léon wine region consists of 36 vineyards (Bodegas), which produce 1.5 million litres of wine annually.

Go bar-hopping or clubbing in the barrio húmedo, a charming old neighborhood with narrow streets, with a concentration of pubs, discos, and restaurants. This area isn't usually very active during the day and can get fairly rowdy at night. However, despite how many people may be stumbling around drunkenly at 03:00, this neighbourhood is very safe, even for single females late at night.

Mid-range

 * Hotel Paris, Calle Ancha. 100 m to cathedral.
 * Hotel NH Plaza Mayor. Set in the middle of Barrio Humedo. 300 m to cathedral.

Splurge

 * Hotel Alfonso V Santo Domingo circus, town centre.
 * Hotel Alfonso V Santo Domingo circus, town centre.

Astorga
is a town south-west from León. It sits on a spur of rock, with mountains to the north and west. It has extant city walls to the south, east, and west. You can walk along the walls to the south and gaze up in awe from one of the more scenic car parks to the north. Most camera crews doing Gaudi do not get as far as Astorga. However, the town is a stopover on the French Way of the Way of St. James pilgrimage.

Go next
In León Province:
 * Bembibre
 * Grajal de Campos: Medieval castle, church and palace
 * Ponferrada
 * San Miguel de la Escalada, 10th-century monastery
 * Sahagún, 15th-century churches
 * Valdevimbre
 * Villafranca del Bierzo

Outside León Province:
 * Oviedo
 * Salamanca
 * Zamora

Leon (città)

title: León (Spain)


text:
Le Carbet

Le Carbet is a city in Martinique.

See

 * Habitation Anse Latouche : former sugar plant founded in 1643.
 * Distillerie Neisson : Visit the factory of one of the island s best rhum.
 * Musée Paul Gauguin : houses work by the painter done during his stay in Martinique.
 * Wreck : Rest of a ship are easily accessible by snorkeling 200 meters from the coast. On the long beach at the northern exit, look out for a white floater signaling the remains all the way to the left.

Do

 * Aqualand : Aquatic park

Eat

 * Les pecheurs : Fresh fish restaurant located on the beach. Band on Friday nights.
 * Petit Bonum

title: Le Carbet


text:
Lecce

Lecce (Salentino: Lècce) is a city in the Apulia region of Italy.

Understand
Lecce has been dubbed "the Florence of the south". Whereas many people skip it in favour of the nearby beach towns of the Salento Peninsula, this city, distinguished by its elaborate style of baroque buildings, has at least a couple of days of attractions worth seeing.

By plane
The closest airport is in Brindisi () located 35 km (22 mi) north of the city centre. There you will find differents bus services providing fast links to the town. It is also the best way to reach the town from central and northern Europe. There are discount flights available from London, Rome, Milan, etc. For a complete list, check out the Apulian airports website.

By train
National operator Trenitalia runs long distance trains from most major cities in Italy. Even as the trains travel on high-speed tracks, journey times can be long. Especially from cities in the northern parts of the country. Overnight trains are available from Milan and Rome, which might be a better option.

An extensive network of regional trains connecting Lecce with smaller towns across the peninsula is available too. Rural routes are often scenic, but can be slower compared to driving or taking the bus.

By car
The town is ringed by a freeway called Tangenziale di Lecce that you can join to bypass the city center.
 * From Bari: at the Bari Nord exit of Autostrada A14 Italia.svg motorway, keep on the Strada Statale 16 Italia.svg and reached Fasano continue on the Strada Statale 379 Italia.svg until Brindisi, then go on the Strada Statale 613 Italia.svg to reach Lecce.
 * From Taranto: take the Strada Statale 7 Italia.svg until Brindisi, then merge onto the Strada Statale 613 Italia.svg towards Lecce.

By bus
These are the main private bus operator to get in the town: From June to September the province of Lecce manages the bus service Salentoinbus, that gives you the occasion to reach the town from the main seaside resorts of the territory.
 * Marino (main continental Italy cities, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland)
 * Marozzi (Avellino, Benevento, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Siena)
 * Miccolis (Caserta, Matera, Naples, Pompeii, Salerno)

By bus
Public transport is managed by SGM company, with 20 bus lines and 4 trolleybus lines. Single tickets can be purchased at most of tobacconists and newspaper sellers around the city. The cost of a single ticket is €1.00 (€1.50 if bought on board), a 90-min ticket is €1.30; a day ticket costs €2.50 while a seven-day ticket costs €9.70.

By taxi
LecceTaxi covers the town and other destinations in the Salento area.

By car
Here is a list of useful parking lots:

By bicycle
Through the Ciclovia Adriatica that connects Trieste with Santa Maria di Leuca, the coastline follows a riviera rich in beaches. The part from the Po Delta in Trieste is included in EuroVelo 8.

On foot
Walking is without doubt the best way to discover the main attractions of Lecce, since the whole old town is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). This feature gives the opportunity to move between monuments, churches and archaeological sites free from the stress of traffic.

Churches
Lecce has more than 30 historic churches, these are the most representative ones:

Other buildings

 * Piazza S. Oronzo - It's in the heart of the city and named after the patron saint's statue erected in 1666 after the population had defeated the plague which had broken out ten years before.
 * Paisiello Theatre - Once the permanent theatre of the town. Founded in 1758 and rebuilt in 1870, it was opened with the performance of Giuseppe Verdi' s 'Un ballo in maschera". Because of its rich decorations, this theatre - which can only contain 320 spectators - is nicknamed "The wedding souvenir".

Do

 * Football: US Lecce were promoted in 2022 and now play soccer in Serie A, Italy's top tier. Their home ground Stadio Via del Mare (capacity 31,500) is two km northeast of town centre.
 * Nature walks and cycling excursions with PATH, a local company that specialises in private active holidays in Puglia, from nature walks across olive groves and along coastal trails to explore the coast and the Apulian countryside to experiential travel to discover the food and culture learning with the locals.

Learn
Many people go to Apulia to learn the typical rustico recipes of the region's cuisine. Cooking schools abound, including
 * The Awaiting Table Cookery School : culinary vacations and wine tours in Apulia.

Buy

 * Lecce cake
 * fantastic gelato from Gelateria Natale in the old city.

Eat
Pasticciotto Leccese is the typical cake of the town. It is made of shortcrust pastry filled with custard and by tradition it must be eaten warm as a breakfast item.
 * Miro Coffee Bistrot & Lounge Bar, Via Umberto I, 4, Lecce,
 * Delicious "cucina tipica" food served with aplomb in a small restaurant in the old city. Many inventive and interesting recipes, plus a large and relatively inexpensive selection of regional and national wines. A terrific choice in the old city, where many restaurants are aimed at tourists and are of limited quality.
 * Delicious "cucina tipica" food served with aplomb in a small restaurant in the old city. Many inventive and interesting recipes, plus a large and relatively inexpensive selection of regional and national wines. A terrific choice in the old city, where many restaurants are aimed at tourists and are of limited quality.

Mid-range

 * Hotel Casina Copini, Via S. Angelo 73038 Spongano, - Fax +39 0836.945352. Hotel Casina Copini offers visitors a swimming pool and a park in the context of a 19th-century villa in the province of Lecce.
 * Hotel Casina dei Cari, S.P. Presicce-Lido Marini, 73054, Presicce Lecce -, Fax +39 0833.711284. Immersed in verdant Salento, amidst olive trees and stone walls, the Hotel Casina dei Cari has inherited a historical farmhouse between Presicce and Lido Marini.
 * Tenuta Monacelli, SS Quinzano Località Cerrate-Casalabate - Contrada Monacelli, 73100, Casalabate-Lecce -, fax +39 0832.382037. Tenuta Monacelli, a farmhouse in Lecce.
 * Tenuta Monacelli, SS Quinzano Località Cerrate-Casalabate - Contrada Monacelli, 73100, Casalabate-Lecce -, fax +39 0832.382037. Tenuta Monacelli, a farmhouse in Lecce.
 * Tenuta Monacelli, SS Quinzano Località Cerrate-Casalabate - Contrada Monacelli, 73100, Casalabate-Lecce -, fax +39 0832.382037. Tenuta Monacelli, a farmhouse in Lecce.
 * Tenuta Monacelli, SS Quinzano Località Cerrate-Casalabate - Contrada Monacelli, 73100, Casalabate-Lecce -, fax +39 0832.382037. Tenuta Monacelli, a farmhouse in Lecce.

Connect
As of June 2022, Lecce has 4G with Iliad and Tim, and 5G with Vodafone and Wind Tre.

Go next
Nearby Lecce are the following towns: Some other daytrips from Lecce include: Other popular destinations such as Alberobello and Matera are also easily reachable by car. Consider spending at least on day at each, but if you're too short on time it is possible to see the main attractions of both in a day trip from Lecce.
 * Otranto
 * Monopoli
 * Gallipoli
 * Specchia
 * Santa Maria di Leuca - with many caves along the coastline
 * Porto Selvaggio - a national park with pine forests and a rugged coastline, reachable by direct bus

title: Lecce