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Baalbek is about 1hr45m from Beirut, along a road that traverses the Lebanon Mountains and the breathtakingly scenic Beqaa Valley. Frequent buses are available from Beirut, but if one could afford a private car (with a driver) then it is a luxury worth the splurge. A day trip from Beirut is quite possible, combined with a stop at Aanjar on the way back. However, hotels do exist in Baalbek, and some choose to stay in town to watch sunset and the temples gloriously illuminated by night.
Updated Aug 20, 2008
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There are a few different options here for you to take to get to Baalbek.
1) take a taxi or a sevice taxis, which are pretty cheap options
2) take a tour bus, Personally the first time you go to baalbek this might be the best way as the tour guides are very knowledgeable about the ruins and this trip is usually done with a trip to aanjar (beautiful place) and the ksara vineyards (free wine tasting) and lasts a whole day. I think it's typically around $55-60 so it's not expensive at all. Plus I met some great people the tour i took here the first time I was there from all over the world, many of whom I still keep in contact with now.
3) Get a friend to take you up there... If you have a friend in lebanon it might be worth getting them to show you around... spend a whole day here if you can take in everything!
4) Hire a car.... just don't get lost you could end up at the syrian border... which wouldn't be a bad thing just make sure you have a multi-entry visa
Written Sep 11, 2006
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The only public transport options to get there yourself from Beirut to Baalbek are the minibuses (LL 3000) and service taxis (LL 6000) from the Cola transport hub. The ride through the mountains is one of the wildest hair raising experiences in the region. The ride takes about 2 hours and it is great fun if you side up to some friendly locals.
Written May 12, 2006
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Buses and services leave from the front of the temple. Service taxis leave first to Chaura for 3.000LL and from Chtaura to Beirut's Cola stand the ost is a further 5.000 LL . A private taxi from beirut's cola stand about 40.000 LL. Or simply u can take a mini -bus that costs u maximum 5.000LL one way beirut's cola to baalbeck directly .. and coming back from there to beirut with the same cost ..
Written Jan 12, 2006
It's easy to reach Baalbek from the Lebanon capital of Beirut.
The photo is showing the bus/taxi station where we could catch a bus to Baalbek. It's almost every hour for the service taxi. The journey is about 2 hour plus.
Written Sep 2, 2005
Minibus from Beirut to Baaleck gathers in the Cole station. It costs 5,000LL (Nov 04) and takes almost 2 hours.
The road used from Beirut to Zahle is the same as that to Damacus and this distance takes about an hour. So if you plan your trip carefully and if you want to go to Damascus afterwards, you may wish to do it in the same trip, that is after visiting Baaleck, you take the minibus to Zahle and transfer to another one from Zahle to Damascus.
Written Nov 28, 2004
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There are plenty of options to get here, bus, shared or private taxi. We hired a taxi for a day in Beirut for $80. I'm sure you can get one for less but to us it was worth it. I recommend it if you want to get to other sites the same day.
Updated Feb 13, 2004
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Possibly the easiest way to get to Baalbeck is by minibus. In Beirut they leave from Cola station, which by the way, doesn't look like a station but like a huge crossroad. From Baalbeck back into Beyrut you can catch minibuses right at the entrance of town, where the statue in the picture is. The acropolis is 500 metres away. Beirut to Baalbeck costs about 5000 Lebanese pounds, one way.
Written Jan 12, 2004
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4 Reviews and 22 Opinions Charl digol..had been there....that's enough..for me Old lebanese hotel..you want to go back in...
Reviews and photos of Baalbeck attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Baalbeck sightseeing.
Possibly the easiest way to get to Baalbeck is by minibus. In Beirut they leave from Cola station, which by the way, doesn't look like a station but like a huge...
2 members live in Baalbeck
Q: is it difficult to get transportation from baalbeck to these cities? i will be in baalbeck in late july/early august and would...
A: this road crosses the highest peak in lebanon at about 3000 meters so it is covered in snow. from late march / april it is open. I drove that bit many times, it is a...
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Greek Heliopolis - the City of the Sun - when the Romans took it over and started to build the temples there in 60BC Baalbek became absolute epitome of all the excesses of Rome, so clearly evidenced...
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Baalbeck the suncity of the ancient world is the most important Roman site in the Middle East. The site was originally Phoenician and dedicated to the God Baal, so the name Baalbeck. The Greeks and......
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the real operation shock and awe temples that will leave you speechless, breathless temples like you've never seen them before . .
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I arrived in Baalbek a few days after Israeli troops had fought a gun battle here with Hezbollah. Baalbek has been Hezbollah's headquarters since Iranian revolutionary guards came here to train...
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At the edge of the fertile Beqaa Valley and the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains lies the Acropolis of Baalbek, the most magnificent temple complex ever built by Rome. Known as Heliopolis in......
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