One of the Oldest Cities in the world: Byblos

One of the Oldest Cities in the world: Byblos

The fact that Lebanon had been ruled by different civilisation has made it a country with rich cultures and heritages. Facing the Mediterranean Sea, Byblos–known locally as Jbeil - is the exemplar of the country’s diverse cultures.

Archaeologists believe that Byblos was first occupied as early as 7000 BC. It has been continuously inhabited since 5000 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities. 

At the entrance of Byblos, there is a Crusader castle built in the 12th century. Surrounding the castle, there is a moat which is ten metres in width. The donjon overlooks the whole castle and you can see a lot of Bronze-Age houses by looking toward the shore. If you want to know more about the long history of the ancient city, visit the Byblos site museum housed by the castle.

Feeling tired after visiting the heritage sites? Go to the alfresco bars or cafés by the Mediterranean Sea, or just stroll along the beach. Don’t forget to enjoy a seafood feast at night. The Lebanese government has been endeavouring to develop tourism in Jbeil in recent years. Jbeil, named as the 2016 Arab Tourism Capital, will never fail to fascinate you.