Lebanon is full of history, nature, and soul—perfect for travelers looking for something real. From ancient ruins to mountain villages, it’s a small country packed with unforgettable moments.

With Explore Lebanon Tours, you’ll eat local food, meet real people, and explore places you won’t find in a guidebook. We take you deeper than the usual tourist spots.

Don’t miss Baalbek’s Roman temples, hikes through the Cedars of God, or a sunset by the sea in Batroun or Tyre—these are memories that stay with you. I still think about the view from the Chouf Mountains every day.

We offer private tours, guided hikes, and village experiences across Lebanon.

Tours run daily and include transport, meals, and a local guide.

To book your adventure, visit www.explorelebanontours.com or email info@explorelebanontours.com

Discover Lebanon’s best-kept secrets! Explore 5 hidden villages with a private tour for an authentic Lebanese experience away from the crowds.

Why Explore Lebanon’s Hidden Villages?

While destinations like Beirut, Byblos, and Batroun attract crowds, the real heart of Lebanon lies in its lesser-known villages—untouched by tourism, full of tradition, and rich in natural beauty. With a private tour from Explore Lebanon Tours, you can immerse yourself in the local culture at your own pace.

1. Douma – The Red-Roofed Jewel

Tucked into the Batroun mountains, Douma is a picturesque village with stone houses, red tile roofs, and cobblestone streets. You’ll enjoy fresh mountain air, artisan shops, and traditional Lebanese meals with unforgettable views.

Private Tour Tip: Visit the local souks and try the village’s unique fruit liquors.

2. Bchaaleh – Home of the World’s Oldest Olive Trees

This humble village in northern Lebanon holds olive trees that are over 6,000 years old! Bchaaleh is peaceful, historic, and deeply connected to Lebanon’s agricultural roots.

Private Tour Tip: Pair your visit with a guided olive oil tasting session.

3. Kfardebian – Beyond the Ski Slopes

Known for snow in winter, Kfardebian is a lush, green escape in warmer months. Hike through beautiful trails, explore Roman ruins, and visit hidden natural springs.

Private Tour Tip: Ask your guide for a picnic stop with a mountain view.

4. Tannourine – Cedar Forests and Cliffside Wonders

Tannourine is a paradise for nature lovers. It’s home to one of the largest cedar reserves in Lebanon, dramatic cliffs, and small family-run bakeries.

Private Tour Tip: Enjoy a guided walk in the Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve.

5. Baskinta – Poetry, Pines, and Peace

Famous for its connection to Lebanese poets like Mikhail Naimy, Baskinta is where culture and serenity meet. Surrounded by pine forests and filled with historic monasteries, this is the perfect retreat from city life.

A Private Tour Tip: don’t miss Krikor Bakery, a local gem featured in our tour

If you would like to visit Krikor Bakery you can email info@explorelebanontours.com OR visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Krikor has been running his bakery for the past 57 years with the help of his wife. Krikor starts preparing his own dough at 3:00am each morning. Everything you see inside this small cute bakery is made from Krikor, even the gas and wood oven which only fits 2 manakish at a time.

Krikor specialty is the Bayd bi Awarma (awarma with cheese & egg) be sure to order this! you wont be left disappointed. I can still taste the flavour and its been a week!

Krikor Bakery is located in a small village called Baskinta.

Bakery Opening hours - MONDAY (Closed) TUESDAY - SUNDAY (4:00am - 3:00pm)

If you would like to visit Krikor Bakery you can email info@explorelebanontours.com OR visit www.explorelebanontours.com

The Barakat house (Beit Beirut) was designed and built in 1924. Middle-class families lived in the building's eight apartments until the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war. That is when Christian militiamen moved in.

The Barakat building became a vantage point for snipers overlooking a combat zone. The building was sentenced for demolition in 1997 when the owners decided to sell the property. In 2003 the municipality of Beirut issued a decree of expropriation for public interest. The decree stated that the Barakat building will be restored to accommodate a memory museum and a cultural center (which will later be known as "Beit Beirut") with objects tracing the 7000-year history of the city.

The hotel was built by a Greek entrepreneur in the mid 1860’s. Since it was built in 1874, the Hotel Palmyra has never been closed, not for one day. The Palmyra overlooks the ancient Roman temple ruins of Heliopolis.

If you would like to visit the Palmyra Hotel please email info@explorelebanontours.com or you can visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Since the early centuries of christianity the Holy Valley has served as a refuge for those in search of solitude. Today we started our day with a visit to Mar Lishaa monastery which is one of the most important monasteries in the Holy Valley. Mar Lishaa was first mentioned in the 14th century. It consist of 4 small cells, a refractory and some offices, the communal church includes 4 chapels which are cut into the rock face.

After our visit to Mar Lishaa Monastery we then headed off on our 5.3km walk to reach Qannoubine Monastery. Along the way we witnessed many waterfalls, the birds were singing and the sound of water flowing in the bottom of the valley. Blissful!

After walking for over an hour we then reached the Qannoubine Monastery which is one of the oldest Maronite monasteries located in the Holy Valley.

After Qannoubine you have the option of walking to Our lady of Hawqa Monastery which is 2km on from the Qannoubine Monastery or you can turn around and head back to where you started.

The total walk is 10.6km and it took us around 2.5hours in total to walk to and from.

If you would like any further information on visiting the monasteries please email info@explorelebanontours.com or you can visit www.explorelebanontours.com

Saint Nimatullah was born Youssed Kassab in 1808 and died in 1858. Kassab was a Lebanese Monk, Priest and Scholar of the Maronite church.

After his studies he entered the Monastery of St Anthony, where they gave him the name Nimatullah which means “The Grace of God” .

As a monk, Kassab spent his entire life in prayer and the service of his order. Kassab is believed to have performed many miracles during his life due to his deep spirituality and his high virtues. He is commended for having a radiant soul and is was said that he was deeply united to his creator “The Saint of Kfifan” was stated to have the gift of prophesy and hence became know as “a man of vision”

In 1864 his tomb was opened for re-burial and to the surprise of the monks, his body was found to be intact. His body was exposed to the veneration of the public until 1927.

Kassab was canonized on the 16th May 2004 By Pope John Paul II.

If you would like further information or would like to Visit Saint Nimatullah please email info@explorelebanontours.com OR visit www.explorelebanontours.com

The Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve protects one of the largest and densest cedar forests in Lebanon. Eighty percent of the trees in the forest are cedars.

There are some of 60,000 trees in Tannourine, making it the largest cedar reserve in Lebanon.

If you would like further details on the Cedar Forest in Tannourine or would like to hike the Reserve email info@explorelebanontours.com or Visit www.explorelebanontours.com

The Temple of Bacchus at Baalbek, a World Heritage site, is one of the best preserved and grandest Roman temple ruins in the world. It and its ornamentation served as an influential model for Neoclassical architecture.

The temple was commissioned by Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and designed by an unknown architect and built close to the courtyard in front of the larger temple of the syncretic figure of Jupiter-Baal. The period of construction is generally considered between 150 AD to 250 AD

In 1984, several ruins of Baalbek, including the Temple of Bacchus, were inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

If you would like to know further information on Baalbek, Please email info@explorelebanontours.com

Father Dario Escobar, an 84-year-old Maronite monk from Colombia took residence in the mountainside 18 years ago.

Dario heard about the Qadisha Valley’s from a Lebanese priest he met in Miami after joining the Maronite Church.

The Qadisha Valley, is scattered with monasteries and hermitages, has long been a haven for Christians seeking solitude and safety.

The cliffside sanctuary was built in the late 13th century, to reach the monastery you have to hike around 45min down the cliffside of the valley.

If you would like further information please email info@explorelebanontours.com