Byblos Citadel: A Crusader Fortress with Ancient Roots
Explore the ancient Byblos Citadel, a Crusader castle with Phoenician, Roman, and Egyptian ruins, offering panoramic Mediterranean views and a journey through time.
The Byblos Citadel, also known as Byblos Castle, is a 12th-century Crusader fortress built atop earlier Roman and Phoenician structures in Byblos, Lebanon. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the citadel offers panoramic views and a glimpse into the city's layered past as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A brief summary to Byblos Citadel
- 4J9W+WHP, Byblos, LB
- +9619540001
- Monday 8 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 8 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 8 am-4 pm
- Thursday 8 am-4 pm
- Friday 8 am-4 pm
- Saturday 8 am-4 pm
- Sunday 8 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes as the stone steps and pathways within the citadel can be uneven.
- Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and have ample time to explore all levels of the citadel.
- Combine your visit to the citadel with a tour of the nearby archaeological site, old town, and harbor for a comprehensive experience of Byblos.
- Check the schedule for the Byblos International Festival, which often features musical performances in the summer.
Getting There
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Walking
If you are already in Byblos, the citadel is easily accessible on foot. From the Byblos harbor or the old town area, follow signs pointing to Byblos Citadel. The walk should take around 10-15 minutes, allowing you to enjoy the town's sights. Landmarks like the Saint John Marc Church or the Byblos Wax Museum can help orient you.
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Public Transport
To reach Byblos Citadel by public transport, take a bus from Beirut to Byblos. From the highway bus shelter on the edge of Byblos, you can walk to the Citadel, or take a short taxi ride to the Citadel. The bus fare from Beirut to Byblos ranges from 100,000 to 350,000 LBP. A short taxi ride from the highway to the Citadel will cost approximately 12.5 USD.
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Taxi
Taxis are readily available in Byblos. A taxi ride from anywhere in the city center to Byblos Citadel should be a short trip. The starting price for a taxi in Byblos is 6.0 USD, with each KM priced at 1.3 USD. A typical 5km ride will cost around 12.5 USD.
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Car
If driving from Beirut or Tripoli, take the M1 highway towards Byblos. Follow the signs for Byblos and then towards the town center. The citadel is located just off the main road. There is parking available near the site, with a small fee of around 2,000 - 5,000 LBP.
Discover more about Byblos Citadel
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Hellenistic city wall
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Columns from Temple of Astarte (Venus)
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Phoenician workshop
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Locanda A La Granda
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Feniqia
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Resheph (Obelisk) temple
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Memoire du temps - Pierre Abi Saad
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Ashtar - Jazz Bar
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Royal Palace
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Antoine Saliba World of Jewelry
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CISH-UNESCO Byblos - International Center for Human Sciences
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Beit Faris wa Lucia
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Medieval City Walls
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Roman Columns on the Main Street
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Jbeil Public Park
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Unmissable attractions to see
Phoenician City Gate
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El (L Shaped) Temple
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Baalat Gebal Temple
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Ancient Byblos
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Sultan Abdul Majid Mosque
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Memory Of Time
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UNESCO Square
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Teatre romà
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Vero Scultura
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Byblos Wax Museum
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The Old Souq
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Saint John Marc Church - كاتدرائية مار يوحنا مرقس
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Jbeil Christmas Tree
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La Féerie de Noël à Byblos
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Jbeil Marina
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Essential places to dine
Eddé Yard
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Old Patio
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Brouhaha Intown
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Garden By La storia
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Beit Nazha
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BarItalia Kitchen & Bar
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Adonai Le Petit Libanais
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Khan Jbeil
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BillyBoyz
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é baladi
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Big Jockey
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Hacienda de Pepe
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Malena
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Al Kaddoum Restaurant - مطعم القدّوم
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Rock
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Byblos accessories
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Afkar & Hiraf Shop
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Alice Eddé
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Mouftah El Chark
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Accessorize
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JOFOUNDIT
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Bella Casa Plus
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Lebanon Concept Store
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Dona's Boutique
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Evaï Byblos
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The Discount Shop - Byblos
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La Reine-Jbeil
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Avec plaisir
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Wow Surprise Jbeil
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اراكيل الباش
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Old Pub, Cafe & Pub
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Frolic, pub & cafe
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Bougainvillea Bar
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Absent Pub
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Moreliabar
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Vault pub
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Bernis beer
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Cueva Byblos
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Tino's Pub
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B On Top
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Aleph Rooftop
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ZOI Bar & Lounge
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Joanna Cocktail Bar
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Le bistro de byblos
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Drink and Sing Jbeil
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