Jeita Grotto, the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, and the old town of Byblos all sit within 40 km of Beirut, along the coast and the hills just above it. Tour companies sell the three together as one day trip from Beirut: caves in the morning, the view over the Bay of Jounieh at midday, and Byblos harbour by late afternoon.
The order matters, because each place opens at a different time and two of them close on Mondays.
The day trip from Beirut at a glance
| Stop | Time to allow | Closed | Ticket (check before you go) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeita Grotto | 1.5 to 2 hours | Mondays | Roughly $15 to $20 per adult |
| Harissa and the cable car | 1 to 1.5 hours | Cable car closed Mondays and in high winds | Cable car about $12 return for visitors |
| Byblos | 2 to 3 hours | Open daily | Archaeological site roughly $8 to $12 |
Ticket prices for Jeita and the Byblos site differ between sources, and prices in Lebanon change often, so bring cash in US dollars and check the price at the gate.
A suggested order for the day
- 8:30: leave Beirut, before the morning traffic on the coastal highway builds up.
- 9:15: Jeita Grotto, when it opens and before tour groups arrive.
- 11:30: drive to Jounieh for the cable car up to Harissa, which starts at 11:00, or drive straight up to the shrine.
- 13:30: lunch in Jounieh or on the way north.
- 15:00: Byblos: the archaeological site and castle, then the old souk.
- 18:00: the harbour at sunset, dinner if you want it, and the drive back to Beirut.
Do not plan this trip for a Monday: Jeita Grotto and the cable car are both closed. Saturdays and Sundays are busier at every stop, and the road back to Beirut is slow on summer weekend evenings.
Jeita Grotto
Jeita is a system of limestone caves in the Nahr al-Kalb valley, about 20 km north-east of Beirut. The upper gallery is a walk along a path between stalactites and stalagmites; the lower gallery is seen by boat on an underground river. The lower gallery closes in winter, when the water is too high, so from about December to spring you will usually see only the upper part.
The grotto is closed on Mondays, and opening hours are shorter in winter. The grotto posts its current days and any closures on its official Instagram. Allow an hour and a half to two hours, including the short cable car and train rides inside the site.
Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon
The white statue of Our Lady of Lebanon stands on a hill above Jounieh, with a view over the whole bay. It is a working pilgrimage site, so dress modestly and expect crowds on Sundays and religious holidays.
Many visitors go up by the téléférique, a cable car that climbs from the seaside road in Jounieh to the top in about ten minutes. According to its official site, it runs Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00, closes on Mondays, and stops when high winds are forecast. The 2026 visitor price, reported by Beirut.com, is 1,100,000 Lebanese pounds return (about $12), and children under 8 ride free.
If the cable car is closed, or you would rather not ride it, the shrine is also reached by road. With a private car, the driver can drop you at the lower station in Jounieh and meet you at the top.
Byblos (Jbeil)
Byblos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. One ticket covers the archaeological site and the Crusader castle, which has the best view over the ruins and the sea.
After the site, walk through the old souk, a few lanes of shops and cafés right next to the castle, then down to the small fishing harbour. Byblos is about 40 km from Beirut, so it is the natural last stop: you finish by the sea and drive straight back.
If you want more time in Byblos alone, our Beirut to Byblos taxi page covers the drive and the sights in more detail.
Getting around: car, tour, or bus
The three stops are close to each other but not on one public transport line, which is why most people do this trip by car.
- By private driver: one car for the whole day, which waits while you visit and takes you to the next stop. Tell us the date and the three stops on WhatsApp and we reply with a price for the day, per car, not per person. A minivan fits up to 7 people. See also our Jeita Grotto and Harissa page.
- On a group tour: several companies sell this exact route as a shared day tour of about eight hours. It is cheaper for one person, but you follow the group’s timing.
- By bus: buses and vans to Byblos leave from Charles Helou station in Beirut for a few dollars. Jeita and Harissa are harder to reach this way, and you would need taxis between stops.
Practical tips
- Bring cash in small US dollar notes for tickets, parking, and lunch.
- Wear shoes with grip for Jeita: the paths inside are damp.
- Cover shoulders and knees for the shrine in Harissa.
- In winter, check the weather the day before: the lower grotto may be closed and the cable car stops in strong wind.
- If you land the same day, start with Byblos in the afternoon and keep Jeita and Harissa for another morning.
Questions about this trip
Can you see Jeita Grotto, Harissa and Byblos in one day?
Yes. With a car, the three stops take about eight to nine hours from Beirut and back, including lunch.
Which day is best for the trip?
Any day except Monday, when Jeita Grotto and the Harissa cable car are closed. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.
Is the boat ride at Jeita open all year?
No. The lower gallery, seen by boat, closes in winter when the water is high. The upper gallery stays open for most of the year.
