Beirut National Museum (Musée National de Beyrouth)

The basics

Civilizations from Canaanites and Phoenicians to Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have called Lebanon home over the past 3,000-odd years, and the collection pays tribute to the region’s rich history. Larger pieces dominate the ground floor, including mosaics and carvings; the eerie basement area houses sarcophagi and funeral urns; and the informative first floor holds treasures from sites such as the Bronze Age royal cemetery at Byblos. Many Beirut tours visit the National Museum—you can board a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, join a city sightseeing tour, or opt for a tour focused on history or museums.

Things to know before you go

• There’s a small charge to enter the museum.

• If you’re not visiting with a guide, ask at reception for a museum iPad. Bring your passport as security.

• The historic building has an elevator and an accessible bathroom, making it largely wheelchair-friendly.

• The Beirut National Museum is stroller-friendly, and offers discounted admission for kids.

• The US Department of State cautions against visiting some regions of Lebanon for reasons of security. It’s worth checking your government’s advice before traveling.

How to get there

The Beirut National Museum sits in central Beirut, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the souks. From east Beirut, catch bus number 7; from west Beirut or the Cola bus station, catch bus number 24.

When to get there

The museum is open from morning to afternoon Tuesday through Sunday. It closes on Mondays and is busiest on weekends.

Beirut’s best museums

Once known as the Paris of the East, Beirut is home to cultural treasures. The Archaeological Museum of the American University in Beirut boasts another world-class archaeology collection, albeit on a smaller scale than the National Museum; the Mim Mineral Museum is an international-standard geological museum; and the Nicolas Sursock Museum hosts modern art in an opulent Italo-Ottoman mansion.