Five surprising corners of Lebanon, from a Jurassic grotto to a Roman temple on Mount Hermon

Lebanon packs a remarkable amount of variety into a small map, and travel writer Nidal Majdalani has highlighted five spots that show just how far beyond Beirut and Byblos the country goes.

First up is Danniyeh in the north, a mountain district of forested valleys, springs and limestone terrain. Its standout sight is Zahlan Grotto, carved into Late Jurassic limestone and dolomite, with calcite formations inside and archaeological remains hinting at ancient human occupation.

In the Byblos District, Laklouk sits at high altitude among rocky slopes and scattered mountain ponds. Snow covers it in winter, but the warmer seasons reveal grassy hillsides dotted with blue ponds and golden foxtail grasses — a quiet setting for hiking with big views.

Also in the north, Oyoun Orghosh combines clear springs, mountain pools and rugged peaks, all fed by melting snow. Roads reopen in spring, and through the summer months it's a good spot for waterside walks plus a plate of fresh trout or a spread of Lebanese mezze.

Yammouneh in the northern Bekaa is the writer's springtime favourite: snowmelt refills the lake and revives the waterfalls, and this year there was notably more water than last. The area's springs include Nabaa al-Arbaeen — the "Spring of the Forty" — tied by tradition to the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, and the valley has been a protected nature reserve since 1999.

Finally, Hebbariyeh in the Hasbaya District sits on the slopes of Mount Hermon and shelters the Temple of Baal Gad, which UNESCO describes as one of the oldest Roman temples in the Middle East and placed under provisional enhanced protection in November 2024. Built around AD 200, it carries both Greek and Roman architectural features.

Why it matters: Lebanon is often written off as a city-and-coast destination, but these five places make a case for a nature-and-history itinerary — caves, alpine ponds, waterfalls and Roman ruins, most within a couple of hours' drive of one another. Spring is the sweet spot, when snowmelt fills the lakes and the high roads are open again.