Things to Do in Beirut in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Beirut
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
66°F (19°C)
High Temp
55°F (12°C)
Low Temp
5.6 inches (142 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Ledict: Lebanon's ski season opens above Beirut. Breakfast by the sea. Lunch on powder at Faraya 45 minutes later when the first snows settle in early December.
- + Christmas decorations transform Hamra and downtown into a hybrid of Parisian lights and Levantine energy. The 150-year-old Holiday Inn ruins get wrapped in LED stars for the first time since 1975.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from summer peaks while terraces stay warm enough for arak and mezze. The InterContinental Phoenicia's rooftop pool stays heated through winter.
- + Olive harvest season means fresh-pressed oil appears in every neighborhood bakery. The smell of warm saj bread with new oil hits different in Gemmayzeh's morning air.
Considerations
- − December storms can dump 3 inches in 6 hours. The drainage system dates to French mandate era and turns Rue Monot into a river that taxis won't cross.
- − Short daylight (9.5 hours) limits rooftop bar season. Many close by 8 PM when mountain winds drop temperatures 10°F in twenty minutes.
- − Some beach clubs close completely after December 15th. You'll need to drive 45 minutes south to Jiyeh for swimming in anything resembling warm water.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Beirut in December is cool and damp. Forget sun-bleached summers. The Mediterranean air carries a chill, mixed with woodsmoke from the season's first heaters. This is a month for layers and indoor warmth. The rhythm shifts from beach clubs to the glow of cafes. Locals watch for the first snows on the distant Mount Lebanon range. Skiing is just an hour's drive from the corniche. The city's energy turns inward and festive. The Beirut Christmas Festival transforms the downtown Solidere district. The sharp smell of roasting chestnuts cuts through evening fog. Arabic carols echo off rebuilt Ottoman facades. This also starts the ski season. Lebanon's winter duality is unique. You can smell mountain pine trees in the morning. You can hear waves crash against the Pigeon Rocks in the afternoon. December here is defined by contrast. The clatter of ski poles mixes with the sizzle of festive street food.
Paragliding Trip Over Jounieh bay
adventureA silent escape from the city's winter bustle. Feel the sudden lift as the wing catches a coastal thermal. See the entire curve of the bay, from the towering Harissa statue down to the distant Beirut skyline. The light is hazy in December. The only sounds are the wind in the lines and the murmur of traffic far below.
It delivers a quiet perspective on Lebanon's dramatic geography, floating between mountains and sea.
Insider tip: Book for late morning. Go after the coastal fog has burned off for the clearest views and best thermal conditions.
This month: Winter thermals can be strong. They offer smooth, sustained flight conditions compared to turbulent summer air.
Pigeon Rocks Boat Ride Beirut (Raouche Rocks)
cruisePlaces you directly in the Mediterranean swell. Feel the cool spray as you pass through the well-known arch of the sea stacks. See the stratified limestone glow in the soft winter light. Hear the powerful boom of waves crashing into the caverns beneath the Raouche cliffs.
It is the only way to fully grasp the scale of Beirut's most famous natural landmark.
Insider tip: Go just before sunset. See the rocks silhouetted against a winter sky often streaked with dramatic clouds.
This month: The winter sea is rougher and more dramatic. The passage through the arch becomes a bolder experience.
PRIVATE Beirut Historical Walking Half Day Tour
culturalPeels back the city's layers. Go from the cool vaults of Ottoman mansions to the bullet-pocked facades of the civil war period. Feel the transition underfoot from polished downtown marble to cracked tiles near Martyrs' Square. Hear stories that tie physical scars to living memory.
It connects fragments of Beirut's past into a coherent narrative. Casual strolling cannot reveal this.
Insider tip: Request a focus on Ottoman and French Mandate architecture. The Zokak el-Blat and Gemmayzeh quarters are less crowded than the downtown core.
This month: The cool, damp weather makes a focused indoor-outdoor walking tour more comfortable than in summer heat.
Lebanon Tour Jeita Grotto -Harissa & Byblos Castle, pickup+Guide
guided_experienceIt moves from the subterranean majesty of Jeita Grotto to the coastal antiquity of Byblos. Feel the profound silence of the grotto's lower cave. Hear the Mediterranean lap against Phoenician ruins. Taste the salty breeze from the heights of Harissa.
It efficiently captures Lebanese variety, from natural wonder to ancient history to spiritual panorama.
Insider tip: Wear layers. The temperature inside Jeita Grotto stays cool and constant. This contrasts with the variable coastal weather in Byblos.
This month: Festive decorations in Byblos's old souk and around the Harissa basilica add seasonal charm.
Jeita Grotto, Byblos and Harissa Full-Day Tour from Beirut
day_tripIs a classic circuit. You will see otherworldly limestone formations in the grotto's caverns. Smell ancient cedar resin in Byblos's souvenir shops. Watch the December light fade over the bay from the terrace of the Our Lady of Lebanon statue.
It is the most complete introduction to the essential sights north of Beirut.
Insider tip: In Byblos, skip the main restaurant row. Find a small place in the old souk for a warmer, more authentic lunch.
This month: Crowds at Jeita Grotto are typically lighter on weekdays in December. This allows for a more contemplative visit.
Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers
foodPlunges you into foundational aromas. Think toasting pine nuts, simmering garlic in olive oil, and the grassy scent of chopped parsley. Feel the texture of bulgur wheat for tabbouleh between your fingers. Hear the sizzle of onions caramelizing for the rice stuffing of warak enab.
It provides an intimate understanding of the techniques at the heart of Lebanese home cooking.
Insider tip: Ask your host to include seasonal winter dishes. Hearty lentil soups or citrus-based dressings are good examples.
This month: The class is a warm, convivial indoor activity. It is good for a cool or rainy December day in Beirut.
Where to Stay in Beirut in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December through New Year
Beirut Christmas Festival
Downtown transforms with a 25 m (82 ft) tree, outdoor concerts, and food stalls mixing European Christmas markets with Lebanese street food. The scent of roasted chestnuts competes with shawarma spices while local bands play everything from Arabic jazz to Christmas carols in three languages.
Mid December (weather dependent)
Ski Season Opening
Faraya Mzaar typically opens by December 15th when snow reaches lifts at 1,850 m (6,070 ft). Opening weekend features torchlight skiing and mountain taverns serving arak to thaw frozen skiers. The contrast with Beirut's 18°C (64°F) beaches 45 minutes away creates Lebanon's signature winter experience.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Beirut Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Download the 'Lebanon Weather' app. It tracks mountain storms 30 minutes before they hit the coast, important for planning beach vs. mountain days.
Skip the banks. Licensed exchange kiosks (look for Central Bank stickers) beat their rates by 20 percent. They also stay open until 8 PM. Easy money.
At 3 PM sharp, ask for ahwe mazbut, medium-sweet Arabic coffee. Hamra cafés refill your tiny cup with hot water for free. Locals pause then. Join them.
Walk 200 m (656 ft) past Pigeon Rocks. The Corniche widens. Sunset explodes here. Families stroll. Vendors sell warm pumpkin seeds. Claim your spot early.
Friday lunch rules the week. Reach Barbar in Hamra by 1 PM. After that, expect 45 minutes in line. Their chicken shawarma has not changed since 1979. Worth the wait.
Avoid These Mistakes
December swimming? Yes. Hotel pools stay heated. Drive 45 minutes south to Jiyeh beach. Sunny gaps between storms keep the water inviting through New Year.
Mountain weather flips hourly in December. Book ski trips only 24 hours ahead. Locals refuse to promise snow any sooner. Flexibility wins.
Keep shorts for the beach. Downtown locals see winter legs as disrespectful, even at 20°C (68°F). Cold winds ricochet off marble façades. Pack trousers.
Drop the 20 percent habit. Ten to fifteen percent is generous. Many Beirut spots now add service during the economic crisis. Check the bill first.
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