Frequently Asked Questions - Byblos
For answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding our Byblos tour, see below.
Is the tour really free?
The Free Walking Tour is the title that now is internationally given to tours that work on a donation basis. At the end of the tour you can give the guide what you felt the tour was worth. It is the best way to ensure that our guides give their best during every tour. So, are the tips of the tour the only income? Yes, the only source of income for the guides is the tips that people provide after the tour. We at Free Walking Tours Beirut & Beyond do not get any commission or sponsoring from any company or organization. Of course, any reasonable tip is accepted; in this way, anyone can join, no matter your travel budget.
WHAT IS A FAIR FEE TO PAY?
The main principle is that you give the guide what you feel the tour was worth, so the decision is up to you. You like to receive an indication? Based on experience, the average tip people give on free walking tours lies between 8 USD (12.000 LL) and 12 USD (18.000 LL).
WHAT LANGUAGE ARE THE TOURS GIVEN IN?
We currently only provide the tour in English. If your understanding of English is not very good, feel free to ask the guide to repeat anything that is unclear; she speaks French, English and Arabic, all fluently :-)
Do you stop for any breaks?
The tour consists of about 45 minutes of walking, and 1 hour and 15 minutes of talking. There will be a 5 minute' emergency bathroom and water break in the middle. Please prepare yourself with water or a bathroom visit before joining.
Is there a maximum number of people allowed on the tour?
We aim to have a maximum number of 25 persons per tour, though we sometimes make an exception to 30 persons! If you want to be sure you can join, we highly recommend you to book your spot in advance!
How far will the walk be?
The tour is a little over 3 kilometers or a bit less than 2 miles.
How long will the tour be?
We always strive to do the tour in two hours, as we believe this is the perfect timing for a free walking tour. However, sometimes the tour may take a bit longer or shorter, depending a little bit on the amount of questions and the pace of the group. The tour will end in front of Byblos' main archaeological site.
Can I leave before the tour ends?
You are free to join and free to leave at any time you like. If you need to leave earlier, please do let the guide know before the tour starts, so she can keep this in mind and help you to remember. In any case, just before you leave, always let the guide know, so we don’t have to go looking for you. If you are leaving, but still enjoyed the tour, feel free to tip the guide upon your departure.
Do I need to make a reservation?
In general, the tour is always fully booked. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to making a reservation in advance. In this way, you can secure your spot and we know how many people will join the tour. To book your spot, please click here.
How do I recognize the guide?
The guide will be holding a WHITE UMBRELLA with the Free Walking Tour Beirut logo, standing at the meeting point.
Where can I find the group picture?
During each tour, we try to take a group picture. If so, the group picture will be posted on Instagram in the evening of, or the morning after the tour. Click here to visit our Instagram page.
What if only a FEW people show up?
Then you’ll be able to hear the guide better! As long as at least 1 person shows up and wants to take the tour, it’s on!
I can't make it on WEDNESDAY; Do you also do private tours?
If you can't make it on Wednesday, the best option is to book a private Byblos tour. As our Free Walking Tour guides cannot be booked privately via us, we recommend you to contact Living Lebanon at tours@living-lebanon.com. They will be happy to assist you with arranging for you a private Byblos tour.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes! Children are always welcome on our tours, as long as they do not disturb the guiding process. Just remember, it is about 3 km of walking, so please ensure your child will be able to walk this distance.
Where does the tour end?
The tour ends in front of Byblos' main archaeological site at around 3 pm. From there, you can either visit the archaeological site (entrance: 8.000 LL), stroll around in the nearby souqs, or enjoy a drink and/or bite in one of the nearby cafe's and restaurants.
What if it rains?
The good news is that it hardly rains in Lebanon. Unfortunately, when it does, it pours. In principle, we will always try to run the tour as scheduled. That said, the general mindset of the people living in Lebanon is: When it rains, we don't go on a tour. And as they say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", it is likely that we will cancel the tour in case of severe rainfall. We will always inform you in case of cancellation. No news means the tour is on!
What if I am late for the tour?
We will start walking away from the meeting point about 5 to 10 minutes after the start time of the tour. Please be on time, as it will not be easy to catch up with the tour later. Still too late? Check out the little square with the Roman columns in front of the entrance of Byblos' main archaeological site; we will probably be there.
How can i find the meeting point?
The meeting point can be found on the square down and at the end of the old Roman road, called "Roman Road Square" or "Voie Romaine Jbeil". For more details, see here.
Which places do we visit?
The places that are included in the tour are as follows: The Roman road, the old souqs, the Crusader's Castle (from outside), Unesco Square/Garden, Byblos' Medieval walls, the Lady of Deliverance (Saydat Al Najat) Church, the harbor, the St. John the Baptist Church (Eglise St. Jean Marc) and the fossil museum "Memoire du temps".