There’s nothing quite like the feeling of touching down at Beirut airport after months (or years) away. The chaos of baggage claim, the first whiff of sea air mixed with car exhaust, the heartfelt hugs waiting outside, it’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s home.
For all the expats making their way back to Lebanon this summer to reconnect with family, we know the trip is about more than just good food and beach tans, it’s about memories, emotions, and refreshing that complicated but unbreakable bond with this little slice of the Mediterranean. Between visiting your teta, endless coffee rounds, and awkward political debates at family lunches, here are some ideas to make the most of your summer homecoming.
1. A Beach Day That Actually Feels Like Vacation
Lebanon’s coastline is packed with options, but this year, do yourself a favor and splurge on a full relaxing beach day. Skip the overcrowded “scene-y” places and opt for a day at Colonel Reef in Batroun or Nowhere Beach in Chekka. Good music, decent food, and an actual chance to unwind without feeling like you’re at a fashion show. Bonus points if you end it with a sunset drive along the coast.
2. Revisit the Mountains – But With a Twist
Yes, you’ve done the classic Faraya and Broumana circuit. This time, try Ehden’s Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve for a peaceful walk in cedar forests or hit the Darb El Mseilha trail for an easy scenic hike. Or just escape to Douma for its calm vibes, village life, and unbeatable saj breakfast. Trust us, your lungs will thank you.
3. Old Beirut Never Gets Old
Take a nostalgia-fueled stroll in Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael during daytime when it’s quieter, grab a man’oushe from Furn Beaino, sip a coffee at Sip or Urbanista, and walk all the way down to the Beirut Port memorial. It’s painful, yes, but grounding. Beirut’s heartbeat remains chaotic but alive, and sometimes we all need to walk through it to remember.
4. Go Full Tourist at Least Once
Even if you grew up here, be a tourist for a day. Spend it at Baalbek’s Roman ruins, wander the ancient souks of Byblos, or take a boat trip to Tyre’s Al Bass Archaeological Site followed by seafood by the shore. Lebanon’s beauty is loud and proud, let yourself be charmed all over again.
5. Sunset Arak With Old Friends
It’s not summer in Lebanon if you’re not clinking arak glasses as the sun sets. Beit el Qamar in Deir el Qamar, Tawlet Ammiq, or a simple rooftop in Achrafieh, anywhere works, as long as the company is good. Laugh, reminisce, gossip a little, and for a few hours, forget the distance you’ll go back to.
Bonus Tip: Be Gentle With Yourself
Summer in Lebanon comes with its share of overwhelming moments, crowded roads, power cuts, heated political talk. But it’s also full of soul-reviving sunsets, hugs that melt years away, and that special feeling of belonging. Take it slow. Soak it all in. Remember why no matter where we go, Lebanon always calls us back.
Wishing all the returning expats a summer filled with warmth, laughter, and the unique chaos only Lebanon knows how to deliver.
If you have your own summer rituals in Lebanon, tell us about them in the comments below, let’s make this a community guide!
photo via beirut-today.com
