Beirut

Is Beirut safe to visit?

Not by the standards of most governments. Lebanon has been at war since 2 March 2026, when fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated with the regional conflict. Lebanon's Health Ministry says Israeli attacks killed 4,362 people and wounded 12,378 between 2 March and 6 September. The US says do not travel to Lebanon for any reason, and Canada advises against all travel.

The UK takes a narrower view. Its advice of 10 August 2026 rules out Beirut's southern suburbs and several districts next to them, but not the rest of the city. In central Beirut, the risks are a mix of the war, kidnapping, guns and everyday crime. Beirut's factors average 55, but the overall score is capped at 45, the ceiling set by Lebanon's conflict score. We give it low confidence because the situation can change within days.

Strikes on the southern suburbs

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says Israeli airstrikes since March have fallen mainly on the South, Nabatieh and Bekaa governorates and Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, but also outside these areas. The Israeli military often warns before a strike, but many strikes have come with no notice. Canada describes the southern suburbs as subject to heavy and frequent strikes, naming Jnah, Bir Hasan, Chiyah, Ghobeiry, Burj al-Barajneh, Haret Hreik and Hazmieh.

A ceasefire took effect in mid-April, but strikes on Beirut continued, if less often. On 7 June, an Israeli strike on two apartments near Mreijeh killed at least two people and injured 11, Lebanese state media said. On 14 June, a strike in Dahiyeh killed at least three people and wounded 15. A renewed ceasefire took effect on 19 June, Al Jazeera reported. The FCDO says a cessation of hostilities was announced in June but fighting and airstrikes have continued, particularly in southern Lebanon, where an Israeli military presence remains.

The FCDO says future airstrikes on the southern suburbs cannot be ruled out. The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary, reissued on 23 October 2026, says drone and missile strikes can happen throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, and calls the Dahiyeh and areas of southern Beirut very dangerous.

Where the no-go zones are

As of 10 August 2026, the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary advises against all travel to:

• the southern suburbs: Haret Hraik, Burj al Barajneh, Ghobeiry, Chiyah (south and west of the Rizkallah Semaan road), Mraije and Laylaki;
• Tariq el Jdideh and the area east of it, as far as the war cemetery and Horsh park, and Jnah south of El Imam Mousa El Sader street;
• the Golf Club of Lebanon, and all areas west of Camille Chamoun Boulevard on the road through Hadath to the airport.

Route 51, the road from central Beirut to Rafic Hariri International Airport, is excluded, and the airport is open. Canada says roads to the airport still close at times because of strikes and clashes, so check before you leave and allow extra time. The FCDO list does not name Hamra, Achrafieh or the downtown area, which lie north of these districts, but the boundaries are drawn street by street, so check the FCDO map before you book.

Kidnapping, guns and taxis

Lebanon's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary of 2.64 per 100,000 people in 2024 (UNODC) is moderate, but weapons are common, the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says, and groups such as Hezbollah hold arms beyond state control. Arguments can turn into shootings. Celebratory gunfire is illegal but widespread and causes casualties every year; if you hear shots, get inside and away from windows. Both the US and UK warn that foreigners, including tourists, may be kidnapped.

Most crime against visitors is theft. The US names purse snatching and pickpocketing. Taxis carry a specific risk: the FCDO reports armed robberies and attacks on passengers in shared "service" taxis, and advises using only taxis from recognised companies or booked through your hotel, never ones hailed on the street. Avoid demonstrations, which happen often in Beirut and can turn violent.

At night, cash and hospitals

Only 52% of people in Lebanon told Gallup in 2025 that they feel safe walking alone at night. Power cuts leave streets dark, and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary reports sexual harassment and assault in public places. Carry a torch, keep your phone charged and take a booked taxi after dark rather than walking through quiet streets.

The economic crisis shapes everything else. Many businesses do not take cards, and US dollars are the main currency, so bring enough cash for your whole stay. Care in Beirut's private hospitals has stabilised, the FCDO says, but most demand a large cash deposit before admitting a patient, even in an emergency. Cholera cases have been reported, so drink bottled water. Air quality data is old: the WHO database's latest figure for Beirut is 19 µg/m³ of PM2.5PM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary in 2016, almost four times the guideline.

How we scored it

Natural hazards (70) and theft and scams (65) are Beirut's strongest factors. Violent crime (40) is the weakest, because we fold the 2026 strikes, kidnapping risk and gun violence into it. Walking at night (55) follows Gallup's low national share and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary's warnings about dark streets and harassment. The weighted average of the factors is 55, but the overall score is capped at 45 (Lebanon's conflict score of 10 + 35): a city cannot score above its country's conflict ceiling, because missiles and attacks do not stop at city limits.