Jbeil (Byblos) combines a long history of settlement with its setting as a coastal city on a sandstone cliff. Its defining features include the archaeological site, the history of the Phoenician alphabet, the old souk, and the present-day harbor. The city center also has a public park, and the Saint John Mark Church stands in the old town. The city thus encompasses evidence from different eras as well as places that are part of urban life today.

From Early Settlement Traces to the Phoenician Alphabet

Byblos has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic period and bears witness to the beginnings of Phoenician civilization. The archaeological site preserves traces of successive settlements, from the earliest human settlement through the Middle Ages. It also includes a royal necropolis. These offer two distinct perspectives on the past: the city’s continuous settlement and the different phases preserved at the site. Byblos is also directly connected with the history and spread of the Phoenician alphabet. The inscriptions of Ahiram, Yehimilk, Elibaal, and Shaphatbaal anchor this connection in four named records.

Souk and Old Town

The old souk of Byblos was an Ottoman-era market consisting of several khans (inns), shops, and horse stables. Today, the souk has shops, workshops, and eateries. Its history as a market thus meets a contemporary mix of commerce, crafts, and places to eat. The Saint John Mark Church in Byblos’s old town was built during the Crusader period. It adds another era to the timeline, distinct from the Phoenician connections and the successive archaeological traces.

Coast, Harbor, and Public Spaces

A 360° virtual tour offers a glimpse of the present-day harbor of Byblos and its urban and coastal surroundings. Another 360° tour offers a glimpse of the remains of the L-Shaped Temple and the Sacred Basin within the archaeological site. If you plan to use these digital perspectives, check beforehand whether each tour is technically available. The practical difference lies in what each tour shows: the harbor tour features the harbor and its urban and coastal surroundings, while the other shows the remains of the L-Shaped Temple and the Sacred Basin within the archaeological site. Choose between the urban environment and specific archaeological areas based on your interests.

The public park in the center of Byblos has pedestrian and quiet areas, a small pond, a public outdoor gym, and a children’s playground. The park thus brings together areas for relaxation, exercise, and play. This focus differs from the historical themes of the archaeological site and the old souk.

Find Hotels in Jbeil to Match Your Travel Interests

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For the main travel overview: Mount Lebanon.