A Real Look at the Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos Private Tour

So, you’re thinking about a trip to Lebanon, right? And, you’ve probably seen the classic day trip pop up everywhere: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos. Well, I was in the same boat, actually staying in Beirut and wanting to see some of the country’s biggest hits without the headache of figuring out transportation. To be honest, I decided to book a private tour for 2025 to see these places, and I’m here to give you the real story on what it was like. You know, I just wanted a simple day where everything was kind of taken care of. At the end of the day, going with a private option felt like a good call for a pretty full-on day of sightseeing.

What a Private Day Tour Actually Feels Like

Okay, so the biggest plus of this whole thing is obviously the ease of it all. As I was saying, there’s no haggling with taxis or trying to make sense of a bus schedule that, frankly, can be a little confusing for visitors. Instead, a very friendly driver just shows up at your hotel in a really comfortable, air-conditioned car. It’s pretty much like having a local pal for the day who, by the way, knows all the backroads and the best times to go places. Anyway, that feeling of setting off in the morning, knowing the whole day is just about enjoying yourself, is a little bit of a weight off your shoulders. We set off from Beirut, and in that case, the drive itself was a nice way to see the coastline as we headed north. Seriously, you just sit back and watch the country go by your window.

First Stop: The Really Amazing Jeita Grotto

Our first stop was Jeita Grotto, and honestly, pictures just don’t capture it. As a matter of fact, as you walk towards the caves, you can feel the air get a little cooler and fresher. Stepping inside the upper grotto is like entering another planet, you know? It’s all lit up to show these massive stone formations that have been growing for, like, thousands and thousands of years. They’re called stalactites and stalagmites, and they just hang from the ceiling and grow from the floor in these really wild shapes. You walk along a path that is just a bit windy, taking it all in. Then, for the lower grotto, you get on a small electric boat. It’s so quiet down there. Actually, all you can hear is the soft hum of the boat and the water dripping. The way the light reflects off the water and onto the rock formations is just something else; it’s a bit spooky but mostly just very, very cool.

A Quick Tip for Visiting Jeita

So, a quick heads up: you can’t take your phone or camera inside the grottos. At first, you might be a little disappointed, right? But they have these free lockers where you can store your stuff securely. In some respects, it turned out to be a good thing. It kind of forces you to just be present and actually look at everything with your own eyes instead of through a screen. Basically, you’ll just have to trust your memory for this part of the trip. Also, you do a fair bit of walking, so definitely wear some comfortable shoes. You’ll be happy you did, for sure.

Going Up to Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon

After the caves, our driver took us to the “Teleferique,” which is a really fancy word for a cable car. This thing takes you way up a mountain to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. Honestly, the cable car ride itself is a big part of the fun. You get these totally incredible views of the bay of Jounieh below. The water is so blue, and the city spreads out beneath you—it’s just a little bit breathtaking. When you finally get to the top, it’s very peaceful. The main attraction is this huge white statue of Mary, and you can actually climb a spiral staircase up to the base of it. The view from there is arguably even better. There’s a big, modern-looking cathedral behind the statue, too, and the whole place just has this very calm and quiet feeling. It’s a really nice change of pace after the morning’s adventure.

Walking Through Time in Old Byblos (Jbeil)

Our last stop of the day was the city of Byblos, or Jbeil as it’s known in Arabic. You know, this place is often called one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and you can really feel it. We started by wandering through the old souk, which is basically a market with all these little stone alleyways. The shops sell everything from traditional crafts to spices, and it’s a pretty neat place to just browse. After that, we went into the main archaeological site. You can explore a Crusader castle from the 12th century, and right next to it are ruins from the Phoenicians that are thousands of years older. It’s almost crazy to think you’re walking on the same ground as people from so long ago. You can see Roman stuff and old houses; it’s more or less a big collection of history all in one spot.

Having Lunch by the Old Harbor

Naturally, after all that walking around, we were getting pretty hungry. A great thing about this tour is that the lunch stop is in Byblos, right by the picture-perfect old harbor. There are a bunch of restaurants there where you can sit outside and look at the water and the old fishing boats. Our driver suggested a spot, and we had a typical Lebanese lunch. I mean, we had all the good stuff: hummus, tabbouleh, flatbread, and some grilled chicken. Just sitting there, eating great food with that kind of view, was pretty much the perfect way to soak in the atmosphere of the place. It felt very relaxed and was just a nice, long break before heading back.

Why a Private Tour Just Made Sense

Looking back, going private was definitely the way to go, at least for me. The best part was just the flexibility. For example, if we wanted to stay a little longer at the top of Harissa or browse a few more shops in Byblos, it was no problem at all. We were totally on our own schedule, not a big group’s. Plus, having the car to ourselves meant we could leave our jackets and stuff in there, which was actually really convenient. You know, it just made the whole day smoother and a lot more personal. You get to ask your driver tons of questions, and you really get a better feel for the country. It’s obviously a bit of a bigger expense, but in that case, the experience was really worth it.

“At the end of the day, you get to see three of Lebanon’s most famous spots in a single day, all without any of the stress. It’s just a really well-organized way to experience so much history and natural beauty.”