Is Beirut Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Beirut offers a rich cultural experience with vibrant nightlife, delicious food, and historical scenes. However, for a solo female traveler, it's important to stay aware and vigilant. There are occasional political demonstrations and security issues that might affect safety. While locals are generally welcoming and respectful, noticeable sexism or harassment unfortunately can still be encountered. Therefore, it's best to dress modestly to respect the local culture and to avoid unnecessary attention. Always follow the local news and updates given by local authorities or your embassy.

Safety rating

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How safe is Beirut?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Unsafe

While Beirut has areas that are safe, and there are security forces present throughout the city, it is generally not recommended for solo female travelers to walk alone at night. Always be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when travelling after dark. It would be a wiser choice to use verified taxi services or public transportation during these hours.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Beirut's public transportation is somewhat reliable. Taxis, known as 'service taxis', and buses are the most popular forms of public transit. For taxis, the concept of sharing with other passengers is common, so be ready for that. Buses can be somewhat chaotic as timetables aren't strictly adhered to but they do cover a broad network. Both are generally regarded as safe but there may be instances of overcrowding and erratic driving. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and always negotiate taxi fares ahead of time.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

Beirut is generally considered safe for solo female travelers, but like most urban areas, street harassment can occur. Generally, it is limited to stares or undesirable comments, but these experiences vary considerably between individuals. Always be aware of your surroundings and be confident. Dress moderately to respect local customs. Trust your instinct, if a situation doesn't feel right, remove yourself. The Lebanese themselves are known for their warm hospitality, but it's always useful to know common phrases in Arabic to better communicate and possibly deter any potential harassers.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Beirut generally has a lower instance of petty crime compared to other major cities in the world. Nonetheless, attention should be given to personal belongings at all times, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots. Incidences of pickpocketing or bag snatching do occur, though they are not commonplace. As with all travel, maintaining a good awareness of your surroundings and avoiding isolated areas, especially at night, are fundamental precautions.

Is Beirut worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.9 /5

based on 3 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

3.1/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Solo travel

I have been in Beirut for two weeks and it is an amazing time. This city is full of energy, with lots of things to do, bars, clubs, parties, shops and restaurants. People here are very kind. I felt very safe.

Posted: August 1, 2023
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Solo travel

I went to Beirut alone in October of last year and felt safe the entire time. Beirut is a very diverse, lively city with old neighborhoods, but also with a huge amount of new investments and a myriad of great bars and restaurants that are opening there. Beirut was my base, from where I made day trips to Tripoli, Sidon and Tyre on local buses. I loved it and definitely want to go there again.

Posted: July 31, 2023
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Is Beirut safe for women?

Safety index

2.1 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

Crime index

1.9 /5

Based on 4 local experiences

I'd definitely not recommend walking alone at night, I'd almost always be harassed if I was walking alone even (or especially) if it was in a busy area like Mar Mkhayel/Hamra. During the day it's definitely safer but you'd still get approached by beggars/scammers/random people asking for money, they're mostly harmless if you choose to ignore them; some of them are actually really sweet and honest people who were just unlucky in life though, definitely be cautious still. With public transportation, some people may take advantage of foreigners and overcharge them, especially with taxis. With busses and mini busses I'm mostly worried about being robbed or pickpocketed but I'd say it's generally safe if caution is exercised; their passage/stops are also not well defined, you might need some help. As someone who's lived in Beirut my whole life, I love being here even with everything going on. People here are just so approachable and sweet, and its super easy to make friends.

Posted: November 24, 2024
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Tima

Tima

Oddly safe. Not what you’d expect, except for public transport. I use Ubers and Bolt to get around and the occasional cab, but cabs aren’t what they used to be. I don’t feel afraid walking alone at night.

Posted: July 27, 2024
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Meet locals in Beirut

Tala

Tala

About Me

Hey ladies! My name is Tala, I'm 31. I love traveling, languages and adventures! Looking for a safe space for a solo traveler and looking forward to meet other lovely ladies in my hometown or anywhere around the world 😊

Speaking

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Hiba

Hiba

About Me

I love travelling and meeting new people

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Safety in Lebanon