Metn · guide
The Metn hills: Roman ruins, pine towns, views of Beirut
A weekend in the hills above Beirut: Beit Mery's Roman ruins, pine-covered Broummana, Baabdat and Bikfaya, and 11 chalets to stay in.
Come between early May and mid-October, when the hill towns above Beirut are in their summer season. The Metn hills are the quickest way out of the capital: Beit Mery is only 16 km away, with views over the city and the sea and the ruins of a Roman temple, and Broummana, Baabdat and Bikfaya sit a little further up among the pines.
Where to stay
We list 11 stays in the Metn, almost all chalets. They suit a weekend of walks, long lunches and views.
The Rose Journey Chalet and the Laurel Journey Chalet are two to start with.
The Verbena Memoir Chalet and the Ivory Cadence Chalet are two more. See all of them on the Metn page.
Stay in Metn
All 8+ places →Booked directly with the host. No service fee, a real person on WhatsApp.
What to see: Beit Mery
Beit Mery sits on a hill 700 to 750 metres above sea level, with views of the Beirut peninsula and the Mediterranean coast, says Wikipedia. It is only 16 km from Beirut.
The town has the ruins of a Roman temple at Deir El Qalaa. The Monastery of Saint John the Baptist was built there by Maronite monks in 1750, and it includes Roman ruins from the first century AD.
What to see: Broummana
Broummana sits on a pine-forested hill between about 600 and 775 metres, with views over Beirut and the coast, according to Wikipedia. Pines line its streets, and it has long been a summer destination.
Broummana High School was founded by the Quaker Theophilus Waldmeier in 1873, and it gave the town some English traditions, such as five o'clock tea.
What to see: Baabdat and Bikfaya
Baabdat is 22 km from Beirut and rises from 600 to 1,100 metres. Pine and oak forests surround the village, with room to hike and picnic. Saint Mamas Church dates from the 16th century, per Wikipedia.
Bikfaya lies at 900 to 1,000 metres, about 25 km from Beirut. Its Festival of Flowers has attracted visitors since 1934, with decorated vehicles, bands and bazaars, and Mar Abda Church dates from 1587, according to Wikipedia.
When to go
Summer is the classic season: Broummana's climate section runs from early May to mid-October. Beit Mery hosts the Al Bustan festival at the theatre of the Al Bustan Hotel each year, so check its programme before you plan around a date, and bring a warm layer for the evenings up in the hills.
How to get there
For Baabdat and Broummana, take the Emile Lahoud highway from Nahr el Mot and leave at the Baabdat exit, as Lebanon Traveler describes. For Beit Mery, the Mkalles roundabout is the easiest way up.
Not sure which place suits you? Tell El M3allem your dates and group size, and we will find a chalet close to the village you want.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit the Metn hills?
Early May to mid-October, which Wikipedia gives as Broummana's summer season. Bikfaya's Festival of Flowers has run since 1934, and the Al Bustan festival is held at Beit Mery's Al Bustan Hotel each year.
How far are the Metn hill towns from Beirut?
Beit Mery is 16 km from Beirut, Baabdat 22 km and Bikfaya about 25 km, according to Wikipedia.
What is there to see in Beit Mery?
The ruins of a Roman temple at Deir El Qalaa, where Maronite monks built the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in 1750 among first-century Roman remains, and views of the Beirut peninsula and the coast.
Where can I stay in the Metn hills?
Lebanon Rental lists more than ten stays in the Metn, almost all of them chalets.