Weekend Getaway from Beirut: 2 Days in North Lebanon
A weekend getaway from Beirut: 2 days in North Lebanon at Horizon Pines, Kobayat. The drive, a two-night plan, what to pack, and what a chalet weekend costs.
Weekend Getaway from Beirut: The Drive
A disclosure first: we run Horizon Pines, a camping and glamping site in Kobayat, Akkar, so this is our plan for a weekend with us. It is also the plan we would give anyone looking for a weekend getaway from Beirut that feels properly away.
Kobayat is about 2 hours from Beirut, roughly 135 to 140 km. You take the Tripoli highway, carry on through Halba, and then climb into the mountains. Tripoli is about 30 minutes away, so if you are coming from the north it is even shorter. The last stretch of road is a little rough, but an ordinary car manages it; no 4x4 is needed. The property is gated, and parking inside the grounds is free.
Before you leave: fill up with fuel on the way, do your main food shop before the mountain road, bring drinking water (the tap water on site is not drinkable), carry some cash for smaller shops, and download offline maps, because signal is weaker away from the village.
Check-in is from 3:00 PM, and late arrivals are possible until 10:00 PM. If you leave Beirut around midday on Friday or Saturday, you arrive with time to unpack, walk the forest paths and light the grill before dark. If you need an earlier arrival, ask us; it may be possible depending on availability, sometimes at an extra charge.
The road climbs through pine forest into Akkar; the site sits inside the trees at about 1,100 metres, with pitches on stone terraces.
2 Days in North Lebanon: A Simple Plan
The site is built into the existing pine forest at about 1,100 metres, with stone paths, terraces and outdoor seating rather than cleared ground. Here is how two days usually go.
Evening one: settle in, then cook. Guests bring and cook their own food, using the fire pits, BBQ stations, the shared kitchen area and the covered meal area. We do not cater ourselves, but we can put you in touch with local caterers if you would rather not cook; ask us when you book. After dinner, look up: the night sky here is dark and the stargazing is good. Bring a warm layer, because nights are cooler than on the coast. Quiet time starts at 11:30 PM.
Day two: walk the forest paths around the site in the morning, which is the easiest walking. For something longer, the Qammouaa area and the Beino reserve are two names you will hear locally; ask locally about current access and conditions before you plan a visit. Our hiking guide explains more, and lebanontrail.org is the source for Lebanon Mountain Trail routes. In the afternoon, visit some of Kobayat's churches (Mar Gerges Chwita is right next to the site) or just sit under the pines with a book. Our list of things to do in Kobayat and Akkar has more ideas.
Evening two: another fire, another long dinner, and an early night if you want one. In summer, check whether a Kobayat Festival night falls on your weekend.
Coming as a couple? Our romantic weekend guide covers that, and we can help set up something for an anniversary, birthday or proposal if you ask when booking. Bringing the dog? Quiet pets are welcome in all our stays; see pet-friendly stays in Kobayat.
Dinner on the grill, the stone fire pit for the evening, and the lights of Kobayat after dark.
A Chalet Weekend in Lebanon, or a Yurt?
Many of our guests first went looking for a chalet weekend in Lebanon. We do not have chalets to rent yet; we are building some now, and you can ask on WhatsApp about when they will open. What people usually book instead is a yurt, because it covers what they wanted from a chalet.
A Premium Yurt has a real double bed plus a sofa that converts to a second double, a private bathroom with hot shower, a kitchenette with a fridge, a kettle and a sink, and a private terrace in the pines. Bed linen and towels are provided. It sleeps 4 adults, or up to 6 when two are children. Two nights cost $240 in total ($120 per night for 2 nights or more).
A Lotus Belle tent is a furnished canvas glamping tent with a porch facing the pines, with a private bathroom and hot shower next door. Two nights cost $120 in total ($60 per night). Bedding is provided; bring your own towels.
What to pack: a warm layer, walking shoes or shoes with grip, drinking water, your groceries, a torch, and chargers (there is 24-hour solar electricity and good 4G, but no Wi-Fi).
Booking: directly by WhatsApp or phone. A 50% deposit reserves the stay, and cancellations are accepted at least 7 days before arrival. We accept cash, OMT, Whish, PayPal and Wise. We are open from roughly April to October.
On Sunday, check out by 11:00 AM and you are back in Beirut in about 2 hours. For a wider look at stay types, see where to stay in Kobayat and Akkar.
Planning a stay? See the yurts or ask us about availability on WhatsApp.
A glamping tent with its own outdoor seating under the pines, a base for a two-night weekend.