Batroun

Batroun sits on the coast about 50 km north of Beirut, roughly an hour's drive outside rush hour. It is one of the oldest towns on the Lebanese coast, and you can still see the Phoenician sea wall that protected its harbour.

In summer the town fills up with people heading to its beach clubs and rocky swimming spots, where the water is some of the clearest on the coast. Evenings are spent in the old souk, around Saint Stephen's church by the port, and in the bars and restaurants that keep the town busy late into the night. Do not leave without a glass of Batroun's famous fresh lemonade.

A chalet in Batroun suits friends and couples who want the sea by day and a night out after. Families often prefer a villa in the hills just above town, which are quieter and cooler at night while still being minutes from the beach. Short trips take you to the Mseilha Fort on its rock, the villages of the Batroun hills and the wineries of the area.

Best time to go: June to September for the beach, May and October for quieter, warm weekends. Book summer weekends early: Batroun is in high demand from July to August.