Bring a valid passport, organize your travel paperwork, sort phone data before you land, carry flexible payment options, and pack lightweight layers. Add a small daypack, power adapter, basic medicines, and respectful clothing for heritage sites. With these essentials handled, you’ll spend your time discovering—not troubleshooting.
1) Documents & Planning
- Passport & copies: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport photo page, itinerary, and confirmations.
- Flight & accommodation details: Save offline PDFs/screenshots so you can access them without data.
- Emergency contacts: Store key numbers (local hosts, your embassy, on-trip support) in your phone and on paper.
- Travel insurance details: Keep policy number and hotline handy for medical or logistical support.
2) Phone, SIM & Staying Connected
Reliable connectivity makes navigation, translation, and reservations easier. Decide before departure whether you’ll use roaming or an eSIM/SIM. Pre-downloaded offline maps and a translation app are simple, high-impact wins. Keep a compact power bank in your daypack and charge overnight.
3) Money & Payment Basics
Bring a mix of cards and cash. ATMs and card acceptance can vary by neighborhood and merchant type. Keep small bills for tips, local cafés, and quick snacks. Split your funds so you’re not reliant on a single card, and store a backup in your hotel safe or a separate pocket.
4) Health, Hygiene & Comfort
- Medications: Pack personal prescriptions in original containers, plus extras for delays.
- Basic kit: Pain reliever, digestive aid, rehydration salts, bandages, antiseptic wipes.
- Sun & skin care: Sunscreen, lip balm, and a light moisturizer—especially if you plan full days outdoors.
- Hydration: A reusable bottle is useful during walks and day trips.
5) Clothing: Layers, Respect, and Versatility
Plan outfits in lightweight, breathable layers. City strolls, coastal evenings, and mountain air can each feel different in a single day. Choose versatile pieces you can mix and match and include one slightly dressier outfit for nicer dinners. When visiting religious or heritage sites, carry a scarf or light covering and opt for modest attire out of respect.
6) Footwear & Daypack
Bring one pair of comfortable walking shoes and, if you like, a second pair for evenings. A small daypack (or crossbody) holds your essentials: water, camera, sunscreen, and copies of your confirmations. Add a foldable tote for market finds or an extra layer.
7) Power & Tech Setup
- Universal adapter: A compact adapter handles varied sockets and keeps your phone and camera charged.
- Charging discipline: Top up devices every night and keep a small power bank for long days out.
- Offline prep: Download maps, translation packs, and your e-tickets to avoid hiccups if signal dips.
8) Getting Around Smoothly
Save your hotel’s address in your notes and maps. Screenshot key routes and any meeting points for tours. If you’re using ride-hailing or private drivers, pre-confirm pickup times, and share your live location with a travel companion. A few phrases in Arabic can go a long way; noting landmark names also helps your driver align quickly.
9) Dining, Water & Etiquette
- Restaurant pacing: Mealtimes can be leisurely; embrace the rhythm and savor the experience.
- Hydration: Keep water on hand during walking-heavy days, particularly in warmer months.
- Dress & respect: Smart-casual works almost everywhere; bring modest clothing for religious sites.
- Greetings & space: A friendly tone and patience go far; observe local cues for handshakes or cheek kisses.
10) Safety Mindset
As with any destination, use common-sense precautions: keep valuables secured, avoid flashing expensive items, and trust your instincts. Share your daily outline with a partner or your accommodation host, and keep a hotel card with the local phone number in your pocket.
Smart Packing List (First-Time Visitor)
- Documents: Passport, copies, insurance details, confirmations (saved offline).
- Phone kit: eSIM/SIM plan, power bank, universal adapter, charging cables.
- Clothing: Lightweight layers, modest outfit for sacred sites, one smarter evening look.
- Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes; optional evening pair.
- Health: Personal prescriptions, compact first-aid kit, sunscreen, hand sanitizer.
- Day gear: Small backpack or crossbody, reusable bottle, sunglasses, hat, scarf.
- Extras: Travel-sized umbrella, foldable tote, light jacket or shawl.
Timing & Season Tips
Weather varies by coast and mountains, so check forecasts the week before departure and adjust layers accordingly. Mornings are great for heritage sites and longer walks; afternoons can be lighter—gardens, galleries, tastings—followed by an evening neighborhood stroll or seaside pause. This everyday sequencing keeps energy steady and makes room for spontaneous moments.
How Fayad Travel Agency Helps First-Timers
New to the region? A design-led Travel Agency removes guesswork. We shape day-by-day flows that match your pace, pair you with personable guides and drivers, and maintain a concierge presence to smooth last-minute changes. If your journey includes Lebanon as a focus, we balance city walkabouts with coastal sunsets and mountain air, structuring each day for clarity and comfort. As a seasoned Beirut Travel Agency, we coordinate entries, timings, and tables that feel right for your style—so you experience more with less friction.
Example First-Day Flow
Morning: Easy heritage walk timed for soft light, café stop for a local pastry.
Midday: Scenic table secured in advance; unhurried lunch.
Afternoon: Light experience—gallery, garden, or artisan studio—plus downtime to reset your body clock.
Evening: Sunset viewpoint and a relaxed dinner close to your stay, with tomorrow’s plan quietly confirmed.
Key Takeaway
Preparation multiplies enjoyment. With the right documents, connectivity, clothing, and daypack essentials, first-time visitors travel confidently and focus on discovery. For those who prefer a hosted, seamless approach, Fayad Travel Agency designs clear, comfortable routes that showcase the best of the region—including memorable city, coast, and mountain chapters in Lebanon.
About Fayad Travel Agency
Fayad Travel Agency creates private, curated itineraries with evidence-based curation and on-trip concierge support. We balance depth and downtime so each day feels coherent and calm. Whether you’re planning a short city break or an extended route, we shape travel that trades stress for substance—and turns your first visit to Lebanon into a story you’ll be eager to continue.
