Lebanon · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Beirut scores 20/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Lebanon, and Beirut in particular, is currently not safe for travelers. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Lebanon · Assessed 28 July 2026
20
/ 100
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.”
Updated 2026-05-21T09:11:01Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Lebanon: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist zones but can occur in isolated areas; avoid poorly lit streets after dark.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is frequent in crowded markets, public transport, and during protests; keep bags closed and valuables out of sight.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Extremely negative
44/100
Recent traveler reports and forum discussions describe widespread anxiety, canceled plans, and a sense of being viewed as a target, reflecting very low perceived safety on the ground.
No — Lebanon, and Beirut in particular, is currently not safe for travelers.
The composite safety index of 18/100 reflects a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments, driven by terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and weak rule of law. While homicide rates are low, crime perception, corruption, and institutional instability remain severe, and recent protests tied to political tensions pose a tangible risk to visitors.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Beirut is currently one of the most precarious destinations for travelers. The U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments all issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning, citing an unacceptable combination of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and a collapsing rule of law. While the homicide rate is relatively low—about 2.2 per 100,000 people, far below rates in Brazil or South Africa—the composite safety score of 18/100 reflects deeper, systemic risks that make the city unsafe for visitors. Recent protests in June 2026, including Hezbollah-led demonstrations against ceasefire talks and fuel tax protests that blocked major roads, illustrate how quickly the security environment can deteriorate. These events, documented by Middle East Eye, PBS, and Reuters, show that even areas frequented by tourists can become entangled in political violence without warning.
Pickpocketing is rated as High, especially in crowded souks, public transport hubs, and near popular landmarks. Travelers have reported bags being snatched during rush hour, and scams targeting tourists—such as overpriced taxi fares at Beirut Airport, fake charity collectors, and unregulated currency exchanges—are common. The consumer sentiment score of just 12 out of 100 underscores how few visitors feel safe; many describe a pervasive sense of vulnerability and anxiety, with some canceling trips altogether. Although air quality is moderate and extreme heat is manageable, the lack of reliable medical infrastructure and the presence of active conflict zones nearby mean that emergency response may be delayed or unreliable.
To stay as safe as possible, you must treat Beirut as a no-go zone. If you are already there, register with your embassy, avoid all demonstrations, and keep a low profile. Use only licensed transportation, never exchange money on the street, and keep your passport and valuables secured. Above all, heed the official advice: do not travel to Lebanon, and if you are already present, depart immediately while commercial options remain available. The situation remains fluid, and even seemingly calm periods can erupt into violence without notice. Your personal safety cannot be guaranteed, and the risks far outweigh any potential reward of visiting this city at this time.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Beirut districts for visitors, 6 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Beirut safety map.
Ashrafiyehavoidavoid — frequent protests and clashes with security forces, heightened risk of arbitrary detentions
Bourj Hammoudavoidavoid — frequent sectarian tensions and occasional armed clashes, especially at night
Gemmayzehcautioncaution — lively nightlife but occasional protests and road blockades reported in early July 2026
Achrafiehcautioncaution — commercial hub with frequent demonstrations and occasional clashes near government buildings
Hamracautioncaution — central shopping district, high foot traffic, risk of petty theft and occasional unrest after dark
Riad El Solhcautioncaution — government and financial district, generally stable but vulnerable to sudden protests and road closures
Mar Mikhaelcautioncaution — residential and arts area, occasional protests and occasional clashes reported in June 2026
Saifi Villagecautioncaution — upscale residential area, generally safe but watch for sporadic demonstrations near the city center
07 · After Dark
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist zones but can occur in isolated areas; avoid poorly lit streets after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Ashrafiyeh, Bourj Hammoud, Gemmayzeh, Achrafieh. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
No — Lebanon, and Beirut in particular, is currently not safe for travelers. The composite safety index of 18/100 reflects a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canadian governments, driven by terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and weak rule of law. While homicide rates are low, crime perception, corruption, and institutional instability remain severe, and recent protests tied to political tensions pose a tangible risk to visitors. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Beirut report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Field research flags Ashrafiyeh, Bourj Hammoud as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Beirut ranks #1 of 5 Lebanon destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Lebanon safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
Browse the Lebanon safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: beirut.json (CC BY 4.0).
