Lebanon's small size makes Beirut an excellent base for day trips. Most destinations are within 1-2 hours by car.
Beiteddine and Deir el Qamar -- The most popular day trip. The road south through the Chouf Mountains is beautiful, with views over terraced hillsides. Stop at Deir el Qamar, a scenic historic town, before continuing to the magnificent Palace of Beiteddine. Allow a full day.
Byblos (Jbeil) -- 40 minutes north of Beirut, one of the oldest cities in the world. Walk the Crusader castle, explore the Phoenician excavations, browse the souk, and have lunch at the old harbour. An easy half-day trip.
Jounieh and Harissa -- 20 minutes north of Beirut. Take the cable car (Telepherique) from the bay up to the Harissa hilltop for panoramic views and the statue of the Virgin of Lebanon.
Jeita Grotto -- A spectacular system of limestone caves 20 km north of Beirut in the Nahr al-Kalb valley. The upper grotto is visited on foot; the lower grotto by boat. Some of the largest stalactites in the world. Closed Mondays.
Baalbek -- A longer day trip (about 1.5 hours each way) but absolutely worth it for the Roman temples. Allow at least half a day at the site. The road crosses the Mount Lebanon range and descends into the Bekaa Valley.
Castle Mousa -- Near Deir el Qamar, a castle built single-handedly by a man obsessed with the medieval. Quirky and entertaining, especially if you have children along.
The Cedars -- The ancient cedar grove on Mount Makmal near Bcharre. A long day trip (2+ hours each way) but combines well with a visit to the Qadisha Valley and the Gibran Museum.