🌌 Jeita Grotto – Lebanon’s Underground Masterpiece

📍 Location: Jeita, Keserwan District, Mount Lebanon
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: April – November

---

🧭 Two Magical Worlds Inside the Grotto

🔹 Upper Grotto (Walking Tour)

• Highlights: World’s longest stalactite (8.2 meters), huge galleries, glittering formations

• Duration: ~40-minute walk on a safe pathway

• Vibe: Dreamlike silence, dimly lit, ideal for slow-paced exploration

• Note: Cameras and phones are not allowed—enjoy the experience unplugged

🔹 Lower Grotto (Boat Ride)

• Highlights: A silent boat ride across a turquoise underground river

• Duration: 10–15 minutes

• Vibe: Surreal and calm, like floating through a magical movie scene

• Open in: Dry months only (April to November)

---

🚠 Extras & Attractions on Site

• Cable Car Ride: Soar above pine valleys to the grotto entrance

• Mini Train Shuttle: Scenic ride between lower and upper grotto entrances

• Film Room: Watch a short documentary about how the grotto was discovered

• Gardens & Sculptures: Relax and take pictures in landscaped outdoor areas

---

🎟️ Visitor Info

• Opening Days: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed Mondays)

• Hours: ~9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (may vary seasonally)

• Ticket Includes: Both grottos, cable car, train, film screening

• Price: ~$10 USD (for adults)

---

🍽️ Where to Eat Nearby

• Le Teleferique Restaurant – Gorgeous terrace dining with mountain views

• Al Ferdaws – Traditional Lebanese dishes in a river valley garden

• Abou Joseph (Zouk Mosbeh) – Local favorite for quick mezze & grilled meats

---

🏞️ Perfect Nearby Add-ons

• Our Lady of Lebanon – Harissa (20 min drive): Panoramic views & religious site

• Jounieh Bay: Cafés, jet ski rentals, and sunset strolls

• Nahr el Kalb River: Ancient inscriptions and riverside beauty

---

📸 Best Photo Moments

• Jeita Grotto letter sign at the entrance

• The cable car rising through the pines

• Sculpted garden views over the valley

• The outer cave entrance framed by stone and greenery
  (Interior photography is not allowed – so soak it in fully while you’re there!)

---

🚗 Getting There

• From Beirut: ~18 km (30–40 mins by car)

• Parking: On-site and secure

• Public Transit: Not direct—best to rent a car or book a guided tour

---

🧳 Insider Tips

• Arrive before 11:00 AM to beat the crowds

• Dress in layers—it's cool (16°C) inside year-round

• Wear non-slip shoes; the paths can be slightly wet

• Don't bring large bags—lockers are available but limited

• Jeita is family-friendly, but not wheelchair-accessible

---

🌍 Did You Know?

• The water from Jeita’s lower cave feeds Beirut’s main freshwater supply

• It was a finalist in the global New 7 Wonders of Nature competition

• Its name comes from Aramaic “Ge’itta” meaning “roaring water”