Don't come here expecting sprawling temples like Baalbek; instead, you get a rare look at an 8th-century Umayyad commercial hub with remarkably preserved street grids. Spend an hour wandering the limestone ruins and checking out the carved floral details on the gate. It makes the most sense to book a combined small-group tour from Beirut that bundles this with Baalbek and a winery visit. Bring a hat—there is zero shade in this open field.
