Moon Phase Today in Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut sits at 33.8° North on a peninsula jutting into the eastern Mediterranean, where the moon rises over the snow-ridged peaks of Mount Lebanon and tracks west toward open water. At this latitude the lunar arc climbs at a noticeably shallower angle than near the equator, giving the moon a longer, more gradual rise above the coastline. Near the horizon, atmospheric haze off the sea can give it a warm, amber cast before it clears into a sharp silver disc over the bay. The limestone sea stacks of Raouche and the blue-tiled domes of the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque both catch the lunar light in their own way — pale stone against dark water, glazed tile against open sky. Use the live calculator below for tonight's exact phase, illumination, and moonrise time for Beirut.
Best Places to View the Moon in Beirut
Beirut sits at 33.8° North on a triangular peninsula jutting into the eastern Mediterranean, a city where the sky is defined by the flat sea and the 3,000-meter ridges of Mount Lebanon. During winter, the moon often rises above the snow-covered peaks to the east and sets directly into the Mediterranean to the west. From the prehistoric sea stacks of Raouche to the Ottoman minarets of downtown, Beirut rewards the observer who utilizes its vibrant rooftop culture to capture the lunar disc as it clears the layers of Phoenician, Roman, and French Mandate history.
Raouche (Pigeon Rocks)
A prominent natural landmark featuring two massive limestone sea stacks rising from the Mediterranean. This is the premier spot for moonsets, where the lunar disc descends behind the rock formations and into the sea. The clifftop promenade provides an unobstructed westward horizon and is lined with terraces that remain active until late evening. Reached easily from central Beirut; a favorite for local photographers. Free and accessible 24/7.
Corniche Al Manara
Beirut's celebrated seafront promenade. The moon reflects in the open Mediterranean, casting a shimmering path across the water that stretches to the horizon. The distinctive Manara lighthouse and the perches of local fishermen provide a dynamic, grounded foreground. This is the city's main public walkway, ideal for open-sky tripod photography where the sea breeze keeps the air clear. Safe and lively during the evening hours.
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque
For an urban architectural shot, the downtown plaza near Martyrs' Square is ideal. The moon rises over the eastern hills, silhouetting the five blue-tiled domes and four 65-meter minarets. The amber sandstone of the mosque reflects the lunar glow with warmth. This central location captures the contrast between the city's ancient Roman ruins and its ongoing modern reconstruction.
Harissa – Our Lady of Lebanon
Located 27km north at an elevation of 650m. Reached by the Téléférique gondola, this mountain shrine offers a massive panorama. The moon rises over the Mount Lebanon ridges behind the bronze statue, illuminating the entire Bay of Jounieh below. Check current Téléférique operating hours before visiting, as they change seasonally. Free access to the shrine grounds.
Gemmayzeh & Mar Mikhael
The city's social heart on the eastern slope. From many rooftop terraces, you have an elevated view looking West over the old city and the Mediterranean. This is a popular place to share a moonrise with Beirut's nightlife. The 1920s French Mandate villas and the silhouette of the port provide a rich, textured foreground for wide-angle night cityscapes.
National Museum Forecourt
Located at the historic "Green Line," the National Museum neoclassical building provides a structured architectural vantage. The moon rises over the eastern residential hills, silhouetting the ochre limestone facade. It offers a quieter experience away from the coastline, highlighting the textured stone of the museum's exterior under a silver sky.
Best Times for Moon Photography
Quick Photography Tips
The moon phase today in Beirut is shown in detail below — complete with exact illumination percentage, moonrise/set times, and the best local spots to see it. For the moon phase today in any other city worldwide, visit our Dynamic Moon Phase Calculator on the home page.
What the Experience Actually Feels Like
There is a specific, high-energy majesty to a moonrise in Beirut. Standing on a rooftop in Mar Mikhael as the sun dips behind the Mediterranean, you hear the distant chorus of the city—the thrum of traffic, the rhythmic lap of the sea, and the Adhan (Call to Prayer) echoing from the mosques. The air often carries the scent of sea salt and jasmine. When the moon finally clears the line of Mount Lebanon, the city’s complex skyline begin to glow with a cool, silver counterpoint.
In winter, the experience is crystalline and sharp. When the peaks are snow-capped, the mountain air is often so clear that the moon appears to have a physical texture, its craters silhouetting the bronze statue at Harissa. From the heights of the Keserwan hills, the bay of Jounieh looks like a living map, with the moon guiding the eye along the dark curve of the coast. It is a moment of stillness that makes the city's daytime energy feel like a distant memory.
Summer nights are softer and more social. On the Corniche, the moonrise is shared with thousands of locals enjoying the evening walk. The ripples from passing boats catch the moonlight, creating shattered, golden ribbons on the black water. Standing on the clifftops at Raouche as the moon touches the horizon is a cinematic experience where the natural geometry of the sea stacks meets the math of the solar system—a reminder that in Beirut, history and the heavens are inseparable.
"The moon clears the line of Mount Lebanon, and the city’s complex skyline begins to glow with a cool, silver counterpoint. It is a moment where history and the heavens are inseparable."
Your Beirut Moon Chase Checklist
Before You Go
- Check the moonrise time on this page — remember that Mount Lebanon will delay the visual rise for those on the coast
- Rooftop Access: Popular venues in Gemmayzeh fill up early; book a table with a clear view at least 48 hours ahead
- Download PhotoPills or Stellarium to track the exact arc relative to the Raouche Rocks or the mosque minarets
- Check the sea haze forecast; high humidity in summer can soften the moon at the horizon significantly
- Note the Téléférique: Operating hours change seasonally; confirm current times before heading to Jounieh
What to Bring
- A telephoto lens (200mm+) to "compress" the moon behind the Pigeon Rocks or the Harissa statue
- Humidity protection — a small lens cleaning cloth is essential as the salt air can create a film on your gear
- A remote shutter release or use a 2-second timer to avoid tripod shake in the persistent coastal breeze
- Spare camera batteries — long night sessions and the chill at Harissa summit drain power quickly
- Light layers — even in summer, the temperature at the mountain summit of Harissa can be lower than the city
- Sturdy walking shoes for the steep "stairs of Mar Mikhael" and the rocky edges of the Corniche
On the Night
- Arrive at your viewpoint 45 minutes early; the Blue Hour transition over the Mediterranean is a peak moment
- Focus manually on the moon’s edge; the flickering city lights and neon signs can often confuse autofocus systems
- Bracket your exposures — take one for the bright lunar disc and one for the darker shadows of the limestone cliffs
- At the Corniche, move away from the main street lamps to minimize lens flare in your lunar compositions
- Stay for 20 minutes after moonrise; the composition sharpens as the moon clears the lower horizon marine layer