Cyprus set to launch ferry route to Lebanon

Cyprus is preparing to open a new maritime passenger route to Lebanon, reviving a connection between two eastern Mediterranean neighbors just 180 miles apart.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed the development to The Cyprus Mail, saying that private investors have already expressed readiness to operate the service. “We, of course, support such a venture, as we want to continue improving the island’s connectivity,” Vafeades said.

Permissions and logistical arrangements have reportedly been finalized between ferry operators and port authorities on both sides. The proposed route would link the southern Cypriot port of Larnaca with Jounieh, a coastal city just north of Beirut, in a crossing expected to take around four hours.

The initiative follows the recent revival of a seasonal ferry service between Cyprus and Greece, and is part of a broader effort to reestablish maritime links across the region.

Jounieh, known for its Mediterranean shoreline, nightlife, and cable car to the mountaintop shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, is expected to attract both leisure and pilgrimage travelers. The city’s proximity to Beirut also makes it a strategic point of entry for tourists and returning nationals.

Under Lebanon’s current visa policy, citizens of the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Russia, Australia, and Turkey are eligible for 30-day tourist visas upon arrival—so long as their passports do not contain Israeli entry stamps.

Cyprus’s Deputy Shipping Minister, Maria Hadjimanoli, has previously emphasized the importance of ferry services for travelers who face difficulties flying, whether due to health, age, or personal preferences. 

The service to Lebanon, she suggested, could play a key role in supporting inclusive mobility and regional engagement.

No launch date has been officially announced, but discussions between investors and authorities appear to be in advanced stages.