It is about one and a half hours from Beirut. It is also the seat of government for the Beqaa.
All amenities are available there, with hotels, good shopping and souvenir shops.
Zahle's many beautiful old houses can be appreciated on a leisurely walk around the town. The main attraction, however, is the Bardaouni river, which flows out of Mount Sannine through a wooded gorge shut in between tall perpendicular rocks. Along this branch of the Litani river, there is one open-air restaurant after another. All are protected from the sun by awnings and leafy trees, while streams, fountains and pools cool the air. Zahle is the town of the mezze which is a variety of more than thirty different dishes,and of arak , the aniseed alcohol.