Libya

What to see

Tripoli

Atmospheric capital city full of heritage, with narrow alleys, grand mosques, colourful souks and traditional khans, public houses, full of bustling, burbling life. The architecture is a mix of Turkish, Spanish, Maltese and Italian, reflecting the country’s previous rulers. Above the city stands the imposing Red Castle, Assai al-Hamra, alongside which is an interesting museum full of mosaics, statues and artefacts.

Tolmeta

A coastal city dating from ancient Greece that houses some exceptional mosaics in its museums.

Nalut

This old town, full of Berber architecture, stands perched atop the Jebel Nafusa, close to the border with Tunisia.

Ghadames

Close to the border with Algeria, this enchanted oasis and caravan town set in the Sahara has wonderfully preserved traditional houses and labyrinthine streets.

Jebel Acacus

Dark basalt monoliths jut out of the Saharan sands in this surreal World Heritage listed landscape, home to the Tuareg, which conceals prehistoric rock paintings and carvings.

Ubari Lakes

An attractive Saharan salt-water lake encircled by towering sand dunes and fringed by palm trees.

Top experiences / sites of particular interest

Leptis Magna

The finest Roman site in the Mediterranean, this fascinating archaeological ruin at the mouth of the Wadi Lebda is all that remains of one of the greatest cities of antiquity, a port built by the Phoenicians and then augmented by the Romans. Preserved perfectly by the encroaching desert sands, the site remains splendid and includes breathtaking features such as the grand Severan Arch and marble and granite lined Hadrianic Baths, an impressive amphitheatre and a forum complex.

Sabratha

A splendid Roman city that is home to the finest theatre in the world.

Cyrene

A former Greek city, the sophisticated, extravagant hilltop site features temples and tombs and a theatre modelled on those at Delphi. A colonnaded main street bears images of Hermes and Hercules, whilst the Temple of Zeus and Cyrene’s museum are packed with artefacts.

Tobruk

The British Desert Rat forces were garrisoned here during World War II and involved in fierce fighting. There are four war graves and cemeteries here that make a poignant pilgrimage.

Wadi Methkandoush

The finest open air gallery in the country, deep within the desert, where you can stroll amidst 12,000-year-old rock carvings.

When to go

Weather & Seasons: Libya has a changeable climate. The summers can be very hot and dry, especially in the desert where temperatures can reach 50˚C. However, nights in the desert can see temperatures plunge and drop to subfreezing. The coast is typically hot and humid with temperatures around 30˚C. There are higher chances of sandstorms during April. Cooler temperatures are enjoyed between October and March – the best time to visit is October to November.

Important Dates and Festivals: There are a number of Islamic festivals that Libya celebrates. Ramadan, the month of fasting, is the most important. Revolution Day on 23 July is significant and the annual Date Harvest Festival in October is also a major event.

Getting there / around

Flights: There are internationalairports in Tripoli (TIP), Benghazi (BEN) and Sebha (SEB). A few internal flights operate between the major city centres.

Road:The usual means of travel is aboard buses or shared taxis, which cover most of the country.Travel restrictions mean that people have to travel with a Libyan travel company and ‘guide’, although an organised group can be as small as a single person and you are able to design your own itinerary.

Potential itineraries

Short Trips: Explore Libya’s ancient cities in a little over a week by starting in Tripoli and visiting Sabratha and Leptis Magna before flying to Benghazi in order to explore Tolmeta, Cyrene and Apollonia before flying back to Tripoli.

Longer Trips:In two weeks, you can immerse yourself in the desert by driving south in a 4WD vehicle from Tripoli to Nalut and Ghadames before pushing into the Sahara to reach the Ubari Lakes, Wadi Methkandoush and finally Jebel Acacus, before turning north to drive to Sebha from where you can pick up a flight back to Tripoli. A two-week trip in well-equipped vehicles would also allow you to explore the remote southeast, but you’ll need experienced desert guides to complete this tour.

Guides

Overall Country Guides:Lonely Planet produces the most comprehensive guidebook for Libya. There are also more compact guidebooks for Libya available from Thomas Cook and Berlitz. The Kuperard Libya Culture Smart guide is a handy look at customs and etiquette in the country.

Local Dishes

Eat fresh seafood pulled from the Mediterranean in Tripoli and drink three glasses of strong, sweet mint tea with the Tuareg, sat around a Saharan campfire.

Sight & Sound

Music: Malouf is a traditional Andalusian music form that has been grafted onto Africa and now accompanies many of the festivities in Libya.

Film: The legendary guerrilla war waged by Omar al-Mokhtar against the occupying Italian forces is documented in Lion of the Desert, a film by Libyan Moustapha Akkad.

Language

Arabic

Currency

Libyan dinar (LD), made up of 1000 dirhams.

Visas

All visitors require a visa in order to enter the country although obtaining them can be a bureaucratic nightmare.

Health issues

issues Hep A, hep B, rabies, typhoid and yellow fever inoculations are recommended. Malaria is also present in some parts of the country.

Safety, FO travel advice

The current situation in Libya is volatile. Any potential visitors should follow advice from the relevant government department(s).

Useful Telephone Numbers

Libyan country representatives can be found

In the UK at

and in the US at

There are no tourist boards in either country.

For more information visit www.libyan-embassy.co.uk, www.libyaonline.com or www.sukra-travel.com.