Ghadames old town, LibyaPhoto: Mohamed alazrak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Libya
Libya, made simple: Roman cities, Saharan oases and an honest look at safety
Libya holds some of the finest Roman and Greek ruins on earth, a long Mediterranean coast and the oasis town of Ghadames, yet very few travellers come. Government travel advice remains severe, so this guide is honest about the risks and clear about visas, cash and getting around, so that anyone who does go travels prepared.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyTravel advice, visas, insurance and cash, answered honestly
- LandingMitiga or Benina airport, checks and your first evening, explained
- Your days in LibyaMedinas, ruins and oases, planned with a licensed operator
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Honest about riskWe point you to current government travel advice before anything else.
- Official sourcesVisa, health and safety facts link to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain Libya's cash economy so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Libya is not an easy destination, and we will never pretend it is. We answer the hard questions plainly, so you can decide with clear eyes and, if you go, travel with confidence and find your Bliss.
Visiting family in Tripoli, Benghazi or Misrata after years away, or dreaming of Leptis Magna? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels manageable.
- Read the travel adviceStart with your government's current advice for Libya and check what your insurance will cover.
- Choose your LibyaTripoli's medina, the Roman coast, Greek Cyrene or the oasis of Ghadames: pick the destinations that fit.
- Sort the essentialsVisa through a licensed operator, cash, and local permissions, checked against official sources.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape realistic days and travel times.
Everything your Libya trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Tripoli, Benghazi, Leptis Magna, Cyrene and Ghadames, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred ruins, souks, cafés and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Tripoli and Benghazi and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Sights, food and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Libya trip
Rome, Greece and the Sahara
Most visitors base themselves in Tripoli, visit Leptis Magna and Sabratha on day trips, and, when conditions allow, fly east to Benghazi for Cyrene or travel to the oasis of Ghadames. A licensed local operator arranges the visa and the permissions.
- The medina and Red Castle of Tripoli
- Leptis Magna, almost empty of crowds
- Greek Cyrene on the Green Mountain
- The covered lanes of Ghadames
Start with the destinations
See how the coast, the mountains and the desert fit together.
Libya destinationsPlan with care
Your route, without guesswork
Libya rewards careful planning: travel advice, visas, cash and checkpoints all matter more here than almost anywhere else. Our free planner helps you choose a realistic route and pace.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for coast or desert
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Libya
From the Roman coast of the west to the Greek cities of the Green Mountain and the oases of the Sahara.
Western Libya
Tripoli
Libya's seaside capital, with an Ottoman medina, a Roman arch and a harbour fortress.
Read the guidePhoto: Mohamed Tailamun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Libya
Benghazi
Libya's second city, rebuilt after conflict and the gateway to the Green Mountain and Greek ruins.
Read the guidePhoto: Mohamed alazrak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Libya
Leptis Magna
One of the best preserved Roman cities anywhere, on the sea east of Tripoli.
Read the guidePhoto: Syed Wali Peeran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Libya
Cyrene
A great Greek city on the green hills of eastern Libya, with its harbour at Apollonia below.
Read the guidePhoto: Mohamed Benismail, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Western Libya, Sahara
Ghadames
An ancient Saharan oasis town of covered lanes, white walls and painted houses near the Algerian border.
Read the guidePhoto: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is it safe to travel to Libya?
Most governments, including the UK, US, Canada and Australia, currently advise against all travel to Libya because of armed conflict, crime and kidnapping risk. Some visitors still go with licensed operators. Read your government's advice first and check that your insurance will cover you.
Can tourists get a visa for Libya?
Tourist visas have reopened in recent years, usually through a licensed Libyan tour operator who applies on your behalf. Rules change often and vary by passport, so check the official Libyan eVisa portal and your nearest Libyan embassy before you plan.
What is Libya most famous for?
Its Roman cities of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, Greek Cyrene, the oasis town of Ghadames, the Sahara and the rock art of the Acacus mountains. All five of its UNESCO sites are on the danger list.
What currency does Libya use?
The Libyan dinar. Libya is mostly a cash economy, foreign cards rarely work and ATMs are unreliable, so bring clean US dollars or euros and change them legally on arrival.
What is the best time to visit Libya?
October to April, when the coast is mild and the desert is bearable. Summers are very hot, especially inland.
Do I need a guide in Libya?
In practice, yes. Visitors normally travel with a licensed operator who handles the visa, arranges permissions and a guide, and helps with checkpoints.
Ready to plan your Libya trip?
Use the free trip planner to shape a realistic route, or contact us with any question.