Libya · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Libya
These are the places worth your time in Libya, from the medina of Tripoli and the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha to Greek Cyrene and the oasis of Ghadames. Classics sit beside quiet corners few travellers ever see, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Tripoli
Things to Do
- Tripoli Medina (Old City)
The walled old town of souks, Ottoman mosques, consulates and courtyard houses is the heart of the capital. - Martyrs' Square (City centre)
The capital's main square, where families stroll, protests gather and celebrations spill out at night. - Tripoli Corniche (Waterfront)
A long seafront promenade for evening walks, ice cream and watching the sunset over the harbour. - Gharyan troglodyte houses (Gharyan)
Underground Berber houses dug into the ground in the Nafusa hills, a day trip south of Tripoli.
Arts and Culture
- Arch of Marcus Aurelius (Old City)
A Roman triumphal arch from the second century, still standing at the edge of the medina. - Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra) (Martyrs' Square)
The great fortress by the harbour has watched over Tripoli since Roman and Spanish times. - Gurgi Mosque (Old City)
A nineteenth century Ottoman mosque with beautiful tiles, carved stucco and an octagonal minaret. - Ahmed Pasha Karamanli Mosque (Old City)
The grand eighteenth century mosque of the Karamanli dynasty, beside the Souk al-Mushir. - Ottoman Clock Tower (Old City)
The slender clock tower is a favourite meeting point and a handy landmark in the medina lanes. - Dragut Mosque (Old City)
Named after the Ottoman admiral Dragut, this mosque and tomb sit near the old harbour. - Al Naqah Mosque (Old City)
Thought to be the oldest mosque in Tripoli, with a simple prayer hall of many columns.
Shopping and Markets
- Souk al-Mushir (Old City)
The arched market by the medina gate for gold, copper, fabric and traditional Libyan dress. - Souk al-Turk (Old City)
A covered lane of small shops selling everything from spices to perfume and household goods. - Gargaresh Road (Gargaresh)
The capital's busiest shopping street, lined with boutiques, cafés and fast food spots late into the night. - Souk al-Jumaa (Souk al-Jumaa)
The big eastern district market for produce, spices and everyday Libyan life.
Nature and Outdoors
- Janzour Beach (Janzour)
The western seaside suburb where Tripoli families head on hot weekends.
Restaurants
- Andalus district restaurants (Hay al-Andalus)
An upscale neighbourhood full of family restaurants serving Libyan, Turkish and Italian food.
Cafés
- Medina macchiato cafés (Old City)
Small cafés pour strong Libyan macchiato, a habit left from Italian rule, for locals at every hour. - Gargaresh seafront cafés (Gargaresh)
Sea view cafés where young Tripolitanians meet for coffee, juice and shisha in the evening. - Tea with peanuts at a medina stall (Old City)
Try sweet Libyan tea with roasted peanuts floating on top, served from small stalls.
Stays
- Corinthia Hotel Tripoli (Waterfront)
The landmark twin tower hotel on the seafront, long used by business visitors. - Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel (Waterfront)
A large international hotel facing the sea, close to the old city.
Events
- Ramadan nights in the medina (Old City)
After sunset in Ramadan, the old town fills with families, sweets and lights until late. - Eid celebrations at Martyrs' Square (City centre)
Crowds, fireworks and children's rides fill the square during the Eid holidays.
Bars and Nightlife
- Evening shisha cafés in Hay al-Andalus (Hay al-Andalus)
Nightlife in Libya means cafés, sweets and shisha, and this district is the liveliest after dark.
Places to Visit in Nalut
Arts and Culture
- Qasr Nalut (Old Nalut)
A dramatic fortified Berber granary of stacked storage rooms on a cliff edge. - Qasr al-Haj (Qasr al-Haj)
A perfectly round fortified granary with hundreds of storage chambers around a courtyard. - Qasr Kabaw (Kabaw)
Another remarkable Berber granary in the Nafusa Mountains, home to an annual heritage festival.
Places to Visit in Benghazi
Arts and Culture
- Old Benghazi Lighthouse (Old City)
The old lighthouse by the harbour is one of the symbols of the city. - Atiq Mosque (Old City)
Benghazi's oldest mosque, rebuilt after damage in the conflict, sits in the restored old centre. - Benghazi Cathedral (Old City)
The domed Italian era cathedral, a city landmark being restored in the rebuilt centre. - Ptolemais (Tolmeita) (Tolmeita)
A huge Greek and Roman city by the sea, with a fine museum of mosaics. - Qasr Libya Museum (Qasr Libya)
A small museum of exceptional Byzantine mosaic panels found in a nearby church.
Shopping and Markets
- Souk al-Jreed (Old City)
The long covered market for clothes, gold, perfume and household goods. - Al-Fuwayhat district shops (Al-Fuwayhat)
A residential shopping area of bakeries, sweet shops and clothes stores.
Things to Do
- Benghazi Corniche (Waterfront)
The seafront promenade where families walk, eat ice cream and watch the sunset. - Tocra (Teuchira) ruins (Tocra)
Greek and Roman ruins and old city walls on the coast east of Benghazi.
Nature and Outdoors
- Juliana Beach (Juliana)
The city beach close to the centre, busy with families on summer evenings. - 23 July Lake (City centre)
The lagoon in the middle of the city, ringed by walking paths and cafés.
Stays
- Tibesti Hotel (City centre)
The city's best known landmark hotel overlooking the lake.
Restaurants
- Dubai Street restaurants (Dubai Street)
A busy street of family restaurants, burger places and sweet shops.
Cafés
- Lakeside cafés (City centre)
Cafés around the lagoon serve coffee, juices and pastries into the evening. - Old city coffee houses (Old City)
Traditional coffee houses where men gather over macchiato and dominoes.
Bars and Nightlife
- Evening shisha terraces on the Corniche (Waterfront)
Alcohol free nightlife means seafront terraces with tea, shisha and music.
Places to Visit in Leptis Magna
Things to Do
- Leptis Magna (Al Khums)
One of the best preserved Roman cities in the world, birthplace of Emperor Septimius Severus. - Leptis Magna Amphitheatre (Leptis Magna)
An amphitheatre cut into a hill east of the city, overlooking the sea. - Severan Harbour (Leptis Magna)
The silted Roman harbour, with its lighthouse base and mooring stones still visible. - Wadi Lebda (Leptis Magna)
The river valley beside the ruins, where the Romans built a dam to protect the city.
Arts and Culture
- Arch of Septimius Severus (Leptis Magna)
The richly carved four way arch that greets you at the entrance to the city. - Hadrianic Baths (Leptis Magna)
Vast imperial baths with pools, columns and marble that show how Romans relaxed. - Severan Basilica (Leptis Magna)
A huge basilica with pillars carved in vines, animals and mythical figures. - Theatre of Leptis Magna (Leptis Magna)
A Roman theatre facing the sea, where you can sit on the original stone seats. - Market of Leptis Magna (Leptis Magna)
The old market with its stone counters and official measuring tables for traders. - Villa Silin (Silin)
A seaside Roman villa with some of the finest mosaics and frescoes in North Africa. - Hunting Baths (Leptis Magna)
Small vaulted baths with frescoes of hunters and wild animals.
Nature and Outdoors
- Leptis Magna beach (Leptis Magna)
The sandy shore beside the ruins is perfect for a swim after exploring. - Al Khums beachfront (Al Khums)
The town beach where local families gather on summer evenings.
Cafés
- Al Khums town cafés (Al Khums)
Stop for a macchiato and a pastry among locals before heading to the site.
Shopping and Markets
- Al Khums market (Al Khums)
The local market for dates, olives, bread and everyday shopping.
Places to Visit in Sabratha
Things to Do
- Sabratha Roman Theatre (Sabratha)
The three storey stage front of this theatre is one of the most beautiful in the Roman world. - Zuwara beaches (Zuwara)
Amazigh coastal town with some of the clearest water in western Libya.
Arts and Culture
- Temple of Isis (Sabratha)
A temple by the sea with columns framing the waves. - Mausoleum of Bes (Sabratha)
A tall Punic tomb, rebuilt from its fallen stones, older than most of the Roman city. - Basilica of Justinian (Sabratha)
A Byzantine church whose superb mosaic floor now lives in the museum.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sabratha beach (Sabratha)
Golden sand and clear water right beside the ancient city.
Cafés
- Sabratha town cafés (Sabratha)
Small cafés in the modern town for tea, coffee and sweets.
Places to Visit in Cyrene
Things to Do
- Cyrene (Shahhat)
The great Greek city on the Green Mountain, founded in the seventh century BC. - Apollonia (Susa) (Susa)
Cyrene's harbour city, with Byzantine churches and a theatre beside the sea.
Arts and Culture
- Temple of Zeus at Cyrene (Shahhat)
A temple once larger than the Parthenon, partly re-erected column by column. - Sanctuary of Apollo (Shahhat)
Temples, a fountain and a theatre clustered on a terrace with views to the sea. - Cyrene Necropolis (Shahhat)
Thousands of rock cut tombs line the hills around the city. - Slonta sanctuary (Slonta)
A strange carved rock sanctuary with ancient Libyan figures, unlike anything else in the country. - Qasr Libya (Qasr Libya)
Byzantine mosaics on the road between Benghazi and the mountain.
Nature and Outdoors
- Fountain of Apollo (Shahhat)
The sacred spring that drew the first Greek settlers still flows from the hillside. - Wadi al-Kuf (Green Mountain)
A deep green gorge crossed by a high bridge, with caves and walking trails. - Ras al-Hilal (Green Mountain)
A lovely cove where mountains meet the sea, with a small Byzantine church. - Green Mountain (Jebel Akhdar) (Al Bayda)
Juniper forests, farms and cool air make this Libya's greenest region.
Shopping and Markets
- Al Bayda market (Al Bayda)
The town market for honey, olive oil and mountain produce.
Cafés
- Shahhat town cafés (Shahhat)
Small cafés just above the ruins for tea before or after a visit.
Places to Visit in Ghadames
Things to Do
- Ghadames Old Town (Old Town)
The UNESCO listed oasis town of covered lanes, white walls and rooftop paths for women. - Ras al-Ghoul (Outside town)
A rocky hill and old fort with wide views over the oasis and desert.
Arts and Culture
- Ghadames traditional houses (Old Town)
Painted interiors in red, with mirrors and copper pots, show desert family life. - Atiq Mosque of Ghadames (Old Town)
One of the oldest mosques in the oasis, with simple whitewashed arches.
Nature and Outdoors
- Ain al-Faras spring (Old Town)
The ancient spring that gave life to the oasis and was shared by strict water rules. - Ghadames dunes at sunset (Outside town)
The sand sea begins at the edge of town and glows at sunset. - Ghadames palm gardens (Oasis gardens)
Shady gardens of date palms watered by ancient canals.
Events
- Ghadames Festival (Old Town)
Every autumn the old town comes alive with Tuareg music, crafts, camel races and traditional dress.
Shopping and Markets
- Ghadames leather and crafts (Old Town)
Embroidered leather slippers and woven goods are local specialities.
Cafés
- Tea under the palms (Oasis gardens)
Sweet green tea poured from a height in the palm gardens.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- National Museum of Libya (Red Castle, Tripoli)
Libya's national collection of Roman statues, mosaics and prehistoric finds, housed in the Red Castle. - Karamanli House Museum (Old City, Tripoli)
A restored Ottoman family house with a courtyard, painted ceilings and period furnishings. - Old British Consulate (Old City, Tripoli)
The historic consulate house where explorers once prepared for Saharan expeditions. - Dar al-Funun Gallery (Dahra, Tripoli)
A respected contemporary art gallery showing Libyan painters and photographers. - Tripoli Fish Market (Harbour, Tripoli)
Watch the morning catch come in and pick fish for a nearby grill to cook. - Athar Restaurant (Old City, Tripoli)
Libyan dishes served in an old building facing the Arch of Marcus Aurelius. - Libyan bakeries for sfinz (Old City, Tripoli)
Look for small bakeries frying sfinz, the Libyan doughnut, often with an egg, at breakfast time. - Al Saraya Restaurant (Martyrs' Square, Tripoli)
Grilled fish and Libyan plates in a setting near the Red Castle walls. - Grilled fish restaurants of Janzour (Janzour, Tripoli)
Seafront grills where you choose your fish by weight and eat it with rice and salad. - Al Waddan Hotel (Waterfront, Tripoli)
A historic hotel near the harbour, restored with modern rooms. - Bab Al Bahr Hotel (Waterfront, Tripoli)
A mid-range seafront hotel within walking distance of Martyrs' Square. - Tripoli Zoo and Park (Abu Salim, Tripoli)
A large green park that families use for picnics and walks. - Rooftop lounge at the Corinthia (Waterfront, Tripoli)
Alcohol is banned in Libya, but the hotel lounges are the capital's calm spots for late juice and coffee. - Tripoli Tower (Waterfront, Tripoli)
A modern business tower that makes a useful landmark near the port. - Uzu Hotel (City centre, Benghazi)
A large hotel on the lagoon, popular with business travellers. - Fish grills by the harbour (Harbour, Benghazi)
Simple grills cooking the morning catch, served with Libyan rice and salad. - Benghazi International Book Fair (City centre, Benghazi)
A growing book fair that draws publishers and families from across the region. - Garyounis University campus (Garyounis, Benghazi)
The university's leafy campus near the sea is home to many students and lively cafés. - Leptis Magna Museum (Leptis Magna, Leptis Magna)
Statues, inscriptions and finds that bring the ruins to life before or after your walk. - Al Khums fish restaurants (Al Khums, Leptis Magna)
Simple seafood restaurants in the town near the ruins serve grilled fish and soup. - Hotels in Al Khums (Al Khums, Leptis Magna)
Simple mid-range hotels in town make an early start at Leptis Magna easy. - Misrata Museum and old souk (Misrata, Leptis Magna)
A trade city along the coast with a lively souk and local museum. - Sabratha Roman Museum (Sabratha, Sabratha)
Mosaics, frescoes and statues from the ancient city. - Sabratha Punic Museum (Sabratha, Sabratha)
Finds from the older Phoenician town that preceded the Romans. - Sabratha seafood grills (Sabratha, Sabratha)
Family run places grilling fish near the coast road. - Sabratha weekly market (Sabratha, Sabratha)
A local market for produce, clothes and olive oil. - Zuwara Amazigh festivals (Zuwara, Sabratha)
Local celebrations of Amazigh language and culture with music and traditional dress. - Cyrene Museum (Shahhat, Cyrene)
Statues and sculpture from the city, including famous Greek marbles. - Al Bayda grill restaurants (Al Bayda, Cyrene)
Roadside grills serving lamb, salads and fresh bread. - Hotels in Al Bayda (Al Bayda, Cyrene)
The nearest town with a choice of simple hotels for Cyrene. - Ghadames Museum (Old Town, Ghadames)
A small museum on Saharan life, trade and crafts in a former fort. - Traditional Ghadames lunch (Old Town, Ghadames)
Families host visitors for meals of mafrouka, couscous and dates in old houses. - Ghadames hotels and guesthouses (New Town, Ghadames)
Simple hotels and family guesthouses for stays in the oasis. - Desert drives toward the Algerian border (Outside town, Ghadames)
Short trips with licensed guides to dunes and old caravan routes.