Tailor-made Libya: Introduction

Throughout its years as something of an international pariah, intrepid visitors continued to visit Libya; now that a rapprochement has taken place, the trickle has become a steady stream. For those in the know, there is absolutely no surprise in this: the outstanding Classical ruins and breath-taking desert scenery have long been one of the worst-kept secrets of the travelling world.

It is perhaps for places like Leptis Magna that Libya is best known: the most extensive and best preserved remains of a Roman city anywhere, while nearby Sabratha has a wonderful seaside location and one of the most remarkable examples of a Roman theatre. Over to the east, the Greek cities of Cyrene, Ptolomais and Apollonia give an equally valuable insight into the Hellenistic world. Smaller sites, they are fantastically atmospheric and attractively situated. Heading south into the desert through Berber subterranean settlements and fortified mountain villages, the mighty Sahara is reached, and it too is filled with surprises - rock-art tells of a time when the area was a fertile land of elephants and giraffes.

It also offers the traditional beauty of the desert - the gentle slopes and steep crests of dunes as far as the eye can see, punctuated only by palm-fringed oases with deep still lakes.

Selected Highlights

Our specialists have travelled the length and breadth of the country to research the best places to stay and things to do. Here they list a few of their favourite “unmissables”. Click here for more highlights