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Libya

6

Reasons To
Visit Libya

  • Ancient Ruins

    Whether admiring some of the best-preserved ruins anywhere in the former Roman or Greek worlds, wandering through ancient Saharan trading posts, or pondering on the fate of the Garamantian civilisation that died out almost overnight, Libya's ancient ruins will be a major reason for your visit to the country.

    Ancient Ruins

  • Classical History

    The Greeks and Romans had a heavy presence in North Africa, largely confined to the fertile coastal strip. In the east, the Greeks had a strong presence in the cities of Cyrene, Apollonia and Ptolemais, whilst in the west the Roman cities of Leptis Magna and Sabratha are some of the most impressive found anywhere.

    Classical History

  • Desert Safaris

    With the fantastic rock art of the Sahara and the dunes and oases of the Ubari Sand Sea, the only way to get around is in a self-supported 4WD expedition. The solitude is a major draw, and because it's so far from any towns or cities, the night sky is brilliant with stars.

    Desert Safaris

  • Oases

    In the Ubari Sand Sea lie a series of lakes that fulfil every childhood fantasy of a desert oasis. Hidden deep amongst sand dunes, palm trees fringe limpid pools that perfectly reflect the clear blue skies.

    Oases

  • Rock art

    The oldest rock art in Libya dates back 12,000 years, through to more recent pieces about 2,000 years old. The older pieces tell of a more fertile time when giraffe, elephants, hippos and fighting cats roamed the landscape: a bizarre contrast with the stunning desert scenery that now surrounds the area.

    Rock art

  • Saharan Cities

    Although relatively accessible today, Ghadames was once a watchword for hostile cities on the fringe of the Sahara that traded in gold and slaves arriving from across the desert.

    Saharan Cities

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Excursions in Libya: Tripoli City Tour

The National Museum, housed in the Tripoli or Red Castle, on the corner of the Medina, has 47 galleries, displaying artefacts ranging from Libya's earliest pre-historic era right through to the present-day.

Tiles at Al-Gurgi Mosque, Tripoli
Green Square, TripoliTiles at Al-Gurgi Mosque, TripoliSilk shop, Tripoli MedinaSouqs, Tripoli MedinaNational Museum and Green Square, TripoliTripoli medinaCommonwealth War Cemetery, TripoliTripoli medinaCommonwealth War Cemetery, Tripoli

Tripoli City Tour

Tripoli, Libya
  • Culture & History

The National Museum, housed in the Tripoli or Red Castle, on the corner of the Medina, has 47 galleries, displaying artefacts ranging from Libya's earliest pre-historic era right through to the present-day. It is an excellent way to put all the history in context and to find out a bit more about Gadaffi's Revolution.

There are some wonderful statues of Roman and Greek gods, juxtaposed with the Volkswagen Beetle used by Colonel Gadaffi during the Revolution era. The entire fourth floor is dedicated to the Libyan resistance to Italian colonial rule and the Revolution of 1969, with photographs of the main characters involved in both struggles, as well as the transcripts of Gadaffi's speeches and eulogies from adoring Libyans.

The copper-makers souq (Souq al-Ghizhir) is particularly noisy but is a good place to see traditional artisans at work, making the crescent moons which top mosque minarets in the country. The silks in the textile souqs are particularly beautiful and Tripoli also boasts the largest gold souq outside the Gulf Arab states. For those on the look-out for souvenirs, there are plenty of handcrafted baskets, carpets and fine textiles on sale and a shop near the Marcus Aurelius Arch sells good photographs of Libya.

The Medina is also the location of a number of interesting mosques with brightly coloured doors and tiles, such as the Gurgi Mosque, Nagah Mosque and the Karamanli Mosque.

In a residential suburb of Tripoli, behind a nondescript wall running beside the street lies Tripoli's Commonwealth War Cemetary. As with these cemeteries across the globe, this is a serene, sombre and immaculately maintained place. There are some 1,500 graves ranked along perfectly manicured grass, looked after with care and attention. Soldiers from across the Commonwealth gave their lives in the struggle for North Africa during the Second World War, and Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Christians all share this final resting place.

Other countries in North Africa & the Middle East:
EgyptIranJordanLebanonMoroccoOmanSyriaTunisia

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