Introducing Libya
Travel Alert: In mid February 2011, deadly clashes broke out between the government and protesters in Benghazi and other parts of the country, with reports of more than 200 people killed. Since then, things have escalated, with international forces intervening. Countries are warning against all travel to Libya. Border areas with Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria are also potentially dangerous. Check the news and government advice sites like Safe Travel for updates.
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Libya is a crossroads of history, continents and ancient empires. Home to the Mediterranean’s richest store of Roman and Greek cities – Sabratha, Cyrene and, above all, Leptis Magna – each of which is overlaid by remnants of Byzantine splendour, it’s a place where history comes alive through the extraordinary monuments on its shores. Every corner of cosmopolitan Tripoli resonates with a different period of history. It’s where the Sahara meets the Mediterranean.
Libya is also home to Africa’s most exceptional and accessible desert scenery. The Sahara engulfs over 90% of the country, offering up vast sand seas the size of small European countries. Visit the enchanting oasis towns of Ghadames and Ghat, where the caravans once showcased the riches of Africa. Marvel at palm-fringed lakes surrounded by sand dunes in the desert’s heart. Be bewitched by extinct volcanoes, such as Waw al-Namus, where black sand encircles multicoloured lakes. Go deeper into the desert and experience Jebel Acacus, one of the world’s finest open-air galleries of prehistoric rock art.
One important point to note is that visits to Libya can only be made as part of an organised tour. While those of you accustomed to travelling independently would probably love the chance to do so in Libya, remember that Libya is a vast country and on a tour you’ll be able to cover so much more territory than you otherwise could. Remember also that organised groups can be as small as a party of one (plus guide) and with most tour companies you can design your own itinerary.
Last updated: Aug 22, 2011
Tips & articles
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Too soon? 5 questions to ask when disaster strikes your travel plans.
7 March 2011
Has a disaster ever forced you to rethink travel plans drastically?When calamity strikes, it’s tough to think of yourself. Earthquakes,...
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Libya: travel books to read before you go
1 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Libya guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for...
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Visit Libya, North Africa’s destination-in-waiting
26 July 2010
Libya just became a whole lot easier to visit, at least if you’re a US citizen. Four years after the...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: how to get into Libya
by frisbee 14 September 2011
Mind you, I'm wondering if it'a a problem when it comes time to leave Libya. Still, one hassle at a time!!!!
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how to get into Libya
by frisbee 14 September 2011
Here's a [link|http://wwww.qatar-tribune.com/data/20110910/content.asp?section=Analysis1_1] to one reporters story about his/her recent…
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RE: Frormalities to enter free Libya
by Kira 13 September 2011
Getting lots of PM's about this As soon as my Libyan friends come online again I will post everything I can in regards to entering Libya…
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Libya
Things to do
- All things to do (54)
- Activities (0)
- Entertainment (2)
- Restaurants (20)
- Shopping (8)
- Sights (23)
- Tours (1)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Libya
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1 Tripoli
World-class museum, evocative medina, Italianate architecture and the best restaurants in the country
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2 Leptis Magna
Unrivalled Roman ruins from one of the greatest cities of antiquity
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3 Nalut
Fairytale Berber architecture and old town perched atop the Jebel Nafusa
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4 Sabratha
Splendid Roman city with the finest theatre in existence
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5 Waw al-Namus
Black volcanic sands and multicoloured lakes in the Sahara's heart
Fast Facts about Libya
- Borders
Tunisia (Ras Adjir) and Egypt (Amsaad) open; Algeria, Chad, Sudan and (usually) Niger closed to non-Libyans
- Visa
Arranged as part of organised tour; can be picked up on arrival. Arabic translation of passport's details page required.
- Time
GMT/UTC +2
- Telephone
Country code 218; international access code 00
- Money
Libyan dinar (LD); US$1 = 1.23LD
- Seasons
Hot (June to August), wet (March and October), dry (rest of the year)
- Area
1.8 million sq km
- Population
5.5 million
- ATMs
Becoming more widely spread
- Capital
- Budget
US$50 to US$100 per day
- Languages
Arabic, Italian, English
Our favourite Libya Blogs (beta)
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Fancy a Weekend Break in Libya?
Blog: The View from Fez - 19 November 2011
Royal Air Maroc Resumes Flights to LibyaThose of you who have been hanging out for a weekend get away in Libya will be pleased to hear that Tripoli is now back on the tourist map. Royal Air Maroc will its resume flights to Libya on November 21st.On Thursday, Royal Air Maroc (RAM),announced it would resume its flights from Casablanca to Libya. This comes after the reopening of the Tripoli International Airport.
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Understanding Libya
Blog: A Traveler's Library - 4 April 2011
A Book for the Middle East in Troubled Times Destination: Libya Book: In the Country of Men (2006) by Hisham Matar It has been difficult for me to comprehend the arrogant statements of the dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. When he asserts, “The people LOVE me!” in the face of thousands of ill-armed, desperate rebels trying to [...]This content is a post from: A Traveler's Library To comment on this post or search for related information, click on the link to A Traveler's Library.
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Travelling in Turkey – More Greek and Roman Ruins than Italy and Greece!
Blog: Vagobond.com - 29 July 2010
Again, not a lot of time to write, but we are having a wonderful time in Turkey. From cruising the Bosporus to marveling at the Iskander Kebap in Bursa, this trip has been filed with adventures stretching across the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, and soon the Aegean Sea, and of course a bit of [...]
