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Northern Africa

LibyaTravel guide

Explore Libya visa rulesCommon scams in Libya

Libya is a North African country with ancient ruins, desert landscapes and a strong tradition of hospitality. Travel is dangerous because of armed conflict, high crime and unstable government control. Many governments advise against all travel and may be unable to help their citizens there.

Why go

  1. Tripoli has a traditional walled old town, mosques and the Red Castle Museum.

  2. Leptis Magna has extensive Roman ruins on the coast.

  3. Cyrene is an ancient Greek settlement that later became a Roman city.

  4. The Sahara has oases such as Ubari and desert scenery in the Acacus Mountains.

  5. Ghadames is a historic town recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Getting there

By air

  • Most visitors enter by plane. Flights and airport operations are unreliable because violence can cause closures.
  • Mitiga International Airport serves Tripoli, with flights to countries including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Turkey.
  • Misrata Airport also has flights to Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Turkey.

By land

  • Buses and shared taxis run from places including Tunis, Alexandria, Cairo and Djerba. Shared taxis may carry six people in a station wagon.
  • Services from Tunisia and Egypt may be disrupted. Check that the route passes through a stable area before boarding.
  • The source names Ras Jdayr from Tunisia and Bay of As Sallum from Egypt as crossings for foreign cars. You must buy a temporary licence, including a number plate, at the border.

By sea

  • A ferry called Kevalay Queen was reportedly connecting Tripoli and Misrata with Istanbul in 2023. Check whether it is running before buying a ticket.

Customs

  • You are not allowed to take Libyan dinars out of Libya.

Getting around

  • Domestic flights

    Flying is the quickest way to cover Libya's long distances. The source describes it as a better option than overland travel, although it is not entirely safe. Airline operations are unreliable. Violence can close airports for an unknown length of time. Follow local media for news of violence and airport closures.

  • Taxis

    Taxis are the recommended transport for visitors within major towns. Small black and white taxis tend to have more cautious drivers. Agree on the fare before setting off. Drivers may try to overcharge tourists. Say "Shweyah-Shweyah" to ask a driver to slow down. Ask drivers to avoid Al-Sareyah, the motorway from Souq-Al-Thataltha to Janzour. If you find a good driver with a good car, keep their mobile number. Airport taxis can cost more because the airport is far from town.

  • Driving and rental cars

    Road travel is not recommended because of poor security and damaged roads. Check conditions carefully before any journey. Fuel and vehicle repairs may be unavailable. Roads and bridges may be damaged. Some large cities have self-drive rentals, including Avis and Europcar. The source describes rental prices as generally high and cars as unreliable. Traffic drives on the right.

  • Buses and shared taxis

    Long-distance bus travel is not recommended. Armed conflict has seriously disrupted or stopped services. The Tripoli to Benghazi bus journey takes about 14 hours, with meal and tea stops. Shared taxis can be faster than buses. Some drivers drive recklessly to reduce journey times.

What to see and do

  • Tripoli's old town

    Explore the traditional walled medina, or old town, with its mosques, fountains and statues.

  • Red Castle Museum

    Its displays cover different parts of the region's history.

  • Leptis Magna

    This former Roman city has extensive coastal ruins at Al Khums, about 130 km from Tripoli.

  • Cyrene

    This archaeological site near Shahhat and Albayda began as a Greek settlement and later became a Roman city.

  • Ubari

    Its oases offer striking scenery in the Sahara.

  • Ghadames

    This historic trading town is a World Heritage Site, with ruins of an ancient theatre, church and temples.

Food and drink

  • Seafood couscous

    Try couscous with fish at the fish restaurant in Tripoli's souq, or market.

  • Stuffed calamari

    Stuffed squid is a local speciality.

  • Werata

    This locally caught fish is served grilled or baked with herbs and spices.

  • Shakshuka

    The source describes this as a Libyan omelette.

  • Al-Saraya

    This restaurant is in Martyr's Square, with its location described as the main attraction.

  • Al-Morgan

    This seafood restaurant is next to the Algiers Mosque, near 1st of September Street.

Money

Libyan dinar (LYD), also written LD; one dinar equals 1,000 dirhams.

  • Cash machines are widely used in Tripoli. Major cards are accepted in many large stores and some cafés.
  • Check whether your card will work before leaving major cities. Cash machine networks elsewhere may be damaged or missing.
  • Do not take Libyan dinars out of the country.
  • People may call the dinar "jni" in western Libya or "jneh" in eastern Libya. "Garsh" means 10 dirhams.

Typical costs

  • Taxi drivers may ask tourists for 10 dinars for a journey around town. This is a reason to negotiate first, rather than a fixed fare.
  • The fish restaurant in Tripoli's souq serves seafood couscous for the equivalent of a few US dollars.
  • Hotel prices vary from basic hotels to four-star accommodation.

Language

  • Arabic is the official language, and Libyan Arabic is used in everyday conversation.
  • Most Libyans understand Modern Standard Arabic, although it is rarely used in daily conversation.
  • English can help in urban areas, particularly Tripoli and Benghazi. It is rarely used outside those cities.
  • Some older people, businesspeople and tourism workers speak Italian.
Shweyah-Shweyah
Slow down.
Shahee
Tea.
Benzina
Petrol.
Semaforo
Traffic light.

Staying safe

  • Many governments advise against all travel to Libya and may be unable to provide consular help. Security is fragile and unpredictable.
  • Competing governments and other armed groups control different areas. Violence can disrupt roads, airports and transport without warning.
  • Crime is very high, and foreign visitors may be targeted or detained for many reasons. Law enforcement is weak in large parts of the country.
  • Keep cameras, phones and laptops out of public view. Stay alert and be cautious with people you do not know.
1 common scams in Libya, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Speak politely and gently. People often express difficult points indirectly to protect each other's dignity.
  • Show respect to older people and greet elders first when visiting a home.
  • Offer your seat or place in a taxi queue to an older person. Stand to greet the senior person at a business meeting.
  • Use your right hand for handshakes, eating and giving things to others.
  • Allow time for relationships and decisions to develop. Patience is valued.

Don't

  • Do not eat or drink in public during Ramadan's daylight fasting hours, even if you are not Muslim.
  • Do not make harsh personal comments or publicly confront people. Remarks seen as damaging someone's honour or reputation can lead to court action.
  • Do not beckon directly to a Libyan person.
  • Do not offer things with your left hand, which is considered unclean.
  • Do not show frustration or rush people. This can be taken as insulting.

Staying healthy

  • Civil wars have badly damaged the healthcare system. Many hospitals lack supplies and staff or need repairs.
  • Good-quality healthcare facilities can be found in major cities such as Tripoli.
  • Medical care is almost absent in the most remote parts of Libya.
  • Ask your travel health insurer whether your policy covers Libya before travelling.

Where to stay

  • Major cities have accommodation ranging from basic hotels to four-star properties. Prices vary.
  • Tripoli's Radisson Blu and Corinthia Hotel are described as international-standard hotels. The Corinthia is beside the old town and runs an airport shuttle.
  • Other hotels in Tripoli include Bab-Al-Bahr, Al-Kabir and El-Mahari.
  • The Dhahra area of Tripoli has several hotels, including Marhaba near the church.

Outdoor adventures in Libya

Libya has desert mountains, oases, challenging desert treks and Mediterranean beaches. Its security situation is fragile and unpredictable, and many governments advise against all travel. Medical care in remote areas is almost non-existent.

  • Acacus Mountains landscape exploration

    More to doSaharan Libya

    Access and tour arrangements are not detailed.

    • Desert summers are very hot, with large temperature changes between day and night.
    • Medical care in remote areas is almost non-existent.

  • Ghat desert trekking

    TrekSaharan Libyanear Ghat

    Hard

    Ghat is the named destination for desert trekking. Routes and booking arrangements are not detailed.

    • The desert trekking is described as very challenging.
    • Desert summers are very hot.

  • Ubari oasis exploration

    More to doSaharan Libya

    Transport and tour arrangements are not detailed.

    • Desert summers are very hot, with large temperature changes between day and night.
    • Medical care in remote areas is almost non-existent.

  • Gaberoun oasis visit

    More to doSaharan Libyanear Sabha

    Gaberoun is around 150 km west of Sabha. Transport arrangements are not detailed.

    • Desert summers are very hot.
    • Medical care in remote areas is almost non-existent.

  • Ghadamis camel trips

    More to doSaharan Libyanear Ghadamis

    Arrange a desert camel trip with Mahmmoud Akka in Ghadamis at e.mahakka73@hotmail.com.

    • Desert summers are very hot.
    • Medical care in remote areas is almost non-existent.

  • Beaches near Tripoli

    BeacheTripolitanianear Tripoli

    Beaches are within driving distance of Tripoli. Individual beaches and routes are not named.

    • The security situation is fragile and unpredictable.

  • Sabha quad biking

    More to doSaharan Libyanear Sabha

    Rent a quad bike in Sabha. Rental businesses and riding routes are not detailed.

    • Desert summers are very hot.

Airports, metros and trains in Libya

Airports with scheduled flights

  • LAQAl Abraq International AirportAl AlbraqMain international airport
  • BENBenina International AirportBeninaMain international airport
  • MJIMitiga International AirportTripoliMain international airport

People and safety in Libya

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.

  • Muslim97%
  • Christian3%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows up to 5 years in prison.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #128 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

77% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 8 of 198 countries can visit Libya easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required7
  • Visa on arrival1
  • eVisa175
  • Visa required7
  • Admission restricted1
  • Admission refused7

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa5 of 53 countries
  • Asia3 of 50 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Americas0 of 35 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

Is Libya safe for a first visit?

Travel is dangerous because of armed conflict, unstable government control and high crime. Many governments advise against all travel and may be unable to help their citizens.

Can I use English?

English can help in urban areas, especially Tripoli and Benghazi. It is rarely used outside those cities.

Can I pay by card?

Many large stores and some cafés accept major cards, and cash machines are widely used in Tripoli. Check whether your card will work before leaving major cities.

How should I get around a city?

Taxis are the recommended option in major towns. Agree on the fare before getting started.

What is the weather like?

The coast has warm summers and mild winters, while the highlands are cooler and can have frost. The desert has very hot summers and large temperature changes between day and night.

What local food should I try?

Options include seafood couscous, stuffed calamari and werata fish grilled or baked with local herbs and spices.

Can I drink alcohol?

Alcohol is banned. Buying it illegally can lead to severe penalties.

Will I be able to get medical care?

Good-quality facilities exist in major cities such as Tripoli, but the healthcare system has suffered severe damage. Medical care is almost absent in remote areas, and your insurance may not cover Libya.

What should I expect during Ramadan?

Most restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are shorter. Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight fasting hours.

What kinds of accommodation are available?

Major cities have basic hotels, four-star properties and youth hostels. Tripoli also has hotels described as meeting international standards.

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