Visa
Tourist visas to Libya are now organised by the Libyan government e-visa website which will require documents from a fixer based in Libya. Once you have submitted your online application, you will be issued a visa within 2 days to 2 weeks. Sometimes on the website once the visa status is set as "approved" it may still take a few days before you are able to download the document.
Once you arrive at the airport with your document, you will be met with confused looks from border agents as tourist visas are still quite new (this will likely change as numbers increase, but for now is very much the case). Your fixer will then have to meet you at the immigration desk. They will come with you into the “room” where you will be told to wait while they process it. This takes time, namely because the country is still in a transitional phase and the different offices that process it at the airport don’t exactly work together. In addition to this, they also don’t have a proper machine to print the visa and so it must all be handwritten (likely also to change of course – try and get one of these before it’s too late!).
You can find out more, as well as up to date information in our Libya visa section.
Getting in and out
At this current time you are very limited in how you can get in and out of Libya. At the moment the main way to get in is by flying into Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport. The main airports that have flights to Tripoli are: Tunis, Istanbul, Cairo and now Rome.
The most reliable of the airlines that fly in is Libyan wings, which we can help you book. There are also flights available sometimes on Egypt air and Air Tunis, the latter however has a reputation for not being reliable.
Read more about flying to Mitiga Airport.
There are talks at opening Libya’s land border with Algeria, however it is unclear if this will be available for tourists so for now this is not an option.
See and do
Libya has arguably some of the best preserved and largest sites of Roman ruins in the entire world. The sites of Leptis Magna and Sabratha are true highlights, and to top them both off, they are set with the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. In addition to this, many people come to Libya to see the desert landscapes and lifestyles. This is best viewed in places such as Ghadames which is located in the Sahara on the border with Algeria.
Tripoli itself is also an amazing city to visit as it has a combination of North African, Arab and Italian colonial influences that give the city a unique identity and culture.
Tripoli
Tripoli, the capital of Libya, is a city rich in history and vibrant modern life. The old town is a labyrinth of narrow streets filled with traditional shops where you can explore til your heart's content. Mosques and Ottoman-era architecture line the streets as well as the wonderful 1970s brutalist concrete that came with the oil boom. Among the highlights is the Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra), a fortress that has housed various rulers over the centuries and offers a fantastic view of the Mediterranean coast. The city also features modern shopping centers, restaurants, and cafes, giving it a lively, cosmopolitan vibe.
Sabratha
Sabratha is home to one of Libya’s most impressive ancient Roman ruins. Located on the Mediterranean coast, it features an expansive archaeological site with ruins that date back to the 2nd century AD. The Roman Theatre, with its dramatic sea views, is one of the most well-preserved examples of ancient architecture in North Africa. Other key sites include the Temple of Apollo, the Basilica, and several beautifully preserved mosaics. Sabratha is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its ruins offer a window into the grandeur of the Roman Empire in Libya.
Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna, another UNESCO World Heritage site, is considered one of the most spectacular and well-preserved Roman cities in the world. Located near the modern town of Al Khums, it was once a thriving metropolis in the Roman Empire. The Basilica, the Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus, and the Roman Theatre are just a few of the architectural marvels you can explore. The site is vast, and walking amongst its ruins, you get a sense of the scale and importance of this once great city. The blend of ancient Roman structures with the coastal landscape makes Leptis Magna a truly unforgettable place.
Ghadames
Known as the "pearl of the desert", Ghadames is an oasis town in the northwest of Libya near the border with Tunisia and Algeria. The town is famous for its ancient mudbrick houses and narrow alleys, built to keep cool in the hot desert climate. Ghadames is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its architecture reflects a mix of Berber, Arab, and Ottoman influences. The town is still inhabited, and you can experience the traditional way of life, including the famous Ghadames Festival, which showcases local music, dance, and handicrafts.
Why visit
Libya has always been difficult to visit and even during Ghaddafi’s time had some of the lowest tourist numbers in North Africa. Despite this there is a lot to see and do in Libya from the Italian streets of Tripoli to some of the largest Roman ruins in the world.
After the end of the civil war Libya is now quite a divided country, however in the area where the UN-recognised government is operating (Tripoli side) it has now become easier than ever to visit tourist sites in Libya. If you want to see a country rapidly changing as well as learn about some extremely interesting history both ancient and modern then Libya will have you wanting more!
Rules
Previous travel to Libya on the business visa meant you had to abide by strict rules and were basically bound to your hotel when you weren’t being escorted around. The situation now is vastly different, however certain obvious restrictions do apply.
While touring around you will be escorted by a policeman from the tourism police, who is basically there to make sure no one tries to mess with you. We have never felt like this would happen in Libya, but nonetheless they will be there for your safety. This means if there is something that you would like to go see/do you must run it by your tourist policeman.
It should also be noted that, once you agree to an itinerary in Libya there can’t be any deviation from the program. Your permissions you are granted are not able to be changed once your visa is issued. This may change in the future, but for now once you agree, you are stuck doing that.
Dress code
Officially in Libya there is a dress code for men and women, which means wearing conservative clothing. For men, you must wear shorts below the knee and women must also be dressed conservatively. The reality of this is very different.
You can pretty much wear what you want as a man, with shorts and t-shirts not being an issue. Libyans themselves will rarely wear shorts in public (even in the middle of summer) so you might stand out when touring around Tripoli, but this is just because of fashion, not rules. When visiting places like Sabratah or Leptis Magna you will barely see anyone else, so a relaxed dress code is no issue.
For women, nearly all Libyan women will be wearing headscarves. This is a recent development since the revolution, and you will still occasionally see a woman with her hair out. Again, there is no official stance on headscarves for women, however you may feel more comfortable wearing one loosely draped around your head as all other women will be like this, but this is up to you and just do what makes you feel comfortable.
If you travel with us to Libya during the colder months, you won’t even really need to think about the dress code as it will be cool and so you will probably be wearing a jacket and long trousers/pants anyway.
Topics of discussion
Libya’s recent history will definitely be top of your mind when you’re on the ground learning about this awesome country. It is definitely okay to ask your guide questions about the revolution and how life was under Gaddafi. Just be aware that, like with any kind of political situation, there will be people on either side and you may come across several opinions about this topic.
It would be unwise to talk loudly about Gaddafi in public as you don’t know who might be listening or who might hear incorrectly. You don’t want to put your guide in a position where they express their opinion and it upsets people around you. In saying that, when you’re in a private setting, such as driving to and from places, feel free to ask any questions you might have!
Many Libyans are very aware of what is happening in the outside world and have lived abroad so it is always interesting to hear their perspective on how everything is unfolding in their country.
You can read more about the current situation in Libya here .
Religion
The dominant religion in Libya is Islam, with approximately 94% of the population following the Sunni branch of Islam and around another 4-5% Ibadi Islam. There is also a very small percentage of Christians, which are mainly Coptic Orthodox, also known as the church of Egypt.
The main source of legislation in Libya is Sharia law, as Islam has been designated as the state religion. Sharia does however allow for others to practice Christianity and Judaism. Having said that, since 1945, nearly all of the Jewish Libyans left, and those few who remained, have since died. Despite religious freedoms however, non-Muslims face greater discrimination and potential violence (however this doesn’t apply to tourists).
Surveys have shown an increasing trend amongst younger Libyans to be non-religious. As of 2018, 25% of young Libyans said that they were non-religious, however they still identified culturally as Muslims.
Libya also had one of the longest living Jewish populations, which dated back to the 4 th century BCE. However, during World War II the Italian fascist government begin to deport Jewish people. After the war, several pogroms and riots led to Jewish people fleeing Libya. The last living Jewish person in Libya died in 2002. Currently there are no known Jewish people living in the country.
Politics
In 1969, the Libyan government was overthrown in a coup by Colonel Muamar Ghaddafi. Ghaddafi ruled Libya for 42 years until he himself was overthrown in the revolution of 2011. Libya then entered a long a bloody civil war which saw the collapse of many services in the country impoverished millions of Libyans who previously enjoyed incomes above the global average.
Currently, the political situation in Libya is tense and sometimes can be unstable. The country is currently split between two governments, the UN-recognised government in Tripoli and the military government of General Khalifa Haftar based in Benghazi.
Ethnicity
The population of Libya is primarily of Arab origin, with Arabs making up 92% of the population and Berbers making up 5%. Unofficial estimates put this number higher at around 10% or roughly 600,000 Berbers.
Among the Berber populations are Berber minority populations that differ throughout the country and include groups such as Zuwarah, Sefra, Ghat, Ghadamis, Murzuk and Tuareg. Libya has more than 140 tribes and clans throughout the country and is considered one of the most tribal countries in the world. Read more about the Berbers here.
Prior to the revolution, there were also around 2 million Egyptians living in the country as workers. Since the turmoil however, most of them have left, with around 500,000 remaining.
Libya also has around 8,000 refugees living in the country, which are mainly from other African countries such as Chad and Niger.
Photography
You can absolutely take photos in Libya! However there are some restrictions. Just like with most places, you cannot photograph the military, which includes the few checkpoints that you will see throughout the city and driving in between towns.
At tourist sites you are pretty much unrestricted, and you can take as many photos as you like. Local Libyans, if they get the courage to speak to you, will often ask to take photos with you.
Big lenses and serious photography equipment may be questioned at the border, so smaller cameras are definitely preferred. Drones are illegal to bring into Libya and will be confiscated at the border if found.
Hotels
Libya has both big brand name hotels such as the Raddison and the Sheraton, and also a range of cheaper hotels. The further away from the coast you get accommodation options become more basic with guesthouses common.
Nightlife
Alcohol is now banned in Libya as well as bars and nightclubs. There is very little in the way of nightlife in Tripoli, with most people just hanging around outside or sitting in a cafe with a football match on in the corner. Parties and alcohol consumption all happens in private homes and venues, so if you're going to try and go out in Libya, you're going to need to know someone.
Shopping
The markets in Libyan cities are a great place to pick up cool souvenirs and local products. The main market in Tripoli is especially good for fun antiques and Libya-related items such as magnets, old money and sometimes (but very rarely) the little green book by Ghaddafi.
When is the best time to visit?
Libya can be extremely hot in summer with temperatures regularly reaching over 50 degrees celsius. Even in Spring and Autumn, the mercury stays well above 30 degrees most of the time. The best time to visit Libya is in winter when temperatures have dropped to a day time average of 20 degrees.
Lots of the famous sights of Libya such as Leptis Magna and Sabrata are outside, and with very few clouds to protect you from the hot Saharan sun, you'll be thankful you booked your Libya tour between November and Febuary.
What to eat
Libyan food is quite similar to other places in North Africa such as Morocco with food being a little spicy and with cous cous making an appearance at most meals. Seafood in Libya is also excellent and the Italian influence from colonial times means Tripoli also has fantastic coffee and gelato. Check out our Libyan food and drink page for more about local dishes.
