Ancient cities and historical monuments of great archaeological importance. Newly prosperous Mediterranean coastal cities where skyscrapers create a modern contradiction to historical Old Towns, and where wonderful beaches bring a fresh touch to otherwise urban atmosphere. Not to forget the extremely dry and hot Sahara desert with it's scenic forms and interesting Bedouin culture. Libya is a land of possibilities for independent tourists.
Travel destinations. The most popular travel destination in Libya is it's capital city, Tripoli, with it's historical Old Town and impressive seaside promenade. Another Libyan must-see is the ancient town of Leptis Magna, which once was one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire. Today, it is an archaeological site of major interest and a popular travel sight easily reachable from Tripoli. While visiting Libya, you might also want to visit Saharan desert oasises to see traditional Bedouin culture, or enjoy the unspoiled beaches of the Mediterranean coast of Libya.
Libya's attractions from ancient towns to Sahara desert landscapes
From the ancient times of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, through Islamic, Ottoman and Italian periods to independence and to modern times with oil findings and with leadership of Muammar Qadhafi, Libya has a turbulent history full of interesting periods. Today, due to fast economic growth with promising future with doors open to many directions, this North African country is a challenging but intriguing place to visit.Travel destinations. The most popular travel destination in Libya is it's capital city, Tripoli, with it's historical Old Town and impressive seaside promenade. Another Libyan must-see is the ancient town of Leptis Magna, which once was one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire. Today, it is an archaeological site of major interest and a popular travel sight easily reachable from Tripoli. While visiting Libya, you might also want to visit Saharan desert oasises to see traditional Bedouin culture, or enjoy the unspoiled beaches of the Mediterranean coast of Libya.
Practical information for your trip to Libya
There are two different types of climates found in Libya. The Mediterranean coast enjoys warm and sunny summers and mild winters with some rain. Another, more extreme climate type found in Libya is that of the inland desert, which has extremely hot and dry climate with occasional sand storms. This extreme climate type dominates in Sahara desert, which covers southern parts of Libya. Regardless of where you are heading in Libya, it might be wise to avoid the hottest summer months of June, July, and August, when the heat is unbearable for those who are not used to hot conditions. Otherwise, Libya is worth a visit anytime of the year.
Photo: Capitan Giona, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Traffic connections to Libya are good, with busy international airport near Tripoli, and with good road connections from Tunisia and Egypt. However, getting to Libya may cause some problems,as visas can be hard to get, and except for group visas which are easier to obtain, usually demand an invitation from someone living in the country. There are also orders for the minimum sum of money you should carry with you when entering Libya. However, once you have made it to Libya, the situation gets easier.
Safety. Libya is generally a quite safe travel destination, except for the southern border areas, which should be avoided. When traveling in this Muslim country, you should always respect local habits and culture, having restrictions for things like women's dress and alcohol use. Traffic in Libya is chaotic, and except for main roads, which are in good condition, roads are most often unpaved and bumpy. Although much of local people prefer to speak Arabic, English is widely understood especially in big cities like Tripoli. Price level in Libya is quite high, especially compared to other African countries.
