Attractions of Libya

To help inspire or plan your trip to Libya, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Libya which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of Libya-> Libyan Coast - Libyan Sahara

Libyan Coast

Tripoli
Tripoli Tripoli, Libya's capital, was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC and rule and occupation by the Romans, Ottomans and Italians have all contributed to its historic and cultural heritage. The Jamhariya Museum contains excellent collections of Roman and Islamic artefacts, including mosaics from Leptis Magna and Sabratha. The walled Medina, or old city, is filled with mosques and souks, more peaceful and authentic than the more touristy souks of Istanbul and Marrakech. Other attractions include the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius dating to the 2nd century AD, the Gurgi Mosque and the Red Fort.

Tripoli

Tripoli

Tripoli, Libya's capital, was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC and rule and occupation by the Romans, Ottomans and Italians have all contributed to its historic and cultural heritage. The Jamhariya Museum contains excellent collections of Roman and Islamic artefacts, including mosaics from Leptis Magna and Sabratha. The walled Medina, or old city, is filled with mosques and souks, more peaceful and authentic than the more touristy souks of Istanbul and Marrakech. Other attractions include the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius dating to the 2nd century AD, the Gurgi Mosque and the Red Fort.

Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna Leptis Magna was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Roman cities and its excellently preserved remains make it one of the best Roman sites. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC, Leptis Magna came under Roman control in the 2nd century BC. It flourished under the reign of its native son, Septimis Severus, in the 3rd century AD who enlarged and embellished the city, becoming second only to Rome with a population of 100,000. Buried under sand for centuries, the city has been extensively excavated since the 1920s. Among its many highlights are the Gladiator Circus, amphitheatre, marketplace, theatre, basilica and the many forums, baths, streets and arches. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Roman cities and its excellently preserved remains make it one of the best Roman sites. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC, Leptis Magna came under Roman control in the 2nd century BC. It flourished under the reign of its native son, Septimis Severus, in the 3rd century AD who enlarged and embellished the city, becoming second only to Rome with a population of 100,000. Buried under sand for centuries, the city has been extensively excavated since the 1920s. Among its many highlights are the Gladiator Circus, amphitheatre, marketplace, theatre, basilica and the many forums, baths, streets and arches.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna

Sabratha
Sabratha Sabratha was a Phoenician trading post, part of the short-lived Numidian kingdom of Massinissa and under the influence of Carthage before coming under Roman control in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It prospered as a trading centre for gold, ivory, leather, spices and slaves brought to the Mediterranean from central Africa which saw the city rebuilt with many impressive monuments. Like the more famous Leptis Magna, Sabratha today has some excellently preserved Roman ruins in a beautiful setting on the Mediterranean coast. Most famously, its theatre has a capacity of 5,000 and the stage area has been renovated with a three storey, marble-columned frons scena. Other features include the large forum surrounded by the temples of Liber Pater, Serapis, Hercules and Isis, the Christian basilica of Justinian and the Capitolium. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Sabratha

Sabratha

Sabratha was a Phoenician trading post, part of the short-lived Numidian kingdom of Massinissa and under the influence of Carthage before coming under Roman control in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It prospered as a trading centre for gold, ivory, leather, spices and slaves brought to the Mediterranean from central Africa which saw the city rebuilt with many impressive monuments. Like the more famous Leptis Magna, Sabratha today has some excellently preserved Roman ruins in a beautiful setting on the Mediterranean coast. Most famously, its theatre has a capacity of 5,000 and the stage area has been renovated with a three storey, marble-columned frons scena. Other features include the large forum surrounded by the temples of Liber Pater, Serapis, Hercules and Isis, the Christian basilica of Justinian and the Capitolium.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Sabratha

Cyrene and Apollonia
Cyrene and Apollonia Founded as a Greek colony in the 7th century BC, Cyrene soon became one of the wealthiest and most important cities in the Hellenic world before coming under Ptolemaic and then Roman control. One of the most impressive and varied complex of ruins anywhere, Cyrene's highlights include the Temples of Zeus and Apollo, the Acropolis and the Agora, as well as its baths, gymnasium and theatre. Its port at Apollonia lies 18km away on the Mediterranean coast, with further Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains including a Greek theatre overlooking the sea. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Cyrene

Cyrene and Apollonia

Founded as a Greek colony in the 7th century BC, Cyrene soon became one of the wealthiest and most important cities in the Hellenic world before coming under Ptolemaic and then Roman control. One of the most impressive and varied complex of ruins anywhere, Cyrene's highlights include the Temples of Zeus and Apollo, the Acropolis and the Agora, as well as its baths, gymnasium and theatre. Its port at Apollonia lies 18km away on the Mediterranean coast, with further Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains including a Greek theatre overlooking the sea.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Archaeological Site of Cyrene

Tobruk
Tobruk was the site of an important battle during the Second World War when Allied soldiers held out against a German siege in 1941. Little remains of the town today which was reduced to rubble during the battle, but the cemeteries for the Commonwealth, French and German soldiers can be visited.

Libyan Sahara

Ghadamès
Ghadamès Ghadamès is an historic town located in an oasis in the desert near the border with Tunisia and Algeria. Once known as the 'Pearl of the Desert', Ghadamès was an important stopping of point in the trans-Saharan trade routes between Timbuktu and the Mediterranean and is renowned for unique layout and architecture. Buildings were constructed from sun-baked clay bricks and connected together to form covered alleyways which linked the main streets and open air terraces at the top that formed rooftop 'streets'. The lower streets were reserved for men and the rooftops for women during daylight. The old town is now deserted but the museum, traditional houses and mosques can be visited. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Old Town of Ghadamès

Ghadamès

Ghadamès is an historic town located in an oasis in the desert near the border with Tunisia and Algeria. Once known as the 'Pearl of the Desert', Ghadamès was an important stopping of point in the trans-Saharan trade routes between Timbuktu and the Mediterranean and is renowned for unique layout and architecture. Buildings were constructed from sun-baked clay bricks and connected together to form covered alleyways which linked the main streets and open air terraces at the top that formed rooftop 'streets'. The lower streets were reserved for men and the rooftops for women during daylight. The old town is now deserted but the museum, traditional houses and mosques can be visited.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Old Town of Ghadamès

Acacus Mountains
The Acacus Mountains deep in the Libyan Sahara boasts extraordinary natural scenery as well as some of the best rock art found anywhere in the world. Amidst the shifting sands of the desert are deep canyons and some unique and bizarre rock formations. 1,300 rock art sites have so far been discovered which data back some 12,000 years. The paintings and carvings illustrate the history of settlement in the region as well as portraying its changing climate and natural environment. The oldest paintings show large savannah animals such as elephant and rhino and depict a humid environment. The images change over time to display the desertification of the region when the dromedary becomes prominent. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus

Acacus Mountains

The Acacus Mountains deep in the Libyan Sahara boasts extraordinary natural scenery as well as some of the best rock art found anywhere in the world. Amidst the shifting sands of the desert are deep canyons and some unique and bizarre rock formations. 1,300 rock art sites have so far been discovered which data back some 12,000 years. The paintings and carvings illustrate the history of settlement in the region as well as portraying its changing climate and natural environment. The oldest paintings show large savannah animals such as elephant and rhino and depict a humid environment. The images change over time to display the desertification of the region when the dromedary becomes prominent.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus

Ubari Sand Sea
The Ubari Sand Sea is a vast area of towering sand dunes in the desert notable for the 11 salt water lakes known as Ramlat Dawada. The lakes, such as Gebraoun and Umm al-Maa, are beautiful palm-fringed oases that appear miraculously amidst the harsh desert environment.

Germa
Germa is an ancient city in the Sahara Desert which was once capital of the Garamantian Empire from approximately 900 BC to 500 AD. The Garamantes were a loose confederation of warlike nomadic tribes. The old town of Germa contains some ancient houses, temples and baths as well as a museum.