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Libya does things on a grand scale. More than 1,000 miles of sparkling Mediterranean waters lap its coast. Desert dunes roam largely unhindered across over 400,000 square miles. Berber and Bedouin communities maintain lives that would be recognisable to some of the first outsiders – ancient Carthaginians. They left their own wonders, alongside Greece and Rome. By all rights Libya should be a major tourist destination. Of course, the country is by no means safe at present. But when it is, these are the best 9 things to do in Libya.
1. Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna was built by Rome in the second century AD on a Carthaginian settlement already hundreds of years old. Unlike most Roman settlements the city has never been built on since, making it one of the most intact ancient Roman sites anywhere in the Mediterranean.
Sometimes known as Lepcis Magna, the city was a major trading post. But it achieved much of its status because it was home town of the emperor Septimius Severus. He spent huge sums constructing a new forum and docks.
Its many treasures include amphitheatres, bathhouses, villas and recently-discovered mosaics considered some of the finest in the world. If ancient history interests you, this is possibly the finest single site in North Africa.
2. Tripoli
Staying on the coast, the Libyan capital is more than just the location of the country’s primary international airport.
The heart of the city lies on the shores of the Mediterranean immediately south of the small, attractive port. Here you’ll find the magnificent form of the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, beaches empty of sunbathers, and several other interesting sites.
Tripoli centres around Martyrs Square, much as it has done for decades. Formerly Green Square and Piazza Italia before that, it’s marked by stellae from when Tripoli was part of the modern Roman Empire under Mussolini. They are watched over by Tripoli Castle (the Red Castle) containing the Saraya Archaeological Museum.
3. Ghadames Oasis
Deep in the Libyan Desert, close to the borders with Tunisia and Algeria, is the oasis of Ghadames. A stronghold for the Berber people, it is also known as Ghadamis.
Sometimes known as ‘the pearl of the desert’, Ghadames has pleasant streets shaded by tall palms. Its low, adobe-built structures gleam in the sunshine thanks to their whitewashed exteriors. In short, it’s an excellent example of a traditional Saharan oasis town.
The oldest part of Ghadames is surrounded by city walls, and is now one of Libya’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its museum is dedicated to the culture of the Berber, banned during the long dictatorial rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
4. El-Kouf National Park
El-Kouf takes in dunes, rocky cliffs, and lagoons that come and go with the seasons. As such, it’s an important habitat for Libya’s wildlife.
Around 90% of Libya’s native plant species have been recorded within the park’s 250,000 acres. A highly important bird habitat, greater flamingos can be found on beaches, and white storks amid its coastal scrub. What’s more, turtles and dolphins are offshore visitors. Various small carnivores, including the Egyptian wolf, scour its land.
The park also lies close to Wadi El Kuf road bridge, the second highest in Africa. Designed by Riccardo Morandi (responsible for the Genoa Bridge disaster), it’s a fine example of mid-century engineering.
5. Sabratha
Sabratha rivals Leptis Magna when it comes to the glories of ancient Rome. It’s also almost perfectly located roughly 40 miles west of Tripoli, making a visit stunningly easy to arrange.
The site is dotted with various remains, with columns rising up into clear skies beside gentle waves. The mosaics of the bathhouses are particularly special, but it’s the theatre that is the most magnificent structure.
Two museums outside of the Byzantine walls help visitors understand the site. The first is focussed on the Punic foundation of the city, the second on the Roman settlement.
6. Awjila
This small desert town in eastern Libya is home to one of the most important Islamic sites in the whole of Africa. Its Atiq Mosque is believed to be the earliest in the region still in existence. Its unusual cone-shaped domes and pale clay walls are thought to date to the twelfth century.
The Atiq Mosque was probably constructed here because of its proximity to the Jalu Oasis. A rare source of fresh water (as well as highly-prized dates), it became common for traders to stop here.
Inside, the columned spaces are lit naturally with windows cut into the 21 domes. The clever structure of the building helps keep it several degrees cooler than the outside air temperature too.
7. Tobruk
The city of Tobruk has its name in the history books for very different reasons. The coastal city became the location of a major siege during the Second World War.
Allied and Nazi forces fought for control of the city for years, giving birth to the legend of the desert rats.
Somewhat industrial due to the creation of the deep-water port after the war, relics from the era do still exist. They are best stumbled upon by accident. The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, containing over 2,200 graves, makes for a thought-provoking end to any visit.
8. Nafusa Mountains
The Nafusa Mountains lie south of the city of Tiji in western Libya. A natural boundary between the country’s coastal plain and Tripolitanian Plateau, they are another important area to the Berber.
Only recently, with the end of the Gaddafi regime, have they been able to share their culture openly with others.
Supressed for decades, most continue to live simple lives. Goat farming remains an important source of income. But visitors can also admire the presence of apricot orchards and olive groves.
9. Cyrene
In a country that couldn’t boast Leptis Magna and Sabratha, Cyrene would be a massively important historic site. It first dates to ancient Greek times, and was one of the region’s most important Greek cities for many years.
Standing amid dramatic landscapes, its Temple of Apollo dates to around 700 BC. However, it’s the Temple of Zeus that makes Cyrene one of the best 9 things to do in Libya. Nearby is the Necropolis of Cyrene, roughly six square miles in size.
The best 9 things to do in Libya
Combining ancient cities with dramatic natural sites and intriguing cultures, the best 9 things to do in Libya are certainly diverse. As the situation in the country slowly improves, the authorities will be keen to invite visitors in to explore once more.
