Tripoli

Understand

History Tripoli was founded in the 7th century BCE by the Phoenicians, who named their settlement Oea—due to the city's long history, there are several sites of archaeological significance in the city and in its surroundings, not least from the period under the Roman Empire.

Climate

Tripoli's prevailing climate is typical Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, cool winters, and some modest rainfall.

Getting there

Visas will be needed, and those can be attained via embassies or consulates. Roughly US$50–150, you should obtain the visa prior to arrival and be prepared for getting your hands on lots of information, best to call first for the latest requirements as they change regularly. Business visitors or others with the right 'connections' may be able to arrange a visa on arrival. The cost has been 100 dinar, but the process can be slow. This must be paid in Libyan dinar. If you do not have dinar, you will have to go to the area after baggage reclaim to exchange some money (minus your passport). The security staff will allow you back in, but make sure they see you leave to be sure. Leaving Libya requires the right stamps in your passport. Your hotel is required to present your passport to the authorities where your visa will be stamped. Make sure you confirm this with the hotel prior to checking out or else you are liable for a fine or worse when clearing immigration. Make use of the business class lounge at Tripoli Airport (LYD 30 charge if you are not a first/business traveller) where the toilet facilities in there are clean while the same cannot be said for the ones in the general lounge.

By plane Flying in to Tripoli is the most convenient way of arriving in Libya, which still can be a hassle. International connections are as of 2022 still limited to a few select countries, there are daily flights from Cairo, Istanbul and Tunis which all are major international gateways. Flights from Europe are sparse. Tripoli has two airports. It's also possible to arrive via the international airport in Misrata (MRA IATA), 200 km to the east.

1 Mitiga International Airport (MJI IATA) (8 km (5.0 mi) east of Tripoli's city centre). The main airport, most international flights arrive here. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Tripoli International Airport (مطار طرابلس العالمي, TIP IATA) (In the town of Ben Ghashir, 34 km (21 mi) south of the Tripoli city centre). The airport has one main terminal building, which acts as the international and national terminal for the airport. Check-in facilities are in the ground floor. Departure and duty-free shops are located on the first floor. (updated Jul 2022)

By car Tourists travelling to Tripoli used to make their way there by road from Tunisia which is nearer than the other border from Egypt, the journey took approx three hours drive from the border with Tunisia. This journey should only be completed in daylight hours as its very dangerous at night, many sheep, camels, cows, and of course shepherds roam the roads in evening and are hard to

Getting around

The best way to see Tripoli is to walk, there are plenty of great guides out there (books) to help you out and also you may come across some half-useful Libyan versions. The people are friendly and very inquisitive. But be aware if you're a westerner, or stick out like a sore thumb compared to a local. Don't walk around at night alone. Taxis are also useful but can be pricey for westerners.

See

More and more palaces (especially from the Karamanli period) are also being restored and opened to the public. The basic street plan of the medina was laid down in the Roman period when the walls were constructed as protection against attacks from the interior of Tripolitania, and are considered well planned, possibly better than modern street plans. In the 8th century a wall on the sea-facing side of the city was added. Three gates provided access to the old town: Bab Zanata in the west, Bab Hawara in the southeast and Bab Al-Bahr in the north wall. The city walls are still standing and can be climbed for good views of the city. The Bazaar is also known for its traditional ware; fine jewellery and clothes can be found in the local markets. The Museum, a fine modern facility located in the Red Castle, is Libya's national museum. It houses many artefacts from the country's Roman and Greek periods, including treasures from the World Heritage sites at Leptis Magna and Sabratha, and politically motivated displays such as the Volkswagen Beetle car driven by Gadaffi in the 1960s.

1 Gurgi Mosque. Built in 1834. 2 Karamanli Mosque. 3 Arch of Marcus Aurelius. Only surviving Roman monument in the city. 4 Martyrs' Square. Formerly known as Green Square. This is a popular gathering place. It gives some good views of the old city walls. Some of the shopping streets also start here. The square is often used for demonstrations (against the Syrian regime typically) and as a place for motorcycle enthusiasts to show off. There is nothing in the square itself to see. 5 Jamal Abdul Nasser Mosque, Algeria Square. The former colonial Tripoli Cathedral, built in 1930. It was converted into a mosque in 1970. (updated Jul 2022) 6 Anglican Church of Christ The King. (updated Jul 2022)

Museums 7 Red Castle Museum (متحف السرايا الحمراء). The national museum of Libya, covering 5,000 years of history in a vast palace complex with numerous courtyards which dominates the city skyline and is on the outskirts of the medina. There are several classical statues and fountains from the Ottoman period scattered around the castle. Also known as Assaraya Alhamra Museum. (updated Dec 2020) 8 Museum of Libya. Museum of Libyan culture, housed in the former Royal Palace of Tripoli. (updated Jul 2022) 9 Karamanly House Museum. Historic house and museum located in the Old City. It is associated with the Karamanli dynasty, which ruled from 1711 to 1835 in Ottoman Tripolitania. (updated Dec 2020)

Do

Prior to the conflicts of 2011 the city had a reputation as a good place to escape from the pressures of today's modern life. It might pay to wait until things have returned to some sort of normality before venturing out and about but there are wonderful beaches within driving distance, and the Old City and the museum are good for hours of exploration. Adventurous types might try the nightclub on the 3rd floor of the 3rd building in the central tower complex. Like any proper nightclub it only opens at 23:00. A non-alcoholic beer costs a small fortune, and, like in Italy and Paris, there is a charge to sit at a table.

1 Darghouth Turkish Bath. A Turkish bathhouse, hammam, established in established 1670 AD. (updated Jul 2022)

Fitness There are a few gyms scattered throughout Tripoli: they're in the centre off Omar Mukhtar Street that has fairly comprehensive free weights and aerobics classes. Also, the Sultan Gym off of Gorgi Road has an extensive free weights section, and a women-only section. All the 5-star hotels in the city have gyms with membership options ranging from 200-300 dinar per month.

Radisson Blu. Corinthia.

Buy

There are some big brand shops present in Tripoli, Marks and Spencer, Mango, H & M. Prices are similar in comparison to the UK. Clothes The best clothing shops are generally near Martyrs Square and running up towards the former cathedral. Bargains can be found here including shoes and the usual knitwear which appears to good quality. Also in Gargarish and Benashour area there are many nice shops there. Furniture Gargarish Road running towards Hay Andulas is easily the location to go for any furniture or office equipment, and printing supplies. Electronics The best electronics shops are also on Gargarish Road but for computer equipment head to the Fatah Tower in the downtown commercial district where there a couple of shops, in addition to the computer shops in Aldahrah.

Eat

The quality of food in Tripoli is good and generally inexpensive by western standards. Do not expect a huge variety, the cuisine is mostly Arabic. The chances of getting food poisoning are slim but beware of the fish, if you do feel inclined to sample the seafood, just take one look at the cleanliness of the harbour and the beaches.

There is an Oriental restaurant in the Corinthea hotel and another one in Gargash. Brush up on your Arabic; waiting staff speak little English and getting one of them to serve you at your table can be challenging. There are several cafes and bistros in Tripoli, mostly located in the Gergaresh strip all the way to Seyaheya. A few of the most popular venues are 02, W Cafe, Veranda, Caracalla, Cacao, Halaweyat Sharkiya and Caffe Casa. Most of these cafes are also restaurants and serve a variety of dishes both Western and Middle Eastern. All are popular among the foreigners of the city of Tripoli.

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink & nightlife

Alcohol is forbidden in Libya. It is not available in any restaurants or hotels except black market which may be much pricier than you thought. Fines if caught are hefty.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge 1 Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel, Al Fatah St, Corniche, ☏ +218 21 3407878. It has excellent rooms, restaurants, spa facilities and meeting rooms. Rooms from €235. 2 Al Waddan Hotel, ☏ +218 21 3330044. Has a "boutique" feel. Good service, rooms and restaurants. Spa facilities are adequate, along with a beautiful, private outdoor pool. 3 Corinthia's Bab Africa (downtown Tripoli), ☏ +218 21 3351990, [email protected]. Tripoli's premier hotel, referred to locally by the chain name, also a main meeting point for many foreigners and the Tripoli elite. It has a number of good quality restaurants, a gymnasium, indoor pool and sauna. 4 Thobacts Hotel. There is a big difference between it and the nearby 5-star hotels mentioned above, but it is a fraction of the price. It has been renovated and the staff are very friendly and speak good English. Internet and wifi services are of an erratic quality. If you are on business this can be frustrating but for the leisure traveller it should not cause you a problem.

Go next

Roman Ruins of Sabratha and Leptis Magna are worth visiting. Sabratha is towards west of Tripoli and Leptis is to the east. Tunisia