Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATM cards are widely used in Tripoli, more other areas and most big name stores and some coffee lounges accept major cards.
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Africa · Northern AfricaOutline guideCountry in North Africa
Photo: Sanadalahlafi, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Libya (Arabic: ليبيا, Lībiyā) is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa and a part of the Arab world. Although the country is rich in history and culture and has great tourism potential, the country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons since the 1960s. Since the 2010s, the country has been in a state of flux and is rather dangerous to travel to.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Libya.
Cards and cash
ATM cards are widely used in Tripoli, more other areas and most big name stores and some coffee lounges accept major cards.
Mobile networks
Prior to the fall of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Libya had an excellent health care system. However, the civil wars that soon followed badly damaged and devastated that system.
Much of what is considered good manners in the Arab world is applicable to Libya.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital and largest city of Libya. The traveller's main entry point.
the largest city of Cyrenaica and the second largest of the country
an oasis town with a large Berber population. The old part of the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
an oasis city approximately 640 km (400 mi) south of Tripoli
Ancient city of Cyrene, a World Heritage site, is nearby
the birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's longtime ruler.
harbour town with World War II cemeteries
a port city in the northwest not far from the Tunisian border
small former Bedouin village on a wonderful oasis, around 150 km west of Sabha
an ancient settlement in the south west with prehistoric rock paintings and very challenging desert trekking
extensive Roman ruins
a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Libya.
Places in Libya on the World Heritage List.
Cyrene
Listed 1982
Tadrart Acacus
Listed 1985
Archaeological Site of Sabratha
Listed 1982
Old Town of Ghadamès
Listed 1986
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The north-eastern region on the Mediterranean Sea.
Huge southern desert region with amazing scenery and some of the hottest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world.
The north-western region on the Mediterranean Sea with the capital city and ancient Roman ruins.
Public transport and paid services in Libya.
By road
Prior to the civil war many visitors undertook the trip in their own 4x4s or using their own dirt bikes and campervans.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Libya.
Finding apps for Libya…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Tripoli
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 16° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 24° | 27° | 30° | 31° | 29° | 26° | 22° | 18° |
| Avg. low | 13° | 12° | 13° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 25° | 26° | 25° | 22° | 18° | 15° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 44 | 38 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 29 | 35 | 51 |
| Humidity | 69% | 69% | 69% | 69% | 68% | 67% | 66% | 66% | 66% | 66% | 64% | 67% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$270
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $160 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $45 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto Libya for any reason due to crime, terrorism, health concerns, unrest, kidnapping, or landmines. Read entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to Libya for any reason. Restrictions on U.S. Government Personnel Movement There is currently no U.S. Embassy in Libya. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Libya due to the safety risks. U.S. citizens in Libya in need of routine consular services should contact the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia for assistance. Crime Clashes among armed groups, including violence between competing armed groups and government-aligned forces, can occur at any time. Weapons are plentiful in Libya and are controlled by various government organizations, armed groups, tribal factions, and criminal organizations. Criminal organizations in Libya are known to be armed and involved in drug and human trafficking and other smuggling activity. Targeted kidnappings and assassinations are common and committed by criminal organizations and armed groups. Crimes of opportunity occur frequently. Wealthy or foreign nationals are often victims of these crimes. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Libya. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist attacks could occur with little or no warning, targeting government facilities. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Libyan ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S.…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to Libya except for the cities of: Tripoli Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Derna, and the surrounding area known as Jebel Akhdar, either side of the coastal and desert roads between and including the towns of Al-Maqrun and Al-Tamimi Misrata FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the cities of: Tripoli Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Derna, and the surrounding area knows as Jebel Akhdar, either side of the coastal and desert roads between and including the towns of Al-Maqrun and Al-Tamimi Misrata Find out more about why the FCDO advises against travel. UK government support UK government support is limited in Libya. If you are in Libya and need urgent help from the UK government (for example, if you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the British Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia who provide assistance for British nationals in Libya. In-person support is not available in Libya. If you are a British national already in, or planning to travel to Tripoli, you should have robust security arrangements and contingency plans in place. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Libya.
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Culture & historyOld towns in Africa outlines a list of notable old towns in Africa. Most old towns in North and East Africa have an Arabic (or at least Islamic) heritage, but some have an even earlier history.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe European theatre of World War II (see World War II in Europe) included a major campaign in North Africa and there was also fighting in several other parts of the continent.
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Travel tipsThis page is about problems that may arise from evidence of travel to or visa for certain territories. For the issue of visas in general, see Visa.
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