//
Capital and most populous city of Libya
Photo: Abdul-Jawad Elhusuni (عبدالجواد الحسوني), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس, Tarabulus) is the capital, largest city, principal harbour and biggest commercial and manufacturing centre of the North African country of Libya. Tripoli is in the north-west of Libya on the Mediterranean Sea.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built in 1834.
Only surviving Roman monument in the city.
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.
The former colonial Tripoli Cathedral, built in 1930. It was converted into a mosque in 1970.
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.
Museum of Libyan culture, housed in the former Royal Palace of Tripoli.
It has excellent rooms, restaurants, spa facilities and meeting rooms.
Has a "boutique" feel. Good service, rooms and restaurants. Spa facilities are adequate, along with a beautiful, private outdoor pool.
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.
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.
By plane
Flying in to Tripoli is the most convenient way of arriving in Libya, which still can be a hassle.
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…
By boat
Tripoli used to be connected with ferries from Malta and other parts of the Mediterranean.
By train
While construction of a national rail network began in 2010, there has been no progress since then.
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.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Tripoli · International · MJI
Loading places around the airport…
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.