Tripoli District · Libya
Where to stay in Tripoli
Tripoli is a city in Tripoli District, Libya, home to about 1,293,000 people.
- Best months
- February to April, November and December
- Nearest airport
- MJI9 km · Mitiga International Airport
- Currency
- LYDLibyan dinar
- Time zone
- Africa/Tripoli
- Language
- Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic
About
About Tripoli
Tripoli, historically known as Tripoli-of-the-West, is the capital and largest city of Libya, with a population of about 3.246 million people in 2021. It is located in the northwest of Libya on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean Sea and forming a bay.
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. Tripoli's prevailing climate is typical Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, cool winters, and some modest rainfall.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Tripoli
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.
- Gurgi Mosque
- Karamanli Mosque
- Arch of Marcus Aurelius
- Martyrs' Square
- Jamal Abdul Nasser Mosque
- Anglican Church of Christ The King
- Red Castle Museum
- Museum of Libya
- Karamanly House Museum
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.
- Darghouth Turkish Bath
- Radisson Blu
- Corinthia
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Tripoli
11 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Al Waddan Hotel | 1935 | 0.7 km |
| Corinthia Hotel Tripoli Corinthia Hotels International | 2003 | 1.9 km |
| Grand Hotel Tripoli | 1982 | 0.7 km |
| Sheraton Tripoli Hotel Sheraton Hotels and Resorts | 4.0 km | |
| JW Marriott Tripoli Marriott Hotels & Resorts | 2011 | 2.2 km |
| Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel Tripoli Radisson Hotels | 1989 | 1.5 km |
| Rixos Al Nasr | 3.2 km | |
| Four Points by Sheraton Tripoli Four Points by Sheraton | 3.9 km | |
| Burj Almadina Hotel | 1.4 km | |
| Grand Hotel Tripoli | 1927 | 0.7 km |
| hotel Mehari | 1935 | 1.5 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Tripoli
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Tripoli are February to April, November and December. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; January is the wettest, with about 52 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Tripoli: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mitiga International Airport (MJI), about 9.4 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting in
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 dinars, 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).
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.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
MJI · Mitiga International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Tripoli
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.
Drink
Alcohol is forbidden in Libya. It is not available in any restaurants or hotels except black markets which may be much pricier than you thought. Fines if caught are hefty.
Stay safe
Women may choose to dress modestly: long sleeves and long skirts or pants are considered most appropriate when shopping or sightseeing. Libya is not a conservative Muslim country, so head scarves are not necessary.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Tripoli: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Tripoli?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Tripoli are February to April, November and December. August is the warmest month, with average highs of 36 °C; January is the wettest, with about 52 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Tripoli?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mitiga International Airport (MJI), about 9.4 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Tripoli?
Libyan dinar (LYD).
Nearby
Destinations near Tripoli
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.