Tripoli, Libya

Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. The city is located in the northwest part of the country on the edge of the desert, on a point of rocky land projecting into the Mediterranean and forming a bay. The domestic situation in Libya remains unstable subsequent to the formal announcement of liberation by the Libyan National Transitional Council on 23 October 2011. Travel within the nations borders remains dangerous and therefore strongly discouraged for independent travellers.

Tripoli is a stunning city that more than lives up to the moniker ‘The jewel of the Mediterranean.’ The Medina (Old City) is worth a visit to see the narrow whitewashed streets crammed with mosques (the highlights of which are the Gurgi and the Karamanli mosques). Inside the Medina are bustling souks, the marble Arch of Marcus Aurelius and the city’s castle National or Jamahiriya Museum. There is also a water park, zoo and beaches (although these aren’t especially clean). The seaside promenade in the modern part is impressive.

Things to see and do

* The Great Mosque
* Citadel of Raymond de Saint Gillies
* Burj Es-Sabaa (lion Tower)
* Medina (old city)
* Souks (markets)

Cruise Season – Oct – May
Currency – Libyan Dinar
Language – Arabic
Land Area – 400km²
Population – 2,220,000 approx
Electricity – 3 pin flat plug
Time – GMT plus two hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 281

Port Location – The port of Tripoli is located in Tripoli harbor in downtown Tripoli.

Transport Links – Tripoli International airport is located 25km (16 miles) from the city center, the airport is served by various airlines including the national carrier Libyan Arab Airlines. Long distance buses link Tripoli to Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia, as well as Syria, Iraq and Jordan.

There are currently no international train services to Libya.