Tripoli

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
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       62     16 8       32     19 9       30     21 11       14     24 14       4.6     27 17       1.3     30 20       0.7     32 22       0.1     33 23       17     31 21       47     27 18       58     23 13       68     19 9 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       2.4     62 46       1.3     65 48       1.2     69 51       0.6     75 57       0.2     81 62       0.1     87 68       0     89 71       0     91 73       0.7     88 71       1.8     80 64       2.3     73 55       2.7     66 49 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

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

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.

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)

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 spot.

There have been reported incidents of bandits operating on this route and it is therefor advisable to make others aware of travel plans.

Tripoli used to be connected with ferries from Malta and other parts of the Mediterranean. However, due to decades of isolation and the current turmoil there are as of 2022 no scheduled ferries to Tripoli or anywhere else in Libya. For those intent on travelling by ferry, an option might be to travel to neighboring Tunisia, a country that receives plenty of ferries from ports in Europe, and continue overland. Otherwise, the only remaining option is freighter travel or private boat.

While construction of a national rail network began in 2010, there has been no progress since then. While resuming construction remains a high priority for the government, expect no passenger services to materialize during the foreseeable future.

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.

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.

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.