Libya
Country · Africa, Northern Africa
Libya is a country in Northern Africa, bordered by Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. With a population of about 7.5 million and an area of approximately 1.76 million square kilometers, its capital is Tripoli.
Highlights
This guide covers 5 sights. The country features several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the ancient ruins of Cyrene and Leptis Magna. Travelers can also visit the desert city of Ghadames and the Acacus Mountains. In the capital, the Arch of Marcus Aurelius remains a notable site.
Food and drink
Local dishes include Bazin, Usban, Taguella, and Mafrum.
When to go
Based on weather in Tripoli, the months from April to June and September to October offer mild to warm temperatures, generally between 22 °C and 29 °C, with very little rain. July and August are the hottest months, with highs reaching 31 °C. The winter months of December and January see the most rainfall, with up to 71 mm.
Practical notes
The currency is the Libyan dinar. Arabic is the official language. The electrical system uses plugs C, F, and L with a voltage of 127 V. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+02:00, and the calling code is +218.
Cities
Food and drink to try in Libya
- Bazin
- Usban
- Taguella
- Mafrum
Top sights in Libya
Weather by month
The warmest month is August, with an average high of 31 °C. The wettest is January, with about 71 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 16 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 26 | 22 | 18 |
| Average low, °C | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 13 |
| Rainfall, mm | 71 | 34 | 22 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 29 | 50 | 68 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Tripoli (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Benghazi Cathedral