Best places to visit in Libya

Libya's Absolute Essentials

Libya’s heritage spans from the coastal Roman ruins of Sabratha and Ptolemais to the Saharan landscapes of the Ubari Desert. This collection features UNESCO World Heritage sites like the mud-brick oasis of Ghadamès alongside natural phenomena such as the Waw an Namus volcano and the Kebira Crater. Architectural landmarks include the Wadi Al-Kouf Bridge, once the highest in Africa, and historical fortifications like the 10th-century Fatimid castle in Ajdabiya and the Ottoman-era Murzuq Castle, reflecting centuries of Mediterranean and Saharan history.

Libya's Absolute Essentials — Map

A

Archaeological Site of Sabratha

A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a remarkably preserved 3rd-century Roman theater, Phoenician foundations, and ancient temples overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

B

Old Town of Ghadamès

Known as the 'Pearl of the Desert,' this UNESCO-listed oasis city is characterized by its vertical architecture, mud-brick houses designed for temperature control, and interconnected rooftop walkways.

David Stanley / CC BY 2.0

C

Ptolemais, Cyrenaica

Ptolemais was one of the five cities that formed the Pentapolis of Cyrenaica, the others being Cyrene, Euesperides, Tauchira/Teuchira, and…

Lucag / CC BY-SA 2.5

D

Idehan Ubari

The Ubari Desert, Idehan Ubari, Idehan Awbari or Ubari Erg is an erg in the hyper-arid Fezzan region of southwestern Libya with a surface…

Rolfcosar / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Waw an Namus

Waw an Namus is a volcano in Libya. Of either Pleistocene or Holocene age, it is located within the eastern Fezzan region.

Hdrza / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Fatami Castle

A 10th-century Fatimid fortress in Ajdabiya, this site preserves the remains of a fortified palace and mosque, serving as a significant example of early Islamic architecture in Libya.

G

Temple of Serapis

The Temple of Serapis was an sanctuary in Ancient Rome dedicated to the god Serapis and the goddess Isis.

H

Wadi Al-Kouf Bridge

Wadi el Kuf Bridge, is a bridge located 20 km west of Bayda, Libya. It is the second highest bridge in Africa.

I

Murzuq Castle

An Ottoman-era fortress in the Fezzan region that served as a strategic administrative center and a key stop for trans-Saharan trade caravans.

J

Kebira Crater

Kebira Crater is the name given to a circular topographic feature that was identified in 2007 by Farouk El-Baz and Eman Ghoneim using…

K

Benghazi Cathedral

Benghazi Cathedral is a former Roman Catholic church in the city of Benghazi, Libya. It is located in the city center.