Tripoli, Leptis Magna & Sabratha

Tripoli, Leptis Magna & Sabratha, 4 days

Surely you've heard of Libya and Muammar Gaddafi, who led it for decades? A country opposite Italy, on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean in North Africa. Since Gaddafi, Libya has lived through turbulent times until these days, when the country is once again welcoming tourists to discover Libya's secrets – the capital Tripoli and the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha in the north of the country and not forgetting the Nafusa Mountains. You can easily experience these sites on a day trip from Tripoli.

Day 1

Arrival in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. Transfer to the hotel.

Later in the day, a city tour of Tripoli, the capital of Libya and home to over a million inhabitants. The most interesting thing about Tripoli is of course the old part of the city, the medina with its narrow alleys and white buildings. Places to visit include: the various souks, the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius, the Ottoman clock tower etc. etc.

Day 2

Today we will drive about 120 km east of Tripoli and arrive at Leptis Magna.

Leptis Magna was a town founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC, after which it belonged to Carthage. Under Emperor Tiberius, Leptis Magna became part of the Roman Empire. The city was abandoned in the 650s AD. Today, Leptis Magna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its particularly well-preserved theatre and baths as highlights.

Accommodation: in Tripoli

Day 3

Today we leave the hotel at 7 a.m. First, we drive about 70 kilometers (about an hour) west of Tripoli to Sabratha, which is also a city founded by the Phoenicians. Later, it also belonged to the Romans and Byzantines until the Arabs arrived and Sabratha lost its status. Sabratha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a particularly magnificent Roman theater. The Sabratha Museum is closed.

From Sabratha we continue about 150 kilometers (about 2 hours) to the Nafusa Mountains to the abandoned stone-built village of Tarmisa. From Tarmisa we continue another 20 kilometers (about 30 minutes) to the 12th century circular “granary” of Qasr al-Hajj. Next, the journey continues about 120 kilometers (about 1.5 hours) to the small town of Gharyan, where we will at least get to know the underground cave dwellings of the Berbers. From Gharyan it is still about 80 kilometers (about an hour) to return to Tripoli, where we will be at around 7 pm.

Accommodation: in Tripoli

Day 4

Today you will be transferred back to Tripoli airport and your journey home begins.