Holiday in Tripoli

About Tripoli

Tripoli is the capital of Libya and one of the oldest Mediterranean cities — founded in the 7th century BC as the Phoenician trading colony Oea, it was part of the namesake 'Tripoli' (Three Cities) along with Sabratha and Leptis Magna. The 1.3 million city on the Libyan coast preserves layers of history beneath its modern surface, ranging from the Phoenicians to the Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and Italians. The Medina of Tripoli, surrounded by city walls, is a labyrinth of alleys with Ottoman mosques, hammams, and caravanserais. The Marcus Aurelius Arch, a Roman triumphal arch from the 2nd century, stands amidst daily life — cars literally drive through an 1,800-year-old monument. The Red Castle Museum (Assaraya al-Hamra), a massive fortress overlooking the Medina, houses Libya's richest archaeological collection. Sabratha and Leptis Magna (UNESCO), two of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, are within day-trip distance: Leptis Magna, 120 km to the east, is the African Pompeii — a complete Roman city ensemble with theater, forum, baths, and harbor that left visitors in awe before the war. **Important Note:** Libya has been in an unstable security situation since 2011. The Foreign Office warns against travel. The described sites document a unique world heritage.