Its culture involves roots in Berber, African, Turkish and Arab cultures. Libya was also an Italian colony for about three decades, which had a great impact on the culture. Libya has managed to keep its traditional folk culture alive to today. Most Libyans are Berber and Arab, and 96.6% are Muslim Sunnis.
Libya, a mostly desert and oil-rich country with an ancient history, has more recently been known for the 42-year rule of the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi – and the chaos that has followed his departure. Libya was under foreign rule for centuries until it gained independence in 1951.
The best way to make sure that you have appropriate funds while traveling in Libya is to bring US Dollars OR Euros with you. It is very easy to exchange foreign currency at banks, hotels, or exchange bureaus.
The Libyan culture is a blend of many influences, due to its exposure to many historical eras. Its culture involves roots in Berber, African, Turkish and Arab cultures. … Libya has managed to keep its traditional folk culture alive to today. Most Libyans are Berber and Arab.
Souks are a very popular shopping experience in Northern Africa and can be found in the Medina (the old town). The souks are traditional markets and are a hive of activity with an electrifying atmosphere and brightly colored stalls.
It depends. Check with your phone provider to see if they offer any international services. If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a local SIM card to use while in Libya.
Libya has a long history with a selection of well-preserved ruins and many archaeological finds housed in their many museums.
Apollonia Museum (Susa Museum)
The Apollonia Museum, also known as Susa Museum, is located in Apollonia which was a sea port for Cyrene. When you visit this museum you can expect to be welcomed with a great selection of ceramics, sculptures, magnificent columns and household items, enabling you to get glimpse into the areas rich historical past.
Germa Museum
The Germa Museum is home to some interesting archaeological artifacts from the Garamantian Kingdom of Fezzan. Here you will find a choice of inscriptions, stone slabs, costumes, prehistoric rock paintings, altars and so much more.
Red Castle Museum
The Red Castle Museum is the most popular museum in Libya. This museum has four wings, the natural history wing, the prehistory wing, the Berber tribes wing and the Punic Roman traditions wing.
The Peoples Era Wing was added in the late 1960’s just after Gadaffi’s arrival. This wing is dedicated to the country’s fight for independence.
This museum offers visitors an opportunity to view some amazing statues, mosaics, rock art and pottery, just to name some of the items you can expect to find here.
Leptis Magna Museum
The Leptis Magna Museum is an archaeological museum filled with Berber, Phoenician, Roman and Punic artifacts. This museum showcases a selection of rocks, pottery, statues, metal work, jewelery and costumes.
It’s banned there, but popular. “Libya is one of only three African countries that bans alcohol, along with Mauritania and Sudan.
In the cities, men are free to wear t-shirts and shorts below the knees. Women are accepted in three-quarter-length pants and skirts, t-shirts and long sleeves, with no need for head scarves.
Tipping is entirely discretionary, but is a very welcome and appreciated way for our guides, drivers, cooks etc. to support their incomes. We generally leave it up to you and your satisfaction with our services.
Arabic
The official language of Libya is Arabic. Although Modern Standard Arabic is used in most formal occasions, the local spoken language or the common spoken vernacular in Libya is the Libyan Arabic. The language has two major dialects, the eastern and the western varieties. Tunisian Arabic and Egyptian Arabic are also spoken in different parts of the country.
Minority Languages Spoken In Libya
Berber
Several Berber languages are spoken in Libya such as Awjilah, Tamasheq, Nafusi, Ghadamès, and others. Earlier, the Berber languages were not recognized by Libya’s government nor were they taught in schools. The former head of the country Muammar Gaddafi was completely against the use of the language and considered it as a “product of colonialism” that divided Libya. For a whole year, the naming of children in Berber was strictly prohibited in the country. However, after the recent uprisings in Libya, the mindset towards the Berber languages have widened.
You’ll receive a full packing list for the tour that will help guide you. Because this is a Muslim country, you’ll want to dress a bit more conservatively than you might otherwise dress in a Euro-Mediterranean country. Lightweight travel pants, tops, dresses and/or skirts (below the knee) will be most comfortable. A long dress with a top or scarf to cover your shoulders will also work.
Our rule of thumb is not to bring more than two pairs of shoes–one pair for walking and perhaps a pair of sandals, tennis shoes or small boots (depending on the weather forecast).
In general, you’ll want to be prepared to dress in layers as the temperature can swing wide from mid-day to evening.
Many businesses and services will be either closed during the day or will run at a much slower pace, Just be careful not to eat and drink on the street during the day, as a sign of respect.
Read our blog about Ramadan Traditions
Your Libya dress code for women:
Your Libya dress code for men:
A Libyan Doughnut, Sfinz are usually served for Friday breakfast. Sfinz is a spongy fried bread that can be made plain and eaten with sweet toppings like date molasses and honey, or else fried with an egg. Sfinz doughnuts are also served with afternoon tea.
Islam is the dominant religion in Libya. Other than the overwhelming majority of Sunni Muslims, there are also small Christian communities, composed exclusively of immigrants. Coptic Orthodox Christianity.
Couscous is the most common and incredibly popular traditional Libyan cuisine. It is also well-known as a Maghrebi dish. This well-known North African delicacy is made using semolina. Some also regard Couscous as the national dish of Libya.
Passports and visas are required for all U.S. citizens traveling to Libya. … Visas for U.S. passport holders are not available at the port of entry. Do not use a tourist visa to enter Libya for business purposes, U.S. citizens should apply for Libyan visas in the place they are resident.
The life expectancy in the country is high. Since the middle of the 20th century, life expectancy has improved dramatically. In 1950, the average lifespan was just 52.9 years. Since then, the average lifespan has increased to 76.7 years in 2018.
Situated in northwestern Libya along the Mediterranean coast, it is the country’s largest city and chief seaport. Tripoli, Libya. … The city was known as Oea in ancient times and was one of the original cities (along with Sabratha and Leptis Magna) that formed the African Tripolis, or Tripolitania.
The most common greeting is “Asalaamu alaikum” (“Peace be with you”) to which one would respond with “wa alaikum salam” (“and Peace be with you”).
Summers are very hot and dry; winters are mild with cooler evenings. The desert has hot days and cold nights. Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit, when the warm air comes up from the Sahara and meets a cooling breeze from the Mediterranean. Libya is a huge country and weather patterns vary by region.
In case of cancellation, we wish to receive a written notification from you. Your cancellation is effective on the date we receive your notification. The following charges are applicable upon cancellation:
Cancellation charges may be covered by your insurance policy, you can check this with your insurance provider.
NOTE: Further, Libya Adventures, reserves the right to cancel the tour if the client is found to be participating in any illegal activities such as political activism, drugs, or prostitution.
Don’t forget your camera, passport, visas and a positive attitude! If you suffer from any medical conditions, please bring extra supplies of medication.
We use the Pay Pal company as our credit card processor. You do NOT need a Pay Pal account to use this service.
For those of you who have dollars or Euros to exchange into Libyan Dinars, the best place to exchange is in the local gold markets. Although you can do it in the banks
According to the information that we have on file, anyone wanting to visit Libya for business reasons, must apply for a business visa. These Libya Business Visa come in different lengths and types, ranging from a month month single entry visa to a 6 month multiple entry business visa.
Travel insurance is always a good idea when traveling in case of unforeseen circumstances, especially in Libya. We do not provide travel insurance, but recommend www.travelexinsurance.com.
We recommend that you drink bottled water while traveling in Libya. Although you may be fine drinking the tap water, it is just a precaution to guard against microbes such as amoeba. We would hate for you to miss a day or two of travel due to a stomach “bug” caused from the water. Be aware that you might find glasses in the hotel rooms, but please refrain from drinking the water.
Getting a business visa at the air terminal in Tripoli requires a similar interaction as helping the visas through a Libyan Embassy… you MUST initially apply for the stepped and endorsed letter of greeting through the migration office in Tripoli utilizing a specialist co-op. Not all specialist co-ops can have the visa number shipped off the air terminal… somehow or another, this is an exemption… so make certain to ask early assuming this is conceivable If your visa comes through to be acquired at the air terminal, you will be sent an electronic duplicate of the visa letter that you MUST print and convey with you on the plane. Upon appearance in Tripoli, there is an office with glass windows off to one side in the identification control region… you should take your visa and the letter there, and they will hand-compose the visa to be set in your identification. The expense for this piece of the interaction in the air terminal is 100.50 LYD for the one month single passage visa. If necessary, they will hold your identification and permit you to go down the stairs to the appearance region to trade cash to make this installment.
