If you’re looking for pristine streets, perfectly manicured gardens, and a seamless experience where everything’s been sanitized for your Instagram feed, Tripoli is not the place. But if you’re in the mood for a raw, unapologetic, and absolutely fascinating city that has seen it all and lived to tell the tale—then a Tripoli Tour is exactly what you need.
Tripoli’s history is a patchwork quilt of conquerors, traders, and revolutionaries. Founded by the Phoenicians, it’s been under Roman, Ottoman, and Italian rule, each leaving their mark. Gaddafi came in, turned the country upside down, and then—bam—Libya erupted in 2011. Now, Tripoli stands as a city of scars and resilience, constantly rebuilding and reinventing itself. It’s survived more than most places, and damn it, it’s still got some fight left.
Martyrs’ Square: Where The Revolution Never Stopped..
Let’s be clear—Martyrs’ Square isn’t just a pretty plaza with fountains and palm trees. This square has played a front-row role in the 2011 revolution, where Libyans took to the streets to demand freedom and overthrow Gaddafi’s regime.
When I visited on our Tripoli Tour, it wasn’t just a stop on a tourist itinerary. It was a live demonstration of political agitation. We witnessed a pro-Palestine protest begin right in the middle of the square, a reminder that Tripoli isn’t a city where things stay quiet for long. It’s a place where people still make their voices heard—where the echoes of the revolution still rumble underfoot.
Apparently they were also calling for free and fair elections in the country, something echoed by posters around the city. Make no mistake this is the beating heart of political opinion when it comes to Libya.
The Jamal Abdul Nasser Mosque.
Shortly after the square you’ll find the Jamal Abdul Nasser Mosque has a unique history—it was originally the Cathedral of St. George, built by the Italians during their colonial rule in the early 20th century. When the cathedral fell out of use in the 1960s, it was converted into a mosque in honor of Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, a figure admired at least at the time for his Pan-Arab Unity ethos.
The mosque itself stands as a fascinating blend of Italian colonial architecture and Islamic design, with its distinctive neo-Renaissance facade still visible despite the modifications. It’s a symbol of Tripoli’s layered history: from Catholicism to Islam, colonialism to independence. The mosque stands tall in the heart of the city, nestled in the old Italian quarter, reminding visitors of the city’s complex past and its ability to adapt and evolve—not always necessarily in a good way.
Tripoli Tour of the Old Town
The real highlight of a Tripoli Tour though is the Old Town. The Old Town is a chaotic blend of ancient and modern—a place where you can wander down narrow streets and suddenly stumble upon a centuries-old mosque, then turn the corner and find a market selling counterfeit watches.
But it’s not all about the monuments. The Old Town is alive with street vendors, markets, and the kind of hustle that only a city with this much history can create. You’ll find everything from old antiques to new electronics, from spices to textiles. And then there is the fashion, which includes some really elaborate wedding attire that truly needs to be seen to be believed. Not quite “Iranian Suit”, but pretty close.
Coffee, Cigarettes, and Libyan Fast Food
When you’re done walking around in the heat (and potentially getting lost for hours), you’ll need a place to rest. Tripoli’s café culture is legendary, and once you’ve tasted the coffee, you’ll understand why. It’s not about fancy baristas making you a “flat white.” Nope. Tripoli’s coffee is an espresso. It’s strong. It’s quick. And it’s served in cafés where everyone smokes like they’re training for a competition. Seriously, no one is in a hurry in Tripoli. You’ll see the same crowd at the same table, chain-smoking and talking for hours. Coffee in Tripoli isn’t about the caffeine; it’s about the ritual.
As for food, Tripoli’s fast food scene is where it’s at. Forget about trying to find haute cuisine. This is about quick, filling meals that’ll keep you going all day. Shawarma stalls are everywhere. You’ll see people stuffing pita bread with juicy meat, salads, and sauces, all wrapped up in a perfect street food package. The bazin, a Libyan staple made from barley and served with a hearty sauce, is the kind of dish that’s both comforting and filling. It’s fast food, but it’s also part of Tripoli’s soul. Get in, eat, and get back to exploring.
And all of it is god damned cheap! This though is something that unlikely to last forever meaning that Libya Tours and Tripoli Tours in particular are something you should embrace before they change.
Shopping: Markets, Antiques, and a Little Gaddafi Nostalgia
Let’s talk shopping—because Tripoli’s Old Town has it all. From the usual street market fare—spices, textiles, knockoff electronics—to a surprising amount of antiques, you could spend a solid few hours browsing – and indeed dropping money on. And while it can be chaotic, particularly when changing money it does have a real charm to it.
Theres actually a few markets and antique shops here that we like that sell everything from ancient coke bottles to “United Kingdom of Libya” old passports. Alas there is a lot less linked that the Gaddafi era than you might have hoped for, with the prices for what there is making our guide lament having thrown so much shit out.
The most interesting of these, for us anyway were some vintage Gaddafi bank notes, as well as the Green Book. Back in the day they were everywhere, not so much now, but they can be found if you persevere….
Yes you have to trawl through some real tat, but scratch just a tint bit below the surface and you can really strike gold on a Tripoli Tour.
The Two Faces of a Tripoli Tour!
Let’s be honest: Libya is far from perfect yet. It’s not a country that fits neatly into a guidebook. But that’s what makes it fascinating. The political situation is a mess. The country’s still divided. There are militias, rival governments, and a general sense of chaos. Yet, somehow, Tripoli seems like a remarkably calm yet chaotic place, much like many other cities of the region.
This is a city that’s been through the ringer and come out on the other side with a certain kind of swagger. It’s not a city that’s hiding from its past. It’s a city that’s owning it, embracing the fact that it’s been through hell and come out kicking.
Conclusion: Tripoli Tour—For Those Who Want Real
If you’re looking for air-conditioned buses and perfect photo ops, this probably isn’t your trip. But if you want a city that’s been through hell and back, and still stands strong, then a Tripoli Tour is where you want to be.
And to a large degree that pretty much sums up Libya Tours as a whole, at least in our minds.
About Post Author
