Libya: What to Expect / Highlights

Archaeological Ruins

Some of the most interesting and best-preserved ruins from the Roman and Greek periods, including three World Heritage sites.

The Sahara Desert

Covering most of North Africa, it is the largest desert in the world. With this being one of the harshest climates known to man, the majority of the people living in the Sahara Desert are nomads, people continuously moving from region to region in search of better living conditions.

TIME TO GO:

The best time to visit Libya is between November and March when daytime temperatures are relatively mild...for a desert country. Conversely, if you travel between April and October, you'll find temperatures around 100F on a regular basis. The coastal atmosphere is generally humid (hovering around 55% in the afternoons year round), while inland the deserts are often very dry. You should avoid travel to Libya in late spring (May through June) and early fall (October), when the country's subject to the massive ghibli sandstorms from the south, which tend to last several days.

• In February for the next few years, Ras as-Sana is the Islamic celebration of the new year.

• Also known as Eid al-Adha or the Great Feast, Tabaski commemorates the moment when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command, only to have God jump in at the last minute and substitute a ram instead. It's held each year in January.

• Eid al-Moulid celebrates the prophet Mohammed's birthday,

• Ramadan is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, commemorating the month when the Quran was revealed to Mohammed. Out of deference, Muslims take neither food nor water until after sunset each day.

• The end of Ramadan, called Eid al-Fitr, comes around a month after Ramadan. The fasting breaks amid much celebration.

• The main secular holiday in Libya is Revolution Day, which is marked with a week of public parades, rallies and events in September. Folk troupes, horsemen, musicians and various military groups are bussed into Tripoli for the occasion, and Gaddafi usually gives a pep talk in Green Square.

• The date-harvest festival is held in various parts of the country during October.