Libya, with a coast line spanning over 1,100 miles , possesses the longest coast line of any African country in the Mediterranean and has quickly become a popular holiday destination for cruise operators from all over the world, particularly Mediterranean cruise lines.

Attracted by its agreeable climate, strategic position in the Mediterranean, and fertile land, successive civilizations established themselves on the Libyan coast; including the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. Some of these Greco-Roman ruins still stand today as a testament to Libya’s ancient past, and are just some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that Libya boasts.

Roman sites include the famed Leptis Magna and Sabratha in the West , and are hailed as some of the most magnificent Roman ruins in the world outside Italy. ( Leptis Magna was also the home town of Septimius Severus, the first Roman Emperor born outside Europe.)

The Hellenic ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia in the East represent the pinnacle of Greek civilization on Libya’s eastern coast.

Also of note as a destination is Tobruk, which witnessed see-saw battles between German and Allied Forces in WWII, and hosts large cemeteries to both Allied and German forces.

The proximity of these remarkably well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins and other attractions to the major ports like Tripoli and Benghazi make them easily accessible by Coach through Half-day and Full- day excursions.

Libya Expeditions makes the process of adding Libya to your Mediterranean cruise a breeze, providing comprehensive services from procuring entry passes for all passengers and crew on board, to modern A/C Coach buses and qualified tour guides.

We aim to provide a seamless experience from arrival to departure, and allow your passengers the opportunity to relax and soak in the ambience of a new land and culture.

Services include:

• Ship clearance within 30 minutes
• Port greeting by traditional Libyan folklore troupe
• Entry Passes for passengers and crew
• Provide meals and drinks - packaged lunches, dining at restaurants, or picnic style lunches/dinners. Local culinary dishes usually served.
• A/C deluxe Coaches and mini-buses
• Professional English-speaking Tour Guides to escort and guide tourists during their stay.Multilingual guides are also available on request for most languages, including French, Italian, and German speaking guides.
• Sight-seeing and admission to museums and other sites of interest
• Complementary hot and cold drinks (besides drinks served with lunch/dinner.)
• For longer stop-overs over 2 days, rooms at three, four, or five star hotels can be arranged, as well as shuttle transport back to port.

Popular Excursions:

Tripoli :  Known as “Oea” in Roman times, Tripoli was a melting pot of cultures and civilizations which have all left their mark on this charming city. Attractions include the National Museum, Old Medina, Red Fort, Gurgi Mosque, and the Italian Quarter and modern oil metropolis.

Leptis Magna: Along with Oea (modern Tripoli) and Sabratha, Leptis made up the area called “Tripolis”. Leptis Magna is one of the most spectacular and best preserved Roman ruins in the world, and achieved prominence in historical times when when Septimus Severus, a  native son of Leptis, was crowned Emperor of Rome. Septimius Severus poured resources into glorifying his native city and erected  dozens of monuments and buildings. Sights include the vast Amphitheatre, Severan Forum and Basilica, Hippodrome, Hadrian Baths, Temple of Hercules, and other structures.

Sabratha: Located 40 miles west of Tripoli near the modern Libyan town of Azzawiyah, Sabratha is one of the finest examples of Roman architecture in North Africa, known for its three story colonnaded Roman theater, temples, basilicas, busts, mosaics and baths, set majestically against the backdrop of the Mediterranean.

Cyrene & Appolonia: The Greek ruins of Cyrene and Appollonia are one of the biggest tourist attractions on Libya’s east coast , and a landscape the ancient Greeks would have felt at home at, with it's rolling hills and fields of wheat and olive trees, and mild climate.

Tobruk: Site of historic battles between Rommel’s forces and the Allies in WW 2, a turning point in the battle for North Africa.

Cruise Lines wishing to add Libya to your Mediterranean itineraries , Contact Us here for more information.