Tripoli was founded in the 7th century BCE by the Phoenicians, who named their settlement Oea?due to the city's long history, there are multiple sites of archaeological significance in the city and in its surroundings, not least from the period under the Roman Empire.
Tripoli's prevailing climate is typical Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, cool winters, and some modest rainfall.
Visas will be needed, and those can be attained via embassies and/ or consulates. Roughly $50-$150, depending on how long you will stay. Make sure you have an official Arabic translation of your personal details in your passport otherwise immigration will turn you away once you have landed and send you home again.
Tripoli has an international airport appropriately named Tripoli International Airport. It is operated by the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Bureau of Libya and is the nation's largest airport. Located in the town of Ben Ghashir 34km south of the city centre, Tripoli International is a hub for Libyan Airlines. They are many well-known international carriers flying to the Libyan capital such as British Airway, Lufthansa, KLM, Emirates etc. They are currently building a new airport adjacent to the old one so ignore the burnt out wrecked planes by the runway on landing and focus on this instead.
you can get there by getting on a bus
From Malta. Before sanctions were lifted in 1999 and 2003, this was the preferred method for getting into Tripoli. The only alternative was flying to Tunisia and driving to Tripoli.
'''Fitness'''
If you want to keep fit, and if you can afford it, then go to the Corinthian hotel which has swimming pool, gym etc. If you are staying there, it is included in the price, but if not then the minimum membership is for 3 months at a price of 700 LD, then 6 months for 1200 LD.
There is also another gym called the Ein Zara Physiotherapy Centre which offers massage and all the basic fitness equipment for a far cheaper price of basic 75 LD/month or about 130 LD /month including massage. There is also a rumour of a gym in the Imad Complex (the 5 towers - downtown commercial area).
Because of the perception that Libya offers very little compared to other Middle Eastern countries (and which is mainly true ....at the moment), and the fact that rates are generally better elsewhere such as Qatar or UAE, very few expats actually come to Libya and construction and engineering companies are desperate to attract people with experience.
Libya is changing rapidly though and there are already plans for the usual big shopping malls and big brand shops and supermarkets to open in Tripoli. As a note, the government generally owns the land, not individuals, so when the government agencies want to clear a patch of ground in the city and build something, they go right ahead and do it. You might wake up one morning to find a block of houses has been cleared nearby.
Doing business in Libya can be frustrating and there are many false leads. There are many stories of outside companies not being paid the full amount they are due for a project, especially the final invoice. Libyans are generally well educated and many can speak reasonable English. However, they still have a long way to go when it comes to the commercial aspects of business. Beware of the bidding process for example, if you submit you technical bid for a project and which receives the best score, and then have the best price to go with it, don't celebrate just yet. All too often, the client will now ask you again for you to come back again with your "best price". If there is a Libyan company competing against you, they may already have it wrapped up. Libya is embarking on an economic diversification project. However, they have learned from the mistakes of Dubai, and western expats will not find it to be a place they can abuse, and act in a manner that insults the local religion and culture.
'''Clothes''' The best clothing shops are generally near Green Square and running up towards the former cathedral (now a mosque). Bargains can be found here including shoes and the usual knitwear which appears to good quality.
'''Furniture''' Gargarish Road running towardds Hay Andulas is easily the location to go for any furniture or office equipment, printing supplies etc.
'''Electronics''' The best electronics shops are also on Gargarish Road but for computer equipment head to the Fatah Tower in the downtown commercial district where there a couple of shops.
Women may choose to dress modestly -- long sleeves, and long skirts or pants are considered most appropriate when shopping or sightseeing.
Make use of the business class lounge at Tripoli Airport (LYD 20 charge if you are not a first/business traveller)where the toilet facilities in the are clean while the same cannot be said for the ones in the general lounge.