Safest cities in Libya
10 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting
- Tripoli
- Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Derna, and the surrounding area known as Jebel Akhdar, either side of the coastal and desert roads between and including the towns of Al-Maqrun and Al-Tamimi
- Misrata
- Benghazi, Al-Bayda and Derna, and the surrounding area knows as Jebel Akhdar, either side of the coastal and desert roads between and including the towns of Al-Maqrun and Al-Tamimi
In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in LibyaTerrorist attacks in Libya cannot be ruled out.
- Terrorist kidnapThere has not been a terrorist kidnap in Libya for many years. Terrorist groups within Libya have intent to carry out kidnappings and it’s a realistic possibility that they will target foreign nationals. Criminal gangs also carry out kidnappings, and there is a realistic possibility that they would sell hostages on to terrorist groups. Foreign…
Political situation
- The political situation in Libya is fragile and the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable.
Public infrastructure and services
- Basic services across Libya vary. Petrol can be difficult to access and there are regularly long queues at fuel stations. There can also be power outages in Tripoli and the south and east, particularly in the summer months.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsTake sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Foreign nationals may be a target for criminals operating in Libya. Be cautious when travelling throughout the country, particularly at night. You should:
Detention
- British people have been detained by Libya’s intelligence services or armed groups, including in Tripoli and Benghazi. You are at higher risk of detention if you work:
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDBy law you must carry your passport. Foreign nationals have been arrested for failing to provide the correct documentation when requested.
- RamadanLibya is an Islamic country. Respect local traditions, laws and religious customs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
- ReligionIt is illegal in Libya to make any attempt to convert Muslims to another religion.
- Alcohol and drugs lawsIt is illegal in Libya to drink alcohol or use drugs. Libyan authorities treat drug and alcohol offences seriously. You can be punished for use, possession and trafficking of drugs or alcohol.
- Methanol poisoningThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol around the world.
- Business travel in LibyaThere are often complex bureaucratic procedures needed to travel for work in Libya. Follow all relevant protocols and procedures if you intend to travel around Libya for business. You are likely to be at risk of intimidation, harassment and detention if you fail to comply with local customs.
- Journalism in LibyaYou must get press accreditation from the relevant government authorities. This may reduce the risk of harassment, intimidation and detention by armed groups and Libya’s intelligence services. There is a real risk of hostility from those who object to media reporting. International and local journalists have previously been detained in Libya.
- Using cameras near military facilitiesYou must get permission before taking any photographs or interviewing at or near military facilities.
- LGBT+ travellersConsensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal for men and women in Libya, with penalties of up to five years imprisonment.
Transport risks
- Road travelRoad travel within Libya remains highly dangerous. There is a risk of being caught up in outbreaks of localised violence between armed groups. There is a high risk of:
- Air travelFlights to and from all airports in Libya are at risk of cancellation at short notice.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Storm damage in eastern LibyaIn September 2023 Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya, causing severe flooding and significantly damaging critical infrastructure, including hospitals and telecommunications networks. Libya remains vulnerable to severe weather incidents, with flooding impacting cities, including Tripoli and Misrata in December 2024.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Libya, updated 2026-07-21 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- no data
- Income inequality
- no data
- Human development
- HDI 0.7212023
- Income
- $17,150/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 21.3 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 33/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 28/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 13/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 5.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.61GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 20.0 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 2.0 doctors /1k3.5 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Tsunami
- 5.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 5.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 1.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Libya (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.
How Libya compares
| Measure | Libya | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 2.4 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 35.2 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.721 | 0.763 | −0.042 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 21.3 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +5.9 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 28/100 | 52/100 | −24/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 13/100 | 39/100 | −26/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 20.0 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +0.3 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 5.5/10 | 3.8/10 | +1.7/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Libya | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 4.5 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | no data | 38.5 | — |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.721 | 0.560 | +0.161 — better for Libya |
| Road deaths | 21.3 /100k | 28.2 /100k | −6.9 /100k — better for Libya |
| Rule of law | 28/100 | 42/100 | −14/100 — better for Africa median |
| Corruption perceptions | 13/100 | 31/100 | −18/100 — better for Africa median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 20.0 µg/m³ | 27.7 µg/m³ | −7.7 µg/m³ — better for Libya |
| Natural-hazard risk | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | +0.3/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 10 cities, safest first
- Tripolin/a · #6088 worldwide
- Benghazin/a · #6090 worldwide
- Misratan/a · #6103 worldwide
- Al Zawiyahn/a · #6112 worldwide
- Sabhan/a · #6138 worldwide
- Tubruqn/a · #6139 worldwide
- Baydan/a · #6142 worldwide
- Qabilat alturkin/a · #6143 worldwide
- Marjn/a · #6161 worldwide
- Sayyadn/a · #6165 worldwide