Major city · Libya
Sabrathaصبراتة
Go for a half-day guided tour of the UNESCO ruins: the theatre alone is worth it. Combine with Tripoli or Zuwara; do not base here.
Sabratha is a UNESCO World Heritage site on Libya's Mediterranean coast, about 70 km west of Tripoli. Its Roman theatre, temples and Byzantine basilica sit right on the shore. The site reopened to tourism in the late 2010s; independent travel is not realistic. Most visitors see it as a half-day stop on a guided tour from Tripoli.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LYD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold winds, some rain)
- Airport
- Tripoli Mitiga (TIP)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Check your own government travel advice for Libya before …
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Libya ↗Check your own government travel advice for Libya before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Libya ↗Entry and visas are controlled by rival authorities in different parts of the country; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Libya ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Libya before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sabratha151 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sabratha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in US dollars or euros carries everything: see Insurance & payments above.Libya-wide
- SafetySabratha itself is a quiet archaeological site, but the security situation in Libya is volatile.
- Emergency numbers151 police · 191 ambulance · 180 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTIP Tripoli Mitiga Airport (About 1 h 15 min by road; your guide will arrange transfer.).
- Getting aroundOn foot inside the archaeological site.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TIP Tripoli Mitiga Airport (About 1 h 15 min by road; your guide will arrange transfer.)
Map of Sabratha
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sabratha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot inside the archaeological site. Between Sabratha town and the ruins it is a 15–20 min walk or a short taxi ride. Your guided tour will cover all transfers.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Guided car or minibus, about 1 h 15 min
Combine Sabratha with Tripoli's medina and museums for a full day.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Guided car, about 1 h west along the coast
Amazigh coastal town; check access with your guide.
Door to door: About 3 h
Guided car, about 2.5 h east
Larger UNESCO site; best as a separate day from Tripoli.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sabratha town
Accommodation exists in the town next to the ruins if you travel independently; otherwise your guide arranges it.
Tripoli
Wider choice of hotels; day-trip to Sabratha by guided car or minibus.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- check
- Mid
- check
- High
- check
Trip budget
| Guided day-trip from Tripoli (per person, transport + guide + entry)1 × 1 night × LYD 200 | LYD 200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × LYD 200 | LYD 200 |
| Trip total≈ LYD 400 per person per day, bed included | LYD 400 |
check
2026 estimate in Libyan dinars; guided tour cost varies widely. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Sabratha site entryUsually included in a guided tour package | check |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | 1–2 LYD |
| Simple lunch in Sabratha town | 10–20 LYD |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Independent travel to Sabratha is not advised: you need a pre-arranged guide or tour.
- The site has no shade: bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Photography inside the museum may be restricted; ask your guide.
- Check your government travel advice for Libya before booking anything.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 151
- Ambulance
- 191
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Sabrathaصبراتة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police151
- Ambulance191
- Fire180
Embassy
Most embassies are in Tripoli; check your own government's advice page for the current list and for consular help.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tripoli → Sabratha, guided car or minibus: About 1 h 15 min each way; cost is part of your tour package (check)
- Sabratha town → ruins: 15–20 min on foot, or a short taxi ride (check)
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much is it? (bikam)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al-hammam)
- أحتاج طبيب — I need a doctor (ahtaj tabib)
- هل يمكنني الدفع بالبطاقة؟ — Can I pay by card? (hal yumkinuni al-daf' bil-bitaqa)
Cash only for visitors: the Libyan dinar has official and parallel rates. Carry small notes for water and lunch.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sabratha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Feb (cold winds, some rain)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Sabratha theatre, Liber Pater temple, Serapis temple, Isis temple, Byzantine basilica and Sabratha Museum with verified opening status and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for Sabratha town (seafood, Libyan staples) with last-order times.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Mitiga Airport and Sabratha site gate.
Sources
Ask about Sabratha
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