LIBYA: CYRENAICA
Highlights
Benghazi, the capital of Cyrenaica
In the Athens of Africa, the Temple of Zeus in Cyrene
Ptolemais, unique Byzantine frescoes and mosaics
Ancient columns directly on the sea at Apollonia
Where we sleep
Hotels
How we get around
Car/Minivan
TYPE OF TRIP
A short journey in a context unaccustomed to tourism, allowing for visits to the main historical sites of Cyrenaica and requiring no particular physical effort
For more information about our trips, please consult the FAQ section.
DAY 1: departure from the main Italian airports, followed by a connecting flight to Benghazi. Overnight layover in Istanbul, Cairo, or Amman.
Morning: arrival at Benghazi airport, completion of entry procedures, meeting with the local team, and transfer to the hotel. Beginning of the city tour through the historic center and its traditional markets.
Afternoon: lunch followed by a visit to Kish Square, one of the city’s main landmarks. Transfer to the seafront for panoramic views over the Mediterranean, followed by a walk through old Benghazi, among historic houses and traditional bazaars, with a visit to the Osman Pasha Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the city.
Evening: dinner and night in a hotel in Benghazi
Morning: transfer to Ptolemais and visit the small museum preserving mosaics and statues from the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Exploration of the archaeological site, still only partially excavated despite its vast size, including the Theater, the Hellenistic Gymnasium (later transformed into a Roman Forum), the underground cistern complex, the Odeon, and the Palace of Columns, one of the city’s most significant monuments.
Afternoon: lunch followed by continuation towards Qasr Libya, home to a remarkable Byzantine basilica with stunning, perfectly preserved mosaics, including the only known depiction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Stop in Slonta, a troglodyte site known for its rock carvings, before arriving in Cyrene, often called the “Athens of Africa” and considered the most important Greek city of Cyrenaica. Visit to the city’s main landmarks, including the Temple of Zeus, the largest Greek temple in North Africa, even larger than the Parthenon in Athens, the Roman Theater, and the Greek-Libyan necropolis. Hotel check-in in Cyrene.
Evening: dinner and night in a hotel in Cyrene
Morning: continuation of the exploration of Cyrene, with stops at its most scenic panoramic viewpoints, followed by transfer to Apollonia, the ancient port of Cyrene.
Afternoon: lunch overlooking the spectacular Mediterranean coastline, followed by a visit to the archaeological site of Apollonia, featuring its Roman Theater, Byzantine-era ruins, and ancient harbor, where standing columns still rise just steps from the sea.
Evening: dinner and night in a hotel in Apollonia
Morning: breakfast at the hotel, followed by a stop in Ras al Hilal, a coastal town renowned for its spectacular scenery and considered one of the most beautiful spots in all of Cyrenaica.
Afternoon: lunch and departure towards Benghazi. Late-afternoon arrival in the capital of Cyrenaica, hotel check-in, or transfer to the airport for the return flight, depending on the flight schedule.
Evening: farewell dinner and overnight stay in Benghazi, or departure flight to Istanbul, Amman, or Cairo.
DAY 6:transfer to Benghazi International Airport for the return flight to Italy. Depending on the flight schedule, arrival in Italy is expected in the evening. End of services and farewell from the BHS Travel team, until your next adventure. !
