Zliten

Introduction

Zliten is a city in the Murqub District of Libya, lying roughly 175 km east of Tripoli. Its population is predominantly Arab, and it is one of the larger urban centres along this stretch of the coast.

Getting around

Zliten is compact enough to cover on foot in its central areas, so walking is a realistic way to move between your accommodation, the main shopping area, and the city's mosques and other central landmarks. The Zliten Hotel, the city's top accommodation for tourists, makes a useful reference point for working out what lies within walking distance. Beyond the urban core, distances grow quickly as the wider district stretches into the surrounding countryside, so for the coast, the surrounding archaeological sites, or neighbouring towns you will need a vehicle.

Public transport is built around minibuses, and the municipality took delivery of a batch of new ones in early 2022 through a joint public-private partnership, with one bus designated for people with special needs. Bus stops and routes were still under discussion when these arrived, and it had not been decided whether a public or private company would operate them, so treat minibuses as a useful but potentially informal option: ask locally where to pick one up and where it will take you rather than expecting a published timetable. For longer trips, arrange a taxi or private car through your hotel or by asking in the city, and agree the destination and price before you set off. There is no rail, metro, or tram network, so plan all movement by road; arrivals come by road from Tripoli to the west, Misrata to the east, or Khoms along the coast, as the city has no airport of its own.

Three days in Zliten

Day one: Start in Zliten itself, in Murqub District, Libya, and get your bearings in the town before heading out. Use the town as your base and take the public bus for the run to Tripoli if you want a bigger city for the day. Back in Zliten, settle in at the Zliten Hotel.

Day two: Head to Misrata, within reach of Zliten, and spend the day there. Return to Zliten in the evening and stay at the Zliten Hotel again.

Day three: Take the public bus to Khoms and explore it before making your way back. Beyond the town, the coast and open country around Zliten are worth a slow look on your last afternoon.