Safety in Libya: what overland travellers should know

Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 17 June 2026.

Safety

Tourist travel advised against — The ministry advises against travel to Libya unless it is driven by necessity, work or business. Travel for tourism is advised against even when it is part of a package put together by a travel agency or tour operator.
Independent travel strongly discouraged — Moving around the country on your own is strongly advised against because of the extremely high risk it carries. Security arrangements should be reinforced for any movement outside the centres of Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi.
Terrorism and kidnapping — The terrorist threat remains latent countrywide, particularly in the Fezzan and south of Sirte. Kidnapping is possible, especially outside the urban centres of Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi.
Checkpoints on main roads — The southern region and the country's main road arteries carry a crime risk, with checkpoints that are sometimes controlled by irregular armed groups.
Current situation — The October 2020 ceasefire has held with no violations between the two sides. Security in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi has been improving through 2026, though episodic armed clashes still happen, mostly on the outskirts or in coastal towns west of the capital such as Zawiya. Arbitrary detentions continue to occur.
No photography — Do not film or photograph any site of political significance, ministries and embassies included, or any military one, which covers ports, airports and checkpoints.

Before you rely on this

This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 17 June 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Libya before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.

Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 17 June 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.