All country guides
- Capital
- Tripoli (TIP)
- Dialing Code
- + 218
- Time Zone
- UTC/GMT +2 hours
- Language
- Arabic
- Best Time to Go
- November - March
- Currency
- Libyan Dinar (LYD)
Travel Tips
- English is spoken in tourist areas
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, however most visitors prefer bottled water, milk is unpasteurised
- As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg covered. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan
- Libya is very strict against alcohol and drugs being brought into the country
- Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans
- Libya is a predominantly cash society, with credit cards only being used in some banks and hotels
Last updated 1 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Libya
900 Church Street, Arcadia, 0007
Telephone: 012 342 3902/3/5
E-mail: libyasa@telkomsa.net
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 09:00 - 12:00 (submissions)
Friday, 09:00 - 12:00 (collections by appointment only)
Public Holidays
2026
February: 17
March: 20 - 22
May: 1, 26 - 29
June: 17
August: 26
September: 16
October: 23
December: 24
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
For further information and applications, please contact the Embassy directly
All foreign nationals entering Libya through the airport must have an Arabic translation of their passport
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited to Tunis, Tunisia