Travel bucket list idea:
Leptis Magna
Khoms, Tripolitania, Libya
Last updated: 14 May, 2025
Swept by coastal breezes and blessed with Saharan sun, Leptis Magna is one of the Roman Empire’s most magnificent lost cities.
Founded by Phoenicians in the 7th century BC, it rose to prominence under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who was born there and transformed it into a showcase of imperial grandeur in the 2nd century AD. Lavish public buildings, a forum, an amphitheatre, market, and a vast basilica spoke of a city at its zenith.
Leptis Magna began to decline after vandal invasions in the 5th century and was later buried under sand, preserving its ruins for centuries. Today, the site is astonishing – sun-bleached columns, triumphal arches and elegant mosaics lie open to the sky, framed by the shimmering Mediterranean.
Few places rival its scale or serenity. Walk its silent streets, stand in the shade of the towering Severan Arch, and feel history pulse beneath your feet—this is Rome at its most breathtakingly remote.
Don't miss
Highlights of Leptis Magna include the towering Arch of Septimius Severus, the intricately collonaded Severan Basilica, and the Hadrumetum Gate, which frames dramatic sea views. Don’t miss the amphitheatre, carved into a natural hollow near the sea, and the sprawling marketplace, still etched with stall markings—details that bring Roman daily life vividly alive.
Logistics
Price from: £2
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Leptis Magna is best visited via organised tour or private car from Tripoli, around two hours away. Due to limited public transport and current security considerations, most travellers opt for guided visits arranged through local tour operators, often including permits, transport, and expert guides.
Once at the site, it’s expansive but easily walkable, with clear paths linking major ruins. Local guides are invaluable for understanding the layout and history.
Bring water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and snacks, as amenities are minimal. Leptis Magna is remote, so planning ahead is essential – but the reward is an unforgettable journey through Roman antiquity in near solitude.
When to do it
The best time to visit Leptis Magna is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are warm but not oppressive and the coastal breeze makes walking the vast site more comfortable. Summer can be intensely hot, with little shade among the ruins.
For the most atmospheric experience, aim to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon. Early visits offer cooler air and softer light, ideal for photography and quiet exploration. Later in the day, the sun casts dramatic shadows across colonnades and amphitheatres, bringing the ruins to life. Avoid midday hours, when the heat and glare can be overwhelming.
