Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, with a population of 630,000 (2011). It is a center of Libyan commerce, industry, transport and culture. It continues to hold institutions and organizations normally associated with a capital city, including several national government buildings as well as the National Library of Libya.
The people of Benghazi are incredibly friendly. However, very few people speak any English and, because of the writing style (which is written right to left in Arabic), it can be almost impossible to recognize any public signs if you don’t know how to speak or read Arabic. Most things can, however, be sorted out with a bit of pointing and hand waving. The name derives from the Ottoman Turkish word Marsa ibn Ghazi who was a Turkish soldier. The dress code is not as liberal as in Tripoli, and women should keep themselves covered - not because there would be trouble, but just out of respect.
Taxis in Libya are interesting. They are either minibuses that travel round a predefined route or black and white cars (dead pandas) with taxi signs. Stick with the cars. Taxi travel is very cheap, but the vehicles are generally in a bad state of repair. Try to sit in the back as the journeys can be somewhat exciting when in the passenger seat, when drivers tend to turn across traffic lanes.
1 Benghazi Cathedral. Constructed during the 1930s in a neo-classical style, the Benghazi Cathedral used to be one of the largest churches in North Africa. It fell into disuse during the 1960s but has been renovated. 2 Atiq Mosque (المسجد العتيق). Historic mosque, built in 1577 AD. (updated May 2020) Museum of the Crimes of the Dictator. This museum is the palace from which King Idris declared independence from Italy in 1951. In the front of it is anti-Gaddafi artwork and a piece of a plane that was destroyed in 19 March 2011 defending the new Libya, honouring the pilot that died flying it. [1]
Anything. There is nothing that isn't acceptable to the western palate - the food can be quite spicy, although not excessively so. Traditional Libyan fare appears to be couscous, kebabs, spicy potatoes, salads, and nothing that you wouldn't find in London. There are a number of good restaurants. Although very basic by western standards, they do produce good meals. Round the back of the Tibesti Hotel there are some good Turkish restaurants; most of their food is very edible, and the prices are very reasonable. Generally, service is very slow, so leave a good amount of time to have a meal.
Alcohol is not allowed in Libya. The best things to drink are: Coffee, although they do seem to want to give you Nescafe, as they think it's pretty cool; but just about everywhere you can get cappuccino or Arabian coffee, which are pretty good. The mango juice is good and very thick. Coke, Lilt, and 7Up cans are popular, as well as the lemon and mint teas. Alcohol-free beer is widely available (Becks), as is 'Spitz', which tastes like campari or cough mixture. If you really want alcohol, wine is available from butcher's shops, but it's expensive (whisky is about USD 100 per bottle).
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Oct, Benghazi typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 4 rainy days.
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