A city of remarkable cultural riches, Tripoli has a unique polish of medieval oriental traditions that its inhabitants kept very much alive till this day. Underneath its captivating modern looks, Tripoli holds remarkable historical treasures dating back to around 1400 B.C. The city is divided into two parts; the first, Al Mina, is the old port area and where ancient Tripoli once stood. The second is the town of Tripoli, which is the commercial, financial, & residential centre of the city. A visitor to Tripoli will probably pass by 4 or 5 historical sites while taking a taxi ride from the hotel to the market, as there are 45 sites officially registered by the ministry of tourism.

A very famous landmark is the magnificent Citadel of Tripoli, also known as Saint Gilles' Citadel; its construction dates back to the Fatimid era. The citadel was converted to a church by the crusaders, and in the early 19th century it was restored by Mustapha Barbar Agha (governor of Tripoli back then) who turned it into a grand fortress. Today, the Citadel of Tripoli stands restored, overlooking the city, and welcoming visitors every day.

Numerous historical mosques also set Tripoli apart from other cities, some of these glorious structures are over 700 years old and are still open for visitors and worshipers. These mosques reflect the warm, relaxed, and traditional identity of the old city.

The oldest mosque in the city is the Great Mosque which was built in the 12th century over the remains of the crusaders' Saint Mary's Cathedral. The mosque, its “Madrassa” (theological school), and the many inscriptions on its walls and foundations tell a lot about life during the Mamluke era.

The old marketplaces or “souks” of Tripoli are unseparable from the city’s traditional identity. Some souks are over six centuries old and still jam with shops that sell all kinds of commodities; like spices, perfumes, meat, fish, as well as gold, souvenirs and brass artifacts. Of the oldest souks are Souk Al-Haraj, Khan Al-Khayyatin, and Khan Al-Misriyyin. Another attraction of Tripoli is its Hammamat; which are public bathing houses that where originally introduced into the city during the Mamluke’s period around 1300 A.D. There is a place where you can go today for a bath from the past; it’s name is Hammam Al-Abed. Built nearly 300 years ago, it has everything it takes to make visitors feel they’re living back in the Mamluke and Ottoman eras; from ceiling domes to a water fountain and windows decorations.

Along with its traditional riches, Tripoli is a very lively city that enjoys all the business and leisure facilities of a modern metropolis; it has everything from malls to theatres, beach resorts, sidewalk cafes and high class restaurants. Visitors go to the old port or “Mina” of Tripoli for a boat ride or for a good fish meal at one of its many seafood restaurants. The Mina over- looks a few small islands that bring out the sea’s beauty during sunset.

Tripoli is a must-visit city for its people’s warm welcome, their hospitality, and of course the city’s unique, pleasant character. It’s a city which has meticulously preserved its glorious history for future generations to behold.