The 23rd July Lake is a saltwater lagoon in the heart of Benghazi, separated from the Mediterranean port by a strip of land and enclosed by the city on three sides. The lakeside corniche — the Sharia al-Corniche — is one of the traditional promenades of the city, lined with palm trees and frequented by families in the early evenings. The Tibesti Hotel, a long-standing local landmark, overlooks the lake from its northern shore.
The lake area is one of the more accessible and peaceful parts of central Benghazi for visitors. The walk along the corniche gives views over the water to the port and the Mediterranean beyond. Fishing from the lakeside is common in the evenings. The area saw significant damage during the 2014-2017 fighting and is still in various stages of repair, but the basic urban structure remains intact.