Even those who have no interest in ruins will be impressed by Leptis Magna. The setting alone — a vast Roman city overlooking the Mediterranean — is striking, and the state of preservation rivals anything in Rome itself.
The city was the birthplace of Emperor Septimius Severus. Leptis first gained importance 2 000 years ago during the reign of the Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius.
Be sure to visit at least the Baths of Hadrian, the Basilica of Septimius Severus, the Forum and the Arch of Triumph. The city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. It is best visited as a day trip from Tripoli. The nearby town of Al Khums (Homs) has accommodation if you want to linger.