Tripoli can be visited year-round. The most comfortable months for sightseeing are April through June and September through November. Temperatures are warm but not extreme, and the old city is pleasant to walk through for extended periods.
July and August are hot — typically 30–33°C — and humid near the coast. The old city's narrow covered lanes provide some shade and remain navigable, but afternoon sightseeing becomes enervating. El-Mina is more bearable in summer, with sea breezes.
Winter (December through February) brings cooler temperatures and some rain, but is perfectly reasonable for sightseeing. The city is noticeably less crowded with domestic tourists from Beirut in winter.
Ramadan changes the rhythm significantly. Most restaurants close during daylight hours, but iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset) brings the city to life — the best time to eat Tripoli's sweets and street food.