Red Castle Museum

About this place

The Red Castle Museum is the national museum of Libya, inside the large Red Castle on the Tripoli waterfront at Martyrs' Square. It reopened on 12 December 2025 for the first time since 2011. It covers about 5,000 years of Libyan history, which makes it the best starting point for any trip to the country. The castle's origins may go back to the Phoenician founding of Oea in the 7th century BC, as excavations have found very old remains. It grew over many centuries to about 13,000 square metres. It has housed the museum since 1919 and the Libyan Department of Archaeology since 1952. It stood directly on the sea until the seafront road was built in the 1970s. You pass between high walls and linked courtyards to halls showing pieces from Leptis Magna, Sabratha, Cyrene and Germa. Among the best-known works are a statue of the Three Graces, Roman mosaics and Greek pieces. On the far side of the castle lies Saraya Lake, so look across it before sunset, when the walls reflect in the water. It is about 600 m in a straight line from the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, and they are easy to combine on foot through the Old City. We found no confirmed fee or hours since the reopening, so ask in advance. Sources say foreigners need a tour operator or local sponsor to visit Libya. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.