Al-Bayda is the best base for those exploring the great ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia. The town itself has a number of colonial-style buildings, and an influential Islamic university. It lies on a high ridge of the Green Mountains, 30 km south of the Mediterranean Sea. Much of the economy is reliant on agriculture, of which the region is famous for its apples, grapes and shmari fruit.

The Greek ruins at Cyrene are only partly excavated have a fantastic setting in the beautiful Akhdar Mountains, looking out in direction of the Mediterranean Sea. Wandering around the remains, with a green and fertile valley below, and a forest on the hill above, it is not difficult to imagine life here 2,500 years ago when it was a wealthy, important city. Cyrene’s port, Apollonia is 18 km away and is on a beautiful part of the coast.