Once the jewel of the Mediterranean, Benghazi is now a shadow of its former self. The city was the birthplace of Libya’s revolution and the stronghold of the rebels during the fight against Muammar Gaddafi. Since his downfall, Benghazi has been struggling to rebuild. The city centre is a tangle of destroyed buildings, and the outskirts are a mix of empty desert and hastily constructed housing developments. But there are still some gems to be found in Benghazi. The old city is a maze of narrow streets and Ottoman-era architecture, and the harbour is a great place to watch the sun set over the Mediterranean. There are also some excellent restaurants and bars, especially in the up-and-coming district of L’Aghelia.