Gharyan is a city in northwestern Libya, in Jabal al Gharbi District, located 80 km south of Tripoli. Gharyan is one of the largest towns in the district. Prior to 2007, it was the administrative seat of Gharyan District.

In 2005, the population of Gharyan was estimated at 170,000, and it had grown to over 187,000 by 2011.

Gharyan was on the trade routes both south to Fezzan and over the Nafusa Mountains. The early settlement was in caves, i.e. below ground.

From 1830 until 1855 Gharyan was in revolt against its Ottoman rulers. By 1884 the Ottomans had established a mayor and town council in Gharyan.

Gharyan was considered a center of Tripolitanian resistance to the Italian invasion in the early 20th century.

Fully occupied by Italy by 1925, Gharyan was developed above ground, with a post and telegraph office, a police station, a medical clinic, several schools and a hotel being built between 1925 and 1928.

The Berber tribe Awlad Abu Say is centered around Gharyan and Mizda to the south.

In early 2011, the city became involved in the nationwide anti-Gaddafi uprising. Initially successful, on 2 March, government forces retook it.