visit tunisia

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It may be but a slim wedge of North Africa’s vast horizontal expanse, but Tunisia has enough history and diverse natural beauty to pack a country many times its size. With a balmy, sand-fringed Mediterranean coast, scented with jasmine and sea breezes, and where the fish on your plate is always fresh, Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-and-sea holiday. But beyond the beaches, it’s a thrilling, underrated destination where distinct cultures and incredible extremes of landscape – forested coastlines, Saharan sand seas in the south – can be explored in just a few days.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

This sprawling maze of ancient streets and alleyways is one of the most impressive medieval medinas in North Africa and one of Tunisia's great treasures…

El Jem Amphitheatre

This Unesco World Heritage–listed colosseum was the second-largest in the Roman world (after Rome's); it was 149m long by 124m wide, with three tiers of…

Kairouan’s medina feels like it ebbs and flows to a different rhythm to modern Tunisia. Long protected by its monumental walls and babs (gates), most of…

Sousse Archaeological Museum

Located inside the 11th-century kasbah, this museum showcases an extraordinary collection of 2nd- and 3rd-century Roman mosaics, one of the best in the…

Archaeological Museum

A 1km walk from the El Jem Amphitheatre (follow the signs), this museum showcases an exceptional collection of Roman mosaics. All are richly coloured, in…

Bardo Museum

The main draw at the Tunisia's top museum is its magnificent collection of Roman mosaics. These provide a vibrant and fascinating portrait of ancient…

Arguably the most magnificent Roman site in Africa, Dougga’s ancient remains – a Unesco World Heritage site since 1997 – are startlingly complete, giving…

On the cultivated amber slopes of Mt Mekrima, the fascinating but little-visited ruins of ancient Uthina are the remains of one of the Roman Empire's…

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Tunisia and beyond

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Welcome to tunisia.

Tunisia still has surprises in store for you. You can enjoy the most beautiful sandy beaches , explore the ruins of an ancient Roman city , learn to ride a camel, then completely unwind in one of our superb thalassotherapy centres. Dive through a school of fish, learn to kite surf, taste one of the countless couscous recipes, play a round of golf … For MICE organisers, you can rely on excellent infrastructure and many well equipped conference centres. 

Destinations

Tunis and the Coasts of Carthage Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd are places loaded with history but also overflowing with life. The ca...

Tabarka and Aïn Draham Tabarka or Aïn Draham? Sea or forest? Both are waiting for you in the Tunisian North-West. A paradis...

Hammamet and Cape Bon Magnificent beaches, beautiful hotels, sporting activities and seafront nightclubs… some of the many...

Djerba Island The great island of the Tunisian South and Zarzis, its neighbour on the mainland, are one of the mos...

Sousse and Port El Kantaoui Major coastal resort and historical city, Sousse has two faces. Enjoy the enormous beaches of Sousse...

The Tunisian South From Tozeur to Tataouine via the vast sandy desert, the Tunisian South is a true world of its own wh...

Tunis and the Coasts of Carthage

Tabarka and aïn draham, hammamet and cape bon, djerba island, sousse and port el kantaoui, the tunisian south.

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Top stories

Tunisia’s Culinary Journey

On the trail of Djerba’s mosques

Thalasso, a good reason to go to tunisia.

Tunisia is establishing itself more than ever... Read More

The Bardo Museum reopens!

Tunisia’s most prestigious museum has reopened under the sign of the godd... Read More

Tourbet el-Bey, tomb of the Beys of Tunis

It is the collective mausoleum of the last dynasty that ruled Tunisia. A monument of austere appeara... Read More

Nabeul and its Jewish memory

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Travel to Tunisia in 2024: Tips + Itinerary

By Joan Torres 20 Comments Last updated on April 12, 2024

From the most epic Roman ruins in Africa to crystal Mediterranean beaches, the Sahara and a great Berber culture, Tunisia is a small piece of land with a lot to offer and is a great alternative to Morocco as, basically, you get a similar Maghrebi culture with the difference that many parts of Tunisia remain unvisited and the country is mostly free of the classic scams.

The golden era in which Tunisia used to be a prime tourist destination came to an end with the 2015 terrorist attacks   – unfortunately – but, even during those times, the vast majority of visitors were resort-like tourists, the most adventurous ones visiting the most typical tourist attractions on an organized tour.

Even my parents visited Tunisia for a few days many years ago, but went there with everything organized.

This means that Tunisia hasn’t really witnessed the arrival of independent travelers and I believe this is one of the things that make any trip to Tunisia a great travel experience, as you will be continuously meeting curious, kind-hearted locals everywhere you go.

No more than a few hours from any European city by air, this is perhaps, the closest and easiest exotic, offbeat destination to visit during your 1 or 2-week holiday.

This guide contains everything you need to know to travel to Tunisia , including travel tips and a compelling 2-week itinerary.

I also recommend you read: How to visit Tunis in 3 days

In this Tunisia travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Getting there
• Travel insurance
• Best time to visit
• Tour or not?
• The people, the country
• Moving around
• Is it safe?
• Day 1, 2 – Tunis
• Day 3 – Sousse
• Day 4 – Monastir
• Day 5 – Kairouan
• Day 6 – El Jem
• Day 7 – Sfax
• Day 8, 9 – Tataouine & around
• Day 10, 11 – Tozeur & around
• Day 12 – El Kef
• Day 13 – Jugurtha Tableland
• Day 14 – Dougga
• More information

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🪪 How to get a tourist visa for Tunisia

Pretty much any nationality can get a 3-month visa-free on arrival.

🛫 How to get to Tunisia

How to travel to tunisia by air.

Tunis International Airport has connections with several European cities and other major cities in Africa. I recommend you check on Tunisair and Skyscanner. I personally flew from Barcelona with Tunisair.

How to travel to Tunisia by land

Tunisia has a border with Algeria and Libya .

• Algeria – You can travel to Tunisia from Algeria and use the entry point near Tabarka – not sure if foreigners can use the other borders.
• Libya – You can’t really cross from Libya, not because the border is closed but because, currently, Libya is not issuing tourist visas and the only way to get in is via an agency who will fake a business visa for you, and they don’t recommend you enter or exit via Tunisia, as it would not be credible that you came to Libya for business purposes.

🚑 Travel Insurance for Tunisia

For Tunisia, get IATI Insurance :

• All types of plans: from families to budget backpackers
• Covers both short-term trips and up to 1-year long trips.
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

⛅ Best time to visit Tunisia

The best thing about Tunisia is that this is really a year-round destination.

The northern part of the country is purely Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers so, if you fancy the beach, July and August should prove best, and towns and cities are great to visit any time of the year. The arid south, however, is best visited in winter, otherwise, the heat might not let you enjoy it that much.

I visited Tunisia for 3 weeks from mid-April to the beginning of May and it was the perfect time. The weather in the northern part was absolutely pleasant, with a little rain sometimes, and the heat in the southern part was still quite bearable.

Should you travel in Tunisia independently or on an organized tour?

I visited Tunisia 100% independently, and I recommend you do the same.

However, if you are short of time and want to visit specific places on organized tours, I recommend you use GetYourGuide , a website where you can book any type of tour, from half-day trips to several-day tours with just one click.

🕌 The people and the culture

They are too African to be considered European, but they are too European to be considered African.

These are the words from an expat American woman living in the city of Tunis who I had the chance to meet during my trip to Tunisia.

Along with Beirut , Tunis might be the most secular and open-minded Arab city and you just need to go to the city center and see how people dress.

You find traditional, religious people too, of course, but the beauty of Tunis, and Tunisia in general, is that everybody is free to practice Islam the way they please and, on most occasions, you won’t be judged.

This is why in Tunis you are likely to see a young girl with a short skirt walking in a local market among other women wearing the full hijab, a mix you will rarely see in other Arab countries.

Sousse, Monastir and Sfax are other modern cities with a significant number of liberal people, especially among the young generation.

However, religion still plays an important role in Tunisia’s society. Even Tunis has its traditional districts and the rural areas are very conservative.

But what is true is that in Tunisia there isn’t much fundamentalism compared to other Arab nations and countries in the Middle East.

Arabic is the official language in the country, and I believe it is quite similar to the Arabic spoken in Morocco and Algeria.

However, it is very different from other Middle Eastern countries, from Egypt to Oman .

In fact, they don’t even understand each other. When I was living in Dubai, in my office there were Arabs from all the Arab countries and Tunisians would always address Middle Easterners in English.

French & English – Given this used to be a French colony, except for uneducated people from rural areas, pretty much everybody in the country speaks impeccable French, and the best educated Tunisians also have good English, so traveling in Tunisia doesn’t imply any language barrier.

🍲 Food: What can you eat when you visit Tunisia?

Just before my trip to Tunisia, I had spent around 5 weeks in Morocco, so I wasn’t really expecting to taste many different flavors, but I was very wrong.

First of all, Tunisian food is extremely spicy. Like a lot spicy, sometimes Indian-level spicy.

I don’t know why, but Tunisia must be the only Mediterranean country that uses chilis in their cuisine. They love it and also a chilli sauce named harissa , which they put everywhere.

One Tunisian lady told me that every time she travels to Europe, even if it is just for a few days, she always brings some harissa .

Moreover, due to its proximity to Italy, Italian food is a thing here, and the truth is that spaghetti with tomato sauce is a staple, something you can order in any local eatery for less than $1 sometimes, but it isn’t very good pasta to be honest.

Overall, Tunisian food is good, however, whereas in the city of Tunis (and Sousse as well) I had quite a few feasts, in the rest of the country most places would only serve very basic stuff, especially in the south, Tozeur and El Kef.

Must-try dishes in during your trip in Tunisia

• Brik – The most popular snack in Tunisia consists of a filled fried pastry, usually with egg or tuna. By the way, Tunisians love tuna.
• Ojja – Sort of a tomato stew that comes in different versions, from local sausage ( mergez ) to seafood. Ojja is available in pretty much any local eatery.
• Cous-cous – Maghrebi star-dish, and the Tunisian version is very spicy.
• Seafood – In the coastal towns of Tunisia you can find some really great seafood, the most remarkable I ate being some stewed octopus in a tomato gravy, absolutely tender and delicious. I ate it in Sousse, in a restaurant called Cafe Bellar.

🛺 How to move around: transportation

Remember to get travel insurance for Tunisia I strongly recommend IATI Insurance as it has COVID-19 coverage + 5% discount 5% discount if purchasing via this link

Typically, there are 2 ways to travel around Tunisia:

Traveling around Tunisia by train

The Tunisian train is great. It is reliable, relatively fast and just soooo good. There is a train line that goes along the coast all the way to Gabés and, as far as I am concerned, the whole line is fully operational.

During my visit, however, the line that connects Tunis with Gabés through Tozeur, in the west of the country, had been closed for several years, but it seems they have already resumed all trains. In any case, you can check timings on the official railway website .

Traveling around Tunisia by louage

Louages are the local mini-vans which basically, you will ride for traveling to places you can’t reach by train. I used them to travel to Kairouan, El Kef and Tozeur and some places in the south. They are very cheap.

💰 Money, budget and costs

In Tunisia, they use the Tunisian Dinar (TND) and approximately:

1 USD = 3.15 TND

Most cities will have ATMs and changing either € or USD should be very easy.

How much does it cost to travel to Tunisia?

Tunisia is cheap, much more than Morocco, mainly because of the currency’s devaluation after the massive drop in tourism. Cost of the most typical things:

• Street sandwich (falafel) – 1-2 dinar
• Local meal  (1 ojja) – 5 dinars
• Meal in a good restaurant – 20 dinars
• Entrance fees to places like Dougga ruins, ribats, fortresses, museums – 8 to 12 dinars
• Budget hotel – 20-30 dinars
• Mid-range hotel – From 40-50 dinars
• Transportation – I paid around 4-7 dinars for most train journeys, same for louage.

On a tight budget, I seriously think you can go backpacking in Tunisia for $ a day 20.

Please note that the below table is just an approximation.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Tunisia?

Tunisia has had some safety concerns in the past, especially throughout 2015, and that was the main reason why tourism dropped dramatically.

However, the situation has improved drastically and for a better understanding, I recommend you read my analysis:

Is Tunisia a safe country to visit?

Tunisia Itinerary – Places to visit in 2 weeks

How long should you go backpacking in Tunisia for?

I personally spent almost 3 weeks, went a bit slower than the suggested itinerary and visited one or two additional places not included here such as Djerba Island.

Tunisia 2-week travel itinerary map

Day 1, 2 – Visit the capital of Tunis

A third Mediterranean, a third European and a third North African, Tunis is a city with many cultural contrasts and most likely, the starting point of your Tunisia travel itinerary.

On the one hand, the old city is composed of an African, Maghrebi medina, not very different from the ones you would find in Morocco, but without the feeling of being in a tourist trap.

And, on the other hand, you also have the European part of town, which is filled with French-style facades, boulangeries and a relatively Westernized atmosphere.

In addition, think about all the nightlife, nice restaurants, the Roman ruins of Carthage and the Mediterranean-like district of Sidi Bou Said, and I seriously believe that traveling to Tunisia just for visiting Tunis is truly worthwhile.

Things to do in Tunis

I spent whole 5 days in Tunis, and managed to squeeze the things I visited in a 3-day travel guide

Where to stay in Tunis

Backpacker Hostel – Medina Youth Hostel   – Located in the heart of the medina, this is the most backpacking-friendly hostel in Tunis.

Mid-range hotel – Dar La Leila – Super nice, traditionally decorated lovely hotel, the top-rated hotel in Tunis, and super charming staff.

Top-end hotel – Dar El Jeld Hotel and Spa – A 5-star but traditional hotel that offers all the luxuries.

Best tours in Tunis

I recommend you look for tours via GetYourGuide .

Carthage and Sidi Bou Said – Roman ruins of Carthage and the Santorini-like city of Sidi Bou Said.

Bardo Museum & Medina – The classic medina + the museum containing one of the largest collections in the world of Roman mosaics.

Day 3 – The resort-like town of Sousse

This is the prime tourist destination in the country, for foreigneirs and Tunisians alike, but for independent travelers, it feels a bit odd.

It feels weird because the coastal front line of the new part of town is composed of ugly, mass tourism-like buildings, restaurants with over-priced menus and just the kind of trashy tourism I would try to run away from.

However, Sousse is the city that witnessed all those unfortunate terrorist events from 2015 , so during my visit in the month of May, it felt like a real ghost town and, in any case, the old part of Sousse is a great place to get lost in, among its narrow alleys.

Moreover, Sousse is a good base to explore a few places around such as Kairouan, Monastir or El Jem. I mean, you can find accommodation in those cities but Sousse has the largest offer of hotels, restaurants, and cafés so, for me, it made sense to hang out there for a while.

Looking for visiting Sousse on a tour? CLICK HERE TO CHECK ALL AVAILABLE TOURS IN SOUSSE

Things to do in Sousse

• Medina – Like all medinas in Africa, the medina of Sousse is a maze of streets where the highlight is getting lost and escaping from the main souvenir area.
• Great Mosque – From the 8th century. They make you pay an entrance fee, a bit unusual for being a regular mosque, but Tunisia is mostly like that.
• Ribat – Old Islamic fortress from the 8th century. It contains one of the oldest praying halls in Africa.
• Sousse Archaeological Museum – I am the least museum-friendly person but I loved the museum of Sousse because it contains some of the largest collections of Roman mosaics, including a massive one of Medusa . Check the official website for timings.

Ribat – A ribat is a small Arabic fortress typically found along the northern African coast, and built during the first years of the Muslim conquest. Most coastal towns in Tunisia have their own ribat and they tend to be pretty well-preserved. The word ”ribat” means ”defense of Islam”.

Where to stay in Sousse

Budget/backpacker – Hotel Paris – Basic hotel with relatively good Wi-Fi inside the medina. I stayed here.

Mid-range – Dar Antonia – Traditional, fancy dar in the medina.

How to get to Sousse from Tunis

There are several trains a day running to Sousse from Tunis central station.

A ticket would typically cost 10,000 dinars and it takes a bit more than 2 hours.

Day 4 – Day trip to Monastir

If you have the time, Monastir is a pleasant town that was founded as a Phoenician trading settlement more than 2,000 years ago.

Monastir is a peaceful, free-of-crowds town, as the touristic area is quite far away from the center, so it has managed to keep a certain charm, plus in my opinion, Monastir has the most well-preserved ribat in the country, a set of labyrinthic passages and stairways that seem taken from a movie.

Moreover, Monastir is the birthplace of Habib Bourguiba , the man who lead the country to independence from France and ruled the country from 1956 to 1987.

Other than that, Monastir is an all-right place to hang around for a while.

My visit here was a peculiar one. After visiting the ribat , I met with one local lady who had contacted me through Instagram and she took me to the local radio station’s offices – she was working there – and I kind of kept staring at what they were doing for a while.

Then, we went to Habib Bourguiba’s mausoleum.

You can also visit Monastir on an organized tour (along with Sousse) from Tunis. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

How to get Monastir from Sousse

Monastir is a 20km train ride from Sousse and trains run continuously throughout the day for $1 or less.

The Great Roman Civil War Do you know about the famous Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey ? It was the war that led Rome from a Republic to an Empire, and the last stage that guided Julius Caesar to victory occurred on the battlefield between Sousse and Monastir. The coolest thing about it is that today’s Monastir was Caesar’s base, and Sousse was Pompey’s. They even made a TV series on Netflix.

Day 5 – Day trip to Kairouan, the holiest city in Tunisia

Some sources claim Kairouan is the holiest Islamic city in Africa, and the fourth in the world after Mecca, Medina and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

I am not sure about that, however, because I have been to other places in the Middle East and Africa with the same claim but it is a fact that this is the holiest place to visit in Tunisia and the atmosphere is so different from anywhere along the coast, so low-key, so traditional and overwhelmingly welcoming.

Interested in visiting Kairouan on a guided tour? CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL AVAILABLE TOURS IN KAIROUAN

Things to do in Kairouan

At the Great Mosque, you can purchase one ticket that allows you to visit several sites and these are the ones I visited:

• Great Mosque – From the 7th century, one of the holiest Islamic places in Africa.
• Bir Barouta – An Ottoman-era building that was built around a well which apparently, connects to another well in Mecca. Sadly, they enslaved a poor camel that spends his day turning the well’s wheel.
• Zaouia of Sidi Sahab – Very beautiful Muslim complex with Andalusian-style tiles.

How to get to Kairouan from Sousse

There isn’t a train line passing through Kairouan, so you need to take a louage , which takes a bit more than 1 hour.

Sousse bus station is outside of town, here: 35.809717, 10.636374.

Mullah stories In Kairouan (in Zaouia of Sidi Sahab) I was approached by a kind Tunisian who gave me a 30-minute Islamic lesson in an attempt to persuade me to consider converting to Islam, and it was only 30 minutes because very kindly, I told him I had to leave. A very intense man, but I have bumped into many of those in my travels, and they always tell you the story of a British or an American who found God, hence inner-peace and happiness, after listening to his words.

Day 6 – Day trip to El Jem, an impressive Roman amphitheater

El Jem was one of my favorite places in my Tunisia itinerary.

This is home to one of the most epic Roman amphitheaters in the world, in fact, the 3rd largest one, built in the 2nd century, but for obvious reasons, it is much less crowded than the one in Rome.

Around 1km from the amphitheater, there is an archaeological museum also containing plenty of Roman mosaics, many of whom feature the scene when wild animals were released into the arena to eat convicts.

You must get the ticket at the amphitheater’s office, and it also includes the museum entrance.

Since it is on the way to Sfax, I took a train from Sousse early in the morning, visited El Jem for a few hours, and then I could easily get a train to Sfax.

Next to El Jem’s train station, there is a fancy hotel whose staff were kind enough to keep my backpack while I visited the city.

How to get to El Jem from Sousse

It’s a 1-hour train journey from Sousse central train station

Looking for guided visits to El Jem? CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL AVAILABLE TOURS TO EL JEM

Day 7 – Sfax, the coolest medina in Tunisia

Before traveling to Tunisia, I had read in a guidebook that the locals of Sfax were believed to be very thrifty hard-workers.

In my experience, most guidebooks are always filled with unlikely quotes but upon my arrival in Tunis, I spent some time discussing my Tunisian itinerary with a local guy who told me the exact same thing.

And, perhaps, this is the reason why, despite being untouched by tourism, Sfax has some sort of cosmopolitan feel by African standards, and many people there seem to be very open-minded.

Additionally, Sfax is also home to the best medina in the whole Tunisia, very big and authentic which hasn’t been spoiled yet by the arrival of tourists.

Things to do in Sfax

• Getting lost in the medina – As I said, this purely African medina is very traditional and authentic.
• Abandoned Synagogue – Tunisia used to be home to a large Jewish community and, in Sfax, there is an abandoned synagogue.
• Place de la Republique – French-style buildings at the entrance to the medina.

Where to stay in Sfax

There are 2 budget auberges (one next to other) 2km north west outside of the Medina.

For more hotel options in Sfax,

Jews in Tunisia Tunisia today has one of the largest Jewish communities in the Arab world, mainly living in Tunis city and Djerba Island. Of course, most of them migrated to Israel after the Israel-Palestinian war but many of them remain and a few synagogues are still functional, another fact that proves overall the tolerance in Tunisia.

Day 8, 9 – Tataouine & around: southern Berber lands

The lesser-visited southern part of Tunisia is an arid territory that extends all the way to the Libyan border.

Berber villages, camels, ancient ksars (fortified Berber villages), and just remoteness and inhospitality, no wonder why George Lucas decided to shoot Star Wars in these lands.

This is just so different from any place you visited in Tunisia, way more conservative and home to the Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa before the Arabs came.

How to visit Tataouine The area is vast, touristic sites are scattered, and there is no public transportation. I mean, there are a few buses but it is not a convenient way to move around, not even for backpackers. The best way to explore this area is by either renting a car or going on a tour. I rented a car for a day in a rental car office in Medenine and paid less than $25.

Things to do in Tataouine & around

On a normal path, you will need an entire day to visit these places, and still, you may have to rush a bit. If you want to leave early in the morning, I suggest you rent the car on the day before, as rental car shops didn’t open until 9-10am.

The ”green pins” from the previous interactive map mark the following places:

• Ksar Ouled Soltane – The most well-preserved ghorfas in the area. Ghorfas are ancient 4-story buildings that Berbers used to store the grain.
• Chenini – For me, this was the best place to visit in Tataouine. A massive ancient ksar from the 12th century sitting on a hilltop. Gorgeous.
• Guermassa – Another great ksar, not as epic as Chenini’s but still great. I only saw it from the bottom because it takes almost 1 hour to go up and I didn’t have time. The top, however, can be reached by 4WD.
• Ghomrassen – Off the beaten track modern town with pretty cool local architecture, and the ideal place to stop for lunch.
• Ksar Hadada – This ksar used to be a movie set for Star Wars. I am not a big Star Wars fan, so for me, it was not that interesting, as it was nothing more than some commercial, over-restored ghorfas .

Where to stay in the area

I recommend you stay in Tataouine.

Budget – Auberge Alferdaus – An all right auberge/pension for budget travelers and backpackers.

Apartment – Dar Essadeg – Full traditional apartment.

Mid-range – Sangho Privilege Tataouine – For a comfortable stay, this oasis hotel has great facilities, including a pool, and it is not expensive at all for what you get.

Day 10, 11 – The oasis-town of Tozeur & around

Tozeur is a pleasant oasis town with a very unique old quarter whose buildings are made of bricks (hand-made apparently) and a base from which to explore other mountain oases and check out potential camel caravans.

They claim that those oases have been inhabited for 10,000 years.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I like to be honest, and the truth is that this was my least favorite part of my trip to Tunisia.

First of all, because all those landscapes are in my opinion, a small version of the ones you find in north Oman , a country I visited multiple times. And second of all, because this was the only place where the main sites were just packed with tourists, many of them being the irresponsible type. But to be fair, it also didn’t help that the weather was awful (loads of wind and sand).

But anyways, traveling is extremely subjective and you might have a different experience.

Like Tataouine, the area around Tozeur is best explored by car or on an organized excursion. Most hotels can arrange it for you. I personally explored all places with a local friend I had met on Instagram.

Things to do in Tozeur

Please see the ”orange pins” from the previous interactive map.

• Chebika – A small village home to a massive palmeraie.
• Tamerza – Another small village with a palmeraie, a small canyon, and a waterfall.
• Midès – And another small oasis village but the highlight is the stunning views you get to see from the road that leads to it. 
• Ong Jemal – A desert famous for its sunsets and the location of a Star Wars movie set, where the original decoration still remains. Tour agencies will tell you need a 4×4 to reach the place but it is not true.

Where to stay in Tozeur

Budget – Residence Warda – A budget pension good for backpackers.

Mid-range – Residence Loued – A very pleasant traditional hotel at the heart of the Old City.

How to get to Tozeur from Tataouine

The journey is rather more than 300km.

From Tataouine, you need to take a louage to Medenine and from Medenine, another one to Gabés (not sure if you can find a direct one from Tataouine).

If you are lucky and trains are functional, you should be able to take a train from Gabés to Tozeur. Otherwise, take a louage from Gabés to Gafsa and from Gafsa to Tozeur.

Day 12 – El Kef, traditional off the beaten track town

El Kef and the area around was my favorite part of my Tunisia itinerary.

It is a barely visited town and the top of the medina features a kasbah from where you get stunning views of the city and the green meadows surrounding it.

It has a very authentic, traditional atmosphere as well. I spent 3 nights here – as I used it as a base to explore some places around – and didn’t bump into a single tourist.

Where to stay in Le Kef

There aren’t many options, but I stayed in a hotel close to the Medina named Hotel Sicca Veneria , where I paid $15 a night. It was good!

How to get to Le Kef from Tozeur

It’s a long way, around 330km.

From Tozeur, you need to first get a louage to Gafsa. From Gafsa, a second louage to Kasserine and from Kasserine to Le Kef. It takes the entire day.

Day 13 – Day trip to Jugurtha Tableland

This off the beaten track gem was the top attraction I visited in Tunisia.

A natural military fortress, Jugurtha Tableland is a massive flat-topped mountain that rises above 1270 meters, and that has been used as a fortress for centuries, from the Romans to today’s Tunisian Army.

That’s why this is kind of a sensitive place, especially because this is a border area from where you see Algeria – stunning views of Algeria, by the way – so having a guard with you all the time is a must (free of charge).

How to get to Jugurtha Tableland from El Kef

From El Kef bus station, you can take a louage to the border town with Algeria named Qalat as Sanan.

Most likely, the driver will already know about your intentions, so he will drop you at the police station, where they will make you answer a few questions and register for visiting Jugurtha.

I was extremely stupid to forget my passport in El Kef but, luckily, my Spanish ID was enough for them.

Then, the police helped me looking for a taxi to take me to the bottom of Jughurta (4km), and I paid the equivalent of around $10.

Once you arrive, an official guide will welcome you and take you to the top.

It also possible to camp at the top, but you will have to get permission at the police office, and a guard will be with you all night – I mean, they have their own huts. However, be aware that it is extremely windy.

Day 14 – Day trip to Dougga Roman ruins

When I traveled to Tunisia, I also got the chance to check out this amazing place, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 named Dougga,

Dougga has some of the most impressive Roman ruins I have ever seen outside of Rome, probably more stunning than the ruins of Baalbek in Lebanon , or Jerash in Jordan , not only for the ruins themselves, which are in great conditions but also because Dougga was set up in a prime, fertile location, today surrounded by beautiful olive trees and wheat plantations.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Dougga is dominated by the perfectly well-preserved Capitol, dedicated to Jupiter, but you can also find many other temples in good conditions and an amphitheater.

Allow yourself a few hours to visit the area and try to come by the end of the day, when little crowds are gone and, if possible, on a weekday.

How to get to Dougga from El Keff

It was a bit complicated.

From El Kef, I took a louage to a village named Al Karib. Once in Al Karib, I asked for a louage going to Dougga town, which is 4km from the ruins, but everybody kept me saying there weren’t any, so I decided to hitchhike the remaining 20km, but it was a bit hard, as nobody would stop, don’t know why.

Then, on my way walking from Dougga town to the ruins, a kind man – a worker – picked me up.

Coming back to El Kef was fairly easy, as I just got in the first louage that passed by. By the way, from Dougga, you could easily go back to Tunis.

❗ More information for backpacking in Tunisia

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Get the Tunisia Travel Guide by Lonely Planet – A bit outdated but so far, the only one available.

All guides and articles for traveling in Tunisia destination

• Tunis Travel Guide
• Is Tunisia Safe?

Travel guides to other countries in Africa

• Ethiopia Travel Guide
• Eritrea Travel Guide
• Somaliland Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Sudan
• Travel Guide to Egypt
• Libya Travel Guide
• Mali Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Mauritania

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20 comments

Great blog and info as always:)Am supposed to go to Tunisia in october for 2,5 weeks ,still plan on going if……

Love reading your post, as it brings so many great memories. We have done 2 weeks roadtrip around the country too, but left the northern part for next time – I sure hope to be able to return soon and that these crazy times will be just a bad memory. All the best!

Has anyone rented a car and drove around Tunisia independently?

I did, in the south. Very easy

Man, let me tell you something and you can take it as a fact: any Arabic speaker can speak freely with another Arabic speaker from anywhere in the world. Yes, there are diferences and they can tell roughly from where the other dude is. Like I can tell a Texan from an Australian.

Hey Joan: Another great trip report. Currently planning my itinerary for my summer trip to Tunisia. This will largely be a RnR/beach vacay but looking to include some side excursions. Will likely position ourselves in Sousse and wondering if Dougga is doable as a day trip via public transportation? Also how does it compare to the amphitheatre in Busra, Syria?

Just want to make sure, the train to Sousse from Tunis is 10,000 Dinars or more than 3,000 USD for a 2 hour train ride?

Hi Joan, Thank you for a great introduction to Tunesia. Being European I typically spend my vacations at tourist hotspots in Spain, Greece, or Italy. It’s nice – but far from the adventure you’re describing. Need to convince the rest of my family to become a bit more adventourous 🙂

Mega helpful. Thank you.

Is there anyway to get from Sousse to Dougga?

Thank you for the information. Planning on a 2-week trip end of April 2023. Trying to source information about the Northern part especially traveling from/to Tunis – Bizerte – Cap Engela – Tabarka – Tunis

I’d love to visit Dougga. You said it’s possible to get back to Tunis from Dougga, is there a louage going between the two?

Hi Sarah, not from Dougga, since that is an archaeological site, but from nearby villages or towns.

Good evening, Hope everything is fine. I am planning to go to Tunisia and I wonder if there is a way to go from Medénin to Djerba Island by public transportation. If you know if there is a way I would like you to confirm it to me. Thank you in advance

Hey, I don’t remember exactly but I did go there by bus. It should be easy, just go to the bus station and ask for it

hello joan . i am planning to visit tunisia in august and move around with louages. in your article you mentioned that you visited tozeur with a louage. do you remember if it was direct ( tunis – tozeur ) or i have to change a bus in another city ? also , the station in which louage leave ( from tunis ) is called moncef bey , right ? any information will be helpful . thanks in advance and also thank you for sharing all these travel informations for countries that are not so visited . greetings from greece 🙂

Hi Konstantina! I traveled slowly from Tunis to Tozeur, stopping in many places in between, so I can’t really tell!

Hola Joan, qué tal?

A ver si hay suerte y ves el mensaje a tiempo. Estoy en Túnez y en unos tengo pensado visitar la zona alrededor de Medenine/Tataouine y estoy buscando un sitio para alquilar coche un día. Me podrías pasar el nombre, la ubicación o algún contacto aún mejor del sitio dónde alquilaste tú?

Muchas gracias, saludos!

Hola Jack, lamentablemente jamás me apunté la dirección, pero todo lo que hice fue buscar en Google Rent a Car

hello , thank you for writing about Tunisia but I think you should update your prices for the food , those prices must be from 10 years ago !

They are from 2019 but if you have any updated prices, they are most welcome 🙂

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Tunisia Travel Guide – All About Visiting Tunisia

Planning holidays in Tunisia? You will not be disappointed! The country was one of my best travel discoveries recently; I was so impressed with all the remarkable monuments, historical sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beautiful landscapes, hospitable locals, and friendly vibe. Whether you are traveling to Tunisia to relax on the beach or to explore this fascinating country, you are in for a treat.

I put together this Tunisia travel guide to help you prepare for your trip to Tunisia with all the info you might need. In this article, you will find all you need to know about visiting Tunisia and having a hassle-free time there. Read on, plan your trip, and enjoy Tunisia!

Planning a trip to Tunisia?

Here are the services I always use and personally recommend:

• Accommodation : I always book a place to stay on Booking.com
• Tours: when I decide to go on a tour I use either Viator or Get Your Guide .
• For transportation and booking tickets online , I usually use 12Go or Omio
• Looking for the airport pickup ? Check Welcome Pickups!
• If you plan to rent a car during your trip to Tunisia check Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals
• Get insured for your trip to Tunisia with SafetyWing

Table of Contents

Basic information on Tunisia

Where is tunisia.

Tunisia, a country of over twelve million inhabitants, is located in North Africa, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It neighbors Algeria on the west and Lybia on the east.

Why visit Tunisia

For some reason, Tunisia isn’t as popular among tourists as nearby Morocco and Egypt , yet the country offers exceptional sights and monuments and perfect opportunities for relaxing holidays at the sea. It is also not so spoiled by tourism as the two countries mentioned above, which makes visiting Tunisia so much easier and more pleasant.

If you are looking for exceptional Roman ruins, vibrant yet charming medinas, beautiful architecture, stunning views, or even some alternative sites – Tunisia is a place for you. There are so many great places to visit and things to do in Tunisia that you will be impressed with all the country has to offer!

Planning a trip to Tunisia

Best time to visit tunisia.

The best time to visit Tunisia is spring (April-May) or autumn (October-November). The weather is good then, perfect for relaxing on the beach and sightseeing. Summer months can be too hot even for sun lovers.

I visited Tunisia in early January, and it was perfect for sightseeing, with mostly sunny days and temperatures around 15-20C (sometimes even more). There were also very few tourists around, making sightseeing much nicer.

Insurance for Tunisia

I believe you should always have insurance when you travel as you never know what might happen, and better safe than sorry. And the same goes for a trip to Tunisia. You can buy travel insurance with the trusted company, SafetyWings, here .

Visa for Tunisia

Most nationalities don’t need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. If you are from some countries in Africa, Asia, or South America, chances are you need a Tunisian visa before entering the country. You can get it in the embassy of Tunisia near you.

Before planning a trip to Tunisia, be sure to consult the website of the Tunisian embassy or your local Ministry of Foreign Affairs to check if a visa is required.

How to get to Tunisia

Unfortunately, Tunisia is not on the route of low-cost airlines, so getting there might be a bit tricky and expensive (that’s the most budget-consuming thing about visiting Tunisia). I flew with Air France via Paris, but you can also fly directly to Tunis from Rome, Cairo, Casablanca, Doha, Frankfurt, Istanbul, or Dubai. Check the local airline Tunisair, too, as it serves many direct flights to European airports.

Another good option to fly to Tunisia might be a charter flight. They serve primarily tourists who decide to go for resort holidays, but you don’t need to buy the whole package to use them; you can get the flight ticket only and use them too. Charter flights usually go to popular holiday destinations in Tunisia, which include the airports of Djerba, Enfidha–Hammamet, and Monastir.

I was considering flying charter to Tunisia, but flights from Poland were only once a week, on Thursdays, and the price wasn’t much lower than Air France that I used (where I could choose the dates that suited me). It’s worth checking charter flights, but in the end, the regular flight might still be your best option.

How many days for visiting Tunisia

The optimal time for visiting Tunisia is 10-14 days. This way, you can see all the highlights and best attractions in Tunisia as well as relax a bit at the seaside. Of course, the more, the better, but even with only one week in Tunisia, you can see a lot.

I spent ten days in Tunisia and was satisfied with what I saw then. Still, I wouldn’t mind spending an extra day or two simply doing nothing and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the seaside.

You can read my detailed 10-day Tunisia itinerary here.

What to see in Tunisia

Tunisia offers so many amazing places to visit, and what makes it a great destination is the diversity of attractions. Spectacular Roman ruins, incredible vibrant medinas, long sandy beaches, charming towns, and so much more – Tunisia has it all!

Some of the best places to visit in Tunisia (that I was lucky to see) are:

• Tunis – the capital of the country, with beautiful, UNESCO-listed medina and interesting architecture from the French colonial period
• Carthage – impressive ruins of the Phoenician city from the 6th century BCE and the most significant trade metropolis of the antique world, another UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Sidi Bou Said – a charming town on the coast just outside of Tunis, famous for its traditional white-blue houses and winding lanes
• Bulla Regia – an impressive archeological site known for its Hadrianic-era semi-subterranean housing and numerous mosaics still left in place
• Dougga – one of the best and most well-preserved Roman ruins I’ve ever seen, a massive site packed with original buildings from ancient times, another UNESCO site
• Testour – a 16th-century shelter for the Muslim and Jewish refugees from Andalusia who gave a distinctive look to the town
• El Jem – home to one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, dating back to the 3rd century, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List
• Sousse – the third largest city in Tunisia, with UNESCO-listed medina and a great Archeological Museum, famous also for its long and sandy beach
• Kairouan – another UNESCO place, the town is known as a holy city in Islam, with incredible medina and stunning Great Mosque, among other attractions
• Djerba – the island is popular as a holiday destination for its long and sandy beaches, but you can also find there some alternative sites such as the town with over 200 murals or numerous abandoned hotels
• Ksar Ghilane – an Oasis on the edge of the Sahara desert
• Chenini – an old Berber village built into the mountains, partly abandoned
• Tataouine – the city is known primarily thanks to the Star Wars movies; you will find in and around the place numerous inspiration and filming locations for great films

Other interesting places that I missed but are still worth visiting include numerous seaside towns perfect for relaxing holidays (Hammamet, Nabeul, or Monastir), Chott el Djerid (the vast salt lake), Sbeitla (another ancient town), Matmata (the Berber village and the Star Wars filming location), or Tozeur and nearby mountain oasis villages.

How to get from Tunis airport to the center

Apparently, some infrequent buses run between the airport and the center of Tunis, but I’ve never seen them (and in total, I was four times at the Tunis Carthage airport). The best option is to take a taxi. The fair prices I found online are 30 TND in the day and 45 TND at night, but everything depends on the negotiation skills and meter use.

Fortunately, in Tunis, you can use Bolt cars and find the ride in the app. That’s what I did in Tunis, and I never paid more than 10 TND (that included my tip) for the ride between the airport and the center, doesn’t matter what time of the day I was going (once I had to be at the airport around 5 in the morning and price for Bolt was 6 TND at that time).

Since the area around the airport can be confusing for finding the car, I suggest going outside to the roundabout and getting the ride there (here is the exact location). It is so much easier and stress-free this way. When I arrived, I couldn’t find my driver at the airport, and eventually, we met at the roundabout; the second time, I went directly there and ordered my ride from that point.

How to get around cities

Again, taxis are your best option. In Tunis and Sousse, you can use Bolt, and that makes everything so much easier. In other places, like Djerba, you can use regular taxis. I found the taxi drivers in Djerba honest, and I wasn’t scammed even once there; usually, I even paid less than I assumed for the ride.

How to get around Tunisia

Tunisia doesn’t have very well-developed railway lines; however, you can use the train during your trip, especially on the Tunis – Sousse – El Jam route. You can find the schedules here, at the official website of Tunisian Railways.

The trains are a bit old but surprisingly comfortable, and the journey doesn’t take that long, although delays happen. There are two classes on the train, and I recommend getting tickets for the 1st class as they are not much more expensive, but the comfort level is much better.

Since I’m used to getting tickets in advance, just to be sure I have a seat secured, I went to the train station in Tunis shortly after arriving to get all my tickets. As it turned out, there was no need for that as everyone got the tickets just before the departure. You can go to the train station 15 minutes before the train and get the ticket there.

While the coach and seat are indicated on the ticket, no one cares about that, so sit wherever you want to, as long as the class is correct.

You can also take the suburban train from Tunis to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. They depart frequently from the small Tunis Marine station, just a short walk away from the clocktower in the center of the city.

You buy the ticket in the window just before entering the platform – the same system works everywhere on this line. The ticket is really cheap, less than 1 TND for the ride from Tunis to Carthage or Sidi Bou Said.

Louages are the most popular way to travel around Tunisia. These minibusses can fit up to 10 people and depart when full. The whole system might look hectic, and the louages station can be a bit overwhelming, but everything is relatively straightforward and easy.

In bigger stations, you can find the signs with destinations, but even if they are not there, someone will tell you where to go so you won’t be lost for too long. You buy the ticket for the route you are interested in, and then you are pointed to the right car; once all the passengers arrive, you are ready to go.

I took louages from Sousse to Kairouan and back, and I never had to wait more than 5 minutes to go. As for the comfort, it depends on what kind of car you will get. On the way to Kairouan, the louage was jammed, and even if it was only an hour-long journey, my knees weren’t happy. However, on the way back to Sousse, it was spacious, and I could have easily gone in this kind of car for a few hours.

If you are short on time in your itinerary or don’t want to spend too many hours in louages, consider flying within Tunisia. At first, I was planning to take a louage from Sousse to Djerba, but it takes around 6 hours, leaving me with not enough time to explore the island, so I’ve decided to take the plane from Tunis to Djerba. And it was a perfect decision.

The flight was operated by Tunisiar Express and served by smaller planes – ATR 72. There is no online check-in, so you still need to wait in the queue at the airport, but at least you get checked luggage in the price. The flight time between Tunis and Djerba is around one hour.

Another place you might consider flying to/from is Tozeur, right in the heart of the Sahara, in the central part of the country, some 450 km away from Tunis.

Unfortunately, not every interesting place and tourist attraction is reachable by public transport in Tunisia (or it’s too much hassle if you’re in the country only for a short time). That’s why it’s worth considering the tour. They might be a bit expensive, but in most cases, they are definitely worth it as the places you visit are pretty impressive, and it would be a pity to miss them when visiting Tunisia.

I went on two tours during my trip, from Tunis to Dougga and Bulla Regia and from Djerba to the Sahara desert and Chenini. I booked both of them in advance on Viator , and I was really satisfied with the choice as both tours and all the places were incredible. I booked both tours in advance, before arriving (that’s my preferred way of planning a trip), but I think you might also get them organized by your hotel when you are in Tunisia.

Language in Tunisia

The official language in Tunisia is Arabic, but French is widely spoken due to its history and connections with France. If you know French, you are good to go. I had to try really hard to remember some basic French from when I learned it at school some 20 years ago.

Getting around with English can be complicated as it’s not that popular, and sometimes it’s a bit hard to communicate with people only in English. But everyone is friendly, and they will do their best to help you and make you feel welcome even with the language barrier.

Money in Tunisia

The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian dinar (TND). At the time of writing this article, 1 TND was worth 0,30€ or 0,33$. The banknotes are 5, 10, 20, and 50 TND; the coins are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 millimes, and 1/2, 1, 2 and 5 dinars.

Getting money in Tunisia

There are plenty of ATMs around where you can get money in Tunisia. Most of them charge a small fee for withdrawing money, usually 10-12 dinars – what’s interesting is that sometimes the fee varies even among the ATMs of the same bank. The only ATM that didn’t take a fee was the STB bank ATM in the arrivals at Tunis airport, just after the passport control but before collecting the luggage.

I used ATMs a few times and never had any issues, but I always use ATMs located at the bank, just in case. I also used my Revolut card.

Payment by card

Unfortunately, paying by card isn’t very common in Tunisia, so having cash with you is better; consider it when taking money from an ATM. I used a card only a handful of times, in hotels and at the airport; everywhere else, I paid by card.

Prices in Tunisia

Tunisia is, in fact, a very affordable country, and I was surprised by the prices there. To give you a few examples: a 3-star hotel in Djerba, with breakfast, was less than 30€/night, the first class train ticket from Tunis to Sousse was a bit over 3€, a hearty meal in one of the best restaurants in Sousse medina was 10€ and a quick fast food lunch was around 3€. The bottle of water is around 0,40€ and the bottle of cola around 0,80€. The fresh orange juice is around 1€. The cappuccino in Tunis cafe with the exceptional view of the medina is 2€.

Entrance fee to attractions

Most attractions and monuments require a ticket, which is another really affordable thing in Tunisia. I paid between 5 and 12 TND for entrance fees.

If you decide to go to the Sahara desert, most likely you will go to the oasis Ksar Ghilan. You can go a bit into the desert on a camel or a quad there. The prices for around a 45-minute trip are 10€ for a camel or 30€ for a quad.

Safety in Tunisia

The most common question I got about traveling to Tunisia was about safety. As you might remember, in 2015, Tunisia was targeted by ISIS. Two of three terrorist attacks that took place then were aimed at tourists (in the Bardo Museum in Tunis and the seaside resort near Sousse). Since then, tourism in Tunisia really collapsed as people were afraid to travel to a potentially dangerous zone.

But a few years have passed, and Tunisia slowly gets back on the travel map, with more and more travelers deciding to visit the country. Most of them are, however, going on resort holidays or organized tours.

During my trip to Tunisia, I’ve barely seen independent tourists besides me, and exploring such an unpopular place was an interesting experience. But I’ve never really felt unsafe there. Quite the contrary, actually, as everyone was friendly and welcoming. I was expecting a bit of the hassle in tourist spots, similar to those you get in Morocco or Egypt, but during my whole stay there, I had only one encounter with the annoying local who insisted on showing me around the medina in Kairouan – he was quickly yelled at by the local lady from the shop and run away.

That said, you must follow safety rules like everywhere else and use common sense. Before your trip, check the warnings of your local Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see if there is any part of Tunisia that you should avoid.

Solo female travel in Tunisia

I can’t count how many times I’ve heard the question of why I’m traveling solo in Tunisia (my usual answer was, “Why not?”). The concept of solo female travel isn’t popular there, and people couldn’t get why I’ve come there alone. But even if they didn’t fully understand, they were still very friendly and hospitable.

I didn’t have a single situation where I felt unsafe. The only time I felt more self-conscious than usual was when I was exploring abandoned hotels in Djerba, but it had nothing to do with the danger and more to do with my mind playing tricks. If you follow basic safety rules and your intuition, you will be fine.

Internet in Tunisia

Internet in Tunisia isn’t as widely available as you might wish. You can connect to wifi in hotels or some restaurants and cafes, but I would generally not rely on it too much. In two out of three hotels I’ve stayed at, I used my mobile data to surf online as wifi was too poor or acting up.

SIM card in Tunisia

As soon as I landed at Tunis airport, I got myself a local SIM card with internet data. There are three mobile phone networks you can choose from (Ooredoo, Orange, Tunisie Telecom), I went for Orange as their stand was the first one, just after passport control. There, I got a free SIM card with only a few bites included, but I went to the Orange shop in the arrivals, where they put the local SIM card in my phone and added extra bites. I paid 20 TND for 6 GB, which was more than enough for my trip. Maybe I overpaid, but then I saved the money on the Bolt ride from the airport versus taking the taxi, so I was good with that price.

When traveling around Tunisia, I didn’t complain about the network coverage. The only place where my Orange network didn’t work, but the other one (Tuntel) did, was the Sahara desert and near it.

You can also get a eSIM with Airalo for your trip to Tunisia, this way you will stay connected without all the hassle of getting a local SIM card. Click here to get the Airalo eSIM.

What to eat in Tunisia

The most popular food you can try in Tunisia is couscous, apparently the best in the world. It is prepared with spicy tomato sauce; you can choose different additions: meat, fish, or vegetables. Other dishes you might want to try include ojja – spicy tomato sauce with poached eggs and merguez; soups (like chorba or lablabi); tajine – the Tunisian version is made of eggs, potatoes, onion, garlic, parsley, grated cheese, happy cow cheese, salt, pepper, and turmeric (and then some extras, such as chicken, shrimps, or spinach), omek houria (spicy carrot salad), and tabouna (a traditional Tunisian bread).

Vegetarian in Tunisia

I was surprised by the challenge of being a vegetarian in Tunisia. In many of the restaurants, there was not a single vegetarian option on the menu, but as I quickly learned, it was not a problem at all. Everywhere I asked, they did something vegetarian for me – usually couscous with vegetables, which was so delicious I didn’t mind eating it every second day. Sometimes, it was a less fancy meal – an omelet or rice with salad, but the point is, I never was hungry.

Just a word of warning – if you can, treat the local pizza as a last resort. I had it twice, as it was the only option, and in both cases, it wasn’t the best food I’ve ever had. It was edible, of course, and I didn’t feel bad afterward; it just wasn’t very tasty, and I think the cheese was to be blamed for it.

What to drink in Tunisia

The absolute best thing you can drink in Tunisia is freshly squeezed juice, most often orange, but sometimes you can also find pomegranate. You can get it in most cafes and restaurants as well as from random vendors around, and usually, it’s very cheap, like 2-3 TND for a cup. I had it every single day (sometimes a few times), and it never got boring!

Another local drink I enjoyed was the mint tea. I’m a huge black-tea-no-sugar drinker, but somehow, I enjoyed this overly sweet drink. I was familiar with this kind of tea already from Morocco, but I still ordered it numerous times during my trip and enjoyed every single cup.

Alcohol in Tunisia is legal, but you are not allowed to drink it in public spaces, such as beaches, parks, etc. You can buy it in bigger stores; alcohol is also served in some restaurants and resort hotels in popular tourist destinations.

Where to stay in Tunisia

Since Tunisia is a popular seaside destination, you can find numerous hotels, including big resorts, along the Mediterranean coast. When it comes to staying in less popular places, the choice is smaller but still there.

You can find a place to stay and book your accommodation on Booking , that’s what I did too.

Power plugs in Tunisia

Tunisia uses type C and E power plugs; the European plugs work fine there.

Useful apps

The two most useful apps for me in Tunisia were Bolt for ordering taxis in Tunis and Sousse and Google Translate, which I downloaded in French and Arabic before the trip. I also used a lot of maps.me and Google Maps when getting around.

I can’t recommend visiting Tunisia enough. It was like a better version of Morocco or Egypt, with great ancient sites and bustling medinas but without many scams, overwhelming tourism, and annoying situations. It’s a matter of time before the country becomes a tourist hotspot again, so hurry up and visit Tunisia soon and enjoy all the greatness it has to offer.

Travel Resources

Below you can find the brands I trust and use when planning trips:

• You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Tunisia
• I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Viator or Get Your Guide .
• To always stay connected I use Airalo eSim cards – click here to get yours!
• Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Tunisia here.
• Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

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12 Comments

ALI KHAMMASSI

Hi Kami, I’m a licensed tunisian guide, i just want to thank you for the great job that you did and that you are doing. You’ve been a very good ambassador for my country .

Thank you. I really enjoyed my trip to Tunisia and I’ll gladly recommend the country to other travelers.

Hi Kami yours are the most helpful infos i found on tunisia. Just 1 question. Aren’t there any mini buses? I know them from kenya and türkiye. One can get on and off anywhere. No bus stop needed. Have you seen those too?

There are no minibuses like for example in Eastern Europe but there is a shared public transport with louages. I wrote about them in this article.

Thank you so much for writing this blog! We just visited Tunisia, and there isn’t a lot of quality information out that. Super appreciation all of the information, we used your blog non stop as a guide to help!

Thank you for your kind comment, I’m really happy you found my blog useful for your trip. All the best!

Charles Stewart

Hi Kami –

I’ll be in Tunisia in March and just read your travel guide. You’ve provided some very helpful tips and answered any question I might have at the planning stage. Excellent intro to an unfamiliar country…thank you!!

I’m very glad you found it useful. Have a wonderful trip to Tunisia! I’m sure you will enjoy this fascinating country!

BENJAMIN ABOSI

Thank you for sharing your tourism experience in Tunisia, the information is very interesting and I will like to get more of your traveling experiences. I wish to be your friend because I love traveling a lot.

I’m glad you found this article useful. All the best!

Jennifer diPretoro

Thank you for such a great article about Tunisia–I’m planning a trip in early April and this is enormously helpful !

I’m glad to hear that! Have a wonderful trip!

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Tunisia Travel Guide: Plan Your Perfect Trip

Written by Jess Lee Updated Sep 24, 2021

Tunisia may be mainly known as a summer sun and sea travel destination, but off the beach there is much more to discover. In the south, the Sahara's swath of desert sand scattered with lonely oases offers landscapes of rolling dunes that are ripe for adventure tourism activities, while in the north, the ruins of ancient towns sit snug within fertile hill country and are easy historic day trips from Tunis.

Tunisia's geographical situation laid it open from time immemorial to empire builders. The Roman amphitheater at El Djem is only the most famous of the country's historical sights, which take in Phoenician and Roman ruins, Roman and Byzantine mosaics, and Arab and Ottoman forts.

For those who want to explore beyond its feted beaches, Tunisia's small size makes it simple to experience a mix of culture, history, and landscapes even on a short trip.

On This Page:

Inspirational ideas for planning your trip to tunisia, best time to visit tunisia, visitors guide to tunis, best towns in tunisia, historic highlights of tunisia, essential stats & facts, first-time traveler tips for tunisia.

For beach vacations, head straight to the Mediterranean shore. Away from the coast, Tunisia provides plenty of adventure activities amid the vast desert landscapes of the Sahara, famous film locations for fans of movies such as the Star Wars franchise, and some of the grandest Roman ruins in north Africa.

Plan what not to miss in your holiday itinerary by checking out our overview articles on the country's highlights.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tunisia
• Tunisia in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph

Summer: If you're traveling to Tunisia solely for the Mediterranean beaches, summer is high season, with sun and blue skies from June through August. Beach resort prices are highest during July and August. Desert trips are best avoided during this season due to rocketing temperatures.

Fall (September & October): As well as spring, fall is the best time to visit Tunisia if you want to travel around the country rather than simply bask on the beach. The weather is still mostly sunny and warm, but the high temperatures of July and August have tempered down in the south, so desert trips are back on the cards. Expect some rain in October in the north.

Winter: Tunisia's northern region and the Mediterranean coast receive most of their rain from around late October to May. It can get very chilly (including in the desert after dark), so bring warm clothing. The coastal beach resorts may be quiet, but this is a great time if you're traveling specifically for the desert.

Spring: Lots of blue skies (though expect rain along the coast and in the north) and moderate temperatures make this an excellent season for visitors who want to travel around the entire country.

Tunisia's capital, Tunis, is a laid-back introduction to the country. Many tourists spend little time here, often only visiting as a day trip from the beach, but Tunis is the contemporary heartbeat of Tunisia and has plenty to keep visitors busy for a few days.

Spend some time exploring the wriggling alleys of the historic medina (old town), soaking up the ambience of Sidi Bou Said, admiring the world-famous mosaic collection inside the Bardo Museum, and visiting the rambling ruins of once-mighty Carthage before setting off on farther travels.

• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Tunis
• Exploring the Ruins of Ancient Carthage: A Visitor's Guide
• Exploring Sidi Bou Said: Tunis' Picturesque Seaside Suburb

Many visitors here to soak up the sun on the beach head directly to the Mediterranean coastal towns of Hammamet and Sousse, and the island of Djerba, which are particular favorites with overseas tourists. If you're interested in history and culture, don't miss the town of Kairouan, with its labyrinthine medina, and the desert oasis town of Tozeur with its preserved brick architecture.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hammamet
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sousse
• Top-Rated Tourist Attraction in Djerba
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kairouan
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tozeur
• Exploring Tozeur's Oasis: A Visitor's Guide
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Monastir
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sfax
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mahdia
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bizerte

Tunisia's star historical attraction is El Djem, a massive and wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheater that was the fourth largest ever built during the Roman era. Tunisia, though, has a long and rich history, and there are plenty more historic remnants for travelers who want to delve further.

The two most impressive Roman city ruins, Dougga and Bulla Regia, are in the country's north and can be easily visited as day trips from either Tunis or Tabarka.

• Exploring El Djem: A Visitor's Guide
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tabarka

• Population of Tunisia: The population of Tunisia is 11.8 million. Nearly the entire population lives in the country's northern half and along the coast. Around 70 percent of Tunisia's population live in urban areas.
• Capital of Tunisia: The capital of Tunisia is Tunis, which has a population of two million.
• Geography of Tunisia: Tunisia is a thin country rimming the Mediterranean Sea to the north and sharing borders with Algeria to the west and Libya to the east. The northern half of the country is mountainous, while the Sahara desert covers much of Tunisia's southern half. In total, Tunisia covers an area of 163,610 square kilometers.
• Languages of Tunisia: The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. French is widely spoken in Tunisia despite having no official language status. Tamazight is also spoken by the Amazigh (Berber).
• Currency of Tunisia: The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian dinar.
• Time Zone of Tunisia: The time zone of Tunisia is UTC + 1.

Tourist Visas for Tunisia: Passport holders of 97 countries can enter Tunisia visa-free for stays of between 30 and 90 days (depending on the country). Nationalities that require a tourist visa need to apply pre-travel at the Tunisian Embassy. An online e-visa system is currently in the works to make the tourist visa application process easier and more streamlined.

Clothing: Tunisia is an easygoing society, but off the beach and away from the tourist resorts and Tunis, travelers should err on the conservative side in their clothing, covering shoulders and knees, particularly if traveling in rural areas.

Electricity: Tunisia uses two-prong European-style plugs.

Money: Apart from large hotels, big tourist-orientated shops, and a few fine-dining restaurants, credit cards aren't widely accepted in Tunisia, so expect to pay in cash. ATMs are widely available. It is very useful to have small change for public transport, small restaurants, and shops that may not be able to break larger bills.

Mosquitos: If you are traveling to the desert oases such as Tozeur, pack some insect repellent. The mosquitos can be ferocious.

Photography: Be aware that it is illegal to photograph government and military facilities in Tunisia, and don't bring along your drone for taking spectacular aerial shots of the desert. All drone photography is illegal in Tunisia without an official permit. Always ask permission before taking photos of people.

• 3 Other destinations
• 4.1 History
• 4.2 Climate
• 4.3 Terrain
• 4.4 Public holidays
• 4.5 Tourist information
• 5.1.1 Visa application requirements
• 5.2 By plane
• 5.3 By boat
• 5.4 By train
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.3 By taxi
• 6.4 By train
• 6.5 By louage
• 8.1 History and archaeology
• 8.2 North of the desert
• 8.3 The desert
• 9.1 Beaches
• 9.2 The desert
• 15.1 Violence
• 15.2 Female travelers
• 15.3 Money and scams
• 15.4 Tunisian dual nationals
• 16.1 Health care
• 16.3 Vaccinations
• 17.1 Ramadan
• 18.1 Telephone
• 18.2 Internet

The Republic of Tunisia ( Arabic : تونس‎ Tūnis ), is a country in North Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Tourist infrastructure is well developed, and there are several ways to enjoy the loveliness of Tunisia, including spending time on the gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, viewing its ancient ruins, living its thriving desert culture, or sampling its delicious cuisine.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• 36.800833 10.18 1 Tunis — the laid-back capital of Tunisia with easy access to Carthage and a very authentic souk
• 33.881389 10.098333 2 Gabes — large town on the east coast, mostly a rail and bus transit point
• 35.683333 10.1 3 Kairouan — a major site for Islamic pilgrimage
• 36.166667 8.7 4 El Kef — Byzantine and Ottoman architecture in this small town in the northwest
• 35.504722 11.062222 5 Mahdia — former captal
• 35.77799 10.82617 6 Monastir — ancient city with a history back to Phoenician times; these days it is home of the main charter flight airport in the country
• 34.74 10.76 7 Sfax — historic town with a great old kasbah; also access to the Kerkennah Islands
• 33.457222 9.025833 9 Douz — the "Gate of the Desert", a Saharan city known for its date tree plantation and Saharan tourism
• 33.919722 8.133611 10 Tozeur — gateway to several mountain oasis villages

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 36.852558 10.323461 1 Carthage — Phoenician colony, biggest trade metropolis of the antique world; famously razed by the Romans; remnants now encased in a museum; site easily reached by train from Tunis
• 33.7837 10.8833 2 Djerba — a Mediterranean island in the south which is popular with sun-seekers, and home to a historic synagogue that is one of the last remaining active ones in the Arab world
• 36.423333 9.220278 3 Dougga — impressive ruins of a remote Roman city
• 35.3 10.716667 4 El Jem — one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world
• 33.01696 9.09946 5 Jebil National Park — a large Saharan National Park with impressive dunes and rock formations
• 36.946389 11.099167 6 Kerkouane — remnants of the sole untouched Punic settlement which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
• 33.008603 9.616217 7 Ksar Ghilane — on the edge of the sand desert, the saharan oasis known for its hot spring and old roman fort
• 33.542639 9.966806 8 Matmata — berber village of cave abodes, where Star Wars ' Tatooine was set
• 34.319444 8.401389 9 Metlaoui — get aboard the restored Red Lizard vintage train snaking through scenic gorges and hills
• 35.229722 9.129444 10 Sufetula ( Sbeitla ) — a fairly well preserved Roman settlement in the mid-west area of Tunisia
• 32.933333 10.45 11 Tataouine — surrounded by various historic forts ( ksar ) and another filming location of Star Wars

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ].

Tunisia has a rich cultural history, ever since antiquity. The Carthaginian Empire, Rome's archenemy, was centred in Tunisia. Its capital, Carthage, is now a suburb of Tunis. Founded by Phoenician settlers from Tyre and Sidon (modern day Lebanon), Carthage was an ancient Mediterranean powerhouse. Three wars between Rome and Carthage (known as the Punic wars) were waged in the first few centuries before the birth of Christ. These culminated with the decimation of Carthage in 146 BCE by the Roman general Scipio, who is said to have wept at its destruction.

Between the destruction of ancient Carthage and the Arabic conquests of the 7th century, many cultures have made Tunisia their home. Carthage enjoyed a new period of prosperity under the Roman Empire until its collapse in the 5th century. Roman rule was replaced briefly by the Vandals, who made Carthage the capital of their kingdom. Carthage was then absorbed temporarily by the Byzantine Empire, until the rise of Islam in the 7th century.

After the dissipation of the Arabic Caliphates, the Ottoman Empire's Turkish Pashas ruled Tunisia. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia eventually fell under the sway of European Imperialism, as a French Protectorate, along with neighbouring Algeria.

Following independence from France 20 March 1956, President Habib Bourguiba established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. Bourghiba was quietly replaced in 1987 by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. His forced resignation was carried out under the pretext that he was unfit to carry out his duties as president, due to his ailing mental and physical state as a result of extreme old age. Nonetheless, Bourghiba is still credited with the birth of the modern state of Tunisia, for which he fought his entire life. Ben Ali took a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it sought to defuse rising pressure for a more open political society.

However, this changed in late 2010. Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor set himself on fire in protest of the confiscation of his wares and police harassment. This became the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution, as well as the Arab Spring . After massive street protests, Ben Ali was forced out of power in January 2011. Since then, Tunisia has taken the path towards democratization of political and civil life.

Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration.

Climate [ edit ]

Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south.

Terrain [ edit ]

Mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara desert.

Public holidays [ edit ]

• Independence Day , 20th March - a time when hotel rooms are completely booked. Plan accordingly.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Discover Tunisia website

Get in [ edit ]

Tunisia depends a lot on tourism; therefore, many people can visit the country without a visa.

Visa [ edit ]

Citizens of Algeria , Antigua and Barbuda , Argentina , Australia , Austria , Bahrain , Barbados , Belgium , Belize , Bermuda , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Brazil , British Virgin Islands , Brunei Darussalam , Bulgaria , Chile , China , Côte d'Ivoire , Croatia , Denmark , Dominica , Falkland Islands , Fiji , Finland , France , Gambia , Germany , Gibraltar , Greece , Guinea , Honduras , Hong Kong , Hungary , Iceland , Ireland , Italy , Japan , Kiribati , South Korea , Kuwait , Libya , Liechtenstein , Luxembourg , Macau , Malaysia , Mali , Malta , Mauritania , Mauritius , Mexico , Monaco , Montenegro , Montserrat , Morocco , Netherlands , New Zealand , Niger , North Macedonia , Norway , Oman , Poland , Portugal , Qatar , Romania , Russia , Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha , St. Kitts and Nevis , St. Lucia , St. Vincent and Grenadines , San Marino , Saudi Arabia , Senegal , Serbia , Seychelles , Singapore , Slovenia , Solomon Islands , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Turkey , United Arab Emirates , United Kingdom , United States and Vatican City do not require a visa to enter and stay for up to 3 months.

Citizens of Canada do not require a visa to enter and stay for up to 4 months.

If you're not a citizen of any of the countries listed above, you must apply for a visa in advance at a Tunisian embassy.

Visa application requirements [ edit ]

Visa requirements vary from country to country; however, you're normally required to submit the following to apply for a Tunisian visa:

• A copy of your passport (must have a validity of more than six months)
• Proof of your legal status in the country you're living in
• A letter of invitation from your host in Tunisia (a hotel reservation will suffice)
• The first page of your passport

The Tunisian embassy in the United States states that the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior vets all tourist visa applications and may take up to 21 days to process any visa.

By plane [ edit ]

Tunisair is the national airline of Tunisia.

• From the airport, you can catch a taxi to the centre of Tunis (beware, meters may be rigged). They are best hailed from the 2nd floor departure hall to avoid getting swindled and should cost no more than 7 DT to downtown Tunis (Avenue Habib Bourguiba area) during the daytime, and no more than 10 DT, 21:00-05:00 (during which meter rates are 150% of daytime rates).
• Alternatively, take bus #635 or #35 to Ave Habib Bourguiba for 0.47 DT. The bus comes roughly every half-hour and stops in front of the terminal.
• The official airport Wi-Fi requires payment, but connection to the public "Lindo Cafe" network from a restaurant of the same name is free.
• For cheap snacks and coffee/tea in place of overpriced airport fare, walk 3 minutes straight out of the airport's bottom floor (arrivals), past the fountain, through the parking lot, and you'll find a small convenience store and cafe selling items at local prices (espresso for 0.7 DT). It is next to a utilitarian car wash.

Other airports countrywide serve national and international flights including:

Charter flight companies can arrange flight and hotel, many that waiver a visa to enter. There are also some agencies that have ongoing tours for groups and private travellers.

By boat [ edit ]

Ferry services link Tunis to Malta , Trapani and Palermo ( Sicily , Italy ), Naples ( Italy ), Genoa ( Italy ) and Marseille ( France ). Travelling boats generally leave from La Goulette port (near Tunis). Other commercial ports are also available (Rades, Gabes, Sousse, Sfax, Zarzis)

By train [ edit ]

In 2018 a direct train should have operated three times per week between Tunis and the Algerian city of Annaba . However as of 2022 it isn't.

Get around [ edit ]

Tunisair express is the domestic airline branched off of TunisAir. You can fly between Tunis and Tozeur, Djerba and Gabes, as well as flights to Malta and Napoli. French-only website, booking is available online or through agencies Tunisair Express .

By car [ edit ]

Tunisian highways resemble US Interstate or the highways of Europe with a dual carriageway: A-1 runs from Tunis south heading to Sfax, A-4 runs from Tunis north heading to Bizerte, and A-3 runs from Tunis West heading to Oued Zarga. Tunisian highways speed limit is 110 km/h. It is possible to maintain that speed on that road very easily. The routes shown on some maps have a planned extension to Gabes then Ras Jedir (Libya Frontiers) in the South as of 2011-2014 and to Ghardimaou (Algerian Frontiers) in the West, but several years later. The remaining highways have single carriageways, with traffic round-abouts at major intersections, which follow the European model (those in the roundabout have the right of way). Consequently, on roads other than the A-1,4,3 it can be difficult to maintain an average speed of more than 75 km/h most of the time as the speed limit is 90 km/h. Almost all road signs are in Arabic and French.

Like most developing countries, road accidents are the leading cause of death and injury in Tunisia. Tunisians are aggressive, poorly skilled and discourteous drivers. They are unpredictable in their driving habits, jumping traffic lights, seldom signaling when changing lanes, often ignoring traffic lights and stop signs, driving at very high rates of speed regardless of the quality of the roads or condition of their vehicles, and stopping at almost any location even though it may block other cars or potentially cause an accident. Because of the lack of sidewalks, pedestrians walk on the roads often without regard for cars or their own safety. Sadly, Tunisians seldom secure their children in appropriate car seats and these tiny passengers often bear the brunt of most accidents.

Although police are visible at many major intersections, they seldom enforce traffic rules or stop bad drivers unless it is to solicit bribes.

People unfamiliar with driving in developing countries are best to use public transportation or hire a driver.

Driving in Tunis is further compounded by narrow streets and limited parking spots. To see the Medina of Tunis, it would be best to park some distance from the Medina, and take the light rail (called TGM) in from Marsa/Carthage, the green tramway (called Metro) downtown, or perhaps a taxi in from the nearer outskirts.

Rental cars are fairly easy to find, but somewhat expensive, at DT100 or so a day, for a medium-sized car such as a four-door Renault Clio.

By taxi [ edit ]

Private taxis are reasonably priced even for long-distance travel, just be sure to agree on the fare before you set off. Sample fares for a four-seater are €40 for Tunis-Hammamet or €50 for Monastir-Hammamet. When taking the taxi within bigger towns such as Tunis, there are meters installed. Make sure it is started when you leave and in the corresponding mode (night, day, etc). A green light indicates that the taxi is already taken, a red that it is free.

• Forus Taxi (smartphone app)

The national train company SNCFT runs modern and comfortable trains from Tunis south to Sousse , Sfax and Monastir . There are three classes of service, namely Grand confort (deluxe 1st), 1st and 2nd, and all are quite adequate. Example fares from Tunis to Sousse are DT12/10/6 (€6/5/3) in Grand/1st/2nd class. Although tickets are issued with wagon/seat numbers marked on it, that is largely ignored by locals. So if you are travelling with more people, try to get onboard quickly to find adjacent seats.

A good thing to do is to buy a carte bleue (blue card). It costs around DT20 for a week and you can travel all around the country using the banlieue (short distance train) and grande ligne (long distance). For the long distance you will have to make a reservation and pay a small fee (DT1,50 or so). These passes can also be bought to cover 10 or 14 days. There are rarely queues at the booking office and a little bit of French goes a long way. Trains go also to Tozeur and Gabes in the south where it is easy to access the Sahara and Ksour regions respectively. In some stations where the frequency of trains is small (e.g. Tozeur), the ticket booth will remain closed for most of the day and reopen around the time of the departure of the next train.

A light railway (called TGM) also connects Tunis northward to Carthage and La Marsa . Take this light railway system to Sidi Bou Said as well. One-way light railway tickets will cost approximately DT0.675.

By louage [ edit ]

Locals use louage or long-haul shared taxis where there is no train or bus. There are no timetables, but they wait in the louage station (which is generally near a train station if your destination is accessible by train) until 8 people turn up. The wait is never too long in major cities, most of the time less than half an hour. They are nearly as cheap as the walk up train fares and operate with fixed prices so you won't get scalped. e.g. Douz to Gabes (120 km) for 7 dinars. While louages are very cheap, they can also be stifling hot during the summer months (although the windows are left open during the ride and that helps!) and tourists may be hassled, if only rarely - most locals will keep to themselves. Furthermore, louages have the reputation to drive at a fast pace, and to be less safe than other transportation, so be aware of that.

Louage departures are very frequent; a louage departs as soon as the seats are filled. It is acceptable to pay for an empty seat to leave earlier.

All louage cars are white, with a side stripe showing the coverage area. Louages between major cities are recognizable by their red stripe, louages within region are recognizable by their blue stripe and louages serving rural areas are recognizable by their yellow strips (the Rural Louage can be yellow with blue stripes, or a van fully painted in brown color).

By bus [ edit ]

Long distance bus (called car ) [dead link] is also a safe and economic way to travel between major cities such as Tunis, Nabeul, Hammamet, etc. You will generally find a station in each major city offering many departures per day (every 30 minutes between Tunis and Hammamet). Some of the bus locally called "car comfort" offer higher standards (TV, air conditioner) at cheap prices. Hours can be found online.

Talk [ edit ]

Arabic is the official language of Tunisia.

Tunisian Arabic (also known as Tounsi ), the local vernacular, is spoken natively by almost everyone. It is most closely related to Maltese and has loanwords from French, Turkish, Italian, and so on. Tunisian Arabic is used primarily in informal and spoken communication and is not typically used for formal or written communication. If you don't know the local dialect, do not despair; all Tunisians learn Modern Standard Arabic at school, so you should have no problems communicating in major cities.

As is the case in Morocco and Algeria , French is widely spoken and is a second language for a lot of Tunisians. The language is held in high regard; French is used in many avenues such as business, government, and commerce. French is often used to transliterate Arabic words. For example, the name "Yusuf" is transliterated as "Youssef".

English is seldom spoken and is mainly spoken in tourist areas. Code-switching is a common practice in Tunisia.

See [ edit ]

History and archaeology [ edit ]

Although Tunisia is best known today for its beach resort holidays, the country has an amazing heritage with some exceptional archaeological remains to be explored.

Little remains of Carthage , but what does is relatively well presented compared to the rest of the ruins in Tunisia. This great city of the Phoenician and Punic periods dates from the 6 th century BC and was the base of a hugely powerful empire spanning the entire south Mediterranean. Its most famous general was Hannibal who crossed the Alps to battle the Romans . Hannibal suffered his first significant defeat at the Battle of Zama in 202 BC, and after over 50 years of being watched closely by Rome, Carthage was attacked in the 3 rd Punic War and completely destroyed. The city was redeveloped by the Romans a century later, and Carthage became the capital of the Roman province of Africa. What we see today are the remains of that era.

North of the desert [ edit ]

In the northwest, Jugurtha's Table is a large mesa with a moon-like surface and deep crevasses and is normally accessed fom the town of El Kef .

The desert [ edit ]

Tunisia has some of the most accessible, beautiful Saharan desert scenery. George Lucas fans will recognise the village of Matmata . The troglodyte dwellings here were used as the set for the young Luke Skywalker's home of Tatooine. The central western desert towns of Tozeur (with the film set of Mos Eisley ) and Douz are surrounded by beautiful Saharan dune scenery. Since 2009 the oasis Ksar Ghilane is accessible by tarmac road.

Do [ edit ]

Beaches [ edit ].

Beach resort holidays in Tunisia are extremely popular, especially with Europeans. The main resorts are on the east coast from La Goulette (close to Tunis ) south to Monastir . The southern island of Djerba is an alternative. Many water sport activities are widely available or you can just relax, taking advantage of the almost relentless sunny climate.

All of Tunisia can be proud of its beaches, you just have to know where to find the "undiscovered" ones. There is a beach not far from Sousse called Chott Meriam. The beach is clean with white sand and beautiful clean sea. The best beaches of Tunisia can be found in Kelilbia, Djerba, Ghar El-Melh, Rafrafbeach, Sidi El Mekki, Sounine, Sousse and Zarzis.

A few tour organizations organize day trips from Tunis to beaches in Bizerte and around the area for a price of about DT25 per person, with a meal included. These events can be found mainly on Facebook.

Treks into the desert are an increasingly popular part of a visit to Tunisia, and the towns of Douz and Tozeur are good starting points. Close to Tozeur is the small town of Metlaoui , and this is the starting point of a great train journey. The beautifully-restored wagons date from 1904, and the luxurious train takes you into a truly stunning desert mountain landscape. Agencies organizing such treks include Libre Espace Voyage and Au Coeur du Desert.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The national currency is the Tunisian dinar , denoted by the symbol " دينار " or " DT " (ISO code: TND ). Typical banknotes circulate in denominations of 5 (green), 10 (blue or brown), 20 (violet-red), 30 (orange) and 50 DT (green and purple).

Note : you are not allowed to take Tunisian dinars out of Tunisia. The Tunisian dinar is a non-convertible currency, i.e, you cannot buy it abroad.

The dinar is divided into 1000 millimes , with typical coins being 5 DT (Silver with copper insert), 2 DT, one dinar (large and silver in colour), 500 millimes (smaller, silver colour), 200, 100 and 50 millimes, (large brass), 20 and 10 millimes (smaller brass) and 5 millimes (small aluminium). It is prohibited to bring dinars in and out of Tunisia, so you have to change your money locally.

Prices are typically marked in dinars and milliemes, with a decimal point like: 5.600 or 24.000 or 0.360 sometimes with DT. Markets typically sell items by the kilogram. So tomatoes may have a sign "480" on them which means 480 millimes per kilo. Good cheese will be marked something like 12.400 DT or about US$7 a kilo. Most self-serve supermarkets expect you to put your purchases in the flimsy plastic bags they provide and then bring them to the nearby scales where a worker will weigh them and apply a price sticker.

You can withdraw local cash with a Mastercard or Visa card at many ATMs all over Tunisia.

Eat [ edit ]

Tunisian cuisine has similarities with Middle Eastern cuisine , and mainly builds on the Northern African Maghreb tradition, with couscous and marqa stews (similar to the Moroccan tajine ) forming the backbone of most meals. Distinguishing characteristics are the fiery harissa chili sauce, the heavy use of tiny olives which are abundant in the country, and the Tunisian tajine which, unlike the Moroccan dish of the same name, refers to a type of omelette-like pie prepared with a ragout of meat and/or vegetables mixed with herbs, legumes and even offal, enriched with eggs and cheese and baked in a deep pie dish until the eggs are just set, somewhat like an Italian frittata . Lamb forms the basis of most meat dishes and local seafood is plentiful. Pork and pork products are not widely available but can be found in some supermarkets and in some hotels in tourist areas.

• Harissa : very hot spicy chili paste (sometimes made more mild with carrots or yogurt), served with bread and olive oil as a starter at almost any meal.
• Shorba Frik : lamb soup
• Coucha : shoulder of lamb cooked with turmeric and cayenne pepper
• Khobz Tabouna (pronounce Khobz Taboona ): traditional oven baked bread
• Brik (pronounce Breek ): very crispy thin pastry with a whole egg ( Brik à l'œuf ), parsley and onions and sometimes meat like minced lamb or tuna ( Brik au thon ). Very tasty as an inexpensive starter. Eat it very carefully with your fingers.
• Berber Lamb : Lamb cooked with potatoes, carrots in a clay pot.
• Merguez : small spicy sausages.
• Salade tunisienne : lettuce, green pepper, tomato, onions, olives, radishes mixed with tuna.
• Salade méchouia : puréed grilled vegetable salad seasoned (often with harissa ) and served with olive oil and sometimes tuna.
• Fricassé : small fried sandwich with tuna, harissa, olives and olive oil.
• Tunisian cakes : sweets related to Baklava.
• Bambaloni : fried sweet donut-like cake served with sugar.
• Tunisian "fast food": sandwiches, makloubs (folded pizzas), "libanais"...

Regrettably, Tunisia has a very underdeveloped restaurant culture, and most food prepared in restaurants, outside of Tunisian homes or souks is disappointingly bland and carelessly presented. These characteristics tend to apply across the price scale, though one can occasionally eat tasty couscous or "coucha" stew in some low-priced restaurants. One's best hope for good eating in Tunisia is to be invited as a guest in someone's home or eat at a food stall in a souk.

Drink [ edit ]

Being a progressive Muslim-majority country, alcohol availability is restricted (but not greatly) to certain licensed (and invariably more expensive) restaurants, resort areas and Magasin Général shops. Large department stores (Carrefour at Marsa/Carthage and Hammamet) and some supermarkets (e.g. Monoprix) sell beer and wine, and some local and imported hard liquors, except during Muslim holidays. Female travelers should be aware that, outside resort and areas of significant tourist concentration, they may find themselves with a beer in a smoky bar full of men drinking in a rather dedicated fashion. Some bars will refuse to admit women, others may ask for a passport to check nationality. Look around a bar before you decide to imbibe!

• Beer : Celtia is the popular local brand, but some places also carry imported pilsner beers. Locally brewed Löwenbräu is decent, and Heineken has entered in the Tunisian market in 2007. Celtia "En Pression" (On Tap) is good. Celestia is a non-alcoholic beer which is also popular.
• Wine : Most places that serve alcohol will have Tunisian wine, which is quite good. Tunisian wine always was produced by French oenologists. Most of it was exported to France till the 1970s. Wine cooperatives were left and produce 80% of the wine which is served mostly to tourists. Since the privatisation of some parts of these cooperatives the international taste of wine entered the market in Tunisia. The small companies like Domaine Atlas, St. Augustin, Ceptunes etc. have successfully established the new generation of Tunisian wine. Importation of wine is extremely difficult because of very high taxes. Some high-end hotel restaurants can make French or Italian wines miraculously appear at a price.
• Boukha : is a Tunisian spirit made from the distillation of figs.
• Coffee : served strong in small cups. Tunisian cappuccino is also served strong in small cups. "Café crème" is available in many tourist areas and may even appear in an "American Cup". Local favorites include the capucin (espresso macchiato) and the direct (latte).
• Tea : is generally taken after meals. Sometimes served with pine nuts floating in the tea.
• Mint Tea : very sweet peppermint tea that is taken at any time of the day.

Sleep [ edit ]

There are lots of fine hotels in Tunisia. Many smaller hotels can be found in major cities, tucked into most roads. Hotel star ratings are not at par with European and US standards - a 4-star Tunisian hotel is the equivalent of a 3-star hotel elsewhere.

You can also rent a furnished apartment. Some private people offer their own apartments for rent especially in summer.

It is advisable to organise your accommodations online or by phone prior to your arrival. Other than pricier hotels, most accommodations don't seem to have a website. French would be handy when booking accommodations.

Work [ edit ]

Finding work in Tunisia is difficult , even for Tunisian nationals. Tunisia has a high unemployment rate − 16.1% as of May 2023 − which, as obvious as it sounds, is as good as saying that there's not enough work for anyone. Most of Tunisia's unemployed are university graduates, and many Tunisians move abroad in search of better opportunities.

Unemployment has long been a problem successive Tunisian governments have dealt with, and it was one of the factors that ignited the Tunisian Revolution. Since the end of the revolution in 2011, the government has largely failed to create enough employment opportunities for Tunisia's university graduates. A major terrorist attack in 2015, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, dealt a big blow to the country's tourism industry.

One seldom manages life in the country effectively without knowing either Arabic, French, or both, so try to acquire the necessary language skills. Doing so will open many doors for you.

While pick-up restaurant and handyman jobs are common in other countries, these positions are much less likely to present themselves in Tunisia because of local competition. It's better to arrange for a job before coming to Tunisia.

Average wages in Tunisia are low compared to Western nations.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Violence [ edit ].

Tunisia has undergone a revolution and is in a contentious transitional period. While large-scale violence is not occurring, demonstrations do still happen from time to time, and are sometimes violent or broken up brutally. So consult your foreign office to check on current conditions before traveling to Tunisia, and do your best to steer clear of any large demonstrations that may occur while you are there.

In 2015, Islamist terrorists targeted tourists in Tunisia. In March 24 people were killed at the Bardo Museum in Tunis and in June a terrorist shot dead 39 tourists at a beach and a hotel in Sousse . For a time after the incident the UK government had recommended that its citizens leave Tunisia and not visit for anything other than essential travel. That advice has now been downgraded and the normal tourist coastal areas are considered safe. However, the border areas with Libya and in parts Algeria are still not safe areas.

Female travelers [ edit ]

It is apparently not considered rude for a man to stare at a woman's body which should indicate that modesty will attract less attention. Women can expect to be the target of frequent catcalls ("Gazelle" seems to be especially popular). If you travel as part of a couple, stay together as much as possible as the female traveller should not wander around on her own if she doesn't want to be pestered. The pestering usually amounts to nothing more than bizarre words and the occasional touch but it can be extremely persistent and annoying.

Tunisian women often wear outfits that would normally be seen on the streets of any major world city (tight jeans, slinky top), but they do so while showing traditional modesty by exposing virtually no skin. Arms are covered down to the wrists, collars go to the neck (cleavage is non-existent) and a head scarf may be worn. Western women visiting can minimize attention by selecting clothing that minimizes skin shown. V-necks are fine if another layer with a higher collar is worn underneath.

Note that in most towns, there are outdoor cafes around squares and on the streets, but they are only for men; even when accompanied by men, women are not welcome. Prices are much cheaper in these cafes than mixed gender cafes and tearooms found in Tunis.

Money and scams [ edit ]

Travellers report problems being pestered either to buy something or for other purposes. Persistence is a major complaint. Some say that a refusal often results in a bad reaction, "being hissed at" is one example, but those who have been advised to refuse politely with a smile rarely complain. "Non, Merci" is a very good response, with a smile. This seems to be borne out by the reports of sole female travellers who you would expect to receive the most attention, but who often report the least problems (from an admittedly small sample), perhaps because they are more cautious than accompanied females. It certainly seems to be the case that sole female sea bathers attract a good deal of unwelcome attention (even molestation) until a male friend arrives.

Theft of belongings, even from hotel rooms and room safes, is widely reported and the usual caveats apply - keep valuables in a secure place (e.g. supervised hotel safe deposit), do not flash too much cash, and keep wallets, purses and other desirable items where pick pockets cannot reach them. A good recommendation is only to carry enough cash for your immediate requirements and only one credit or bank card, provided you can be assured of the security of your reserves. Besides, most of the Automatic Bank-notes distributors are available and foreign credit cards are accepted. You can take cash (in equivalent Tunisian dinars) directly from your bank account with a small extra fee (bank transaction from €1 to €2).

Theft is also reported at airports. Keep your belongings under your direct supervision all the time.

When it's time to settle the bill in a Tunisian cafe or restaurant, it's advisable to ensure that you are presented with an actual paper, itemised copy of a bill before handing over any money. Frequently, your waiter will claim to have calculated your total amount due in their heads and this will always be more than you actually owe. Also, check prices on menus before ordering. Some establishments will claim to have no menus, they usually have wall mounted menus. Tunisian workers are extremely low paid (£300 per month approx) and will frequently try and take advantage of tourists without their wits around them.

Be aware that the export of Tunisian currency is forbidden and searches of wallets and purses can, and do, occur at Tunis airport. You are not permitted to take Tunisian currency out of the country, but the money exchanges at the airport will generally refuse to change your Tunisian currency to foreign currency. If you proceed through immigration and are found with more than DT20 - 30, you will be invited to return landside to change them. The problem is that this "invitation" will come after you have already been through passport control and handed in your exit card; therefore it is not practical. You will then be invited to hand some or all of your Tunisian money (which in any case cannot be spent in the duty free shops) to the uniformed official. Arguing will get you nowhere and a request for a receipt will be met with an outright refusal. Judging from the way the money is swiftly palmed, you will have almost certainly just paid a bribe.

Customs agents may approach you as soon as you have checked in, to ask how much foreign currency you have with you. You may then be escorted a private office where two or more agents count the money, note the amount, and then return it to you. Be sure to check that they have returned the correct amount as there are reports of substantial discrepancy between the amount you gave and the amount that was returned.

Tunisian dual nationals [ edit ]

Tunisia has recognised multiple citizenship since 1975.

If you are a Tunisian citizen – being a dual citizen of Tunisia, having a Tunisian parent, or being a naturalised citizen – possessing another passport will not grant you consular access and protection in the event you get detained or arrested.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Health care [ edit ]

Tunisia, especially in tourist destinations and major cities, has hospitals of international standard. The quality of medical care is generally better and more accessible in the capital Tunis and other major cities. Public health services in the larger cities are reasonably functional, but often suffer from a lack of resources.

There are several private clinics of international standard in the Tunisian capital and tourist centres. Private clinics operate in a hospital-like manner and perform a wide range of procedures. The availability of specialised health care services can be limited. International clinics are staffed by English-speaking doctors, but other staff, especially on the public side, often speak only Arabic or French. Ambulance services are limited outside urban areas.

A few clinics in the capital Tunis include Clinique Internationale Hannibal, Les Cliniques El Manar, Clinique Saint Augustin and Polyclinique Les Berges du Lac.

Dental care in Tunis is provided by DENTYSS (Montplaisir).

In Soussé, some hotels have their own doctors who will make medical visits if necessary. Other clinics in the town include Clinique Essalem and Clinique Les Oliviers.There is also a private clinic in Hammamet, Polyclinique Hammamet.

For more information on public health care prices, visit the Tunisian Ministry of Health website in French. Prices should be verified separately on the spot.

It is highly recommended that you have comprehensive travel insurance when travelling to Tunisia. Without insurance, medical fees can often be quite high. Health care providers often require a cash advance. Most places do not accept payment commitments from certain insurance companies, and only some accept credit cards.

Pharmacies in Tunisia are easy to find and are usually open late. The contact details of the pharmacy on duty can often be found on the doors or windows of pharmacies.

Tips [ edit ]

• Sunburn - Please remember that the sun is frequently your biggest enemy and frequently apply a high (factor 30 or better) sun screen. It is usually cheaper in your local super market than at the holiday destination.
• Be careful what and where you eat and drink (remember the ice cubes too); diarrhea is a common complaint from incautious travellers. The tap water in the high-end Tunis-Carthage-Marsa area seems to be safe (2006).

Vaccinations [ edit ]

Always check with your doctor 4-8 weeks before traveling (the 4-8 weeks is important, as some vaccinations take weeks to become effective, and with polio you can be contagious for a while too):

• Yellow fever is required for all travelers arriving from a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas.
• Hepatitis A is usually recommended Two Havrix injections, given 6 months apart, provide 10 years of Hep A protection
• Hepatitis B - Highly recommended if likely to have intimate contact with locals or if visiting for more than 6 months.

Respect [ edit ]

Tunisia is a Muslim-majority country, and one should be mindful of the dress code depending on the region. Whilst a lot of skin (even topless) is tolerated on beaches and within hotel complexes, a modest amount of exposed skin may be frowned upon outside these areas. That said, the country is also home to long-established Christian and Jewish minorities who are free to practice their religions, but may not proselytize to Muslims.

Be aware that the further south one travels, the more conservative Tunisia becomes. While most women wear western-style clothing in the Capital (which is a mix of Mediterranean, European and Middle Eastern cultures), Southern Tunisia is more conservative and far more traditional.

Ramadan [ edit ]

At least one Tunisian tourist website says that after the revolution the 2011 Ramadan was more strictly observed, and the same for the following years. For three days at the end of July 2012, the vast majority of shops were closed during the day, although the Tunis medina was mostly open. Virtually all of the restaurants were closed. Beyond a few tourists drinking coke, not a single person was eating or drinking during the day, even at the touristy cafes at Sidi Bou Said.

In Tunis, on the Ave Habib Bourgiba, all of the cafes had their tables put away until after iftar (the breaking of the fast) at sunset, around 19:30. After that many people were out, and you could order food at some cafes, and coffee and desserts at others. Just before the iftar, Ave Habib Bourgiba is completely devoid of life and other-wordly. At smaller cafes, like 3 Etoiles on Rue Mustapha M'Barek, you can see families and men sitting around tables full of food, waiting for sunset.

At night, though, the medina comes alive - huge crowds are out and throng the street, which is definitely something to experience! Shops and supermarkets are often open till midnight.

Be prepared for a somewhat unique experience if you choose to visit Tunisia during Ramadan. During the daylight hours, eat and drink (even water), very discretely. Buy bread and focaccia from the street vendors in the evening for lunch the next day, or find one of the local shops that is still open to buy something to tide you over. Virtually no one drinks alcohol, and your best bet (at least in Tunis) might be the Hotel Africa.

Connect [ edit ]

Telephone [ edit ].

Public telephones are available in all towns and cities and in most villages under either the name of Publitel or Taxiphone - in cities simply look around - there is at least one on every street. International calls tend to be quite expensive (DT 1,000/minute to call anywhere in the EU). There are three mobile GSM operators, private Ooredoo , private Orange , Tunisia state-owned Tunisie Telecom all offering wide mobile coverage (including some oasis in the Sahara). Rates tend to be quite low for domestic calls, but very high for international calls (around DT 1,500/minute). Ask for a carte prépayée for a prepaid SIM card. Orange in July 2016 was offering 2 for 1 packs (30 mins + 500mb for a month for DT2.5) and free SIM cards for tourists entering in Tunis airport.

Emergency Call

• 197 Police emergency number - general emergency
• 198 Health emergency number - Ambulance SAMU
• 1200 Telephone information

Internet [ edit ]

Public internet access is available in many cities and towns, usually using the Publinet logo. Look for a large purple sign with the Publinet logo. Access is usually 0.8DT/hour, and speeds tend to be quite low (1024 kbit/s is the norm in Sousse and 4096 in Tunis ). Home internet (ADSL) is not as expensive as it used to be, you can have 1 year ADSL of 4096 kbps speed, for just DT400 per year. You can also have 3G internet access through any cell phone carriers (Tunisie Telecom, Orange Tunisia or Tunisiana),FTP and peer-to-peer access is available anywhere in Tunisia, there is no access restriction by the government anymore. USB keys for internet are rather popular and can be found for varying periods, even for short stays.

Post [ edit ]

La Poste Tunisienne is quite efficient and fast. Post restante is offered in certain (bigger) offices. A stamp for international letters costs DT 0,600.

Rapide Post is the Poste's service for sending mail and packages quickly. Once a Rapide Post package enters the US it is handled by FedEx. It is the best and most secure way to send things in Tunisia.

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11 top tips when you travel tunisia: key things to know before you go.

If you plan to travel Tunisia, then here’s 11 key things you should definitely know before you go!

From what to eat and how to find the best accommodation, through to the best way to get around, what to pack and some top tips for solo female travellers, this is my full guide to prepping, planning and enjoying your travels in this fantastic country.

While Morocco and Egypt may be stealing the lion’s share of tourists in north Africa, Tunisia’s charm lies precisely in the fact that large parts of the country remain wonderfully undiscovered by foreign tourists.

And from beaches to deserts, ancient historic sites to quaint cobbled-street towns, trust me when I say there’s a lot to discover here!

So if you’re heading to this fab country soon, take a read of my following top Tunisia travel tips and start planning your adventure there asap…

Related Posts

• Egypt vs Tunisia: Which is Best to Travel?
• Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia: Full Travel Guide
• 55 Best Things to Do in Africa

My trip to Tunisia was sponsored by the Authentic Tunisia campaign but, as always, all views are my own.

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.

#1 When to Travel Tunisia?

I really recommend travelling Tunisia in either the spring or autumn months.

Like other countries in North Africa, May June, September and October are ideal months to visit Tunisia because temperatures are still warm enough for sightseeing and the beach, but you’ll avoid the scorching temperatures of the summer.

Winter months are a great time to travel Tunisia if you want to avoid the crowds and get a real bargain, but do beware that, especially in the north of the country, it can be wet and cold during these months.

Learn more about when to visit each area of Tunisia, as well as a month by month overall weather breakdown, in this article I wrote all about the best time to visit Tunisia .

#2 How to Get to Tunisia?

Unless you’re travelling overland from Algeria (which while is possible, is certainly not common!), the vast majority of travellers arriving into Tunisia will come by air.

There’s several international airports in this country, but the main ones are…

#1 Tunis-Carthage – best if you want to begin your travels in the capital Tunis or nearby Sidi Bou Said

#2 Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport – best option if you’re heading for a beach holiday at the Hammamet resort

#3 Djerba Zarzis International Airport – located on the beautiful island of Djerba

#4 Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport – situated near the coastal city of Sousse

#5 Sfax Thyna International Airport – best for exploring the south of the country

The great news is that from most European cities, flights to Tunisia only take around 2-3 hours.

As always I use Skyscanner to find the best prices.

#3 How Best to Travel Around Tunisia?

In the Tunis-Carthage area, there is a handy metro and regional light train service that gets you between the main areas.

The Bolt rideshare app (like Uber) also exists in this area and is a great idea for getting around without having to worry about language barriers and confusing prices!

Beyond that, long distance trains service major cities in Tunisia including Sousse, El Jem, Sfax, Bizerte and Gabès.

For smaller towns, buses or shared minivan taxis, known as louage , are common modes of transport.

Bookaway is a great site for booking train, bus and private transfer options in Tunisia.

Public transport can be a bit patchy here sadly, so isn’t always ideal for using if you’re on a short itinerary and want to explore a lot.

As such, I really suggest hiring a car to explore this country – especially the north and east regions – and highly recommend Discover Cars for the job.

Alternatively, if you feel more confident travelling Tunisia as part of a group, or with a guides, check out these top Tunisia tours .

#4 How Long to Travel Tunisia For?

I really recommend a minimum of 7 days to travel Tunisia.

Tthis will allow to you to enjoy a couple of destinations located close to each i.e. Tunis, Carthage, Bizerte and Dougga.

If you want to travel more widely across the north of country, including exploring fab destinations such as Al-Huwariyah, Sousse and Zaghouan, then I suggest at least 10 days for your time in Tunisia.

Check out this epic 10 day itinerary I wrote for the north of Tunisia for more ideas.

If you’d also like to explore the south of Tunisia, including the islands of Djerba and some of the key Star Wars sites in the desert, then you’ll need to allow at least 2 weeks for your travels in this country.

#5 What to Pack for Your Tunisia Travels?

What many people don’t realise is that temperatures in Tunisia can be fresh across the country even in the spring and autumn months.

This is especially true in the more mountainous north of the country, but even in the desert at night it can get cool at these times.

As such, I certainly advise bringing some warmer layers with you, including a wind and water proof thin jacket , as well as a denim jacket and a couple of warm jumpers or fleece.

Trainers or sneakers are a great idea as well, so you can enjoy sightseeing and some active pursuits in this country, and don’t forget some longer trousers for cooler days as well.

For beach days in Tunisia, you’ll need swimwear, sunscreen, sunhat and a sarong, while for deserts and religious sites, thin light clothing that covers the knees, chest, shoulders and upper arms is required.

Outside of these items, don’t also forget a good day pack , a filter water bottle , a good camera , a decent guidebook and an Arabic or French phrasebook .

Learn more in this complete Tunisia packing guide I wrote.

#6 Travel Insurance for Tunisia

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

#7 Best Things to Do in Tunisia

As most people are aware, Tunisia is filled with some fantastic beaches and stunning stretches of the Sahara, so if you want to get a good dose of sun, sea and sand (especially outside of the peak summer months), this country makes a great choice!

But did you know that Tunisia also offers tons of great stuff to do away from these classic pursuits, including a huge range of active and historic attractions.

Heading to ancient UNESCO-listed sites, such as the Carthage ruins, El-Djem amphitheatre, Dougga archaeological site and Kairouan’s Grand Mosque are some great examples, but between these you can also enjoy a range of outdoor adventures such as kayaking, climbing, caving, cycling, hiking, sailing and diving.

My favourite spots for outdoor activities in this country include the region of Cape Bon, Zaghouan and Siliana.

The latter of these also boasts an amazing array of traditional craft workshops with local women, from cooking to weaving.

Learn more about all these in this list of top 21 things to do in Tunisia .

#8 Is Tunisia Safe to Travel?

I found Tunisia incredibly safe to travel and never felt hassled, watched or pestered when adventuring here, even as a solo female.

In smaller towns especially, I felt comfortable wandering around in the evening and, generally speaking, found the country to be more liberal than other countries I’ve visited in North Africa.

In particular, alcohol was available in hotels across the country, and I found wearing three quarter-length trousers with singlets and a thin scarf to be totally adequate.

While there has been some events that have targeted tourists in the past, in general, I’d say Tunisia feels very safe to travel as long as you follow the usual common sense precautions.

Taking a SIM card is a great way to feel reassured when travelling in less familiar parts of the world too – it’s super handy for Google maps, Whatsapp and Rideshare apps, all of which help keep you safe.

aloSIM is a great solution as you can buy it online before you arrive and then ensure you’re connected as soon as you touchdown in Tunisia.

#9 Is Tunisia Expensive?

I found Tunisia incredibly cheap to travel, in fact I’d rate it as one of the cheapest countries I’ve ever been to (probably only behind Armenia, Georgia, Egypt and Turkey).

Food here is very affordable, as is accommodation, and getting around via public transport costs next to nothing.

As nightlife isn’t a big deal in this country (it’s actually non-existent in many towns!), you won’t spend much on alcohol or going out in the evening here.

The things you will spend a bit more on however are flights to the country (sadly no budget airlines fly here), as well as car hire and tours if this is how you choose to get around the country.

At the most basic end of things, you can easily travel Tunisia on $50 USD a day.

At the top end (eating in fancy resort restaurants and staying in 5* hotels), you’re looking at $300 USD+ a day.

And when it comes to spending money in Tunisia, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card here, which is why I always take my Wise card away with me wherever I travel.

The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card in Tunisia… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Grab yours here .

#10 Where to Stay in Tunisia?

While Tunisia doesn’t have any hostels, it does however have a good selection of hotels and resorts across its main cities and resort areas.

For the best accommodation outside of these major destinations however, I high recommend the network of traditional guesthouses known as “dar”.

These are homestay like set-ups, usually in a traditional Tunisia home or guesthouses.

Small and boutique, they generally feature a few rooms, modern comforts and tend to offer homecooked meals in the evening, as well as breakfasts in the morning, which makes them even better in my opinion!

I really loved staying in these Dar properties across Tunisia because they all give a wonderful sense of the culture of this country, as well as comfortable and unique stays.

My top picks include…

Dar Aida in Zaghouan

Dar Villa Zembra in Al Huwariyah

Dar Khadijaa in Hergla

Dar Essid in Sidi Bou Said

Message these accommodation choices direct through the Instagram links above for the easiest booking process – it’s really hard for small Tunisian business to register with Booking.com or Airbnb FYI, so Instagram is the best way to book direct and get the best prices.

#11 Food and Drink in Tunisia

If you weren’t in the know about Tunisian food, then you’re in for a great surprise when you travel this country, because it’s honestly fantastic!

Spicy, fresh and delicious, a huge amount of food is produced in this country, which makes for a wonderful culinary tradition and almost everywhere you adventure here, you’ll get to enjoy seriously great meals.

With most Tunisian food containing either meat or fish, you’ll need to make sure you specify you don’t want either if you’re a vegetarian, but this is simple to do and most places are very happy to cater for non-meat and fish eaters I found.

Bread is a huge staple here (so non-gluten folk beware!) and spice is too, with homemade harissa being heaped on pretty much every meal… much to my delight!

Most meals are a few course long – soup, then salad, then main, then fruits, the tea and cakes! – and you’ll quickly learn Tunisian meal sizes are not small, so you have been warned!

As a majority Muslim country, alcohol is not commonly served in Tunisia and most meals are accompanied by water and finished with sweet tea.

Alcohol is not easy to find across the country, but can be sourced in tourist-orientated restaurants and hotels, which are found in most of the major towns and cities.

Tourist-dominated areas, as such as the resort of Hammamet, have lots of hotels with bars for alcohol-seeking holiday makers.

You can’t drink the tap water in Tunisia, but bringing a Water To-Go bottle with you, will allow you too safely!

Learn more about these amazing water filter travel products here .

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So there you have it, my top travel Tunisia tips!

If you’re looking to get off the beaten track in North Africa and away from the tourist crowds of Egypt and Morocco, then this country is for you!

Have any questions about travel in Tunisia still?

Then don’t hesitate to drop them into the comments box below and I’ll get back to you…

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

2 thoughts on “ 11 Top Tips When You Travel Tunisia: Key Things to Know Before You Go! ”

Such a remarkable country. Thanks for all the tops and great images! Definitely going to add it to my bucket list. Safe travels 😉 Donovan

Ah so fab to hear this Donovan! Defo get Tunisia on your bucket list! Happy travels and best wishes, Steph 🙂

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10 of the Top Things to Do in Tunisia, North Africa

Tunisia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Africa , and for good reason. It offers spectacular beaches for those in need of relaxation, and several diverse cities with ample opportunities for shopping and dining. Most importantly, though, Tunisia is a country steeped in history. Its UNESCO-protected archaeological sites provide an insight into periods of Roman, Arab and European rule and the treasures left behind by each civilization. Here are 10 of the top things to do in Tunisia. 

Note: At the time of writing, travel warnings had been issued for parts of Tunisia affected by terrorism and political instability. Make sure to check for the latest updates before booking your vacation. 

Soak Up the Atmosphere in Tunis

The capital of Tunis is the natural place to start your Tunisian adventure. Its origins pre-date the Romans, and over the centuries the city has developed its own unique blend of Arabic, African and European culture. In the French Ville Nouveau area, colonial buildings flank palm-lined avenues and sidewalk cafés serve artisan coffee and pastries. In the medina, authentic souks provide the chance to barter for Arabic crafts and fabrics. As the second-largest museum on the African continent, the Bardo Museum is a particular highlight. Housed in a 19th-century palace, it is a veritable treasure trove of Tunisian history populated by mosaics, sarcophagi and sculptures unearthed from ancient sites located across the country. 

Live Like a Gladiator in El Djem

Further south, the town of El Djem gives visitors the opportunity to relive the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Today’s settlement grew up around the ruins of the Roman city of Thysdrus, once one of the most prosperous settlements in North Africa. Much of the original architecture is now lost—with the exception of the city’s mighty amphitheater . Built to house gladiator shows and chariot races, the amphitheater held 35,000 spectators and was one of the largest in the Empire. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the amphitheater is more intact than the Coliseum in Rome, with two thirds of its triple-arcaded outer walls still standing. Visitors can also see the underground passages and cells that once held the arena’s human and animal combatants.

Discover the Grand Erg Oriental Dunes

Tunisia’s natural beauty is just as impressive as its storied past. Those wishing to experience the rugged splendor of the Sahara Desert should head for Grand Erg Oriental , a vast dune sea that stretches for approximately 370 miles/600 kilometers between Algeria and Tunisia. The region can be explored on camelback or via a 4x4 safari, with trips lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days. Camping trips are especially rewarding, giving visitors the chance to marvel at unspoiled starscapes and to witness the magnificent colors of sunrise and sunset in the desert. Grand Erg Oriental is famous for its rolling dunes, but in between the endless peaks and valleys of sand one can also find verdant oases, rocky mountains and unexpected wildlife.

Explore Islamic History in Kairouan

The centre of Islamic history in Tunisia is Kairouan , a city in the country’s northern inland region. Founded in 670 AD, Kairouan became the principal holy city of the Maghreb region under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century. Today, it is the fourth holiest city of the Muslim faith, and recognized by UNESCO as a crucial stronghold of Arabo-Muslim culture. For visitors, the most rewarding area of Kairouan is the medina. Here, ancient ramparts protect a veritable maze of narrow, winding streets lined with painted houses and bustling souks. Every now and then, the alleyways lead to incredible Islamic monuments ranging from stucco and mosaic-adorned tombs to ornate mosques, the most famous of which is the 7th-century Great Mosque .

Relax by the Sea in Sidi Bou Said

Located just 12 miles/20 kilometers north of Tunis, the seaside town of Sidi Bou Said was founded to accommodate pilgrims paying homage to the nearby tomb of a Muslim saint. Today, the town is a popular getaway destination for visitors to the capital, offering the chance to unwind overlooking beautiful views of the Gulf of Tunis. Sidi Bou Said is famous for its Greek-style white buildings and distinctive blue-painted doors and trellises. This out-of-place architecture was inspired by Baron Rodolphe d’Erlanger, a French painter and musicologist who settled in Sidi Bou Said in the early 1900s and decorated his palace in the trendsetting white-and-blue style. Visitors can explore the Baron’s magnificent residence before exploring the quaint old town. 

Visit the Ancient City of Carthage

Now a suburb of Tunis, the ancient city of Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC. It was the capital of the Carthaginian civilization, which posed the only real threat to the early Roman Empire, launching a series of offensives against Rome itself between 264 BC and 146 BC. The last of the Punic Wars saw the destruction of Carthage, which was later rebuilt by the Romans. Although it is not Tunisia’s most impressive archaeological site, it is certainly the most famous. A wander through the suburb reveals the remains of Carthage’s amphitheater, circus, cemeteries and Punic ports, as well as the foundations of the city’s ancient residential quarter. The Baths of Antoninus Pius are particularly famous as the largest public baths outside of Rome.

Admire Mosaics in Bulla Regia

For a more intact insight into Roman life in North Africa, make your way to Bulla Regia , an archaeological site located near the city of Jendouba in the northwest of the country. Under Roman rule, the region flourished because of its ability to produce grain, grapes and olives. This prosperity is evident in the villas at Bulla Regia, which were built underground as a defense against the heat. As a result, their interiors are so well preserved that visitors can walk through the rooms as their owners might once have done and see original artifacts in situ. These include elaborate floor mosaics, which are thought to be amongst the most impressive in North Africa. The haloed sea goddess depicted in the House of Amphitrite is a particular highlight of this incredible site.

Enjoy Djerba's Island Vibes

For a completely different atmosphere, exchange the history of the mainland for the laid-back vibes of Djerba Island . Surrounded by the Gulf of Gabès, Djerba is the largest island in North Africa. Its multicultural residents are famously friendly, and the island itself is a kaleidoscope of whitewashed buildings, sandy beaches and colorful seafood restaurants. Some visitors spend their time relaxing in luxury hotels along the Zone Touristique beachfront, while others venture into the Houmt Souk medina in search of authentic souvenirs. Guellala village is famous for its pottery, an industry that dates back to Roman times. Animal lovers can come face-to-face with over 400 Nile crocodiles at Djerba Explore , or admire wild flamingos on the Ras Rmel peninsula.

Go Birdwatching in Ichkeul National Park

Tunisia’s most rewarding wildlife experience, however, is to be found at Ichkeul National Park in the far north of the country. Comprising mountains, wetlands and the vast expanse of Lake Ichkeul, the park is UNESCO-protected and renowned for its hiking and birdwatching opportunities. The lake is the last great freshwater lake in a chain that once stretched across North Africa, and as such provides a vital stopping off point for migratory birds en route from Europe and Asia to sub-Saharan Africa. In season, more than 300,000 ducks, geese and coots can be spotted on the lake during a single day, and great flocks of storks and flamingo are common. In addition, the national park also provides a sanctuary for more than 200 animal species and 500 plant species.

Feel the Force in Matmata

Despite its allegedly ancient origins, the troglodyte settlement of Matmata was virtually unknown to the outside world until 1967, when extreme floods forced its people to surface from their underground homes. Now, the settlement is a famous destination for Star Wars fans , as the village and its surrounds were used to film scenes from the planet Tatooine. In particular, underground Hotel Sidi Driss acted as Luke Skywalker’s home in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope ; and appeared again in the 2002 sequel Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones . Like all troglodyte homes, it comprises a series of artificial caves cut into the earth around a central pit and connected by subterranean tunnels. It has 20 rooms and a restaurant on-site.

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19 things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Looking for a simple travel guide? This guide includes 19 things to know before traveling to Tunisia. However, for now, I am sticking to the basics. Knowing these things will ensure that your trip is full of good surprises and that you will enjoy every minute of your visit. Let’s start! The 19 things to know before you go to Tunisia are…

What is Tunisia famous for?

Why should you go to Tunisia? Tunisia is famous for its versatile nature, delicious cuisine, 1100km long coastline with hundreds of beaches, beautiful architecture, and fascinating history. The country has the charm to attract thousands of tourists from all across the globe every year. So, definitely add it to your list of must-travel destinations.

Best time to visit - when to visit Tunisia?

The best time to visit Tunisia depends totally on your preferences. What kind of weather do you like? What are you planning to do during your stay? Summer months, such as June, July, and August, are considered the best time to visit Tunisia. These months are also the most popular among tourists. It’s a great time to visit due to its beautiful weather and the country full of life.

September, October, and November are ideal for discovering the Sahara, as the weather isn’t too hot anymore. The best time for sightseeing and traveling around the country is February-April and September-October when the weather is mild and not too rainy. The best time to visit the country for the elderly is the spring months March-May, and the autumn months, October and November. These months offer plenty of sunlight without excessive heat.

Here you find how the Tunisian weather looks on a month-to-month which might help you to make better travel plans.

What type of food is eaten in Tunisia?

The typical Tunisian food is hot and spicy. Commonly traditional Tunisian dishes contain couscous, pasta, lamb, beef, chicken, chickpeas, green peppers, parsley, and harissa. Instead of eating with a fork and knife, Tunisians usually eat with bread. On your trip, try traditional Tunisian dishes like couscous, Slata Mechouia, Chorba, Brik , Mlawi, and Tajine.

Interested in trying some Tunisian drinks? You must drink at least Tunisian mint tea, fresh lemonade, a soft drink Boga Cidre, and Rouzata. Sounds interesting, right? Click here to find out more about Tunisian drinks. Now, you have an idea of what to eat and drink in Tunisia. But of course, we can’t forget all the traditional Tunisian sweets, pastries, and cookies. To get some inspiration, check the list of ten popular Tunisian sweets you need to try.

What's the currency in Tunisia?

The currency in Tunisia is called the dinar, with the Latin symbol DT and the currency code TND. One dinar equals 1000 millimes. The most used notes are 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars. The coins are ½, 1, 2, 5 dinars, and 50, 100, and 200 millimes. The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency, which means it is only available in Tunisia. You won’t be able to purchase dinars in advance from your home country and bring those for your trip. Actually, it is illegal to import and export Tunisian dinars.

What is the main religion in Tunisia?

Islam is the largest religion in Tunisia. Approximately 99% of the inhabitants are Sunni Muslims, and the rest belongs to Christians and Jewish. The country hasn’t been using Sharia law since 1956, and Tunisia was the first Arab country to ban polygamy.

Where is Tunisia? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Tunisia is a relatively small country located in Northwest Africa. Algeria borders the country to the west, and Libya lies to the southeast. To the east is the 1100km long coastline of the Mediterranean Sea. Also, the northernmost point of the African continent Ras Ben Sakka is in Tunisia.

Should I visit Tunisia during Ramadan?

What is ramadan.

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month when Muhammad received the book Quran. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar, and the exact beginning will be confirmed upon the sighting of the new moon. During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. In this case, fasting means abstinence from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations.

Ramadan in Tunisia - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Visiting Tunisia during Ramadan will be a memorable experience. Tunisians say that during this month, the country has a unique taste, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover Tunisian culture.

If you are heading to Tunisian during Ramadan, be aware of the rhythm of these things: 

• During the day, most of the cafes and restaurants are closed ( In the tourist areas, you will find restaurants open where you can eat if you are not fasting)
• Shops will close a couple hours before breaking the fast.
• Cafes and restaurants will open after breaking the fast.
• The nights will be filled with people and celebration.
• During Ramadan, nightclubs and bars are closed.

What language is spoken in Tunisia? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. Tunisian Arabic, also called Tunisian, Tounsi, and Derja, is spoken by over 11 million people. The Tunisian dialect is part of Maghrebi Arabic and resembles the dialects in Libya and Algeria. The Tounsi has some similarities with Maltese and also includes a lot of loanwords from languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish. Other Maghrebi Arabic speakers understand the Tunisian dialect, but for other Arabic-speaking countries, it is hard to understand.

Do Tunisians speak French?

Besides Tunisian Arabic, Tunisians can also speak French. Some are fluent, others know the basics, and some cannot communicate with it. In school, French is taught to children from the age of seven. So, speaking french might be helpful, but it is better not to generalize that everybody speaks and understands it.

Do Tunisian speak English?

Most Tunisians don’t speak English. So, if you don’t speak French or Arabic, communicating might be a challenge. In the tourist areas and hotels, you will manage in English. Nowadays, teaching English starts earlier in schools, which could ease communicating in English in the future. But, I must say that even though there is no common language, you will find a way to be understood. So, absolutely don’t let this slow you done.

How to dress in Tunisia?

It’s your first trip, and you might be confused about what to wear in Tunisia. Tunisia is a conservative country, but they are very used to tourists. So, how tourist should be dressing? The short answer is that there is no dress code in Tunisia. You can wear whatever you want and dress as you like. The southern parts are more conservative than the northern parts. I advise you to dress more modestly and respect the local culture in the south and smaller cities and villages.

What to pack for Tunisia? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Read my post, the dressing guide for Tunisia if you are hesitating about what you should wear. There I answer the frequently asked question, such as what do women wear in Tunisia? What to wear at the beach, Sahara desert, or mosque? What not to wear in Tunisia? It’s helpful, so be sure to read it through.

And what to pack? Remember to check my ultimate packing list for Tunisia. It helps you pack the right clothes, essentials, electronics, and toiletries for your trip. In addition, I made clothing and toiletry lists for women and men, paying attention to the weather in different seasons. I also mention a couple of useful extras to bring with you.

Leave the drone at home - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Planning to make a fantastic video by flying a drone above Tunisian attractions? Not gonna happen! Filming with a drone requires permission from several Ministries, and the process is very time-consuming. If you travel with a drone and without a valid permit, usually, it will be confiscated. In conclusion, for this trip, better to leave the drone at home.

Can I drink tap water? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

In Tunisia, it’s best to drink bottled water. Even though drinking tap water is apparently alright, but still the majority of Tunisians drink bottled water. In addition, it is cheap and tastes better than tap water.

Versatile nature of Tunisia - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Tunisia has a beautiful and versatile nature. You will discover the Mediterranean sea, mountains, oases, the Sahara desert, islands, salt lakes, caves, and rivers. If nature is close to your heart, definitely consider traveling here.

Traffic in Tunisia - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Planning to have a road trip? Definitely, it’s one of the best ways to discover the country. But happens to be that traffic is the biggest security threat to travelers in Tunisia. The traffic can seem very chaotic to someone not used to it. The number of traffic accidents and casualties is unfortunately high. For a road trip, I recommend renting a car, but it is good to be aware of the nature of the traffic. For short distances and cities, I would use taxis and public transportation. This is the way to avoid stress caused by traffic jams, parking, and renting a car.

Historical landmarks - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Tunisia is a dream destination for people passionate about historical landmarks and attractions. You can easily spend weeks filled with historical sightseeing. Here are a couple of examples to give you an idea of what is waiting for you. 

• Discover Carthage, the old capital of ancient Carthaginian. It was an important trading spot in the Mediterranean sea. Carthage has a lot to offer if you are interested in historical sites, buildings, and landmarks: ruins of Carthage, Roman Amphitheater, Antonine baths, L’Acropolium, Byrsa Hill, and  the National Museum .
• A famous Tunisian attraction, the El Jem amphitheater is something you do not want to miss. It is one of the world’s largest and most well-preserved Roman-style amphitheaters. Located in a small city El Jem (El Djem), about 200km from Tunis and only 60km from Monastir.
• Old Medina  is one of my favorite places in Tunis. If you have only limited time, I advise you to visit Old Medina. Many tourists come from other cities to Tunis only to discover this. So you don’t want to miss this place. Old Medina is a maze of ancient streets and a home to hundreds of souks (=small boutiques). Fill your bags with the most beautiful souvenirs: carpets, shoes, sweets, jewelry, ceramics, and clothing.

Is Tunisia cheap or expensive? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Are you wondering what sort of budget is needed for Tunisia? What kind of budget you need depends on what kind of traveler you are and what type of holiday you plan to have? Are you looking for a 5-star beach resort or backpacker hostel? Traveling alone or with family? If we compare the prices in Tunisia to other popular holiday destinations, we can conclude that Tunisia is cheap.

Having a holiday in Tunisia is relatively cheap. This is one of the factors why every year thousands of tourists come to spend a holiday. You need a relatively small budget for accommodation, transportation, restaurants, activities, and parties. To help you plan the holiday budget, read this article.

Is Tunisia safe? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Tunisia is a safe travel destination for tourists. In general, crimes against travelers and foreigners are low. The authorities have improved security in tourist resorts and major cities and their ability to respond to potential safety hazards. Also, crimes against tourists are punished harshly. Recently, many foreign governments have declared that Tunisia is safe for tourists .

To get to know more about safety in Tunisia, click here! I answer questions regarding the safety of female travelers, potential safety hazards, and areas to avoid, and share some safety tips. 

Haggling is an art - souvenir shopping.

Haggling is an ordinary social activity in Tunisia. I understand that it might feel awkward if you are not used to it. But it is a big part of shopping, especially in souks in Medina, so get ready for it. Most of the time, there is room for a bargain, so here are a couple of tips to help you out. 

• Haggling is supposed to be fun, so don’t take it too seriously. My friend, don’t forget to smile.
• Start bargain only if you are willing to buy the item. 
• Don’t bargain in chains (Zara, H&M, LC Waikiki, Carrefour) and markets where they sell fruits, bakery products, fish, and meat.
• Tunisians are full of passion and emotions, which you will notice when bargaining with them. Big emotions are part of the process. 
• You can always say thank you for your time and leave if you are not pleased with the deal. 
• Continue to negotiate until you find a price that fits both. 

Be careful when crossing the street - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

As I mentioned before, traffic is chaotic in Tunisia. Be careful when crossing the street because most cars will not stop. Also, you can’t stand there forever, hoping traffic to end or someone to stop for you. When you decide to cross, be prepared to stop between the lanes.

Can I drink alcohol? - things to know before traveling to Tunisia

Unlike some other Arabic countries, in Tunisia, alcohol is legal, and the legal drinking age is 18. So, you can buy and drink alcohol, but it should not be consumed in public, for example, on the streets.

Here you find the guidelines for drinking, smoking, and partying in Tunisia.

And voila, we are done! This was my list of the things to know before traveling to Tunisia. I hope you find it helpful! I will be happy to help, so please do not hesitate to leave a comment or question. See you again next week!

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Top 20 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Tunisia

Although it’s famous for its warm winter sun, dunes and elegant spas, the smallest country in North Africa is not always synonymous with beauty. Still, of course, beauty is subjective and I think it’s vastly underrated and is home to many places easily worthy of the word!

From magical mountain oases and atmospheric holy cities to some of the most sought-after beach resorts and from my time spent exploring this unique country, here are my favourite spots…

1. Hammamet

Once a humble fishing village surrounded by lemon groves, Hammamet is now a thriving beach resort town with numerous hotels.

Sharing the same Mediterranean coastline as Egypt , this is one of Tunisia’s first tourist destinations due to its fine beaches and warm waters, perfect for water sports. The area is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and I’m a huge fan of this place! 

It’s not all about all-inclusive hotels and sunbathing. Hammamet has a beautiful historic centre crisscrossed with narrow alleyways. Here, you’ll find an attractive medina and a 12th-century Kasbah, which I highly recommend exploring.

Location: – Hammamet is in Nabeul Governorate east of Tunisia, less than an hour’s drive from Tunis airport.

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2. Sidi Bou Said

Tunisia’s prettiest town is perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. Its gorgeous traditional houses have been whitewashed to perfection and beautifully accented with flashes of brilliant blue.

It’s long been a bohemian enclave, but with a few trendy boutique hotels popping up, it now attracts a more well-heeled crowd.

I suggest exploring the narrow, cobbled streets with cafes, art shops, and souvenir stalls framed by abundant fragrant, cascading flowers. The town also makes a great base to explore the nearby Roman ruins of Carthage.

Location: Sidi Bou Said is a town located in northern Tunisia, about 25 minutes drive from Tunis airport.

Located right on the coast, this former military port is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and UNESCO World Heritage site status. It’s both a bustling tourist resort and a beautifully preserved place. In my opinion, it is a fine example of a town dating from the first centuries of Islam.

Visit for outstanding Arabo-Muslim and Mediterranean architecture, including ramparts, a Ftata Mosque, a typical ribat and a medina, also home to the city’s Great Mosque.

Location: Sousse is located on the Tunisian Sahel coast in the centre of the country, a 2-hour drive from Tunis airport

4. Port El Kantaoui 

Luxury is everywhere in Port El Kantaoui. Beach resorts throughout the area cater to every waking need of their high-end visitors, but rest assured; you do not have to be a part of the luxury sect to enjoy the sheer beauty of Port El Kantaoui.

This Tunisian destination is ideal for tourists from every walk of life, whether you want to relax along the coastline and soak up some sun or dive beneath the surface of the water for some supreme snorkelling.

I personally think it’s everything you could want from a luxury coastal destination is all in one location here! 

Location: Port El Kantaoui is located 10 kilometres north of Sousse city in central Tunisia, around an hour and 40 minutes drive from Tunis Airport

With a population of around 170,000, Djerba is not considered a small village.

It is also among the more popular tourist areas in the country, but people do not simply come to Djerba for access to the spectacular beach or even for its handmade crafts throughout the city.

People enjoy a more diverse religious culture in Djerba that is not accentuated as much in any other part of Tunisia. Here, you can learn about a new religion and culture while enjoying a picturesque coastal destination. I love this place! 

Location: Djerba is a large island in southeastern Tunisia. Many people drive from Tunis airport, stopping on the way, as it’s a 6-hour trip. Once near, you can get a ferry to the island.

Nabeul is not just a fine place for locals to enjoy but also Tunisia’s first seaside resort! On both sides of this easy-on-the-eye resort, you are engulfed by illustrious Mediterranean Sea views.

Nabeul has been charming locals and visitors alike since the 5th century BC and has also charmed me! There are also many hotels and guest houses to stay in to take advantage of the beautiful beaches here.

Today, artisans throughout Nabeul are known for making some of the most beautiful mosaics, painted dishes, potteries, and wall tiles, so I highly recommend visiting one of the many shops dotted along this remarkably beautiful coastal city.

Location: Nabeul is a coastal town located in northeastern Tunisia, just over an hour’s drive from Tunis airport

7. Cap Bon Area 

The peninsula lying at the country’s Northeastern tip is so alluring that it’s often referred to as the “garden of Tunisia.” It’s also a popular resort area, but it’s popular for a reason.

Filled with sun-drenched beaches with a clear blue sea, thermal springs, fragrant eucalyptus trees, lush palms and sweet-smelling flora this area I personally think this place deserves a place on this list!

Location: is a peninsula in far northeastern Tunisia located around an hour and 20 minutes from Tunis airport

A charming and authentic resort in northern Tunisia is one of those places where you can stay and live like a local for a while, far from the tourist crowds. 

Aside from a beautiful long sandy beach, other reasons to visit here include the picturesque old port with gently bobbing boats, a pretty coastline, and an incredible road cut into the coast. I would highly recommend trying out some of the excellent restaurants also located here!

Location: Bizerte is the northernmost city in Africa, an hour’s drive from Tunis Airport.

9. Tunis Medina, Tunis 

In my opinion, the most striking part of the country’s capital city is the old Arab-walled town, otherwise known as the Medina. Expect fine examples of Arab architecture and lively souqs where everything from household goods to gold can be bartered for.

The atmosphere is intoxicating, and it gives you a taste of what life was like in the Arabian opulence era, which reigned from the 12th to the 16th centuries. I would highly recommend a visit!

Location: Located in the capital of Tunis on the northeastern coast, about a 20-minute drive from Tunis airport.

10. Monastir Ribat 

A visit to Monastir Ribat is essential to get the most out of your Tunisian adventure. Today, Monastir Ribat is considered a holy site as it maintains two mosques servicing the city of Monastir, but it was not always so calm there.

In 796, Monastir Riba was built as a military structure to ward off invaders. Throughout its many-century history, rooms and additions have been added to ensure the building is always relevant.

I recommend enjoying walking around Monastir Riba and taking pictures of various architectural feats throughout its history! 

11. Plage de Chaffar, Sfax

Strolling around Sfax will allow you to see many beautiful locations, such as the Museum of Architecture. Still, if you are looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy Tunisia’s natural beauty, Plage de Caffar is the place to be.

This beach destination has a mild climate and white, sandy beaches. It is where locals bring their families to enjoy fun in the sun in Tunisia.

Although it is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, this beach remains a calm, relaxing area to enjoy any time of the year.

12. Chebika

Of course, it’s all a matter of opinion, but arguably, the most beautiful places in Tunisia are far from the cities. Chebika, which lies at the foot of the mountains of the Djebel el Negueb, is a perfect example.

Here, an Eden-like oasis of beautiful waterfalls, curious caverns, and date palms surviving in rocky clefts is a dramatic sight – unsurprisingly, a popular tourist haunt.

It’s also popular with film directors, as scenes from Star Wars Episode IV and The English Patient were shot in this area.

13. The Sahara

Visitors should include the world’s largest desert on their itinerary, and tours arranged by most resort towns can reach the Sahara.

The Eastern Sand Sea (Grand Erg Oriental) covers a large part of Southern Tunisia. It’s a magical place where scenes from Star Wars and The English Patient were once filmed.

The area is best explored by jeep, but to really up the romance stakes, include an overnight stay in a traditional tent. Ensure you don’t miss Nefta, the most beautiful dunes in Tunisia and Chott el Jerid, a vast salt lake.

14. Matmata & the Ksour 

Movie fans would instantly recognise the intriguing troglodytic houses of Matmata. When director George Lucas visited here, he was so taken with the area that he used it as a set in his famous Star Wars films.

I love that it’s a uniquely beautiful place, home to attractive honeycomb-esque granaries known as ghorfas. The curious architecture style stems from fortified Berber settlements and is so unusual that it almost looks other-worldly.

15. Chott el Djerid

Unique is a word thrown around by visitors to Chott el Djerid. When visiting, you might believe you have seen it before. If you are a Star Wars fan, you probably have as many Tatooine scenes shot in this location.

Chott el Djerid is a saltwater lake, and throughout the year, geological changes change the water’s colour—it turns all kinds of crazy hues: purple, pink, and red.

I would suggest walking along the water’s edge and seeing its natural salt deposits. A popular activity for Chott el Djerid visitors is to fly over the lake in a paraglider to get a bird’s eye view of its amazing beauty.

16. Tamerza

The largest mountain oasis in the country is also a popular beauty spot and has an abandoned old town. Located in the mountains north of the salt lakes, it’s an intriguing place with two waterfalls, an oasis, and deep gorges.

The town was abandoned after the 1962 river floods, and today, it’s eerily quiet. I suggest making sure you include a visit to nearby Mides, another mountain oasis home to a spectacular canyon.

17. Kairouan

This important holy city has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Founded in 670, it has a rich architectural heritage, an attractive medina, and lively souqs.

My favorite highlights include the Great Mosque of Okba – one of Tunisia’s largest and oldest mosques and the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates.

18. Ichkeul Lake 

Beaches and coastal destinations have their allure, but Ichkeul Lake has an attraction of its own. If your destination is northern Tunisia, I personally think Ichkeul Lake is the place to go.

For those who enjoy bird watching, this lake boasts intricate wetlands that attract thousands of migrant birds each year, including the stunning flamingo.

Although construction on the dam for the lake has changed its ecological standpoint somewhat, birds and wildlife such as ducks, storks, flamingos and geese are still prevalent in the area.

19. Bou-Hedma National Park

National parks are treasures to behold, and in 1980, Bou-Hedma National Park was founded in Tunisia. Today, it is on the list of UNESCO heritage sites for its ecological significance and illustrious history. It is home to ancient Roman structures beautifully preserved within the park.

Animals such as Gazelles can be seen throughout the park, but endangered creatures such as the Addax Antelope also call Bou-Hedma National Park home.

A museum was recently built within the park’s borders to help you learn more about the park and its ongoing conservation efforts. I suggest visiting if you can to learn about this interesting area.

Please always check the latest government advice before deciding on any travel destination.

Scott Balaam - writer and photographer Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Australia, Ireland, UK and the USA but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting thirst for culture, good food and great football. In his spare time Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, the rest of Italy, Amsterdam, USA, Athens, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Find Scott on Linkedin , Instagram , or Twitter . Hotel Reviewing Experience –Asked by many tourist boards and many high-profile travel brands to formally review hotels including Visit Sweden ,  OET (Spanish Tourism Office) , Sultanate of Oman and  Travel Alberta . Also travelled around the world scouting out and reviewing all the most unique hotels in the world, check out our Instagram page for photos . Also mentioned as a top UK travel journalist .

21 thoughts on “Top 20 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Tunisia”

thanks for posting these pictures but i have so much pictures and they are better btw

Thanks for sharing such mind blowing pictures from Tunisia. So money saving starts for my next year’s vacation 🙂

Tunisia is amazing indeed! You can take a look at my post about Tunisian part of Sahara (linked below.

Such stunning pictures! It seems like there are so many different variety of places to visit in Tunisia with so many different cultural and environmental experiences. Definitely adding this place to my bucket list.

I’ve been recently and all these choices are good, I’d have to give a special mention to the Roman ruins and the spa hotels are pretty incredible too!

The spa hotels are gorgeous!

Well it definitely looks beautiful in these photos! I’ve never really considered it before as a travel destination to be honest, but it looks as though I’m missing out!

I love this list, I have never considered traveling in Tunisia, always somehow connected it with all inclusive cheap holidays deals until now, you have change my mind! Bravo!

Thanks Marysia, I’m glad we did! 🙂

So many beautiful places, Sidi Bou Said looks gorgeous!

OMG that shot in the Sahara!!!!! All those places look nice. But my last trip was Morocco so for the next few I will try something radically different. But I will keep in mind this post for the future! Thanks

These places in Tunisa looks amazing! Sidi Bou Said reminds me of Greece. Beautiful photos too!

I have never been to Tunisia, and dream about Sahara for years… Great list! Beautiful photos. Now I wanna go even more [smile]

Wow, I’m impressed. I’ve never thought about visit Tunisia, I even don’t know why, this place just haven’t have been on my mind, never. But looking at these photos it would be a shame if I wouldn’t go there.

Hope you get to go one day, it’s a very underrated place!

I would absolutely have to go to Tunisia just to visit the old Star Wars set! A lifelong dream come true for me and before the sand engulfs it permanently. I would love to sit and people watch in the Medina, Becky! That looks like so much fun. Btw…the pictures are amazing. Especially that one of the Sahara…wow 🙂

Not a place I had ever really though of visiting before until now. The moon pic is amazing! Adding this to the list..

Great list! Hammamet actually reminds me of a fish market in Bali, Indonesia!

Thanks Agness!

I like your list. I have to say I liked a few other places better and was really kind of disappointed in Sidi Bou Said,let alone where Star Wars was filmed, however I loved Tunisia. My favorite place by far was El Kef! Great post.

I have never been there, looks like some really nice places to visit .

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Home » Travel Guides » Tunisia » 15 Best Places to Visit in Tunisia

15 Best Places to Visit in Tunisia

Trodden by the Berbers of old and raided by Barbary pirates, settled by the Phoenician Greeks, and then home to the mighty city of Carthage, Tunisia has a grand place in the annals of both the North African and European story. (After all, it was host to the only major rival to Rome across the entire Mediterranean basin for those formative centuries between the 800s BC and year zero.)

Add to that the mythical figures of Aeneas and Dido, along with tales of Arabic sultans and even Norman seafarers from the north, and it’s easy to see why this cut-out on the Maghreb is such a fascinating, culturally-rich place. Unfortunately, the great power struggles played out here have continued on into the modern age, giving rise to revolutions and counter-revolutions. Today, the government vies for control with hardline Islamists, there have been attacks on tourists, and FCO advice flits between cautious and uber-cautious. But when the dust settles and Tunisia stabilizes, it’s sure to take the breath away!

Lets explore the best places to visit in Tunisia :

It doesn’t get much better than this for fans of the ancients.

Colossal arches and elliptical amphitheaters to rival even the Colosseum in Rome are what mark the horizon of famous El Djem.

Tagged by UNESCO, the city is a modern one built right atop an old one, with the occasional ruin of Roman homes and arcades popping up on the corners.

Many sights have been preserved thanks to the billowing dust storms of the surrounding Sahara, but a lack of large-scale archaeology means that the main attraction remains the huge Amphitheatre of Thysdrus.

Delve in and stroll the changing rooms of gladiators, or stand where ancient governors once did atop the fighting pits.

2. Houmt Souk

The undisputed jewel of Djerba island comes topped with the adobe domes of the Bordj el Kabir fort, which was raised in the 1400s and 1500s to protect the harbor on the Gulf of Gabes below.

Over the centuries, everyone from the Numidians to the Arabs to the Spaniards to the Ottomans have made their home in this tactical position on the edge of the Med.

Accordingly, history oozes from every dust-caked pore.

There are the traditional fondouks quarters of medieval merchants left in the Old Town.

There colorful pottery bazaars, whitewashed synagogues, Turkic mosques, and lively marketplaces selling olive oils and chickpea broths.

Still reeling from the horrific terror attacks of 2015, the seaside city of Sousse is now much less loud about its beauties.

But the beauties are there nonetheless.

They lurk between the tight-knit alleyways of the town’s historic medina; they ooze from the simple and elegant rises of the Aghlabite Great Mosque; they beckon from the formidable bulwarks of the old Ribat citadel above the place.

And away from the steaming Ottoman hammams and colorful Maghreb souks of the town proper, there are gorgeous beaches that sparkle turquoise blue, all fringed with luxurious hotels and palm-lined promenades.

4. Sidi Bou Said

You could be forgiven for thinking that you’d made the hop across the Med to the islands of the Greek Aegean as you enter the vibrant interior of Sidi Bou Said town, sat just 20 kilometers from bustling Tunis.

Yep, the sky-blue and whitewashed color scheme here is more than reminiscent of towns in Santorini and Mykonos.

However, this one’s interesting hues were actually started by the French musicologist Rodolphe d’Erlanger.

He first plastered the stucco walls of his home with the endearing tones in the 20s, and his palatial mansion at the Ennejma Ezzahra is a now a museum to his legacy.

Every trip to Tunisia should include a jaunt to the great desert of the Sahara, whose shifting sands and dry escarpments begin here in earnest.

And where better for a taste of the dry life than the adobe mud town of Tozeur? This oases settlement in the extreme south-west of the nation is a veritable masterpiece of Berber tradition.

For starters, it’s surrounded by swathes of verdant date palm blooms that rise straight from the ochre-hued earth.

And then there’s its medina city, with filigrees and carvings and brick artistry straight from the old arabesque world.

Pass under the great arches of the Bab el Bhar (the Port de France) and you’ll see both sides to this fascinating capital: the French side and the Maghreb side.

In the former, the so-called Ville Nouvelle, the traces of rule from Paris are all too evident.

There are wide, tree-peppered avenues.

There are coffee shops spilling onto the sidewalks.

There are grand cathedrals with Gothic elements.

And on the latter side of town; the African side, things take a turn for the arabesque.

Lively souks packed with kaleidoscopic fabrics crawl and sprawl over one another.

The shouts of hawkers touting spice echo, and the scents of tagines and mint teas mix with camel skin lamps and shisha pipes.

7. Kairouan

Nearly 1,500 years of history meets between the dust-caked desert hills around Kairouan.

A city famed for its long connection to the Islamic world, it’s been a center of Sunni teachings since at least the 7th century.

Cue the mighty rises of the Great Mosque of Kairouan: a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws thousands of pilgrims to its prayer rooms and enclosures each year.

Once you’ve wondered at that amazing Aghlabid relic, be sure to wander the old medina and its whitewashed cottages, taste sweet Tunisian pastries in the bakeries there, and seek out the interesting Mosque of the Three Gates.

8. Monastir

Most people will know Monastir for the great citadel fortress that bears its moniker.

And it’s true that the Monastir Ribat, topped with its crenulated parapets and red stone bulwarks, is unquestionably the major attraction in town.

(After all, it was one of the filming locations in the hit film Monty Python’s The Life of Brian). However, there are other things to see and do here, like trace the Muslim influence at sites like the Mausoleum of Bourguiba, or wonder up at the colossal city mosque (dating from the 1000s no less!).

UNESCO World Heritage fame marks the crumbling peristyles and age-cracked temples of Dougga out from many of North Africa’s other mighty ancient sites.

Once Roman, the remains of the entire city here are considered some of the best-preserved in the region.

Travelers come to gawp at the looming Doric columns of the Dougga Theatre, standing tall over the green fields of the Beja Governorate.

They come to walk the old cobbled Roman roads, or to see the relics of shrines to Jupiter and the Imperial Cult.

There are also bathhouses, soaring mausoleums, and in-tact sewer systems to encounter.

10. Carthage

The very name of Carthage evokes romantic tales of Greek seafarers, figures like Aeneas and Dido from the heroic age, and stories of mighty battles on the Alps and Mediterranean Seas.

That all makes it easy to see why this sprawling ruined site just outside of Tunis is one of the most-visited attractions in all of Tunisia.

However, the centuries of Punic wars and Muslim invasions have left it abandoned more than once, and the remains of Carthage are not as awe-inspiring as some of the country’s other Roman treats.

It’s worth coming though, if only to stand where great generals in the ilk of Hannibal once did!

It’s hard not to be taken by the elegance of Sfax.

Old and eclectic, it bears all the hallmarks you’d expect of a city trodden by Sicilian kings and Spanish invaders, Barbary pirates and Ottoman imperialists.

Moorish traits pockmark the old Kasbah, mingling with Rococo and colonial elements, while the great city walls look like something plucked straight out of Aladdin.

Meanwhile, the gorgeous Place de la Republique is trotted by horses and carts, and the Sfax War Cemetery is a sobering reminder of the great struggles that occurred in North Africa between Allied and Axis forces during the 20th century.

It’s just a stone’s throw from Douz to the sweeping sand plains of the Jebil National Park – one of the great natural treasures of southern Tunisia.

So, it’s not for nothing that this far-flung town in the south is considered the gateway to the Sahara.

It’s home to purring camels, and weathered Berber tour guides who are eager to lead expeditions on humpback into the scorched wilds.

It’s worth getting in the saddle and following them, because wonders like the salt flats of Chott al-Jerid and the shifting Grand Erg await there!

13. Hammamet

Hammamet sits on the southern bends of the Cap Bon, enjoying the lapping waves and soothing salt-packed breezes of the Mediterranean Sea.

The town magnetizes visitors with its enchanting appearance, which comes as a curious mélange of Spanish, Sicilian and Castilian architecture, all balanced out by the ubiquitous Maghreb medina town of whitewashed adobe homes and palm-sprouting streets.

However, it’s the beaches here that really take the biscuit.

Head down to sun-kissed Hammamet Sud, where loungers meet jet skis meet sunbathers meet SCUBA outfitters.

Palm-peppered Zarzis (also spelled Jarjis) is a place that proudly touts its fringing of shimmering beaches and resorts.

Lined up all along the Mediterranean to the north and south of town, they are amongst the most popular of destinations for package holidayers in search of Tunisia’s medley of sun, sand, sea, and unrelenting desert heat.

The town itself is a modern, built-up place that hides the centuries of Roman and Arabic history beneath.

You’ll see grand mosques looming above the street corners, the occasional olive oil seller, and whitewashed villas shrouded by oases.

15. Matmata

Matmata entered the field of public attention when it became the home of a certain Luke Skywalker in the stories of Star Wars way back in 1976. In fact, the spot is one of many in a long line of filming locations found throughout Tunisia, but might just be the most famous.

The backdrop for the iconic lands of Tatooine were the interesting troglodyte houses of the locals here, which are carved straight into the dusty earth and painted white to reflect the sun.

You can still see them, along with other cool examples of cave dwellings in the dusty surrounds of Gabes.

15 Best Places to Visit in Tunisia:

• Sidi Bou Said

Update April 12, 2024

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Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

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Travel Advisory July 13, 2023

Tunisia - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Tunisia due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.  

Do not travel to:

• Within 30 km of southeastern Tunisia along the border with Libya due to terrorism.
• Mountainous areas in the country’s west, including the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, due to terrorism.
• The desert south of Remada due to the military zone.
• Jendouba south of Ain Drahem and west of RN15, El Kef, and Kasserine, next to the Algerian border due to terrorism.
• Sidi Bou Zid in central Tunisia due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Tunisia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, museums, resorts, hotels, festivals, nightclubs, restaurants, religious sites, markets/shopping malls, government facilities and security forces. A country-wide state of emergency, which grants security forces more authority to maintain civil order and enables the government to focus on combating terrorism, is in effect. 

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Tunisia. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside greater Tunis.  

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Tunisia. 

If you decide to travel to Tunisia:

• Exercise caution when using public transportation, due to safety and security concerns.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Avoid staying overnight outside of the main cities and tourist locations.
• Obtain comprehensive medical insurance that includes medical evacuation.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Tunisia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.  
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Border with Libya – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Developments in Libya continue to affect the security situation along the Tunisian-Libyan border in areas such as Ras Jedir and Dehiba along with the cities of Ben Guerdan and Medenine. The border with Libya is frequently closed to all traffic with short notice for extended periods. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Libya. 

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Western Mountains and Chaambi Mountain National Park – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist groups continue to operate in mountains of Western Tunisia. 

The Desert South of Remada – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The desert south of Remada is designated as a military zone by the Government of Tunisia. Special authorization is required for travelers wishing to enter the military zone.

Jendouba El Kef and Kasserine near the Algerian Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist groups continue to operate in these areas. 

Sidi Bou Zid in Central Tunisia – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist groups continue to operate in this area. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

1 page per stamp

Not required for stays under 90 days

Import of Tunisian currency is prohibited. Visitors must declare cash brought into Tunisia in excess of TND 10,000 (or foreign currency equivalent). They must declare amounts above TND 5,000 if they wish to export that amount upon departure.

Export of Tunisian currency is prohibited. Up to TND 3,000 may be re-exchanged into foreign currency upon departure from Tunisia with the original exchange receipt. Visitors may only export up to TND 5,000 (or foreign currency equivalent) if that amount was declared upon arrival.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Tunis Les Berges du Lac 1053 Tunis, Tunisia Telephone: +(216) 71-107-000 Emergency after-hours telephone: +(216) 71-107-000, press 0 and ask for the duty officer Fax: +(216) 71964-360 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Tunisia for information on U.S.-Tunisia relations. 

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Tunisia. 

Passports and Visas:

• A valid passport is required.
• For U.S. passport holders, a visa is not necessary for stays up to 90 days.
• A residence permit is needed for stays longer than 90 days.  The residence permit can be obtained from the central police station of the district of residence.
• U.S. citizens born in the Middle East or with Arabic names have experienced delays in clearing immigration upon arrival.
• U.S. citizens of Tunisian origin and dual American-Tunisian citizens are expected to enter and exit Tunisia on their Tunisian passports. If a Tunisian-American succeeds in entering using a U.S. passport, he or she will still have to present a valid Tunisian passport to exit the country. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Tunisia. 

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – and most often target police and military forces in Tunisia. Terrorists may also target crowds and unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens in Tunisia maintain a high level of vigilance throughout the country. U.S. citizens living and working in Tunisia should understand that they accept the risks of remaining in the country and should carefully consider those risks. The threat of anti-Western terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury as a non-targeted bystander.

Specific Areas to Avoid: Embassy Tunis regulations require advance notification to Embassy security officials of travel by Embassy personnel outside greater Tunis. Certain cities and governorates in Tunisia have a fluid and unpredictable security environment, and these areas require additional scrutiny before U.S. government personnel may travel to them. U.S. citizens should avoid the following areas due to terrorist activity:

• Within 30 km of Libyan border in southeastern Tunisia.
• Mountainous areas in the west of the country, including the Chaambi Mountain National Park area.
• Jendouba south of Ain Drahem and west of RN15, El Kef, and Kasserine, next to the Algerian border.
• Gafsa and Sidi Bou Zid in central Tunisia.

The following groups, including ones on the U.S. government’s list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, pose a high risk to U.S. citizens in the region:

• The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)
• Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)
• Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AAS-T)

For more information, see our Terrorism page. 

Crime:   

• Travelers should remain vigilant of their surroundings and take care to secure their valuables. Prominently displayed cash or jewelry may attract unwanted attention.
• High-value items left unattended and visible have been stolen from vehicles, hotel rooms, and private residences.
• Criminals have targeted tourists and business travelers for theft, pick pocketing, and scams.
• Incidents of theft, robbery, and burglary have been reported in upscale neighborhoods during day and night. Violent crime is rare, however, an increase in incidents of harassment and assaults against women have been reported in Tunis among the expatriate community. Some of these criminal encounters occurred in dark or isolated areas surrounding commercial zones, public beaches, and parks.
• Any crimes against U.S. citizens should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy.
• Report suspicious activity to the local police.

Demonstrations:  They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Demonstrations are most common on Saturday mornings and in the month of January.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
• Past demonstrations have turned violent. 
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams:  Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Tunisia. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Financial scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:  

• Romance/Online dating
• Money transfers
• Lucrative sales
• Gold purchase
• Contracts with promises of large commissions
• Grandparent/Relative targeting
• Free Trip/Luggage
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits/job offers
• Bank overpayments

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 197 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(216) 71-107-000. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys 
• Provide our information on United States
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regards to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout Tunisia. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. 

The Tunisian National Guard encourages persons traveling into the desert to register their travel beforehand.

• No special authorization is required to travel to the desert as far south as Remada.
• The desert south of Remada is designated as a military zone by the Government of Tunisia. If travelers wish to enter the military zone, for example to travel to Borma, a special authorization is required. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens against travel to this area.
• Please visit the Embassy’s  desert travel page .

See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage  ( http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/health/insurance-providers.html ).

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.  

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Tunisia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• You may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings. 
• It is against Tunisian law to photograph police, military, and government buildings.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol could land you immediately in jail.
• If you break local laws in Tunisia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:   See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see Tunisia reports
• Human Rights Report – see Tunisia reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers  
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad 

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Tunisia. Penalties include sentences of up to three years in prison.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details. 

Travelers with Disabilities:  The law in Tunisia prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, and the law is generally enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure. 

Students:  See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips . 

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Tunisia, dial 190. 

Ambulance services are:

• not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• not present throughout Tunisia or are unreliable in most areas except Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, and Monastir.  
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. 
• not always staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment. 

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.  Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Tunisia Ministry of Public Health or the Central Pharmacy of Tunisia to ensure the medication is legal in Tunisia.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Air Quality: Air pollution is a moderate problem in major cities in Tunisia. Consider the impact seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution may have on you and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary. 

Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate but below U.S. standards health facilities are available in Tunis and other major cities.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources, supplies, staffing, and hygiene. 
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not always available.  Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Private hospitals usually require advance payment before admitting a patient. 
• Travelers should make efforts to obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care. 
• Be aware that travelers will not receive a medical report after service unless specifically requested.
• Be aware that some hotels, resorts, etc. have exclusive agreements with medical providers, which may limit your choices in seeking emergency medical attention.
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight in non-emergency wards. Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child.
• Patients bear all costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are very limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

• U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.  
• Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. People seeking health care overseas should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on Medical Tourism. 
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on Medical Tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Tunisia.
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications. 
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Tunisia.  
• Although Tunisia has many elective/cosmetic surgery facilities that are on par with those found in the United States, the quality of care varies widely. If you plan to undergo surgery in Tunisia, make sure that emergency medical facilities are available, and professionals are accredited and qualified. 

Pharmaceuticals

• Tunisia has severe shortages of medications, and not all medications available in the United States are available in Tunisia. Plan in advance before traveling.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. 
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.  
• Check with the Tunisia Ministry of Public Health or the Central Pharmacy of Tunisia to find available medications and restrictions on importing medication. 

Non-Traditional Medicine 

U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died while seeking medical care from non-traditional “healers” and practitioners in Tunisia. Ensure you have access to licensed emergency medical facilities in such cases.

Water Quality

In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.  Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Adventure Travel

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel .

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: 

• Driving in Tunisia can be dangerous. Visitors should avoid driving after dark outside Tunis or major resort areas or on country roads.
• Drivers often fail to obey the rules of the road, even in the presence of police. Traffic signs and signals are often ignored, and drivers sometimes drive vehicles on the wrong side of the road or the wrong direction on a one-way street. Defensive driving is a must in Tunisia.
• Faster drivers tend to drive on the left while slower drivers stay to the right. Traffic lane markings are widely ignored. Cars that wish to pass often signal with their headlights.
• Drivers may be stopped for inspection by police officers within cities and on highways at any time, and drivers should comply.
• Bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles are operated without sufficient lights or reflectors, making them difficult to see darting in and out of traffic. Motorists should also be aware of animals on the roads, particularly in rural areas.

Traffic Laws:  Drivers should be aware that if they are involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in death or serious injury of another person, the police may take them into protective custody until they are absolved of responsibility. This can mean spending up to several months in detention. As with any arrest or detention, U.S. citizens taken into custody should immediately request that the police inform the Embassy of their whereabouts.

Public Transportation:  Exercise caution when using public transportation, due to safety and security concerns. Trains, buses, and taxi minibuses (known as louages) may be overcrowded, have unsafe driving practices, poor maintenance, and increased likelihood of criminal activity.

See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight:  As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Tunisia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Tunisia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Tunisia should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts .  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Tunisia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:

• the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
• the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
• within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
• the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

In addition and for security reasons, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis
• the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla
• within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate
• within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou
• areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park
• within 10km of Mount Mghila
• Mount Orbata

Military activity in the region

On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel.

On 19 April, there have been reports of explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.

Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also  get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Read  FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas.

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Tunisia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance .

Since 1 July, the city of Sfax has witnessed several days of civil unrest, including reports of injuries, arrests and one death, related to heightened tensions between local residents and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. Security forces in Sfax and the region are on high alert. Further disturbances could occur with little or no warning and impact other Black people perceived to be of sub-Saharan African origin.

Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out further attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests. There have been a number of self-initiated attacks in 2023. On 3 July a National Guard officer was attacked with a knife in the La Goulette area of Tunis.

In June, a police officer was stabbed and killed outside the Brazilian Embassy in Tunis. In May, a fatal shooting took place on the island of Djerba, near to where Tunisian and international visitors were taking part in the annual Jewish pilgrimage at the El Ghriba synagogue. Three security personnel and two civilians were killed, and ten people were injured.

Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places. You should be vigilant at all times, including around religious sites and festivals. Crowded areas, government installations, transportation networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack. You should be particularly vigilant in these areas and follow any specific advice of the local security authorities. In more remote areas of the country, including tourist sites in southern Tunisia, security forces’ response times to an incident may vary. Follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and your travel company if you have one. See Terrorism

Parliamentary elections took place in December 2022 and January 2023 and the new Parliament opened in March 2023.

Protests occur in Tunisia with little or no warning, and can sometimes become violent. They usually take place in central areas of Tunis and other major cities, and in the vicinity of government buildings, often but not always on weekends or around prominent national anniversary dates. In response to the current situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, peaceful demonstrations have occurred in some Tunisian cities, including outside some Western embassies. Avoid all protests, and move away from gathered crowds. Keep up to date with developments through the media and follow the instructions given by the Tunisian authorities as well as your hotel and tour operator, if you have one. See Political and security situation

You can contact the emergency services by calling:

• 197 (police - when in cities and towns)
• 193 (national guard - when in rural areas or small villages)
• 190 (ambulance)
• 198 (civil protection - for assistance at incidents, such as car accidents, to provide medical assistance and response to fire).

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission . Consular support may be limited in parts of Tunisia.

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Visit Tunisia is a five-year, USAID-funded activity designed to grow and diversify Tunisian tourism, generating sustainable jobs and increasing tourism revenues. We also aim to develop a high-quality tourism industry and mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

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Accelerating Tourism Businesses’ Profitability Through Capacity-Building Workshops for over 140 SMEs from Key Regions Across Tunisia

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Paving the Way to the Long-term Sustainable Tourism Sector Growth of Tabarka/Aïn Draham, Kairouan, Tozeur, Gabes/Matmata, Tataouine and, Kebili/Douz

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Thousands Visit El Jem Amphitheater for Annual Family-Friendly Festival Filled To Celebrate Tunisia’s Roman History

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The International Festival of Matmata: Creating Connections Between Local Businesses and Thousands of Visitors

سياحتنا (“Our Tourism”): USAID, TAMSS, and Advans Tunisie Launch Entrepreneur Support Program for Tourism Sector in Tunisia

Marking the Success of 450 Trained Professionals of the Hospitality Sector in Tunisia

Bringing 30 Cultural Experiences from Tozeur, Kebili, Tabarka, Kairouan, Tataouine, and Gabes to the Market.

Over 1,000 citizens and children: the New Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism in Kairouan.

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The Transformational Market Readiness Journey of 60 Small Businesses in Kebili, Gabes, Jendouba, Kairouan, Tozeur, and Tataouine

Words from our partners.

“We implemented some of the best practices we learned from the Festival Incubator program. Involving our community including the citizens, the local tourism businesses and artisans in the creation of participatory experiences was a huge success. We also improved many aspects of our festival management such as security, organization, and hygiene thank to the technical assistance, recommendations and mentoring advices we received from the program.”

“Our employees who engaged in the program have shown real enthusiasm and dedication. Issuing certifications contributed to creating a healthy competitive environment. We will scale our Tunis-based learnings to our new staff in the housekeeping, kitchen and restaurant/bar departments in our new hotel in Douz.”

“The kitchen-related best practices and all the training materials have been relevant and useful to apply in my day-to-day work at the hotel. I would follow the same program for higher levels.”

“The Nature & Adventure campaign allowed us to take our diving center Subway Mahdia to the next level. This is such an incredibly important step forward for us. Only through your help are we now able to provide experiences to a much wider range of visitors.”

“The "Nature & Adventure" campaign has had a significant impact on our business. We attracted more travelers from all over the world highlighting the beauty and diversity of Kerkennah as a unique tourism destination in Tunisia. We also succeeded in increasing awareness of the importance of ecotourism among the local community and visitors.”

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Italy's leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year

Italy’s leader has acknowledged that Tunisia “cannot become the arrival point for migrants coming from the rest of Europe.”

TUNIS, Tunisia -- The head of Italy 's right-wing government acknowledged Wednesday that Tunisia cannot serve as a dumping ground for migrants, days after Tunisia's president reaffirmed his unwillingness to let Europe outsource migration problems by sending those not welcome there to his country.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said during a visit to Tunisia — her fourth in the past year — that the North African nation “cannot become the arrival point for migrants coming from the rest of Europe.”

However, she sidestepped tensions over how to manage migration via the Mediterranean Sea and instead praised Tunisia and Italy's shared priorities in fighting human traffickers and repatriating African migrants back to their home countries.

Meloni and Tunisian President Kais Saied signed new accords as part of Italy's “Mattei Plan” for Africa, a continent-wide strategy aimed at growing economic opportunities and preventing migration to Europe.

They included education initiatives and 50 million euros ($53 million) in a budgetary aid package earmarked for renewable energy projects. Meloni also promised to expand efforts to repatriate migrants to their home countries and expand legal migration pathways for Tunisians to work in Italy.

“It is essential that we work together to continue to fight the slavers of the third millennium, the mafia organizations that exploit the legitimate aspirations of those who would like a better life,” Meloni said, referring to smugglers who facilitate migrants' perilous sea journeys.

European leaders often frame migration as a human trafficking issue, though migrants are known to make the trip in various ways and for a variety of reasons.

Nearly 16,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey from North Africa to Italy so far in 2024, travelling hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the shores of Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, mainly to islands off the Italian mainland. Arrivals tend to increase through spring and summer.

As weather warmed early this year, more migrants arrived with each passing month — a trend that's on track to maintain its pace through April.

Less than half as many migrants had arrived in Italy as of April 15, compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures from the U.N. refugee agency. That’s in part because of Tunisia's border patrol force, which this year intercepted about 21,000 migrants before they crossed into European waters.

Despite the interceptions, Saied has long insisted he is unwilling to let his country become Europe's “border guard” or accept migrants that Europe wants to deport.

Earlier this week, he said he had no intention of opening detention centers for migrants in an agreement similar to Italy's deal with Albania on asylum seekers. “We will not accept the presence of people outside the law, and Tunisia will not be a victim," Saied said.

North African countries, from Morocco to Egypt, enjoy some leverage in their relations with Europe due to their role in helping control the flow of migrants. Italy and its European Union counterparts have pledged substantial financial support to countries on the other side of the Mediterranean to help prevent migration and trafficking.

But most of the more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) promised to Tunisia as part of an EU agreement brokered in July is contingent on the country reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a stalled bailout package that could require painful spending cuts.

The broader EU package includes 105 million euros ($112 million) earmarked for migration. Romdhane Ben Amor, a spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, which closely follows the migration assistance, said much of it has yet to be disbursed.

Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press writer Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.

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Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Are you going to Turkey, Egypt or Israel on holiday? The Foreign Office has warned travellers to several countries to monitor advice after an Iranian attack on Israel pushed tension in the Middle East up another notch.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:13, UK

Tension in the Middle East has ratcheted up again after Iran's attack on Israel, as the world waits to see how Benjamin Netanyahu's government will respond. 

With the threat of widening conflict, people due to travel through or over the Middle East may be asking if their plans may be impacted.

On Saturday, flight data showed dozens of journeys that would have travelled over the Middle East turned back after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel .

Here is what airlines are saying and the latest safety advice to travellers.

EasyJet scraps Tel Aviv flights

EasyJet has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv over safety concerns.

The budget airline told Sky News it has grounded its flights until 27 October at the earliest "as a result of the continued evolving situation" in the region.

Wizz Air customers could see schedule changes

Wizz Air cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April before resuming its schedule.

But it said customers could experience schedule changes as it closely monitors the situation.

British Airways operating as normal

British Airways - which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv - said its flights were continuing to operate as planned, but it too was monitoring the situation.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for people from the UK with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that last year 3.16 million Britons made the journey there, according to Travel Weekly.

Yet, it borders a number of countries that the Foreign Office advises against travel to.

The vast majority of the country is considered generally safe for tourists, with some exceptions.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria , and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Some parts of Israel are considered "red zones" by the Foreign Office, with the government advising against all travel there.

For the rest of the country - including East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the advice is to travel only if it is essential.

Tourist Israel says around 220,000 Britons usually go to the country every year and the Foreign Office is advising against travel close to the border with Gaza, within 5km of the border with Lebanon and within 500m of the border with Syria.

You can see the full updated list of "red zones" on the Foreign Office advice pages.

Occupied Palestinian territories

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Don't travel to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon or Syria - Foreign Office

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

It advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where it advises against all but "essential travel".

Can I safely go on holiday in Egypt?

The main tourist areas in Egypt are generally considered safe, including the capital Cairo, cities along the Nile and Red Sea resorts.

Over 1.5 million British Nationals visit Egypt every year, according to analysts Gitnux, and the areas the Foreign Office warns not to travel to include the Governorate of North Sinai, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located, and within 20km of the border with Libya.

Read more: Are we heading for World War Three? Experts give their verdicts What are Iran's military capabilities - and where could it strike?

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Check advice on other Middle East states before you travel

Following Iran's attack on Israel, the Foreign Office issued a warning relating to several countries in the surrounding area, telling travellers to check for the latest information.

Included in this are popular destinations like Dubai (visited by more than a million Britons last year according to Travel Weekly) and Marrakech.

"On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast," the FCDO said in a statement.

The countries covered by the warning include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan and Oman.

Anywhere else of concern?

Cyprus is near the region and has a large UK airbase but, as yet, there is no change in travel advice to the popular country.

Related Topics

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• Middle East

NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

UK travellers warned over ‘unrest’ in popular holiday spot

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The UK Foreign Office has warned those travelling to Tunisia , in the wake of Iranian military activity against Israel .

UK tourists have been issued with a serious warning against travelling to the North African holiday spot, due to ‘unrest’ facing parts of the country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) this week updated its travel advice for Tunisia , urging anyone with a trip booked to ‘Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast.’

According to Jamel Bouzid, the tourist office’s deputy director general, up to 425,000 UK arrivals are expected in the country over the coming year, but an increasingly turbulent political climate could disrupt plans.

In a previous statement, the authority explained: ‘Since July 1, the city of Sfax has witnessed several days of civil unrest, including reports of injuries, arrests, and one death, related to heightened tensions between residents and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

‘Further disturbances could occur with little or no warning and impact other Black people perceived to be of sub-Saharan African origin. Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out further attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests.’

It continued: ‘Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places,’ and warned: ‘You should be vigilant at all times.’

Brits were advised to exercise caution when visiting Tunisia, particularly around religious sites and festivals, crowded areas, government installations, transportation networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather.

Protests have typically taken place on weekends or around prominent national anniversary dates, but could erupt at other times too.

If you are caught up in a disturbance, the advice states: ‘Avoid all protests, and move away from gathered crowds. Keep up to date with developments through the media and follow the instructions given by the Tunisian authorities as well as your hotel and tour operator, if you have one.’

Where is safe to travel in Tunisia right now?

The FCDO advises against all travel to

• the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
• the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
• within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
• the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

In addition and for security reasons, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis
• the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla
• within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate
• within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou
• areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park
• within 10km of Mount Mghila
• Mount Orbata

The FCDO recommends travellers follow and contact them on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for email notifications when advice is updated.

‘Read FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas,’ it said. ‘Before you travel, check the “Entry requirements” section for Tunisia’s current entry restrictions and requirements.’

The organisation highlighted that these rules ‘may change with little warning,’ so tourists should monitor FCDO channels and stay in contact with travel providers.

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‘It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover,’ it added. 

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Italy’s leader keeps the focus on migration on her fourth visit to Tunisia in a year

The Associated Press

April 17, 2024, 2:17 PM

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TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The head of Italy’s right-wing government acknowledged Wednesday that Tunisia cannot serve as a dumping ground for migrants, days after Tunisia’s president reaffirmed his unwillingness to let Europe outsource migration problems by sending those not welcome there to his country.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said during a visit to Tunisia — her fourth in the past year — that the North African nation “cannot become the arrival point for migrants coming from the rest of Europe.”

However, she sidestepped tensions over how to manage migration via the Mediterranean Sea and instead praised Tunisia and Italy’s shared priorities in fighting human traffickers and repatriating African migrants back to their home countries.

Meloni and Tunisian President Kais Saied signed new accords as part of Italy’s “Mattei Plan” for Africa, a continent-wide strategy aimed at growing economic opportunities and preventing migration to Europe.

They included education initiatives and 50 million euros ($53 million) in a budgetary aid package earmarked for renewable energy projects. Meloni also promised to expand efforts to repatriate migrants to their home countries and expand legal migration pathways for Tunisians to work in Italy.

“It is essential that we work together to continue to fight the slavers of the third millennium, the mafia organizations that exploit the legitimate aspirations of those who would like a better life,” Meloni said, referring to smugglers who facilitate migrants’ perilous sea journeys.

European leaders often frame migration as a human trafficking issue, though migrants are known to make the trip in various ways and for a variety of reasons.

Nearly 16,000 migrants have made the treacherous journey from North Africa to Italy so far in 2024, travelling hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the shores of Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, mainly to islands off the Italian mainland. Arrivals tend to increase through spring and summer.

As weather warmed early this year, more migrants arrived with each passing month — a trend that’s on track to maintain its pace through April.

Less than half as many migrants had arrived in Italy as of April 15, compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures from the U.N. refugee agency. That’s in part because of Tunisia’s border patrol force, which this year intercepted about 21,000 migrants before they crossed into European waters.

Despite the interceptions, Saied has long insisted he is unwilling to let his country become Europe’s “border guard” or accept migrants that Europe wants to deport.

Earlier this week, he said he had no intention of opening detention centers for migrants in an agreement similar to Italy’s deal with Albania on asylum seekers. “We will not accept the presence of people outside the law, and Tunisia will not be a victim,” Saied said.

North African countries, from Morocco to Egypt, enjoy some leverage in their relations with Europe due to their role in helping control the flow of migrants. Italy and its European Union counterparts have pledged substantial financial support to countries on the other side of the Mediterranean to help prevent migration and trafficking.

But most of the more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) promised to Tunisia as part of an EU agreement brokered in July is contingent on the country reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a stalled bailout package that could require painful spending cuts.

The broader EU package includes 105 million euros ($112 million) earmarked for migration. Romdhane Ben Amor, a spokesperson for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, which closely follows the migration assistance, said much of it has yet to be disbursed.

Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press writer Giada Zampano in Rome contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Holidaymakers given new warning for Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia - 'do not travel' to some parts of the countries

Israel attacks Iran: Middle East on edge after explosions heard

By Sarra Gray

Published: 22/04/2024

A fresh warning has been shared for Britons considering travel to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia

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Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are popular holiday destinations but Britons have been warned if they are planning to visit and there have been warned to avoid some areas altogether.

Holidaymakers were given advice following an attack on Israel earlier this month and the travel guidance has now been updated.

Guidance has been shared about the military action and holidaymakers are urged to be careful if visiting nearby countries.

The FCDO advised: "On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. On 19 April, there have been reports of explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.

Advice has been shared for Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia

"Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO Travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated."

It shared areas in Egypt and Tunisia where Britons were urged not to visit.

"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to:

• the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
• the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
• within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehibathe town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

"In addition and for security reasons, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis
• the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla
• within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate
• within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou
• areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park
• within 10km of Mount Mghila
• Mount Orbata"

"Egypt-Libya border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum (where we advise against all but essential travel).

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Britons are warned if travelling to Egypt

North Sinai

"FCDO advises against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai.

Northern part of South Sinai

"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the northern part of the Governorate of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.

The eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate

"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.

Western Desert

"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:

• Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
• the Governorate of Faiyum
• the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruhthe Marsa Matruh-Siwa Road
• the oasis town of Siwa
• the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasisthe road between Giza and Farafra (but we advise against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)
• Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black DesertHala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid

"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid."

It added travel insurance could be invalidated for those who travel against FCDO advice.

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