Tunisia

Tunisia is a North African country where ancient history, Mediterranean beaches, and desert landscapes meet. Tunis, the capital, offers a mix of historic medina alleys, French colonial boulevards, and the impressive Bardo Museum. Carthage’s ruins and the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said lie nearby along the coast. Inland, Roman sites like El Djem’s amphitheater and Kairouan’s Great Mosque showcase Tunisia’s rich past. The Sahara’s dunes and oasis towns, such as Douz and Tozeur, offer desert adventures. Tunisian cuisine blends spicy harissa, couscous, and Mediterranean flavors. Compact and full of contrasts, Tunisia invites both relaxation and exploration.

Tunisia, located on North Africa’s Mediterranean coast, blends desert landscapes, Roman ruins, and bustling medinas into a compact, accessible package. Most travelers come for the mix of history and relaxation: you can visit ancient Carthage, explore the massive Roman amphitheater in El Djem, wander the souks of Tunis, and then unwind on the beaches of Hammamet or Djerba. Inland, the Sahara Desert beckons with oases, sand dunes, and old ksars (fortified villages). Tunisia feels approachable and rewarding, with enough variety to keep things interesting.

Traveling in Tunisia is affordable, making it a good value for both budget and mid-range travelers. There’s a wide range of guesthouses, mid-range hotels, and beach resorts, particularly along the coast. Food is a highlight: expect spicy harissa, grilled meats, fresh seafood, and dishes like brik (fried pastry) and couscous. Western food is easy to find in cities and tourist areas.

Getting around is simple. Trains, louages (shared taxis), and buses connect most towns, while car rentals offer flexibility. French is widely spoken, and Arabic is the official language; English is becoming more common in tourist hubs. Tunisia is safe overall, though it’s wise to avoid border regions near Libya and keep an eye on current travel advisories.

Families: Tunisia is a solid family destination with beach resorts, ancient ruins, and desert adventures. Hammamet, Djerba, and Sousse offer kid-friendly hotels and safe swimming, while historical sites like Carthage add an educational element.

Couples: Tunisia is great for couples seeking a mix of romance and culture , beachside resorts, hammam spa days, and desert escapes. Tozeur, Sidi Bou Said, and luxury stays near the Sahara offer memorable getaways.

Backpackers: Tunisia is affordable and easy to navigate with public transport and budget accommodation. Popular backpacker routes include Tunis, Kairouan, Douz, and coastal towns. Safety is generally good in tourist areas.

Digital Nomads: Tunis and major coastal cities have reliable internet and cafés for working. While Tunisia lacks a large digital nomad scene, it offers a pleasant, low-cost base for short- to mid-term stays.

Luxury Travelers: Tunisia has upscale beach resorts, boutique hotels, and desert lodges , particularly in Hammamet, Djerba, and Tozeur. Spa culture and historic luxury riads offer comfort and style at reasonable prices.

Foodies: Tunisian cuisine is flavorful and diverse , couscous, brik (fried pastry), harissa, and fresh seafood are staples. Food tours in Tunis and market visits in Sfax are highlights for culinary travelers.

Beach Bunnies: Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast is a major draw, with long sandy beaches and clear waters. Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba offer excellent resort beaches with plenty of sun and swimming.

Nature Buffs: Tunisia offers varied landscapes , Saharan dunes, salt flats like Chott El Jerid, and lush northern hills. Ichkeul National Park is a UNESCO-listed wetland for birdwatching, and desert oases are scenic highlights.

History Buffs: Tunisia is rich in history , Roman amphitheaters (like El Jem), Carthaginian ruins, Islamic architecture, and ancient medinas. The country’s archaeological depth is among the best in North Africa.

Culture Vultures: Tunisia blends Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences. Festivals, traditional music, crafts, and historic towns like Kairouan and Sidi Bou Said offer deep cultural immersion.

Adventure Seekers: Tunisia offers desert safaris, dune trekking, camel rides, and quad biking in the Sahara. Coastal towns also offer water sports like kite surfing and diving.

Solo Travelers: Tunisia is friendly and safe for solo travelers, especially along the tourist routes. Solo women may face some unwanted attention but generally find it easy to travel independently with usual precautions.

Party Animals: Hammamet, Sousse, and Tunis have bars, nightclubs, and beach parties catering to tourists. Outside major resorts, nightlife is quieter, in line with cultural norms.

Wildlife Watchers: Tunisia’s wildlife is modest , migratory birds, desert species, and marine life. Ichkeul National Park and coastal wetlands offer birdwatching, but it’s not a top wildlife destination.

LGBTQ+: Homosexuality is illegal, and LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion. Tourist zones are discreetly tolerant, but public LGBTQ+ expression is not accepted.

Why Go to Tunisia?

• Carthage’s Ancient Ruins: Explore the remains of one of history’s most famous cities, with its Roman villas, baths, and theater.
• El Djem Amphitheater: Visit one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, bigger than the Colosseum in Rome.
• Medina of Tunis: Wander a UNESCO-listed old town full of narrow alleys, souks, and historic mosques.
• Sahara Desert Adventures: Ride camels, camp under the stars, or visit Star Wars filming locations in Matmata and Tozeur.
• Mediterranean Beaches: Relax on sandy beaches at Hammamet, Sousse, and the island of Djerba.
• Cultural Mix: Experience a unique blend of Arab, Berber, Mediterranean, and French influences in food, architecture, and daily life.
• Mild Climate: Enjoy warm winters and hot, dry summers perfect for both beach and desert trips.

Who Might Not Enjoy Tunisia?

Tunisia, located at the crossroads of North Africa and the Mediterranean, offers ancient ruins, desert landscapes, and beautiful beaches, but it may not appeal to every traveler:

• Travelers Sensitive to Political Tension: While generally safe and welcoming, Tunisia has experienced political unrest and occasional security incidents in recent years. Caution and awareness of current events are advised.

• Visitors Expecting Highly Polished Luxury Everywhere: Tunisia has excellent resorts in places like Hammamet and Djerba, but luxury options are more limited in rural areas and smaller towns, where accommodations may feel basic or outdated.

• Strict Vegetarians or Vegans in Smaller Towns: While Tunisian cuisine includes vegetarian-friendly dishes like couscous and vegetable stews, meat and seafood are staples. Vegan options can be limited outside major cities or resorts.

• Tourists Hoping for Crowd-Free Iconic Sites: Famous sites like Carthage and El Jem can be busy, especially during peak season or when cruise ships dock. Avoiding crowds may require off-peak visits or early arrivals.

• Travelers Wanting Extensive Nightlife Everywhere: Tunis and major resort towns offer nightlife options, but smaller towns and rural areas are generally quiet after dark, with few entertainment choices.

• People Sensitive to Heat: Tunisia can get extremely hot in summer, particularly in southern desert areas. High temperatures can make sightseeing and desert tours physically demanding.

• Visitors Expecting Western-Style Service Standards: While Tunisia is well-developed for tourism, service can be inconsistent, and customer care may not always match Western expectations, especially outside major tourist hubs.

• Tourists Wanting Dramatic, Lush Landscapes: Tunisia has beautiful Mediterranean coastlines and striking desert scenery, but those seeking green, mountainous environments may find the landscape drier and less varied.

• Travelers Requiring Seamless Internet and Healthcare Access: Major cities and resorts have good internet and medical services, but rural areas may have slower connectivity and more limited healthcare facilities.

Highlights

Beaches: with 810 miles of coast, white-sand beaches and warm seas, you should be able to find a nice spot without having to get up at 06:00. Hamamet, Tabarka, Djerba and Sousse are all popular.

Tunis: Tunis has a relaxed feel and an interesting old town with a distinct French influence. For a capital city, it’s pretty small and easy to get about.

Carthage: depending on where you stand at ancient archaeological sites, you’ll either be fascinated or hot and bored. Carthage was a thriving city - the third-largest in the Roman Empire - until it was destroyed by the Arabs in AD 692. ‘People’s front of Judea! We’re the Judean people’s front’, this famous scene from the Life of Brian was filmed in Carthage.

Dougga: the best Roman ruins in the country, and even if ruins aren’t usually your thing, you’re sure to be impressed. Well, probably, if you’re not too hot and fed up with trinket sellers.

Kerbouane: the extraordinary remains of Kerbouane are a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can learn about the ancient Punic civilization, or just pay a quick photo-taking visit.

Desert trekking: perhaps surprisingly, milling around the desert is a popular activity here. Plenty of tours are available to see the Star Wars locations, but wearing a Darth Vader suit might be a little uncomfortable in the heat.

Hot springs: maybe not the obvious choice after a hot day, but the hot spring spas in the north of the country have been popular since Roman times.

Water sports: clear water, sea life and lots of beaches; for some people, this means scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing, while for others, it means swimming and sunbathing. Either way, everyone’s happy.

Exploring ruins and history: Tunisia is one of those places where the history and archaeological sites are of genuine interest, especially if combined with relaxation and having fun.

Think Africa (but not far from Europe) and you’ll get a good idea of the health and safety risks of travel in Tunisia. Most health rules here are pretty much common sense; the sun can be very hot so cover up and drink lots, and stick to bottled water. \

Tap water is safe to drink, but it can taste rather like drinking from a swimming pool, such is the chlorine level. If you’re on a package holiday, you can make your own decisions about the hotel food, but some of it you wouldn’t inflict on sewer rats.

Tunisia is one of the safest countries in Africa, but that still doesn’t mean you should explore quiet streets late at night, after a few drinks, alone. Although alcohol is drunk in many tourist areas, be mindful that this is a Muslim country and drunken behavior won’t endear you to many people. At some of the beach resorts, the trinket sellers can sometimes be a little aggressive with their sales techniques; just keep calm and find a nicer seller.