Tunisia Destination Guide
The North African country of Tunisia is an especially popular holiday destination because of its liberal Islamic culture and contemporary European outlook. Modern Tunisia is a blend of many civilizations whose cultures have shaped the nation’s growth through the ages. Historical settlements from the Byzantine, Islamic, Punic and Roman eras can still be seen in Tunisia.
Most of the large beach resorts have guided tours to the most important historical sites.
Our Tunisia Destination Guide below, together with our suggested Tunisia tours, will tell you all you need to know about the best places to visit on your Tunisia holiday. Our Hammamet Destination Guide will tell you all about local things to see and do, whilst our Tunisia Country Guide has some helpful information to ensure you have all the hints and tips you need for your travels.
Things to See & Do in Tunisia
- Tunis
- Northern Tunisia
- Bizerte
- Jebel Ichkeul National Park
- Tabarka
- Cap Bon
- Hammamet
- Nabeul
- El Haouaria
- Kelibia
- Central Tunisia
- Port El Kantaoui
- Sousse
- Monastir
- Mahdia
- Kairouan
- Kerkennah
- Djerba and the South
- The Chott El Jerid
- Douz
- Matmata
- Carthage
- El Jem
- Dougga
- Bulla Regia
- Thuburbo Majus
- Kerkouane
- Utica
- Sbeitla
- Things to Do
Tunis
The capital of Tunisia, Tunis is home to at least one tenth of Tunisia’s population. The city is laid out like a modern European city with wide tree-lined avenues but it also houses a lively medina or ancient quarter that is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Bab el Bahar, earlier known as the Porte de France, is located on Place de la Victoire and is the arched gateway that marks the main entrance to the medina. Sidi Bou Said, situated near Carthage, is widely known as Tunisia’s loveliest village. The whitewashed houses with their studded doors and light blue window grilles line the cobbled streets and make for a pretty picture. An excursion to the Tunis area is incomplete without a halt at Sidi Bou Said.
Northern Tunisia
The region lying north of Tunis is rarely included in the itineraries of British travellers but this delightful region has dozens of isolated beaches dotting the coast and it also has one of Tunisia’s most interesting towns, Bizerte.
Bizerte
Bizerte was known as Hippo Zarytus in the Phoenician times and has been an important port since then. The charming old port, known as Vieux Port, lies at the centre of the town amidst dozens of cafes and shops. Multi-coloured fishing boats docked in the port complete the pretty picture. Plan to visit Bizerte on a day trip from Tunis.
Jebel Ichkeul National Park
Other than the Everglades National Park at Florida in the USA, the Jebel Ichkeul National Park is the only water-based conservation area in the world that has been listed as a Wetland Heritage Site by UNESCO. A well-known and important bird sanctuary, the park is a 40-minute drive from Bizerte.
Tabarka
Tabarka is a diver’s paradise. It has some of the most thrilling dive sites in the Mediterranean and the Tunnels Reef is a major attraction. It is a fascinating labyrinth of gullies, caverns and caves. Tabarka is located near the border of Algeria in northwest Tunisia and was planned as the country’s flagship resort town on the north coast.
Cap Bon
The Cap Bon peninsula is known as the Garden of Tunisia. Sleepy villages, vineyards and green fields make up this picturesque area. Cap Bon also has the largest and most international resort in all of Tunisia.
Hammamet
A popular destination for package vacationers since the 1960s, Hammamet is located about 64 km (40 miles) to the southeast of Tunis. This town is known as the Garden Resort for its numerous flowering plants, eucalyptus trees and citrus orchards. In fact, the town is so serious about maintaining its garden tag that a local bylaw forbids the height of any hotel from being taller than the tallest palm tree near it.
Nabeul
This little town is the centre of the pottery industry of Tunisia, the history of which goes back to the Roman times in Tunisia. Located about 10 km (6 miles) south of Hammamet, Nabeul has been somewhat overshadowed by Hammamet but the town has used the last decade to establish itself as a tourist destination in its own right. Nabeul now has a number of pretty beachfront hotels.
El Haouaria
The annual falconry festival in June is El Haouaria’s most well known event. A series of Roman caves are located on the outskirts of the village, opposite the Zembra Island. The Les Grottes des Chauves-Souris are the nearby caves that house thousands of bats.
Kelibia
A scenic and bustling fishing port, Kelibia is often used by travellers as a base for exploring the rural corners of Cap Bon. Climb the huge sixth century fort that overlooks the town and enjoy some stunning views.
Central Tunisia
The most sacred city of Tunisia and four of the most visited package resorts are located here. Central Tunisia is also known as the Sahel and is a breadbasket of Tunisia. Thousands of olive trees have been cultivated here.
Port El Kantaoui
This successful resort town is built around a lovely harbour that is surrounded by restaurants and shops. Opened in 1979, the resort has been constantly expanding.
Sousse
Sousse is located 8 km (5 miles) to the south of Port El Kantaoui but is completely different. It is the third-largest city of Tunisia and its history is centuries old.
Monastir
The Bourguiba Mosque with its golden dome is Monastir’s most well known landmark. An old fishing port and a lovely harbour are part of this well-planned and pretty town.
Mahdia
A recently developed tourist town, Mahdia has Tunisia’s best beaches. A tourist zone created about 5 km (3 miles) west of the town centre has brought about rapid expansion of the town.
Kairouan
Kairouan is Tunisia’s most sacred city and the fourth most important centre for Islam following Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Recommended as a day trip from Mahdia, Monastir, Port El Kantaoui and Sousse.
Kerkennah
Chergui and Gharbi are the two inhabited islands of this small archipelago near coastal Sfax, which is the second-largest city of Tunisia. A causeway connects the two islands but Kerkennah is rarely visited by tourists.
Djerba and the South
Resort island Djerba and a few interesting towns near the Sahara are the attraction of southern Tunisia
Djerba
A causeway connects the well-known Djerba Island to mainland Tunisia. Ferry services between Jorf on the mainland and Ajim on Djerba are also operated.
The Chott El Jerid
A prime tourist location of Tunisia, this group of salt lakes dry up completely in summer and form inland seas during winter.
Douz
The Thursday market is the best day to visit Douz. Traders from all around gather to sell merchandise as varied as dates and spices to camels and sheep. Douz is also referred to as “the gateway to the desert”.
Matmata
Located between Tozeur and Jerba, Matmata became famous after being featured in the opening sequence of the first Star War movie. Matmata’s underground troglodyte structures were featured in the movie.
Carthage
Carthage was set up in 814 BC by the Phoenicians and it flourished as a maritime centre. The Arabs destroyed the city in 692 AD but before that, Carthage grew to become the Roman Empire’s third-largest city.
El Jem
The huge amphitheatre here is one of the most extraordinary sights of El Jem, which is a small town lying 80 km (50 miles) south of Sousse.
Dougga
In the second century BC during the reign of the Numidian king Massinissa, the town was known as Thugga and became Dougga under the Romans when its population size was about 10,000. It has the best-preserved Roman ruins and lies 96 km (60 miles) to the southwest of Tunis.
Bulla Regia
Another Roman site, Bulla Regia is located 72 km (45 miles) to the south of Tabarka. The semi-underground homes that provided rich Romans respite from the summer heat is an interesting sight.
Thuburbo Majus
The town has been inhabited since the fifth century BC but most of the surviving ruins are from Roman times. The town had a population of about 8,000 and was an important trade centre.
Kerkouane
The remains of this Punic city lie 8 km (5 miles) north of Kelibia. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city was destroyed in 236 BC and discovered in 1952.
Utica
Located near Tunis and an important port during Roman times, Utica is now 11 km (7 miles) inland. Ruins of a huge public bath complex and the well-preserved House of the Waterfall, which belonged to a former wealthy resident, are Utica’s main attractions.
Sbeitla
The popular sights of the town include the Triumphal Arch of the Tetrarchy at the town entrance, a well-preserved Forum constructed in 139 BC, and the sixth century Basilica of St. Vitalis with its beautiful baptistry basin. Sbeitla is Tunisia’s southern-most Roman site.
Things to Do
Wellbeing
The most well known treatment offered in Tunisia is thalassotherapy. This refreshing seawater therapy involves different processes and products such as seaweed or mud wraps and hot seawater combined with a massage.
Golf
Golf courses of international standards offer you an opportunity to test your teeing skills and enjoy the stunning landscape as well.
Sailing and Water Sports
The numerous hotels and resorts dotting the beautiful Tunisian coastline offer water sports such as diving, sailing, surfing and swimming. The beaches, the coral reefs and the fascinating underwater life offer visitors some amazing experiences.
Beaches
The eastern, northern and southern Tunisian coasts have some wonderful beaches that make fantastic holiday destinations. Water sports is just one of the activities on offer at the beaches.
The most well known treatment offered in Tunisia is thalassotherapy. This refreshing seawater therapy involves different processes and products such as seaweed or mud wraps and hot seawater combined with a massage.
Golf
Golf courses of international standards offer you an opportunity to test your teeing skills and enjoy the stunning landscape as well.
Sailing and Water Sports
The numerous hotels and resorts dotting the beautiful Tunisian coastline offer water sports such as diving, sailing, surfing and swimming. The beaches, the coral reefs and the fascinating underwater life offer visitors some amazing experiences.
Beaches
The eastern, northern and southern Tunisian coasts have some wonderful beaches that make fantastic holiday destinations. Water sports is just one of the activities on offer at the beaches.
