Tunis Travel Guide

Tunisia's capital and largest city stretches along the coastal plains and surrounding hills of the Gulf of Tunis. Steeped in a rich and fascinating history, it is home to the famous ruins of Carthage, the ancient enemy of the Romans. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and have witnessed the passage of the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish, and French over the last 3,000 years. History buffs should not miss the opportunity to visit them.

Other attractions in Tunis include the National Museum of Bardo, which tells the stories of Tunisia's history from the Phoenicians right through to modern-day times, and the old Medina. The Medina co-exists with the modern architecture of the new city (Ville Nouvelle) and is linked by labyrinths of alleys and covered passages, infused throughout by the magical aromas, vibrant colours, and sounds of bustling souks.

The modern city of Tunis is located just through the Sea Gate ( which has remained unchanged since it was erected in 1848. It is where the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, seen as the Champs-Elysees of Tunisia, crosses through the middle. Colonial architecture can be found here illustrating the history of this culturally diverse and historic city.

The spicy foods and flavours of local dishes may blow the socks off of some tourists though, to others, the fragrant heat of the fiery red chilli paste known as is an essential accompaniment to one's Tunis experience. Tunisian coffee, much like the Turkish variety, is world-renowned for its rich flavours and energising properties.

Things to do in Tunis

Largely ignored by the package tourists who flock to the seaside resorts of Tunisia, the capital city of Tunis is a vibrant and fascinating metropolis that provides many attractions for holiday makers in Northern Africa. Tunisia is a unique blend of Eastern and Western culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in Tunis. The city is home to beautiful religious structures of several faiths, including the famous Zitouna Mosque and the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, as well as several historic city gates, such as the Bab el Bahr and Bab Saadoun, dating back to the 14th century.

Tunis also has several interesting museums, including the Bardo Museum, which has extensive collections of artefacts ranging from the prehistoric era to the Ottoman Period. The Early Christian Museum also has fascinating exhibits. Visitors will find that the souks and markets are wonderful places to pick up lovely souvenirs or simply do a bit of wandering, though the crowds and noise can be overwhelming. Tourists can take refuge in Belvedere Park, a large, leafy area set on Lake Tunis with museums, cafes, and a zoo.

Zitouna Mosque photo

Zitouna Mosque

The largest mosque in Tunisia, the Zitouna Mosque dates back to the 8th century; the 160 columns of the mosque were brought from the ruins of Carthage. Set in the heart of Tunis, the mosque was improved upon almost continually until the 19th century, when the minaret was added. Zitouna (or Al-Zaytuna) was the centre of learning and intellectual pursuits in Tunisia, and is considered the first Islamic university. Visitors to the Zitouna Mosque must dress modestly, and non-Muslim guests may only enter the courtyard. The mosque is surrounded by bustling souks on three sides.

Belvedere Park photo

Belvedere Park

Tunis' largest parks, Belvedere Park covers 270 acres (110 ha) just north of the city. Known as the 'Lungs of Tunis' due to the scarcity of green spaces in the city, Belvedere Park has a number of family-friendly attractions to enjoy on fine days in Tunis. Children will love the Tunis Zoo, a pleasant facility with monkeys, bears, deer, peacocks, and elephants; while adults will marvel at the intricately decorated high domed ceilings of the Turkish Pavilion. Belvedere Park has an art gallery featuring local contemporary works near the entrance gate, and when the weather is hot visitors can cool off in the shade of trees overlooking Lake Tunis on Place Pasteur.

Carthage photo

Carthage

Carthage was the base of a powerful trading empire during the Phoenician and Punic periods, ruled by the infamous conqueror Hannibal. Destroyed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, the site was redeveloped a century later and became a Roman capital. Located in an affluent suburb roughly nine miles (15km) north of Tunis, the remaining ruins of ancient Carthage were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Visitors can buy a ticket for just a few dinars that allows access to up to 10 different archaeological sites, including the Antonin Baths, Amphitheatre, Water Cisterns, Basilica of Saint-Cyprien, Punic Tophet, and the Carthage Museum. Also on-site in the museum complex is the Acropolium (St Louis Cathedral), a stunning cathedral built in the late 19th century.

Kerkouane photo

Kerkouane

Approximately 50 miles (80km) east of Tunis lies Kerkouane, a former city of the Phoenician and Punic periods. The city was abandoned around the 3rd century BC, which meant it was largely ignored by the conquering Romans and is today the only remaining untouched Punic settlement. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s. The remains of Kerkouane and its famous necropolis are not large, and can be explored in about an hour. Visitors can look for the distinctive minimalist mosaics of the Punic god Tanit, and learn about the city's surprisingly modern town planning. A small museum housing interesting relics and artefacts gives further insight into the history of Kerkouane.

Getting Around

Tunis is served by an extensive public transportation network made up of buses, a light rail system known as Tunis Metro, and a regional train service connecting the city centre to some of Tunis's northern suburbs. Buses in Tunis are operated by Societe Nationale de Transport Interurbain (SNTRI) and the city is well-covered with more than 200 routes. The Metro system is made up of several lines and covers a substantial part of Tunis and its neighbouring suburbs. Bus, train, and metro fares are relatively inexpensive, but do increase at night. Travellers who want to explore the city at a leisurely pace will find that much of Tunis is accessible on foot.

Taxis are easy to find in Tunis and are a comfortable and convenient way to get about. Travellers should always ensure that the driver turns the meter on, so that they do not get overcharged. Uber, Lyft, Ola and Didi operate in the city. While it is possible to rent a car in Tunis, drivers should be highly alert and drive defensively, as Tunisian drivers are notoriously erratic. For the most part, cars are not necessary for getting around the city. The road conditions are generally good but pot holes become a problem the further travellers get from the city centre.

Tunis Climate and Weather

Tunis experiences a warm Mediterranean climate with two distinct seasons: a hot and dry period running from May to September and a cold and wet season from October to April. Winter is the coldest time of the year, with heavy rainfall and temperatures dropping to 43F (6C). Summer months experience an average of 10 hours of sunshine a day. The hottest months are from June through August, when average daytime temperatures can climb as high as 104F (40C), though thankfully the breeze off the Mediterranean Sea tends to alleviate the heat.

Tunisia travel info

Electricity

Electrical current in Tunisia is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round European-style, two-pin plugs are used.

Language

The overwhelming majority of people in Tunisia speak Arabic and French. English is taught in all schools and is increasingly spoken by younger people. Some German and Italian is also spoken.

Money

The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), divided into 1,000 millimes. Banks and some hotels provide foreign exchange. ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts; almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro (Switch) cards. Visa, Maestro and MasterCard are accepted for payment in many souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters the least problems. All Tunisian currency must be exchanged before departure.

Tipping

Tipping is not a requirement in Tunisia but appreciated for good service in local establishments. Most people performing a useful service will wait to be tipped. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10 percent.

Health

No vaccinations are recommended for Tunisia and no serious health risks exist, though visitors travelling outside the resorts should ensure they drink only boiled, purified water. All medical expenses must be paid for immediately after treatment in Tunisia, and costs can be quite high. The availability of medication is limited, so visitors should bring adequate supplies of their own medication. Travel insurance is a necessity.

Safety

Travellers are advised to avoid the border areas with Algeria, and to be extra cautious if travelling alone in the southern and eastern border areas. In general, the northeastern coast region from Tunis all the way down to Gabes, remains safe and tourist friendly, although in recent years, there have been isolated incidences in the safer resort areas, such as Sousse, where violent terrorist attacks have been especially aimed at large groups of foreign tourists.

As a result, many resorts have dramatically increased security to protect their visitors, and foreign travellers are advised to pay close attention to travel warnings and recommendations from official government sources before travel to Tunisia. Travellers should also cooperate with security officials and carry a copy of their passport at all times while in the country.

Although violent crimes are unlikely in larger tourist cities and resorts, petty theft and pick pocketing do occur. An increase in bag snatching has been noted in tourist areas and visitors are advised to keep bags close at all times.

Local customs

Tunisia is a Muslim country and visitors should respect the local sensibilities, especially during the month of Ramadan. Visitors, and women in particular, should dress modestly outside of the beach resorts. Women should note that coffee houses are mainly populated by men and women are often ushered into the 'family section' in restaurants. Homosexuality is illegal and although it is common to see Arab men greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and even hold hands in public, this is unacceptable for tourists. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is widely available.

Doing business

Tunisians like to get to know the person with whom they will be doing business and negotiations tend to be prolonged and very sociable occasions. As with other Arab countries, one is expected to dress conservatively and formally in Tunisia. French is the common language of business and interpreters will be necessary otherwise. A firm handshake is the accepted form of greeting and the Arabic 'salaam aleikum' works better than a simple 'hello.' Business hours are generally 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Duty free

Travellers to Tunisia do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500g tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol; 250ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of $25.

Communications

The international dialling code for Tunisia is +216. There is widespread internet coverage, with WiFi in most tourist resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Visitors can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones.

Passport & Visa

All visitors must hold documents and tickets for return or onward travel, though some nationals can obtain visas on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination, as immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Dual nationals should enter and leave Tunisia on their Tunisian passports.

Entry requirements

US nationals must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, and can stay visa-free for up to four months.

British passports should be valid for the duration of the stay. British passport holders don't need a visa for visits of up to three months.

Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. Canadians do not require a visa to visit Tunisia for four months.

Australian nationals need a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, but can stay visa-free for up to 90 days.

South African nationals must have a passport that is valid for the duration of their intended stay, but can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

Irish nationals require a visa. A passport that is valid for the duration of the stay is required. A visa is not requirement for maximum stays of three months.

New Zealand nationals require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Useful contacts

190 (Medical Emergency); 197 (Police); 198 (Fire).

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Embassy of Tunisia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 862 1850.

Embassy of Tunisia, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7584 8117.

Embassy of Tunisia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 0330.

Embassy of Tunisia, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6290 2061.

Embassy of Tunisia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 342 6282.

Embassies / consulates in Tunisia

United States Embassy, Tunis: +216 71 107 000.

British Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 108 700.

Canadian Embassy, Tunis (also responsible for Australia): +216 70 010 200.

South African Embassy, Tunis: +216 71 800 311.

Honorary Consul of Ireland, Tunis: +216 71 426 730.