Tunisia

Destinations (17)

Tozeur

Tunisian town

33.91678.1333

Tataouine

Tunisian town

32.933310.45

Carthage

archaeological site in Tunisia

36.85805610.330833

Tunis

capital city of Tunisia

36.810.1833

Djerba

island in Tunisia

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Kairouan

Tunisian town

35.6763888910.10166667

Dougga

archaeological site in Tunisia

36.4233339.220278

Mahdia

Tunisian town

35.511.066667

Sfax

Tunisian town

34.733310.7667

Sufetula

(Sbeitla) — a fairly well preserved Roman settlement in the mid-west area of Tunisia

35.2297229.129444

Matmata

Tunisian town

33.542638899.96680556

Jebil National Park

a large Saharan National Park with impressive dunes and rock formations

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El Jem

Tunisian town

35.310.7167

Sousse

Tunisian town

35.833310.6333

Monastir

city in Tunisia

35.766710.8167

El Kef

Byzantine and Ottoman architecture in this small town in the northwest

36.16678.7

Gabes

Tunisian town

33.883310.1

Sights (35)

Bardo National Museum (Tunis)

Occupying the 13th century palace of the Ottoman-era bey (ruler) and renowned for its extensive collection of Roman mosaics, although the (huge) collection covers Tunisia's entire existence from the prehistoric era until the Ottoman days. Exhibits from Carthage, Mahdia, Sousse, many from the Roman period in addition to presentations of Arabian culture old and new. It can be mercilessly hot and stifling in the museum, so bring water. The only bathrooms are on the ground floor, and have attendants asking for change. The museum is segregated into old and new, so be sure to walk around a fair amount looking for new passages to be sure you haven't missed any major areas.

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La Goulette

Tunisian town

36.8180555610.305

Amphitheatre of El Jem

The amphitheater dominates the modern town, and was also featured in several scenes of the film Gladiator. The amphitheater is best seen at dawn or sunset, and this is also the best time for taking photographs. While the grounds may be closed during sunrise or sunset, photographs of the site from the surrounding streets are certainly possible.

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Great Mosque of Kairouan

One of the finest Islamic buildings in North Africa and rewards closer inspection. Non Muslims are not permitted into the prayer hall, but the doors are open to allow you to view inside. Access to the main courtyard is available to all. The columns throughout the complex were taken from Carthage, the wooden ceiling from Lebanese cedar wood. In the courtyard, there are indents into the floor with varying sizes for camel or dromedary hoofs, or human feet, for washing before prayers. On the tiny platform in the middle of the courtyard, there is also four black pins on a board that tells the prayer times by the sun. Facing the prayer room, on one of the left columns is also a last black pin marking the night prayer by moonlight.

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Théâtre municipal de Tunis

Theater in Tunis, Tunisia

36.7991666710.18083333

Matmata, Tunisia

Tunisian town

33.542638899.96680556

Douz

Tunisian town

33.459.01666667

Kerkouane

archaeological site in Tunisia

36.9463888911.09916667

Carthage National Museum

Most remnants excavated from the ruins have been stored in the cavernous museum located on Byrsa Hill, documenting both the Punic and the Roman eras. Signs within the museum are entirely in Arabic and French. On the second floor, the part nearer to the staircases showcase artifacts from Roman times, and the inner part the artifacts of the earlier Punic period. Fascinating artifacts such as alabaster jars and jewelry remain. The descriptions of the Roman conquest and the legend of Dixon are also vivid, but sadly, inaccesible to English speakers. The museum grounds offer sweeping views of the coast and city, and also include the ruins of some Punic streets, the former site of a public library, numerous sculptures, a chapel or church, some excellent mosaics and some coffins. A few benches under the trees with a great view make for a good resting spot. Unfortunately many items about the grounds are unlabelled, so a guide may be useful (or eavesdrop on a tour group if you can). Ignore the shifty guy trying to charge you 1 DT to use the toilet. As of Nov 2018 visitors are allowed to access museum grounds only, while museum building is closed for reconstruction.

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Great Mosque of Sousse

A surprisingly tranquil place despite its location in the middle of the city. Built c. 850 AD, this mosque is simple and austere in the Aghlabite style, no decoration whatsoever aside from a string of angular Arabic and curved arches. Even the prayer room is covered in reed mats instead of the usual carpet. You must be properly dressed to enter, but green wraps can be rented for a token fee to cover up.

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Chebika, Tozeur

village in Tunisia

34.316666677.93333333

Houmt El Souk

Tunisian town

33.8666666710.85

Carthage amphitheatre

An eviscerated Roman amphitheatre constructed in the first century CE, ringed by forested, rolling hills. Interesting for a quick stroll, but it is unlabelled in any language. May therefore be more interesting with an enthusiastic guide. Worth a look. The adjacent forest may be a nice spot for a picnic.

36.8561111110.31508333

Port El Kantaoui

seaside resort in Tunisia

35.89410.598

Tamerza

Tunisian town

34.387.95

Medina of Tunis

The world heritage listed old town is a must-see colorful, crowded labyrinth of decorated old houses, vaults and street vendors. You can move around by foot only. You get a feel of medieval life.

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Circus of Carthage

A Roman circus used for chariot racing, it was modeled on the Circus Maximus in Rome and other circus buildings throughout the Roman Empire. Measuring more than 470 m in length and 30 m in width, it could house up to 45,000 spectators. Not much left of it nowadays though.

36.850810.3137

Bab Saadoun

listed monument of Tunisia

36.8086805610.15902778

Cathedral of Saint Vincent de Paul

cathedral in Tunisia

36.810.17888889

Carthage Palace

You can walk past the president's well-guarded palace, which includes a private boat moor and helicopter pad, on the main road. You can also see it from the Antonine Baths, and the ruins above (cross under the TGM railway bridge, then turn right up the hill).

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Baths of Antoninus

Ruins of the largest Roman baths outside Rome itself. The site also has a Punic cemetery, some old houses, some Punic kilns, a chapel, some graves, and mosaics. Guides are available in a number of languages, and may be worthwhile as the site is large. It is illegal to take photographs in the direction of the presidential palace. Doing so, especially when traveling alone, may land you in jail for up to 3 years, though the guards don't appear too concerned.

36.854310.3351

Great Mosque of Mahdiya

Located on the southern side of the peninsula on which the old city was located; built in 916 CE, after the founding of the city within the walls built by the Caliphate on an artificial platform reclaimed from the sea.

35.50389611.072054

Great Mosque of Monastir

Built in the 9th century and then enlarged over the centuries. It now includes a prayer room and a minaret, and doesn't have a courtyard inside. Off-limits to non-Muslims.

35.6710.8925

Ksar Ouled Soltane

Built in the 15th century, the ksar (fortified granary) is one of the best of its kind left. It stands on a hilltop, which protected it from invaders. The Ksar Ouled Soltaine gained fame as the slave quarters where Anakin Skywalker lived in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

32.78849210.515037

Chenini

Another gorgeous abandoned hilltop village topped with a ksar, but you will find large tour groups visiting with you. There is an excellent restaurant for lunch (if you have a car, drive to Douiret early and then end up at Chenini for lunch). Camionettes leave from Tataouine early, look for a taxi, or try to sign up for a 4WD tour (ask at your hotel).

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Ribat of Monastir

This fortified monastery is located next to the sea and provides a great visit with most of the ruins open to clamber over. It may be familiar as it has been used in several films as a stand in for Jerusalem, most notably Monty Python's Life of Brian. You can climb the tower and have a nice view over the coastline and city.

35.776110.8329

Acropolium of Carthage

St Louis Cathedral forms one edge of the museum, but does not appear to be open - it was completed in 1890.

36.85378410.323356

Mosque of Three Doors

mosque in Tunisia

35.403710.061

Carthage Paleo-Christian Museum

Built on an excavation site, it lies above the former Carthaginian basilica (Dermech Basilica). Permanently closed.

36.848410.3247

Lamta Archaeological Museum

The ancient city of Leptiminus is located about 10 km south of Monastir. It was founded by Phoenician sailors around the 12th century BC. The modern city of Lamta was built on top of this ancient city, thus leaving almost nothing of it. Although some remnants from the times of Leptiminus can still be found in this museum.

35.6769444410.87722222

El Djem Archaeological Museum

It has a large selection of mosaics and one restored Roman Villa, which has all the mosaics in place and gives a real feel for their style of living. Adjoining this is the rest of this area of Roman Thysdrus, with the streets and floor plans laid out over a large area showing the variations to the house and villa plan.

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Ribat of Sousse

Whilst not as impressive or extensive as the Ribat in Monastir this fortified holy site is a worthwhile visit and served as home to a branch of Islamic warriors very similar in nature and creed as the Hospitaller Knights that lived in Rhodes. Climbing to the top of the watch tower affords you fantastic views over the Medina.

35.827710.6388

Raqqada

Raqqāda is the site of the second capital of the 9th-century dynasty of Aghlabids, located about ten kilometers southwest of Kairouan. The site now houses the National Museum of Islamic Art. Which specializes in medieval Islamic art and includes works from Kairouan, Raqqada and Al-Mansuriya, a former princely city built in the Fatimid period.

35.59624310.0569

Douiret

An abandoned Berber town perched on a hillside, about 20 km from Tataouine. The ksar on the hilltop is visible for miles. Almost no one goes there, but the ruins are in good condition and make for an excellent exploration. A tiny part of the village is still occupied (a mosque and a few houses). Best to have your own transport, though you can try convincing a camionnette to go out of its way to drop you. Hitching a ride is the only way back. Refreshments are available at the site.

32.8666666710.28333333

Ksar Ghilane

on the edge of the sand desert, the saharan oasis known for its hot spring and old roman fort

32.9833339.6375

we will see

Somewhere else

Someday we will visit Tunisia or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Tunisia

Tunisia (Arabic: تونس‎ Tūnis), officially the Republic of Tunisia (Arabic: الجمهورية التونسية‎ al-Jumhūriyyah at-Tūnisiyyah), is a country in North Africa at the Mediterranean Sea. The turmoil of the Arab Spring began in Tunisia in 2010, and the country is today an island of stability in a chaotic region.

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Nearby countries

Libya

Libya (Arabic: ‏ليبيا Lībyā) is a country in North Africa. In the north it has a Mediterranean Sea coast, with Egypt to the east and Tunisia to the west. It also has land borders with Algeria, Chad, Niger and Sudan. More than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert.

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Algeria

Algeria (Arabic: الجزائر) is a country in North Africa. It has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the north. It is surrounded by Morocco to the northwest, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali to the southwest, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the west. After the secession of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011, Algeria became the largest country in Africa. It is also the most developed country in continental Africa according to the United Nations' Human Development Index.

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