A Guide To Tunisia In North Africa: Places To Visit, Things To Do, And More

Known for its archaeological site of Carthage dating back to the 9^th century BCE, ancient architecture, souqs and seashore, Tunisia is a prime destination for a sun-and-sand holiday on the Mediterranean coast. The Arab, Berber, Jewish and European populations have all left their mark on the culture of the country, not least in the food which primarily consists of vegetables, cereals, legumes, lamb, chicken or beef, a plethora of aromatic spices and herbs, and generous amounts of olive oil. Many of these dishes are spicy, enhanced with dollops of harissa, a mix of chilli peppers, garlic, caraway seeds and salt ground into a thick paste.

Tunisia’s mild and rainy winters, moderate autumns and springs, and hot summers make it an ideal destination at any time of the year but we recommend going in April/May and October/November due to the pleasant weather at that time. Here’s a guide to travelling to this North African gem.

Places To Visit

The Medina of Tunis

This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from the Almohad and the Hafsid periods. It's home to numerous souqs selling everything from shoes to shisha pipes, as well as bustling cafés, artisans’ workshops and residential areas. The architecture has been built to suit the local climate with narrow streets that are cool in summer and warm in winter. Walk down the Rue Sidi Ben Arous, the Rue Dar El Jeld, Rue du Pacha and Rue Tourbet El Bey to take in the ambience of this bustling place. Most shops close on Sundays, and many close on Friday afternoons.

The Amphitheatre of El Jem

Located in the city of El Jem (or El Djem), this is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres ever built. Designed to seat a whopping crowd of 35,000 people, El Jem is both the largest and the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Africa today. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built entirely of stone blocks with no foundations. The south side of the amphitheatre is the most intact, allowing a sense of how the seats swept down from the upper tiers to the marble-walled arena. It’s also possible to explore the two long underground passageways that were used to hold animals and gladiators in their last moments before they were thrust into the arena to provide entertainment for the masses.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

This UNESCO World Heritage is 71km from El Jem and was founded by the Umayyads around 670 AD. Considered the fourth holiest site in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, the mosque is the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa. It was built in a range of architectural styles influenced by pre-Islamic, Roman and Byzantine civilisations. Also known as the Uqba Mosque, it stands at the nexus of 15 different thoroughfares in the centre of the country between the mountains and the sea. Within it is a prayer room with 17 naves supported by carved columns, as well as a finely decorated mihrab. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside the prayer room but can glimpse it from just outside the doors. The exterior of the complex has a decorated flagstone courtyard and a towering, 32m minaret, one of the city’s highest structures.

Sidi Bou Said

With its distinctive blue-and-white colour scheme, cobbled streets and azure waters, the cliff-top village of Sidi Bou Said is one of the prettiest spots in Tunisia. Named after a 13^th-century Sufi saint, its distinctive architecture is a mix of the Ottoman and the Andalusian, a result of the influx of Spanish Muslims in the 16^th century. The ruins of Punic and Roman structures can be seen nearby at the Carthage Archaeological Park. The most impressive of these are the Antonine Baths built under Emperor Hadrian and completed during the reign of Antoninus Pius in the 2^nd century AD.

Sousse Archaeological Museum

Located inside an 11^th-century kasbah, this museum showcases an extraordinary collection of 2^nd- and 3^rd-century Roman mosaics. Most of these embellished the buildings in ancient Byzacium, the site on which Sousse now stands, and depict scenes from daily life. Highlights include a richly coloured mosaic of Neptune standing in his chariot, drawn by two hippocamps, and another depicting Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, riding in a satyr-driven chariot pulled by tigers. Also notable are a mosaic of the head of an ocean god that originally decorated the Baths of Themetra at Chott Meriem near Sousse, two huge hunting mosaics in the rear gallery and a Byzantine-era mosaic-covered baptismal font from El Gaalla.

Things To Do

Lounge on Hammamet Beach

One of the best beaches in Tunisia can be found in Hammamet. As a rule, hotels have their own private sections, but the parts that are accessible to non-guests also have soft and golden sands where you can sunbathe and swim to your heart’s content. If you want to escape the crowds, head out beyond Port Yasmine to the near-deserted, wilder stretches of sand. While you’re here, also check out the Kasbah, a square fortress constructed in the 9^th century. Stroll the ramparts for sweeping views over the tangled lanes of the medina and watch the waves roll in to the beach.

Camp in the Desert

The Grand Erg Oriental is a large erg (field of sand dunes) in the Sahara Desert. The vast dune sea stretches for approximately 600km between Algeria and Tunisia and 200km from north to south. 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 as they will give you the chance to marvel at unspoiled starscapes and witness the magnificent colours of sunrise and sunset. In between the endless peaks and valleys of sand, one can also find verdant oases, rocky mountains and unexpected wildlife.

Birdwatch at Ichkeul National Park

Consisting of mountains, wetlands and the vast expanse of Lake Ichkeul, this park is 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 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. The national park also provides a sanctuary for more than 200 animal species (like wild boars, jackals, mongooses, porcupines, foxes and otters) and 500 plant species. Follow the path uphill to the Ecomusée, which has stunning views across the lake from both sides of the ridge it sits on. From here, you can walk right to look down around the headland to bring you back to the parking (a pleasant 30-minute stroll), or turn left to hike to a small series of caves (at least two hours round trip). There are also several birdwatching towers.

May the Force be with you in Matmata

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. The troglodyte structures are created by digging a large pit in the ground. Around the perimeter of this pit, artificial caves are then dug to be used as rooms, with some homes consisting of multiple pits that are connected by trench-like passageways. Many of these underground houses are visible from the main road, while others require some off-roading.  Some are abandoned while others have been converted into souvenir stores and cafés. Don’t miss a trip to the Hotel Sidi Driss which was used as the location for Luke Skywalker’s childhood home on Tatooine in the original 1977 movie.

Visit the Djerba Crocodile Farm

Head to the laid-back vibes of Djerba Island where you will come face-to-face with over 400 Nile crocodiles at Djerba Explore—a complex which also houses a museum of Islamic art and a heritage village. Various footbridges overhang the ponds, which are lined with palm trees, papyrus and other exotic plants, and allow visitors to discover the environment and way of life of these reptilian animals. Try to attend a feeding session by the park staff.

Where To Stay

In Tunis, consider the Adam Hotel Suites and Mövenpick Hotel du Lac Tunis for luxury stays; the El Patio Courtyard House and Hôtel Tiba for budget stays; and the Nomads Hostel and Auberge El Medina for those who are backpacking.

Getting There

Fly from any major Indian city to Tunis–Carthage International Airport (TUN) via Cairo, Doha, Istanbul or any other connecting airport. Indian citizens require a tourist visa to travel to Tunisia so contact the Embassy of Tunisia on how to apply for one.