Nestled along the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is one of the best gems of North Africa. Overflowing with fantastic things to see, the country is able to combine a fascinating history with a laid back atmosphere (which is not often found in northern Africa). While Tunisia has long been a top choice for European beach seekers, the country is a must-see for history buffs and culture vultures. Although currently overshadowed by Morocco on the tourist trail and an unfortunate victim of terrorism, Tunisia is a country that I am longing to go back to and discover more of.
While there are many, many more places to explore in Tunisia, this is what I was able to fit in on a short trip from Europe after finding inexpensive flights.
Where to go in Tunisia?
Tunis
Unlike most North African cities, Tunis is relatively laid-back, relaxed, liberal and hassle free. Old Medina, the historic center of Tunis is a labyrinth of winding, cobblestoned alleyways lined with shops with brightly colored doorways. I went in the early morning and meandered my way up and down the narrow streets as the city was waking up around me. I felt like I was lost in time.
The area surrounding the Medina, known as Ville Nouvelle, is a pleasing mixture of European architecture, complete with pleasant squares where you can watch families and friends spend their evenings.
The Bardo Museum in the new city is definitely not to be missed. Located in a gorgeous palace, the museum is one of the world’s best spots to see Roman mosaics. The painstaking detail of the mosaics and the amount of time that must have been needed to preserve them are both mind-boggling. While the museum was one of the locations targeted by terrorists in 2015, when I was there in 2017 the museum was full of schoolchildren enjoying their day out and the security guards at the gate were sleeping.
Getting around the city is manageable with a decent public transport city including a train system which connects you to Sidi Bou Said and Carthage and a tram system that runs within the city center.
Sidi Bou Said
Gorgeous white and blue city set high on a hill with the sea sparkling down below…..sounds like Santorini right? Welcome to Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia’s seemingly out of place seaside town that looked like it got lost on its way to a Greek isle. Sidi Bou Said is a gorgeous little place You can spend hours wandering up and down the narrow streets and looking out over the sparkly blue water. It is a nice respite from the bustling city of Tunis and is a wonderful way to spend the day.
Carthage
Carthage can only be described as a historian’s dream come true. Originally built by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago, Carthage fell victim to the Punic Wars and eventually became one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire. You can wander around the scattered ruins and see everything from the remains of ancient ports to an old Roman amphitheater. Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring water because it can get pretty hot.
Sousse & Hammamet
Tunisia’s 3rd largest city, Sousse packs a lot of great attractions into a pretty small space. With beautiful beaches located nearby, a picturesque medina and an amazing archaeological museum, Sousse is definitely worth spending a few days in. I was lucky enough to stay both in the medina and in one of the beach resorts near Hammamet. The sea was freezing but the beach was nice. I was able to easily take a train from Tunis to Sousse.
El Jem
Imagine the Colosseum in Rome. Now imagine it even better preserved, El Jem is home to one of the world’s biggest amphitheaters and this gargantuan structure is over 2000 years old. For a small fee, you can time travel to a period when gladiators were slaying lions as crowds cheered on. El Jem sees only the fraction of the crowds that you would normally find in Rome which makes it easier to imagine what it must have been like at the height of the Roman Empire.Read more about this UNESCO world heritage site here.
When Is the best time to visit Tunisia?
Spring and fall are the best times to go to Tunisia. I visited the country in April and experienced perfect Meditaranean weather. Not too hot, not too cold – just perfect for wandering around and getting lost.
Summers would be brutally hot and I would advise avoiding it if possible.
What about safety in Tunisia?
As mentioned earlier, Tunisia has been the unfortunate victim of terrorist attacks. However, in today’s geopolitical climate, it is impossible to be completely “safe” from these types of attacks. In terms of “normal” safety issues, I traveled around by myself and experienced no real issues. However, be aware that men will ask if they can friend you on Facebook. If you agree, be prepared to receive some dick pics. I unfortunately made that mistake and ended up seeing more of Tunisia than I wanted to.
So there you have it! I hope that this has inspired you to visit this warm and welcoming country!
