Things to do in Tunisia: 15 places to visit, from Tunis to Djerba

Wondering what to do in Tunisia? The country is easy to explore in one or two weeks: sandy beaches in Hammamet and Djerba, the old medinas of Tunis and Sousse, Roman cities such as Dougga and El Jem, and desert oases in the south, all within a few hours of each other. Here are 15 things to do in Tunisia, grouped by region, with the best area to stay for each.

Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said

1. Explore the Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979: covered souks, the Zitouna Mosque, old palaces and courtyard houses. Allow half a day on foot, ideally in the morning.
2. Walk through ancient Carthage, also listed by UNESCO in 1979: the Antonine Baths by the sea, the Punic ports and Byrsa Hill. The site is spread out, so a taxi or the TGM suburban train helps you move between the ruins.
3. Climb up to Sidi Bou Said, the white-and-blue village above the Gulf of Tunis, a few minutes from Carthage, for the views, the lanes and a mint or pine-nut tea.

Where to stay: see our hotels in Tunis (Lac, city centre or Gammarth).

Cap Bon: Hammamet and Nabeul

1. Relax in Hammamet: long sandy beaches, a walled medina right on the water and the modern resort of Yasmine Hammamet with its marina. It is the easiest region for a family beach holiday, with many all-inclusive hotels. See our hotels in Hammamet.
2. Shop for pottery in Nabeul, next door: ceramics, markets and, in spring, orange-blossom distilling. See our hotels in Nabeul.

The Sahel coast: Sousse, Port El Kantaoui, Monastir, Mahdia

1. Visit the Medina of Sousse, a World Heritage Site since 1988, with its ribat (fortified monastery) and Great Mosque. See our hotels in Sousse.
2. Spend an evening in Port El Kantaoui, the marina north of Sousse: harbour walk, boat trips, golf and beaches. Our Port El Kantaoui guide covers the resort.
3. See Monastir: the seafront ribat and the Bourguiba Mausoleum, minutes from the airport. See our hotels in Monastir.
4. Slow down in Mahdia: a quiet peninsula, a peaceful medina and some of the finest beaches in the country. See our hotels in Mahdia.

Great sites inland

1. Stand inside the Amphitheatre of El Jem, listed by UNESCO in 1979 and one of the largest Roman amphitheatres still standing. It is an easy day trip from Sousse, Monastir or Mahdia.
2. Discover Kairouan, a holy city listed in 1988: the Great Mosque of Uqba ibn Nafi, the medina and the Aghlabid basins. Dress modestly to visit religious sites.
3. Wander around Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa (UNESCO, 1997), set among hills and olive groves, about two hours' drive from Tunis.

Djerba and the south

1. Tour the island of Djerba, a World Heritage Site since 2023: the souks of Houmt Souk, the potters of Guellala, the street murals of Erriadh village (Djerbahood), the Ghriba synagogue, and the Djerba Explore park with its crocodile farm, popular with children. See our hotels in Djerba.
2. Watch the sunrise over Chott el Djerid near Tozeur: a palm grove, an old town built in patterned brick and a vast salt lake. Douz and Matmata (troglodyte houses) can be combined with Tozeur in two or three days. See our hotels in Tozeur.
3. Head north-west to Tabarka and Ain Draham: a coral coast, cork-oak forests and cooler air in summer. See our hotels in Tabarka.

When to go and how long to stay

Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for sightseeing; summer is for the beach, winter for the south and thalassotherapy. Our article on the best time to visit Tunisia gives the month-by-month detail. With one week, combine a beach resort (Hammamet, Sousse or Djerba) with one or two day trips; with ten days, add Tunis and the south.

Practical tips

• Safety: most visitors stay on the coast without problems, but some border areas are advised against by several governments. Check your own government's travel advice before you go (for UK travellers, the FCDO page on Tunisia), and read our article is Tunisia safe?.
• Entry requirements: in principle, many European and North American visitors do not need a visa for a short tourist stay; check the current rules with the official authorities before booking.
• Getting there: Tunis-Carthage, Enfidha-Hammamet, Monastir and Djerba-Zarzis are the main airports; see which airport to choose in Tunisia.
• Food: our pick of Tunisian dishes to try.

Book your hotel in Tunisia with Nreservi

On Nreservi you compare hotels in all these regions and book online. Travelling from abroad, you pay securely online by bank card and receive your voucher by email after payment; travellers living in Algeria can also pay in Algerian dinars. For a complete stay, see our Tunisia package holidays and our beach hotels in Tunisia.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre, Algeria — +213 540 28 40 40.