The capital of Tunisia, Tunis is both a historic city and a modern metropolis. It has a well-preserved medina where you will find vaulted passageways, beautifully covered souks, and historical buildings transformed into museums. The modern side of Tunis is around Bourguiba Avenue, the main avenue in Ville Nouvelle lined with colonial-style buildings, chic boutiques, and tourist attractions such as the Municipal Theatre and the St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral.
Just a short drive from the center of Tunis, you will find picturesque hillside towns, seaside resorts, well-preserved Roman ruins, and fabulous amusement parks for the little ones to enjoy.
To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together this 3-day Tunis travel itinerary that takes you to some of the best places to visit and includes tips on where to stay and where to eat.
In the morning, explore the Medina of Tunis. The busy UNESCO World Heritage site from the 7th century consists of a maze of picturesque alleys, various souks, and historical buildings with intricate Islamic designs. Your first stop in the medina is the Royal Mausoleum of Tourbet el Bey, a resting place of many rulers of the Husainid dynasty. With beautiful green done, ornate tiles, and impressive stone carvings, the building looks spectacular. Book a guided tour of this grand mausoleum and museum to discover a series of vaulted rooms and learn more about the royal families who ruled the country for over two centuries.
Constructed in the 8th century, this is the largest and oldest mosque in Tunisia. Zitouna Mosque is characterised by an unusual rectangular minaret which is visible from almost everywhere in the medina. Visitors can enter the viewing platform and explore the courtyard, while non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to step inside the prayer hall.
The medina in Tunis is home to many pretty buildings and Dar Othman is one of the most beautiful palaces in the city. This Tunisian moment dates back to the 16th century and was built for the Governor of Tunis, Othman Dey. With gilded ceiling woodwork and marble panels, the palace looks magnificent from the outside. Sadly, Dar Othman is occupied by an administration and tourists are not allowed inside to see its lush garden and picturesque courtyard. However, you can ask the caretaker of Dar Otham to have a quick peek.
End your morning walk in Tunis with a visit to this bustling marketplace in the Medina. It is the best place in the city to shop for groceries and mingle with the locals. Erected back in the late 19th century, the Central Market of Tunis has three large areas: a central hall where local vendors sell cheese and meat, a giant fish hall packed with fresh seafood, and a small vegetable and fruit section.
Begin your afternoon walk in the medina where you will find an old Roman Catholic Church transformed into an art gallery. The Sainte-Croix Church of Tunis is actually the oldest church in the medina. Nowadays, it houses rotating art exhibitions and offers informative tours. Don’t miss the rooftop area with a nice old bell tower. The city views from the terrace are absolutely fantastic.
You are standing in front of the entrance to the souks of Tunis. Welcome to Victory Square, a place from which the city was protected for centuries. This busy square is home to a small fountain in the middle and the iconic “Sea Gate”.
Located in Victory Square, Porte De France (Bab al-Bhar) is one of the oldest city gates in Tunis. It is a historical monument that separates the old Medina and the new "European" city. You will notice a lowered archway topped by a balcony.
History buffs visiting Tunis can stop by this large Catholic Cathedral. Dating back to the 19th century, the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul and St Olivia of Palermo is the city’s biggest historical building from the colonial area. Visitors can admire its Neo-Byzantine architectural styles and check out a small museum inside the cathedral.
You are now leaving the medina and entering the modern colonial French district of Ville Nouvelle. The main avenue in Ville Nouvelle, Habib Bourguiba is known for its picturesque tree-lined streets filled with restaurant terraces where you can enjoy tasty foods and refreshing drinks. Visitors cannot miss the musical fountain and imposing 38m-high Bourguiba Clocktower located in the middle of the roundabout.
Home to key government buildings, public institutions, and administrative offices, Kasbah Square is a busy public square located in the middle of the city’s Kasbah district. Here, you will see many red Tunisian flags, the Town Hall, the national monument of the Kasbah, and the Tunis Municipal Palace.
Located just a short walk from Kasbah Square, Souk Ech-Chaouachine is a unique souk that specialises in the production and selling of skull hats, also known as chachia. The traditional Tunisian red-colored caps were originally used as a base for turbans. Today, mostly older people and tourists where these red woolen hats. You will also have an opportunity to see craftsmen in action and how they shape the hats with hammers.
Pay a visit to one of the most sumptuous residencies in the city. Dar Lasram. Built in the 18th century, this former aristocratic palace was once home to the wealthy Lasram family. Snap a photo of the central patio with marble paving and admire the beauty of the painted ceilings. The star of the show is the unique collection of Tunisian tiles that decorate the walls of the palace.
In the afternoon, head to this sprawling UNESCO-listed complex of ruins located east of the center of Tunis. This complex was built by the Phoenicians and rebuilt by the Romans. There are several sites to visit within the Carthage and you can buy a multi-entry ticket to explore all of them. From the Colosseum and the amphitheater to the baths, the Cathedral, and the well-preserved Roman villas, there is so much to see at the archaeological site of Carthage.
Situated within the Carthage complex of ruins, this Roman Theater used to be one of the biggest theaters in the Roman Empire. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the site could accommodate more than 35, 000 people. What’s great about this well-preserved Roman Theater is that it is still in use. It hosts big concerts throughout the year. In 2023, artists and bands such as Myrath and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals performed here.
Your next stop inside the Carthage complex is the Baths of Antoninus, remnants of baths located just a short walk from the Roman Villas. You can walk around these remnants that are mostly situated on the lower levels. The sea views from this site are spectacular.
The last stop for the day is the Punic Ports of Carthage. Expect to spend about 20 minutes exploring these two ports which were built by the Carthaginians and re-shaped by the Romans. There are a handful of remains and ruins on the site, as well as a small museum that has carefully put together models of what the port might have looked like. You can also go to the Punic Port to enjoy breathtaking views of the Gulf of Tunis.
Grab your morning coffee fix at this unique coffee house in Tunis. It is a popular stop for tourists visiting the nearby National Museum of Bardo. In addition to tasty coffee, the Green Light Coffee House offers juices, milkshake smoothies, and plenty of breakfast options. The Cordon Bleu sandwich is delicious, as well as the omelet fromage. They also do burgers, pasta, and tacos.
There's no better place to learn about the various stages of Tunisian history than at the National Museum of Bardo. Situated inside a former Beylic palace, the museum is home to the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. In addition to these mosaics, the National Museum of Bardo also has an abundant collection of Punic jewels and marble statues from the Roman era. You can explore the museum on your own or book a guided tour.
Located close to the Bardo museum on the outskirts of the city, this small historical palace used to be the residence of the Husainid dynasty Beys. Ksar Said Palace was restored five years ago and nowadays serves as a museum. You will have a chance to see everything from sculptures and paintings to clothing and swords.
Kick off your afternoon walk with a visit to the Belvedere Park & Zoo Tunis. The largest urban park in Tunis, Belvedere boasts a small lake where you can rent rowboats, a kid’s play area, and shaded paths for walking and jogging. Don’t forget to visit the zoo which houses animals such as monkeys, tigers, camels, and birds.
Welcome to the largest cultural building in all of Tunisia, the iconic City of Culture. It has several cultural spaces including two cinemas, rehearsal studios, three theaters, an auditorium, a national museum of puppetry art, and a house of poetry. The City Of Culture hosts all kinds of cultural and artistic events/exhibitions and is a perfect place to visit for travellers interested in arts and culture.
Your last stop in the afternoon is a picturesque recreational and botanical garden with shaded benches, colorful plants and flowers, and paved walkways. Some people do yoga and meditate, while others are riding bicycles or running. Tunis Nippon Garden is a great place to escape the busy streets of Tunis and reconnect with nature. Don’t miss the Japanese botanical garden where you will find different flowers and plants.
Being a Mediterranean city, the capital of Tunisia is a year-round destination. Winters here are mild, but it can get a bit cold in the evenings. The summer season which runs from June to September is the busiest time of year in Tunis. If you wish to spend your days on the beach, booking your holiday in Tunis in summer is a good idea. However, it can get really hot during this time of year, which makes sightseeing difficult. We believe that the best time to visit Tunis is in May and in September. These shoulder seasons bring pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds of fellow tourists.
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