Tunis in Tunisia is a holiday destination that is fast growing in popularity and it's easy to see why. Benefitting from a prime location, wonderful weather and plenty of stunning sites and sights, as well as amazing attractions and activities to enjoy, Tunis has a lot to offer.
The great outdoors
Located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, the Tozeur Oasis Golf is a popular oasis. The golf course is bordered by palm trees to minimise the winds and blowing sands that come off of the Sahara. There are manmade obstacles and the greens are watered by recycled water to protect the water table.
The Carthage Golf Course is one of the finest in the area. This golf course is truly an oasis in the desert with its manicured greens, water traps and eucalyptus and cypress trees. This course was first built in 1927 and now has golf carts, instructors and reservations on weekdays and weekends for the same flat rates.
If you would like to play a round of golf as the crowds are dwindling, the Flamingo Golf Course is a great option. This modern golf course is sprawling and carefully manicured, while bordering the Sahara desert. September sees a drop in prices for those would like to golf. If you book in advance, which you can do online, you can save money.
For golf fans Djerba Golf Club is a popular option. This golf course is a significant drive away from Tunis but if you are traveling across the country for any reason, this is a worthwhile stop. This modern club is designed by a British architect and carefully manicured to be an oasis in the desert.
Found in the nearby Hammamet region, the Yasmine Valley is a well-regarded golf course. This modern and luxurious course is set against the Tunisian desert and Mediterranean Sea making a very unique experience. Whether you're a novice or professional player, there is a course appropriate for your skill level.
Day trips
Mehari Voyages is a popular travel company in Tunisia. This company offers a wide range of excursions including ones that last one-day or up to two-days. Each tour starts with a 4x4 trek into the desert, across a salt lake on the way to a desert village and a mountainous canyon.
To explore the rolling Tunisian deserts, the Douz Voyages are a reputable and trusted company. Their excursions include 4x4 rides into the Grand Erg Oriental Sahara, camel rides, sand surfing and visiting oases. The tour company gets its name from Douz, Tunisia, a desert city where it is headquartered.
Soar above the desert sands with Aeroasis, a company that offers hot air balloons rides over the Sahara at sunrise from two popular desert villages. Each ride lasts approximately one hour and lets you see some of the harshest landscape in the world. A truly memorable experience don't forget your camera!
Historical & cultural highlights
The Mosque of Sidi Mehres is one of the most important attractions in Tunis in terms of historic and modern significance. This outstanding mosque is still active so practitioners will be streaming in and out of this building during the day. Many mosques do allow non-Muslims to enter their premises. This mosque is off limits to members of other faiths, so unless you are a Muslim, you will only be able to view this beautiful building from the outside.
The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul is a surprising Christian attraction in Tunis. This Catholic Church was built by French colonists in the 19th century. This cathedral is a lovely example of Gothic Nouveau architecture on the inside and out. It can be difficult to navigate, so don't hesitate to ask your hotel staff on the best way to reach it.
The Villas Romaines are some of the lesser known ruins outside of Tunis. These ruins are a substantial drive outside of Tunis so if you decide to stroll through these ruins; plan on spending the better part of a day here but they will be less crowded than other options.
Located underneath the historic city of Tunis is a network of catacombs. Tourists are allowed to enter into the catacombs, which date back centuries. Deep underneath the busy streets of Tunis, these somnolent, eerie catacombs hold the final resting places of Tunis' former residents, notable and otherwise. Because of the tremendous size of these catacombs, you could easily spend the better part of a day out of the sun.
Islam is an undeniable aspect of both historical and modern Tunisian culture. Any Tunis holiday should include trip to a mosque and Mosque Sidi Youssef is a popular option. The minaret of this mosque is a beacon on the city's skyline. Like many religious buildings, dressing modestly is vital if you want to enter the building. But there are tunics and scarves are provided to cover up if you visit during the summer and you're dressed for the heat.
Another facet of Islamic culture is the madrassa, or an Islamic school. There are former Islamic schools in Tunis that are heavily visited tourist attractions. This madrassa has a full staff with tour guides to take you around the grounds. The series of buildings have lovely architectural details throughout including painted tiles.
If you are a Muslim travelling to Tunis, you'll be able to visit the Zitouna Mosque. This mosque has been under remodelling for several years and continues to be to update its medieval building. Quite difficult to navigate to, this mosque does not allow non-Muslims insides its doors. So you can enjoy the architecture from the outside at least but only practitioners may enter its grounds.
A historic train from the 19th century still runs in Tunisia and attracts countless tourists each year and is extremely popular. The Red Lizard Train was originally built to connect rich mining communities. This train ride now takes tourists through the Tunisian countryside for over an hour and a half. Travellers can enjoy the scenic landscapes through the windows which include deserts, oases and unique rocky formations.
The Roman Theatre of Carthage is a fine example of ancient architecture. The amphitheatre is located outside the city of Tunis so you will need to have a reliable mode of transportation out to it. The amphitheatre has been recreated in some areas as it had degraded over the centuries. This is one of the largest Roman theatres still in existence and certainly the biggest in Africa.
For a relaxing and healing afternoon, consider making reservations with the El-Methihra Hammam in Tunis. This hammam or traditional Islamic spa is the oldest in the area. The services here include bathing and sauna rooms in a particular order. In order to maintain modesty in accordance with Islam, individuals bathe in underwear or shorts.
Bab El Bahr is the epic and historic entrance to the medina or historic central area of Tunis. This area of Tunis is the original city centre and filled with many local vendors. It can be overwhelming once you enter this area because it becomes a maze of winding streets filled with shops, vendors and performers. If you enter the medina, stopping into a local café and people watching may be the most relaxing option to enjoy the area.
The Carthage Punic Port and Museum stands on what was once the port of Carthage, the ancient empire. Carthage was conquered by the Roman Empire in 146 BC but there are still ruins in the area today. On the grounds where the city port used to stand, there is now a museum to the once glorious empire including a model of what it would have looked like.
A lovely example of Roman architecture is the Dougga. This series of ruins are a significant drive away from the city of Tunis but these are some of the best preserved ruins in the region. Because it can be quite the journey, there will be fewer tourists than the sites within Tunis. There are tour guides for hire to walk you through the ruins and it is best to plan a full day to explore them.
Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Medina of Tunis is a must-see, or depending on where you stay, hard to avoid. The medina is technically a very large central area of the city and incorporates many other attractions. The medina has around 700 monuments within it including many mosques, historic gates and other attractions. The oldest portions of the medina date back to the eighth century. It is now filled with local vendors and street performers.
With relics that date back to two thousand years, the Carthage Museum is also a destination not to miss. This history museum is one of the few in the area that is well-regarded by the large collection of tourists that visit it. It has small relics and actual ruins of the pre- and post-Roman Empire.
The Bardo Museum (also known as Le use National du Bardo) is a popular stop for tourists, especially during the summer heat. This museum has what is regarded as some of the most spectacular mosaics in the world including many that date back to the Roman Empire. There is a small fee to enter the museum but it is easy to get to via public transportation and slightly more difficult by foot because of busy city street crossings.
Any trip without stopping at the Carthaginian Ruins would be woefully incomplete. These ancient ruins are where the former empire of Carthage sat before it was sacked and rebuilt by the Roman Empire. The most notable features of this sprawling area are a gigantic amphitheatre and a cave that once stored food. There is a corresponding museum on the grounds to learn more about the ruins.
The Saint Louis Cathedral is a popular destination in the city of Carthage, a day's trip from Tunis. This large Catholic Cathedral is built near the ancient ruins of Carthage so it is within a short walk from many other attractions. The cathedral is no longer used for worship but serves as a venue for classical and local music performances. The cathedral is a blend of the Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles.
Consistently one of the top attractions in Tunis, the Ancient Roman Baths are busy any time of year. Located a short trek outside of the city, these ruins are massive. Well-preserved and sprawling, the Ancient Roman baths sit on top of a hill that overlooks the rolling Tunisian countryside and Mediterranean Sea. There are countless small tourist companies in the area that offer tours to these ruins. However, few of them have websites so asking your hotel would be best.
For a glimpse into a different aspect of Tunisian history, a trip to Espace Diwan is like stepping into a museum and an artist workshop in one. This small shop sells books of all kinds, postcards and artistic pieces from local artists. In addition to the shop, there are historical pieces hanging on the walls that render this shop similar to a museum. The owners and staff will be able to refer you to many similar workshops and galleries in the area upon request.
Dar Lasram is a former mansion located within the city of Tunis. Popular for its preservation and small museum inside, this mansion was once owned by local governors, called beys, which oversaw the administrative order of the city. Dating back to the 18th century, this mansion holds exquisite tile work, plans and photographs of the medina dating back hundreds of years and historic maps.