What's the weather like in Tunis in May
May is an extremely popular time of year to visit Tunis. Temperatures become very warm without being as oppressively hot as later in the summer season.
Temperature
The average temperature in May is 19 degrees Celsius. When packing, keep in mind that the temperature can dip as low as 13 degrees Celsius, which would most likely be at night. There is also a potential high of 25 degrees Celsius.
Average Sunshine Hours
There is an average of 12 hours of sunshine on each day so there is abundant daylight to explore the region.
Rain
Rainfall during May drops down to 30 millimetres throughout the month which falls over the course of seven days.
Tunis Hotels in May
Extremely popular with families and solo travellers, the Golden Tulip El Mechtel is a good affordable choice. This hotel overlooks the Tunis Zoo so it has some very unique views. If you have a room facing the zoo, you may hear some unique noises during the night. Otherwise, this hotel has the standard accommodations with free high-speed internet and meals from the in-house restaurant.
For a budget stay in Tunis, the Hotel Excel has a large number of rooms so it is available for reservations throughout the year. This hotel is a home base for travellers who want to spend their holidays exploring the area. There is a complimentary breakfast for each guest and most rooms have balconies overlooking the interesting city streets.
Hotel Salammbo is a great budget hotel for travellers who want to spend their money on excursions, not their resting place. It is conveniently located on a major thoroughfare in Tunis and near many local shops. This hotel, like many others, does not have an elevator in it. If you travel with a large amount of luggage or have mobility issues, requesting a room on a lower floor is recommended.
One of the most intimate hotels in the resort town of La Marsa, the Phebus Hotel is luxurious and elegant. There are a range of hotel rooms including suites that feel more like apartments. Regardless of what room you choose, each guest can enjoy meals in the sophisticated restaurant, a modern fitness centre and beautiful pool area.
Bars and Restaurants
Il Ritrovo degli Artisti is a fine Italian restaurant and one of the most popular establishments in Tunis because of it. The menu is filled with Italian classics like pasta, steaks and Panini. Many Italian expatriates frequent this restaurant so you don't have to worry about its authenticity. The ambiance is not quite that of an Italian bistro but the food is tasty and a nice break if you're tiring of the local cuisine.
Another unique restaurant in Tunis is Origami. This Japanese restaurant has a wide range of sushi, most of which is fresh out of the Mediterranean on the day. There are also plenty of tasty cooked dishes if raw fish isn't your thing. Making a reservation is recommended.
Things to do in Tunis in May
Bab El Bahr is the monumental and historic entrance to the medina. 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.
The Carthage Punic Port and Museum stands on what was once the port of Carthage. The empire 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.
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.
Hammamet Beach, a short drive from Tunis, is one of the finest in the country. This soft sandy beach has long stretches of public areas that are child-friendly and staffed by attentive lifeguards. It may be a trek from Tunis, driving to the south, but it can be a welcomed break from the busy streets of Tunis.
Dates for the diary
Tunisia celebrates its Labour Day during the month of May. Heralded as a chance to celebrate its people who have sacrificed for the country, both with their daily efforts towards the economy and martyrs alike, their Labour Day has a touch of political sentiment. Tunisia's revolution in 2011 is still fresh in the collective mind of the country. If this makes you uneasy, take the chance to unwind around your hotel on Tunisia's Labour Day.
One of the lesser known festivals in Tunis occurs in May: the Choreographic Summit of Dance in Carthage. As a memorial to the historical empire of Carthage, both local and international performers gather in the area to perform classical, choreographic dances. The dates of this festival vary depending on the year and the availability of artists.
