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Tunisia

Capital

Tunis

Currency

Tunisian Dinar (TND)

Language

Arabic

Best Time

Marโ€“May and Sepโ€“Nov

Time Zone

CET (UTC+1)

Sustainability Politics
Flag of Tunisia
Welcome to Tunisia

Tunisia's Mediterranean Mosaics and Sahara Dunes

Welcome to Tunisia, a North African country where ancient Roman ruins, Mediterranean beaches, and Sahara dunes create striking diversity. The ruins of Carthage, once a great ancient empire, reveal centuries of Roman and Phoenician history near modern Tunis. Sidi Bou Said's blue-and-white streets offer one of the most picturesque towns on the Mediterranean coast. Tunisia's Sahara Desert, including the dramatic dunes near Douz, offers camel treks and star-filled desert camping. The ancient amphitheater of El Jem, among the best preserved in the world, rivals Rome's Colosseum in scale. Tunisia's coastline offers golden beaches and charming coastal towns along the Mediterranean Sea. Traditional souks in Tunis and Sousse showcase vibrant textiles, ceramics, and centuries-old craftsmanship. Tunisia invites travelers to discover a country where ancient history meets Mediterranean and desert beauty.

Popular City

Tunis

Tunis’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of covered souks selling leather, ceramics, and traditional chechia hats, all radiating out from the Ez-Zitouna Mosque, one of the oldest in North Africa. The nearby ruins of ancient Carthage, another UNESCO site, include the Antonine Baths and views over the Gulf of Tunis. The Bardo Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of Roman mosaics, recovered from sites across Tunisia and displayed within a former Ottoman palace. Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Tunis’s grand boulevard, offers French colonial architecture and cafes reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan character. Sidi Bou Said, just outside the capital, adds a striking whitewashed and blue-doored village popular for sunset views over the Mediterranean. Tunis’s blend of ancient Carthaginian ruins and vibrant medina makes it one of North Africa’s most historically layered capitals.

Travel News

Popular City

Sousse

Sousse, a UNESCO World Heritage medina city, combines a well-preserved Ribat fortress, once used to guard against seaborne invasion, with lively beaches that have made it one of Tunisia’s most popular resort towns. The medina’s covered souks offer textiles, spices, and jewelry within walls dating to the ninth century. The Great Mosque of Sousse, with its fortress-like exterior, reflects the city’s dual role as both a religious and military center in medieval times. Sousse’s archaeological museum, the second largest in Tunisia after the Bardo, showcases mosaics recovered from the surrounding region. Port El Kantaoui, a purpose-built marina resort just north of the city, offers a more modern beach and nightlife scene. Sousse’s mix of medieval medina and Mediterranean beaches make it a popular base on Tunisia’s coast.

Travel Tips

Helpful information to consider before and during your visit.

Before You Go

  • Confirm passport validity and entry requirements.
  • Check whether a tourist visa is required.
  • Keep digital copies of important documents.
  • Consider purchasing travel insurance.

Money & Payments

  • Review the local currency and exchange rate.
  • Carry some cash for small businesses and markets.
  • Check for international bank transaction fees.
  • Learn the country's customary tipping practices.

Stay Connected

  • Review your mobile carrier's international plan.
  • Consider purchasing a local SIM or eSIM.
  • Download maps for offline use before traveling.
  • Avoid sensitive transactions on unsecured Wi-Fi.

Transportation

  • Research public transportation before arrival.
  • Use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services.
  • Check which side of the road vehicles use.
  • Confirm whether an international permit is needed.

Electricity

  • Check the country's voltage and outlet type.
  • Bring the correct plug adapter for your devices.
  • Use a voltage converter when required.
  • Pack a portable charger for longer excursions.

Weather & Clothing

  • Review the seasonal weather before packing.
  • Bring layers for changing temperatures.
  • Pack rain protection when appropriate.
  • Use sunscreen even on cool or cloudy days.

Food & Water

  • Research whether tap water is safe to drink.
  • Communicate food allergies clearly.
  • Try traditional dishes from reputable vendors.
  • Observe local dining customs and meal times.

Safety

  • Secure valuables in crowded tourist areas.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • Share your itinerary with someone you trust.
  • Review current government travel advisories.

Language & Etiquette

  • Learn a few polite words in the local language.
  • Respect dress requirements at religious sites.
  • Ask permission before photographing people.
  • Follow local traditions, laws and social customs.

Emergency Planning

  • Save the country's emergency telephone number.
  • Locate your nearest embassy or consulate.
  • Keep medication in its original packaging.
  • Store emergency contacts offline and on paper.

Smart Packing

  • Pack comfortable shoes for walking and tours.
  • Keep essential medication in your carry-on.
  • Bring a reusable bottle where appropriate.
  • Leave room for locally purchased items.

Local Research

  • Check attraction hours and reservation policies.
  • Review national holidays and local closures.
  • Download important addresses before departure.
  • Leave flexibility for unexpected discoveries.
Important: Entry requirements, transportation rules, weather conditions and safety guidance can change. Verify important information with official sources before traveling.

Popular City

Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Said, perched on a clifftop above the Mediterranean, is known for its strikingly uniform white buildings with blue doors and shutters, a color scheme enforced by local ordinance since the early twentieth century. Cafe des Nattes and Cafe Sidi Chabaane offer terrace views over the sea, popular spots for mint tea at sunset. The village’s cobblestone streets, filled with artisan shops selling ceramics and jewelry, have long attracted artists and writers drawn to its picturesque setting. Nearby, the ruins of ancient Carthage are easily combined into the same day trip from Tunis. Sidi Bou Said’s photogenic charm has made it one of the most visited small towns in Tunisia. Its blue and white streets offer one of the most recognizable images of the country.

Local Food to Try

Discover some of Tunisia's most popular flavors, traditional dishes and memorable local treats during your visit.

Couscous

Couscous is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Brik

Brik is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Lablabi

Lablabi is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Ojja

Ojja is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Mechouia Salad

Mechouia Salad is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Kamounia

Kamounia is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Mloukhia

Mloukhia is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Makroudh

Makroudh is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Bambalouni

Bambalouni is a well-known part of Tunisia's cuisine and offers visitors a flavorful introduction to the country's food traditions.

Dining tip: Regional specialties and preparation styles vary throughout Tunisia. Explore local markets, independent cafรฉs and family-owned restaurants for an authentic taste of the destination.

Little-Known Facts

Tunisia

Tunisia is home to the ancient ruins of Carthage, once one of the most powerful cities in the ancient Mediterranean world and the base from which the legendary general Hannibal launched his famous campaign across the Alps against Rome, before Carthage was ultimately destroyed by Roman forces in 146 BCE. The country is also home to significant portions of the Sahara Desert, and its town of Matmata contains distinctive underground troglodyte dwellings carved directly into the earth, structures so visually striking that they were used as filming locations for the Star Wars films' Tatooine scenes.

Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring, with protests sparked in December 2010 following the self-immolation of a street vendor eventually toppling the country's longtime president and setting off a wave of pro-democracy uprisings across much of the Arab world. The country is also home to El Djem, an enormous Roman amphitheater nearly as large as Rome's Colosseum, remarkably well-preserved despite being located in a relatively small provincial Tunisian town rather than a major imperial capital.

Tunisia has historically been considered one of the more progressive countries in the Arab world regarding women's rights, having banned polygamy and granted women significant legal protections as early as 1956, shortly after gaining independence from France.