Day 1
Medina & Ville Nouvelle
Start in the medina at the Zitouna Mosque, get lost in the souks and find a rooftop terrace for lunch with a view. In the afternoon, stroll Avenue Habib Bourguiba amid its cafés and colonial architecture.
Tunisia's capital layers three thousand years on top of each other: a UNESCO-protected medieval medina, wide colonial-era boulevards and the scattered ruins of ancient Carthage, all above a turquoise gulf.
Spend your days getting lost in spice souks and mosaic halls; by late afternoon, climb up to blue-and-white Sidi Bou Saïd or down to the beaches of La Marsa. It's affordable, warm-hearted and still refreshingly free of the crowds that swamp other Mediterranean capitals.
Itinerary
Day 2
Carthage & Sidi Bou Saïd
Take the TGM train to Carthage for the Antonine Baths and Byrsa Hill, then carry on to Sidi Bou Saïd. Wander the blue-and-white lanes and watch the sunset over mint tea above the gulf.
Day 3
Bardo & the coast
Spend the morning at the Bardo Museum among its Roman mosaics, then head out to La Marsa for a late lunch by the sea. Finish with a swim and a walk along the corniche as the sun drops over the bay.
Highlights
🏘️Neighbourhood
Medina of Tunis
A UNESCO-listed maze of covered souks, mosques and Moorish palaces dating to the 12th century, where artisans still sell copper, perfume and chechia caps. Get lost among the lanes and hunt out a rooftop terrace for the view over the Zitouna Mosque.
🏘️Neighbourhood
Sidi Bou Saïd
A clifftop village of blue-and-white houses, wrought-iron window grilles and cascading jasmine above the Gulf of Tunis. Climb the cobbled main lane and sip a mint tea with pine nuts at the legendary Café des Nattes.
🏛️Landmark
Ruins of Carthage
The scattered remains of Rome's once-mighty Phoenician rival, spread across a leafy suburb high above the sea. Walk from the Antonine Baths to Byrsa Hill and picture Hannibal and the wars that shaped the ancient Mediterranean.
🖼️Museum
Bardo National Museum
Set in a former beylical palace, it holds one of the world's richest collections of Roman mosaics, salvaged from across Tunisia. Room after room glows with sea gods, hunting scenes and portraits beneath ornately carved ceilings.
🏖️Beach
La Marsa beach
The breezy seaside suburb where Tunis locals gather at weekends to swim and stroll the palm-lined corniche. Take an afternoon dip, then settle into a beach café to watch the sun set over the bay.
🛍️Market
Souks of the Medina
Covered bazaars organised by trade — perfumers, gold merchants, chechia makers and spice sellers under ancient vaults. Haggle for harissa, dried roses and olive-wood, and let the scent of jasmine and roasting nuts guide you.
Neighbourhoods
Medina
The walled historic heart, a tangle of souks, mosques and hidden palaces around the Zitouna Mosque. Best on foot, with an eye out for rooftop cafés and artisan workshops.
Ville Nouvelle
The colonial-era centre around Avenue Habib Bourguiba, lined with cafés, the cathedral and a whiff of Parisian boulevard. Great for people-watching and the evening stroll.
Sidi Bou Saïd
A blue-and-white clifftop village high above the sea, full of art galleries, jasmine and panoramic cafés. Come late afternoon to dodge the tour buses and catch the sunset.
Carthage & La Marsa
The genteel coastal strip where ancient ruins sit next to upscale suburbs and beaches. Ideal for pairing history in the morning with a swim in the afternoon.
Where to eat
Brik
A wafer-thin fried pastry triangle with a runny egg, tuna, capers and parsley inside. Eat it straight away and in one bite before the yolk escapes — the classic Tunisian starter.
Couscous
The Sunday staple: steamed semolina with a hearty stew of lamb, fish or vegetables, spiced with harissa. Every family has its own version, rich and generous.
Lablabi
A steaming chickpea soup over torn stale bread, topped with egg, cumin, harissa and olive oil. A simple, warming winter breakfast you stir together yourself.
Mint tea with pine nuts
Sweet green tea brewed with fresh mint and a scattering of floating pine nuts. Order it on a Sidi Bou Saïd terrace — it's as much ritual as drink.
Good to know
Best time to visit
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal: warm days, balmy evenings and jasmine in bloom. Summer is hot and best for beach days, while winter stays mild, with occasional rain and the fewest visitors.
Getting around
The medina and Ville Nouvelle are best explored on foot. The TGM suburban train conveniently links the centre to Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd and La Marsa, while taxis are cheap — insist on the meter or agree a price first.
- Currency
- TND د.ت
- Languages
- Arabic
How much does Tunis cost?
A realistic daily budget per person, in three styles.
Backpackerد.ت40per person / day
Mid-rangeد.ت100per person / day
Comfortد.ت250per person / day
Tunis offers a range of affordable options for travelers.
Local tips
- ✓Haggle in the souks with a smile but firmly — start around half the first price and expect a few rounds.
- ✓Take the TGM train rather than a taxi to the coast; it's dirt cheap and drops you right by the prettiest suburbs.
- ✓Carry coins and small notes — many cafés, medina shops and shared taxis don't take cards.
