Its location is very easy, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with spectacular scenery. by Fortune July 2, 2018, 10:41 pm 703 Views 4 Votes 2 Comments. The backdrop for the iconic lands of Tatooine were the interesting troglodyte houses of the locals here, which are carved straight into the dusty earth and painted white to reflect the sun. Places to Visit in Tunisia, Africa: See Tripadvisor's 4,46,055 traveller reviews and photos of Tunisia tourist attractions. Nestled between Algeria and Libya, two of the largest countries in Africa, Tunisia is one country you can easily ignore in any map of Africa. 245. Different venues across the city’s medina host musical acts with Tunisian artists as well as musicians from Libya, Spain, Cuba, and more, and screen films from a wide range of different countries. In fact, the spot is one of many in a long line of filming locations found throughout Tunisia, but might just be the most famous. The ideal, relaxing holiday activity, La Goulette provides much-needed refreshment from the hustle and bustle of the town. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tunis . Top Places to Visit in Tunis, Tunisia: See Tripadvisor's 23,090 traveller reviews and photos of Tunis attractions. The shouts of hawkers touting spice echo, and the scents of tagines and mint teas mix with camel skin lamps and shisha pipes. They come to walk the old cobbled Roman roads, or to see the relics of shrines to Jupiter and the Imperial Cult. Many sights have been preserved thanks to the billowing dust storms of the surrounding Sahara, but a lack of large-scale archaeology means that the main attraction remains the huge Amphitheatre of Thysdrus. Djerba; 17. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Place de la Republique is trotted by horses and carts, and the Sfax War Cemetery is a sobering reminder of the great struggles that occurred in North Africa between Allied and Axis forces during the 20th century. The very name of Carthage evokes romantic tales of Greek seafarers, figures like Aeneas and Dido from the heroic age, and stories of mighty battles on the Alps and Mediterranean Seas. Over the centuries, everyone from the Numidians to the Arabs to the Spaniards to the Ottomans have made their home in this tactical position on the edge of the Med. Share. The light-rail transit Métro Léger de Tunis, with six bright-green train lines, has 66 stops scattered around the city. Address: Bardo Museum, Rue Mongi Slim, Tunis, Tunisia, +21 671 51 36 50. Address: One of the bike rental shops is to be found on 11 rue des Hafsides, La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisia, +21 623 11 96 26, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. El Djem. It is perfect for a day on a yacht enjoying a refreshing sea breeze, for tanning on the warm, sandy beach or just for taking a long walk from the Spanish fort to the Ottoman citadel with a view over the wide, deep blue ocean. Tunis; 11. Read my other post Things to do in Djerba here. It’s one of the most historic regions of North Africa and contained within the famous walls is a bustling market, full of local products. Travelers come to gawp at the looming Doric columns of the Dougga Theatre, standing tall over the green fields of the Beja Governorate. The Bardo is one of the most stunning museums you’ll ever visit. We rank the 30 World's Best Places to Visit. Here’s 10 highlights that will make your stay in Tunis unforgettable. Every Arab city revolves around its medina or old town – and that’s no different in Tunis. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", If an Arab city revolves around its medina, the medina revolves around its mosque. Matmata; 2. Delve in and stroll the changing rooms of gladiators, or stand where ancient governors once did atop the fighting pits. Today, the government vies for control with hardline Islamists, there have been attacks on tourists, and FCO advice flits between cautious and uber-cautious. Once Roman, the remains of the entire city here are considered some of the best-preserved in the region. Tunisia's capital is one of North Africa's most easygoing cities, yet still full of exotic appeal. For those who are looking for the real spirit of adventure, there’s also the possibility to cycle to Sidi Bou Said, about 25km from Tunis and the most picturesque town you’ll ever see. Accordingly, history oozes from every dust-caked pore. A superb location in the heart of the medina, splendid traditional Tunisian food, charming staff serving, Tunisian singer-songwriter Badiaa Bouhrizi performing, Bab el Bhar, Rue de la Kasbah, Medina, Tunis, Tunisia, Bardo Museum, Rue Mongi Slim, Tunis, Tunisia, Mosaic art at the Bardo | © Jacqueline Poggi /Flickr, La Goulette fishing harbour | © Michael Foley/Flickr, 30 Rue Jamaa Ezzitouna, La Medina Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia, Rue Jamaa Ezzitouna, La Medina Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia, Carthage Archeological Site, Route de la Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia, Carthage Archeological Site | © Dennis Jarvis/Flickr, 11 rue des Hafsides, La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisia. You can still see them, along with other cool examples of cave dwellings in the dusty surrounds of Gabes. You’ll see grand mosques looming above the street corners, the occasional olive oil seller, and whitewashed villas shrouded by oases. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Tunis, Tunisia on Tripadvisor: See 23,091 traveller reviews and photos of Tunis tourist attractions. Room after room displays a treasury of vibrant mosaic art, unearthed from Tunisia’s ancient sites and remarkable remnants of the long history that shaped this land. Zarzis; 3. Nearly 1,500 years of history meets between the dust-caked desert hills around Kairouan. However, the centuries of Punic wars and Muslim invasions have left it abandoned more than once, and the remains of Carthage are not as awe-inspiring as some of the country’s other Roman treats. (After all, it was host to the only major rival to Rome across the entire Mediterranean basin for those formative centuries between the 800s BC and year zero.). Chott el Djerid; 21. Unfortunately, the great power struggles played out here have continued on into the modern age, giving rise to revolutions and counter-revolutions. Trodden by the Berbers of old and raided by Barbary pirates, settled by the Phoenician Greeks, and then home to the mighty city of Carthage, Tunisia has a grand place in the annals of both the North African and European story. Written by Jess Lee. Old and eclectic, it bears all the hallmarks you’d expect of a city trodden by Sicilian kings and Spanish invaders, Barbary pirates and Ottoman imperialists. If you only have one day in Tunisia's capital, Tunis, this museum should be high up on your to-do list. For your holidays in Tunisia, consider equipping yourself with a prepaid card so you do not have to pay extra fees and enjoy total freedom for your communications. 1) Hot Air Ballooning. And where better for a taste of the dry life than the adobe mud town of Tozeur? Past the second dune you'll find a lovely five-star hotel. Top 10 most famous places to visit in Tunisia. It's a showcase of the dazzling, intricate artistry of the Roman and Byzantine eras, with pieces cherry-picked from every major archaeological site in Tunisia. Add to that the mythical figures of Aeneas and Dido, along with tales of Arabic sultans and even Norman seafarers from the north, and it’s easy to see why this cut-out on the Maghreb is such a fascinating, culturally-rich place. If you happen to be in Tunis during Ramadan, you’re the luckiest person alive. Douz; 5. The undisputed jewel of Djerba island comes topped with the adobe domes of the Bordj el Kabir fort, which was raised in the 1400s and 1500s to protect the harbor on the Gulf of Gabes below. There are grand cathedrals with Gothic elements. It's this laid-back approach that makes Tunis the perfect introduction to the region. But when the dust settles and Tunisia stabilizes, it’s sure to take the breath away! Most of the main sightseeing is in the medina (old town), which is a tourist attraction in itself. Grouped according to craft, you can find tiny shops selling jewelry and perfume, wedding dresses, spices, carpets, fabric and leather wear. It was such a shock to realise that the flight to Tunisia is less than the one we’re doing to Greece – and as you say, you can see so much in a relatively short space of time. The clean, fresh, warm air and the beautiful, sprawling landscapes of the small African nation make it a perfect place to kiss the ground goodbye and set yourself adrift with a hot air ballooning. That all makes it easy to see why this sprawling ruined site just outside of Tunis is one of the most-visited attractions in all of Tunisia. Tagged by UNESCO, the city is a modern one built right atop an old one, with the occasional ruin of Roman homes and arcades popping up on the corners. Lets explore the best places to visit in Tunisia: It doesn’t get much better than this for fans of the ancients. Please Like: Even though Tunisia is the smallest country in Northern Africa, I think it has the most to offer. It’s worth getting in the saddle and following them, because wonders like the salt flats of Chott al-Jerid and the shifting Grand Erg await there! Carthage; 7. One can often meet some of the local camels hanging out at the beach around the hotel. Address: La Goulette Port, Tunis, Tunisia. By. There are also bathhouses, soaring mausoleums, and in-tact sewer systems to encounter. Palm-peppered Zarzis (also spelled Jarjis) is a place that proudly touts its fringing of shimmering beaches and resorts. Share; Tweet; Pin; This is an incredibly blue, Mediterranean coastal area, in which the townhouses are going deep as sugar cubes in the sand. History lovers are never going to want to leave here ever again. Kairouan; 10. 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 25 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles in the World, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up. There are the traditional fondouks quarters of medieval merchants left in the Old Town. In Carthage, history is just around every corner, and the experience of being here is priceless. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The coastal road is pleasant to ride your bike, yet doesn’t provide a lot of shade, so best is to start your tour early in the morning and come back in the evening, when the blazing sun has lost most of its warmth. Monastir; 9. Fondouks; … In recent years bike tours have become the number one way of traveling Tunis. Moorish traits pockmark the old Kasbah, mingling with Rococo and colonial elements, while the great city walls look like something plucked straight out of Aladdin. No matter which place you decide to visit you can be satisfied with the standard of your accommodation. 11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tunis. Head down to sun-kissed Hammamet Sud, where loungers meet jet skis meet sunbathers meet SCUBA outfitters. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. A city famed for its long connection to the Islamic world, it’s been a center of Sunni teachings since at least the 7th century. Address: Carthage Archeological Site, Route de la Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia. Colossal arches and elliptical amphitheaters to rival even the Colosseum in Rome are what mark the horizon of famous El Djem. We have reviews of the best places to see in Tunisia. Dougga; 8. Exploring the city by bike is a fun way of sight-seeing, and there are many options to choose from. And on the latter side of town; the African side, things take a turn for the arabesque. Those who take the short hike up to the top of the hill are rewarded with a fantastic panorama, and others who are interested in Tunisian contemporary artists can pay a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in the middle of the park. admin - October 11, 2019. Tunisia is a true gem of North Africa travel, even though an unsung one. They can either be restaurants, resorts, hotels, attractions or whatever. 0. It’s just a stone’s throw from Douz to the sweeping sand plains of the Jebil National Park – one of the great natural treasures of southern Tunisia. Unquestionably, the Zitouna Mosque pumps the blood through Tunis’ veins and has been doing so since 732 A.D. It’s home to purring camels, and weathered Berber tour guides who are eager to lead expeditions on humpback into the scorched wilds. Wandering around in a souk or Arab market is a sensational experience for any Westerner. Grand Erg Oriental; 19. It is a place to shrug off your normal routine and live out a dream. Pass under the great arches of the Bab el Bhar (the Port de France) and you’ll see both sides to this fascinating capital: the French side and the Maghreb side. Top 10 Best Foodie Places Tunisia You Should Explore It.Tunisia, fringed with thousand kilometres of prime Mediterranean coastline and blessed with a sun-drenched interior, may not be the first place to come to mind as a destination for food driven t UNESCO World Heritage fame marks the crumbling peristyles and age-cracked temples of Dougga out from many of North Africa’s other mighty ancient sites. 2. Tourist Attractions in Tunisia, Visit 25 Best Amazing Places: 1. Yep, the sky-blue and whitewashed color scheme here is more than reminiscent of towns in Santorini and Mykonos. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites. Embrace the chaos of the souks, stumble onto the fabulous monumental relics, and take a breather in the lavish palaces on Sidi Brahim. The best one probably being the street art bike tour, which leads you along several fantastic murals made by different artists invited by the city to create a piece of art in the urban space. (After all, it was one of the filming locations in the hit film Monty Python’s The Life of Brian). So much more exciting than the local market at home. Every year during this special month where Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown, the Tunis Medina Festival lights up the capital’s evenings. However, this one’s interesting hues were actually started by the French musicologist Rodolphe d’Erlanger. Carthage, Tunisia One of the other best places in Tunisia to visit is the city of Carthage, as it has many places and monuments, as well as recreational areas. It’s worth coming though, if only to stand where great generals in the ilk of Hannibal once did! Why You Should Visit Tunisia Now? And it’s true that the Monastir Ribat, topped with its crenulated parapets and red stone bulwarks, is unquestionably the major attraction in town. Or the zoo, of course. And away from the steaming Ottoman hammams and colorful Maghreb souks of the town proper, there are gorgeous beaches that sparkle turquoise blue, all fringed with luxurious hotels and palm-lined promenades. Share this post on; Digg; Del.icio.us; Technorati; Twitter; 08-01-2013, 02:29 … He first plastered the stucco walls of his home with the endearing tones in the 20s, and his palatial mansion at the Ennejma Ezzahra is a now a museum to his legacy. Cue the mighty rises of the Great Mosque of Kairouan: a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws thousands of pilgrims to its prayer rooms and enclosures each year. Every trip to Tunisia should include a jaunt to the great desert of the Sahara, whose shifting sands and dry escarpments begin here in earnest. Here we have listed Top 10 best tourist places in Tunisia that you can visit: 10) The ruins of Cathage, Tunisia Cathage was the capital of Phoenician Government, and later it became the capital of the Roman government in the south. Wonderful, but exhausting. Experience the Sahara The Sahara desert stretches over ten countries, including the south of Tunisia. Address: Bab el Bhar, Rue de la Kasbah, Medina, Tunis, Tunisia. Hammamet sits on the southern bends of the Cap Bon, enjoying the lapping waves and soothing salt-packed breezes of the Mediterranean Sea. However, there are other things to see and do here, like trace the Muslim influence at sites like the Mausoleum of Bourguiba, or wonder up at the colossal city mosque (dating from the 1000s no less!). Still reeling from the horrific terror attacks of 2015, the seaside city of Sousse is now much less loud about its beauties. There colorful pottery bazaars, whitewashed synagogues, Turkic mosques, and lively marketplaces selling olive oils and chickpea broths. There are so many sites to see and adventures to be had; you won’t be scratching your head wondering what to see and do. Bordj el Kabir; 23. Find what to do today, this weekend or in January. We have reviews of the best places to see in Tunisia. Today, the government vies for control with hardline Islamists, there have been attacks on tourists, and FCO advice flits between cautious and uber-cautious. Houmt Souk; 15. The oasis towns of Douz and Tozeur have added big hotel zones. Once you’ve wondered at that amazing Aghlabid relic, be sure to wander the old medina and its whitewashed cottages, taste sweet Tunisian pastries in the bakeries there, and seek out the interesting Mosque of the Three Gates. Smell the heap of vividly colored spices, taste the delicious makroud (truly divine local pastries), and have a chat with the friendly shopkeepers. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Lively souks packed with kaleidoscopic fabrics crawl and sprawl over one another. Tunisia is the perfect introduction to the Maghreb region, and its capital is North Africa’s most easygoing city. Not in Tunis’ city center, but more in its (stunning) backyard, La Goulette is the city’s port suburb between the Lake of Tunis and the ocean sparkling in the blazing sun. The Eastern Sand Sea (Grand Erg Oriental) makes up a huge part of Southern Tunisia and it’s a magical place where scenes from Star Wars and … However, it’s the beaches here that really take the biscuit. Anyone who’s ever heard about Hannibal and his elephants will be struck by the remains of the amphitheatre, the old walls and gates, the reddish brown sand against the backdrop of the ocean’s deep blue. Visitors come by the bus-load, go for a camel ride, visit the film sets and then depart. Whether looking for souvenirs, wanting to enjoy the atmosphere or just have a fun night out; the souks in Tunis will not disappoint you. The town magnetizes visitors with its enchanting appearance, which comes as a curious mélange of Spanish, Sicilian and Castilian architecture, all balanced out by the ubiquitous Maghreb medina town of whitewashed adobe homes and palm-sprouting streets. But when the dust settles and Tunisia stabilizes, it’s sure to take the breath away! The ancient ruins of Carthage, just outside of Tunis, speak of a long and exciting history. Like practically every city trip, a holiday in Tunis is exhausting. Chock-a-block full of crumbling buildings and alleyways winding in higgledy-piggledy routes, you’re bound to get lost once passing the main entrance gate of Bab el Bahr. Hammamet Tunisia has Hammamet Beach, Hammamet Old City, Kasbah and Fleiber Aqua Park. It’s hard not to be taken by the elegance of Sfax. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. You could be forgiven for thinking that you’d made the hop across the Med to the islands of the Greek Aegean as you enter the vibrant interior of Sidi Bou Said town, sat just 20 kilometers from bustling Tunis. They lurk between the tight-knit alleyways of the town’s historic medina; they ooze from the simple and elegant rises of the Aghlabite Great Mosque; they beckon from the formidable bulwarks of the old Ribat citadel above the place. We have reviews of the best places to see in Tunis. Yet it offers you a great holiday experience that very few other African destinations can match. It is an architectural, With a rooftop terrace overlooking the Zitouna Mosque, this cafe-resto has it all. Most people will know Monastir for the great citadel fortress that bears its moniker. The National Bardo Museum; 18. 8 Things One Should Do While in Tunisia; 8 Things One Should Do While in Tunisia. Address: Avenue Taieb M’Hiri, Tunis, Tunisia. Every visitor should include the world’s largest desert on their itinerary and the Sahara can be reached by tours arranged from most resort towns. Sousse; 14. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Tunisia on Tripadvisor: See 51,258 traveler reviews and photos of Tunisia tourist attractions. Which are the top five ranked places in Tunisia which a tourist must visit when going over there ? Looking to visit southern Tunisia? The town itself is a modern, built-up place that hides the centuries of Roman and Arabic history beneath. It’s the smells, the sounds, the hustle and the unfamiliarity of it all; sometimes you need to escape, and at those moments, the Parc du Belvédère is the most welcome splash of greenery. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The city’s top spot to catch your breath and regroup, this park is abundant with fountains and palm, olive and fig trees growing on the hillside, providing shade to have a restful afternoon reading a good book or playing ball with the kids. Gorgeous Beaches. Built in 698 A.D., the Tunis medina was one of the first Arabo-Muslim towns in the Magreb, and thus houses many must-sees for visitors. While the likes of Hammamet and Tunis might be seen as the tourist hot spots of Tunisia, one should not simply restrict their holiday to these areas. Its mythical cachet still lingers to this day and the stories to be found here are endless. Tunisia is famous for its resorts located all over the country – Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir. Find what to do today, this weekend or in January. From stunning old architecture to adventurous activities and delicious food, Tunis’ laid back atmosphere combined with its exotic appeal makes it an excellent destination for all kinds of travelers. The South of the country offers some breath-taking experiences and if you are in the mood to leap off your deckchair and engage in some adventurous activities, this could be the region for you. There are coffee shops spilling onto the sidewalks. The top attractions to visit in Tunis are: The National Bardo Museum; Medina of Tunis; Zitouna Mosque; The doors of the medina; Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul; See all attractions in Tunis on Tripadvisor Matmata entered the field of public attention when it became the home of a certain Luke Skywalker in the stories of Star Wars way back in 1976. Other modes of transportation are not always straightforward. You can begin the trip at Djerba and from there you can either visit the west, dotted with salt lakes, or you can go to the Sahara Oases. Among the most remarkable sites are the cities of Carthage and Dougga classified World Heritage of Unesco but also the mosque and cisterns of Kairouan, the amphitheater and the Coliseum of El Jem, synagogue of Djerba, the Medina of Tunis … Food in Tunisia is awesome. Lets explore the best places to visit in Tunisia: 1. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Discover 10 magical places not to be missed in Tunisia with this list of choices and there is something for everyone. The Sahara is accessible in Tunisia, and ever since "Star Wars" put the place on the movie map, a lot of filming has been done here. Onk Jemel (Mos Espa) 22. It is perfect for a day on a yacht enjoying a refreshing sea breeze, for tanning on the warm, sandy beach or just for taking a long walk from the Spanish fort to the Ottoman citadel with a view over the wide, deep blue ocean. Walking is the best way to get around Tunis, but note that unofficially, pedestrians do not have the right of way and you should maneuver your body as though it were a large truck. Here are ten adventurous things to do in Tunisia. If sailing through the skies is not enough of a thrill for you, there are numerous Sahara … On the other hand, the country is washed by large Sahara desert dunes and ocean-wide sandstones. Sidi Bou Said; 13. This oases settlement in the extreme south-west of the nation is a veritable masterpiece of Berber tradition. Between the sea and the desert, Tunisia is full of splendid sites to visit during the holidays. The Medina in Tunis is one of the more traditional sites – but it’s still very much appropriate for tourists of all types and ages. Sfax; 6. We have reviews of the best places to see in Tunisia. Bulla Regia; 20. And then there’s its medina city, with filigrees and carvings and brick artistry straight from the old arabesque world. Let me know if you do decide to go! So, it’s not for nothing that this far-flung town in the south is considered the gateway to the Sahara. The Ramadan evenings in Tunis are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I loved seeing some new parts on this trip, but so much more I’d love to explore. One interesting stop is Matmata, a small town known for its underground cave structures (known as trylodytes) that used to host the local Berber population. Lined up all along the Mediterranean to the north and south of town, they are amongst the most popular of destinations for package holidayers in search of Tunisia’s medley of sun, sand, sea, and unrelenting desert heat. How fab to have friends there who could show you around. 11 Places You Must Visit in Tunisia. The Sahara – one of the largest and hottest deserts in the world and one of the best places to go in Tunisia. El Djem; 16. Date: Every year during Ramadan (varies slightly from year to year). Housing the world’s most renowned mosaic collection, this museum, located in an opulent Tunis palace, is North Africa’s most impressive exhibit. In the former, the so-called Ville Nouvelle, the traces of rule from Paris are all too evident. For starters, it’s surrounded by swathes of verdant date palm blooms that rise straight from the ochre-hued earth. No one lives there anymore, but … Hammamet; 4. The … Not in Tunis’ city center, but more in its (stunning) backyard, La Goulette is the city’s port suburb between the Lake of Tunis and the ocean sparkling in the blazing sun. Tozeur; 12. Things to Do in Tunisia, Africa: See Tripadvisor's 446,037 traveller reviews and photos of Tunisia tourist attractions.