Thing to do
Souks of the Tunis Medina
A walk through the covered market streets around the Zitouna Mosque, from the thirteenth-century perfume souk to lanes of craftsmen and textile sellers.
La Marsa Beach and Corniche
The sandy beach and seafront of La Marsa at the end of the TGM line, a relaxed residential suburb with cafés, restaurants and old palaces.
At a glance
- Type
- Beach and seafront
- Area
- La Marsa, Tunis, Tunisia
Good to know
- Beach
- Seafront promenade
- Cafés and restaurants
- TGM train access
Why we recommend it
La Marsa is the seaside suburb where many Tunisians spend their summer evenings, and a trip here shows a very different side of the capital from the medina. It sits on the coast north of Sidi Bou Said and is reached by the TGM, the 19 km suburban railway that links Tunis to the sea via La Goulette and Carthage. The line ends at La Marsa, and Marsa Plage station leaves you a short walk from the sand.
The town is known for its beaches, and the long stretch of sand along the corniche is the main draw on warm days. Away from the beach, La Marsa is an upmarket residential area with shops, cafés and restaurants, and it has historic buildings too. The Abdalliya Palace, built in the early sixteenth century by a late Hafsid sultan on the site of the ancient port, is considered one of the oldest examples of Muslim palace architecture still in good condition in the Maghreb. The town also has the El Ahmadi Mosque and the Keren Yechoua synagogue, a reminder of the area's mixed history. Gammarth, with its large resort hotels, continues the coast further north.
For a classic La Marsa evening, walk along the seafront at sunset and stay for dinner. Le Golfe, a seafood restaurant open since 1955, faces the sea on Rue Larbi Zarrouk, and the corniche has many simpler cafés. The town centre also has plenty of cafés for a mint tea away from the sand.
Summer weekends are crowded, with families arriving from across the city, so if you want space on the beach come on a weekday or outside July and August. Spring and early autumn are pleasant for walking along the front even when it is too cool to swim. Bring sun protection, keep an eye on flags and local advice about sea conditions, and remember that beachwear is for the beach rather than the town streets.
La Marsa suits families, couples and anyone staying in Gammarth or Sidi Bou Said. It is easy to combine with Sidi Bou Said, one stop back down the line, or with Carthage earlier in the day, and many visitors finish a day of sightseeing on the coast with dinner here before taking the train or a taxi back to the centre.
La Marsa Beach and Corniche FAQs
How do I get to La Marsa from Tunis?
Take the TGM suburban train, which runs 19 km from Tunis via La Goulette, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said; Marsa Plage station is close to the beach.
Is La Marsa good for swimming?
Its beaches are popular in summer; follow local advice and flags on sea conditions.
When is the beach busiest?
Summer weekends, especially in July and August, when families come from across the city.
What else is there to see?
The sixteenth-century Abdalliya Palace, the El Ahmadi Mosque and a lively seafront with cafés.
Where can I eat by the sea?
Le Golfe, open since 1955, is a well-known seafood restaurant facing the sea, and the corniche has simpler cafés.
Can I combine La Marsa with other sights?
Yes, Sidi Bou Said and Carthage are a few stops back along the TGM line.
What should I wear in town?
Keep beachwear for the beach and dress casually but modestly in the streets.