Tunisia might be North Africa’s smallest country, but it packs an incredible diversity of experiences into its compact borders. From sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches and ancient Roman ruins to vast Saharan dunes and charming whitewashed villages, Tunisia offers travelers a remarkable blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
This comprehensive guide explores the 70 best places to visit in Tunisia, taking you beyond the typical resort destinations to discover the authentic heart of this fascinating country. Whether you’re planning a week-long beach getaway or an extended journey through diverse landscapes, Tunisia rewards visitors with unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Planning Your Tunisia Adventure
Before exploring our list of Tunisia’s must-visit destinations, make sure you’ve secured the best deals on flights and accommodations. Early booking often means better prices and more options!
Coastal Gems: Tunisia’s Mediterranean Treasures
Tunisia’s 1,300 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline is dotted with stunning beaches, historic ports, and picturesque towns. These coastal destinations combine beautiful seaside settings with rich cultural heritage.
1. Sidi Bou Said
The iconic blue and white architecture of Sidi Bou Said overlooking the Mediterranean
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, Sidi Bou Said is often called the “Santorini of Tunisia” for its striking blue and white color scheme. This picturesque town dates back hundreds of years and is set to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its cobblestone streets, ornate doorways, and panoramic sea views have long attracted artists and writers seeking inspiration.
Spend your time wandering the narrow alleyways, sipping mint tea at Café des Délices with its spectacular views, and browsing artisan shops selling traditional crafts. The town’s beauty is best appreciated by staying overnight when day-trippers depart and the sunset casts a golden glow over the whitewashed buildings.
2. Hammamet
Hammamet’s golden beaches and historic medina make it a perfect coastal retreat
Once a humble fishing village surrounded by lemon groves, Hammamet has evolved into one of Tunisia’s premier beach destinations. The town successfully blends traditional charm with modern amenities, offering something for every type of traveler – from couples seeking romance to families enjoying a peaceful beach holiday.
Beyond its pristine beaches, Hammamet boasts a picturesque medina enclosed by 15th-century walls, the impressive Kasbah fortress, and the fascinating George Sebastian Villa with its beautiful gardens. Don’t miss taking a sunset cruise on a traditional felucca sailboat for unforgettable views of the coastline.
3. Sousse
This vibrant coastal city combines beautiful beaches with a UNESCO-listed medina dating back to the 9th century. Unlike purpose-built resorts, Sousse is a working city with authentic Tunisian character. The historic medina features narrow winding streets, ancient ramparts, the Great Mosque, and the impressive 8th-century Ribat fortress.
Sousse’s beaches offer golden sands and clear waters, with plenty of water sports available. The Archaeological Museum houses an exceptional collection of Roman mosaics, while the modern part of town provides shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
4. Bizerte
Tunisia’s northernmost city has a distinctly Mediterranean feel with its colorful fishing port and relaxed atmosphere. Less touristy than other coastal destinations, Bizerte offers visitors an authentic experience with its charming old port, historic medina, and impressive Spanish Fort overlooking the town.
The picturesque Vieux Port is lined with cafés where you can watch fishermen mend their nets, while nearby beaches like Cape Engela offer pristine sands and crystal-clear waters. Bizerte is also a gateway to the beautiful Cap Blanc area with its dramatic cliffs and hidden coves.
5. Djerba
Djerba’s pristine beaches and unique cultural heritage make it a must-visit island destination
Connected to the mainland by a Roman causeway, Djerba is Tunisia’s largest island and offers a fascinating blend of cultures. The island has a rich heritage combining Jewish, Muslim, and Berber influences, visible in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Djerba boasts some of Tunisia’s most beautiful beaches, particularly along the northeast coast at Plage Sidi Mahrez and Plage de la Seguia. The island’s main town, Houmt Souk, features a vibrant market, historic fort, and excellent seafood restaurants. Don’t miss visiting El Ghriba Synagogue, one of Africa’s oldest Jewish temples.
Historical Wonders: Ancient Cities and Archaeological Sites
Tunisia’s strategic position in the Mediterranean has made it home to numerous civilizations throughout history. The country boasts some of North Africa’s most impressive archaeological sites, offering windows into Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab heritage.
6. Carthage
The impressive ruins of ancient Carthage with the Mediterranean in the background
Once the capital of the mighty Carthaginian Empire and later a significant Roman city, Carthage is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just outside Tunis. The archaeological park encompasses several distinct sites, including the impressive Antonine Baths, the Roman Villas with their intricate mosaics, and the haunting Tophet sanctuary.
Begin your visit at the Carthage National Museum to gain context before exploring the ruins. The site offers stunning views over the Gulf of Tunis, especially from the hilltop Byrsa quarter. Cycling between the scattered ruins is a pleasant way to explore this extensive archaeological area.
7. El Djem
The impressive Roman amphitheater of El Djem rivals Rome’s Colosseum in scale and preservation
Home to one of the world’s best-preserved Roman amphitheaters, El Djem will transport you back to the glory days of the Roman Empire. Built in the 3rd century AD, this colossal structure once seated 35,000 spectators and is the third-largest amphitheater in the Roman world, after Rome’s Colosseum and the ruined theater of Capua.
Unlike many ancient sites, visitors can explore virtually every part of this UNESCO-listed monument, including the underground chambers where gladiators and wild animals were kept before contests. The nearby El Djem Museum houses an exceptional collection of Roman mosaics recovered from the town’s villas.
8. Dougga
Often described as North Africa’s best-preserved Roman city, Dougga offers an extraordinary glimpse into daily life during the Roman era. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sprawls across a hillside with panoramic countryside views, featuring remarkably intact temples, baths, theaters, and residential quarters.
Highlights include the Capitol with its imposing columns, the well-preserved Roman theater that still hosts performances during summer festivals, and the unique Lybico-Punic Mausoleum that predates the Roman occupation. Dougga’s remote location means fewer visitors, allowing you to explore this atmospheric site at your own pace.
9. Bulla Regia
This unique archaeological site is famous for its unusual underground Roman villas, built below ground level to escape the North African heat. These subterranean homes feature remarkably preserved mosaics still in their original locations, offering a rare authentic glimpse into Roman domestic life.
Above ground, you can explore the forum, theaters, and temples of this once-prosperous Roman town. The site’s remote location means it receives fewer visitors than Tunisia’s more famous ruins, providing a more intimate experience with ancient history.
10. Kairouan
The Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of Islam’s most sacred sites outside of Mecca and Medina
Founded in 670 AD, Kairouan is Islam’s fourth holiest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s spiritual heart is the Great Mosque, one of the oldest and most important Islamic monuments in North Africa, featuring a distinctive square minaret and a vast courtyard surrounded by colonnades.
Beyond the mosque, Kairouan’s medina is a maze of narrow streets and whitewashed buildings housing artisan workshops, particularly known for their carpet production. Don’t miss the impressive Aghlabid Basins, a sophisticated 9th-century water storage system, and the Bir Barouta well, said to be connected underground to the holy Zamzam well in Mecca.
Desert Adventures: Exploring the Sahara
Southern Tunisia offers visitors the chance to experience the magnificent Sahara Desert with its golden dunes, palm-fringed oases, and unique troglodyte dwellings. These desert landscapes have even served as filming locations for Star Wars and other Hollywood productions.
11. Tozeur
Tozeur’s vast palm grove creates a striking green oasis in the desert landscape
This desert oasis town is famous for its vast palm groves containing over 200,000 date palms and its distinctive architecture featuring geometric brick patterns. The old quarter, Ouled el-Hadef, showcases traditional desert architecture with ornate brick facades and covered passageways providing shade from the desert sun.
Tozeur serves as an excellent base for desert excursions, including visits to the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza, and Midès. The nearby Chott el-Jerid salt lake presents an otherworldly landscape that changes colors throughout the day. Star Wars fans shouldn’t miss the nearby film sets at Mos Espa, preserved in the desert since the movies were filmed.
12. Douz
Known as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” Douz sits on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, a vast sea of sand dunes. This former caravan stop is now a jumping-off point for desert adventures, from short camel rides to multi-day expeditions into the dunes with Bedouin guides.
The town itself offers a glimpse of desert life with its palm-filled oasis and traditional market. If possible, time your visit to coincide with the International Festival of the Sahara, held each December, which features traditional music, camel racing, and displays of desert horsemanship.
13. Matmata
Matmata’s unique underground troglodyte homes have been inhabited for centuries
This otherworldly landscape of crater-like dwellings dug into the earth became internationally famous when it served as Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine in Star Wars. The troglodyte homes, created by digging deep pits in the ground with caves around the perimeter serving as rooms, have been inhabited by Berber people for centuries as protection against the extreme desert climate.
Several families still live in these traditional homes, while others have been converted into museums or guesthouses where visitors can experience this unique form of architecture. The Hotel Sidi Driss, which served as the interior of Luke’s home in the original Star Wars film, remains a popular attraction where fans can stay overnight.
14. Chott el Jerid
This vast salt lake creates one of Tunisia’s most surreal landscapes. During summer, the water evaporates leaving a crusty salt plain that stretches to the horizon, often creating mirages in the heat. In winter, shallow water may cover parts of the chott, sometimes taking on pink or purple hues due to algae.
The causeway across the chott offers spectacular views and photo opportunities, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light plays across the crystalline surface. Star Wars fans will recognize this otherworldly landscape from several scenes in the films.
15. Ksar Ghilane
This remote desert oasis features a natural hot spring surrounded by palm trees and golden sand dunes. The contrast between the lush greenery and the surrounding desert creates a magical setting, especially beautiful at sunset when the dunes glow orange and red.
Visitors can stay in traditional Bedouin tents or more comfortable permanent camps, swim in the warm spring waters, and take camel or 4×4 excursions into the surrounding dunes. The nearby Roman fort of Tisavar stands as testament to how far the Roman Empire extended into the desert.
Essential Travel Tips for Tunisia
Before embarking on your Tunisian adventure, here are some practical tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience exploring the best places to visit in Tunisia.
Best Time to Visit
Tunisia enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The ideal times to visit are spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) when temperatures are pleasant for both sightseeing and beach activities. Summer (June-August) can be extremely hot, especially in the desert regions, while winter brings cooler temperatures but fewer crowds.
Getting Around
Tunisia has a reasonably good transportation network. Louage (shared taxis) are an affordable way to travel between cities, while trains connect major coastal towns. For exploring remote areas like desert oases, consider renting a car or joining organized tours. Within cities, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.
Language and Communication
Arabic is the official language, but French is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. English is less common but increasing in popularity. Learning a few basic Arabic phrases will be appreciated by locals.
Stay Connected in Tunisia
Don’t struggle with finding Wi-Fi or paying excessive roaming charges. An eSIM provides reliable internet access throughout your journey across Tunisia and neighboring countries like Egypt.
Currency and Payments
The Tunisian Dinar (TND) is the local currency. ATMs are available in cities and tourist areas, but it’s advisable to carry cash when visiting remote regions. Credit cards are accepted in upscale establishments but not universally.
Mountain Retreats: Tunisia’s Hidden Highlands
Beyond beaches and deserts, Tunisia offers surprising mountain landscapes with lush forests, dramatic gorges, and traditional Berber villages. These highland regions provide a refreshing contrast to the country’s more famous coastal and desert attractions.
16. Ain Draham
Ain Draham’s forested mountains offer a surprising contrast to Tunisia’s desert landscapes
Located in the Kroumirie Mountains near the Algerian border, Ain Draham feels more like Europe than North Africa with its alpine architecture, pine forests, and cool climate. This former French hill station becomes particularly atmospheric in winter when mist shrouds the surrounding peaks and occasional snowfall transforms the landscape.
The area offers excellent hiking opportunities through cork oak forests and along mountain streams. Wildlife enthusiasts might spot wild boars, jackals, and numerous bird species. The nearby Feija National Park protects one of Tunisia’s last remaining natural forests and the endangered Barbary deer.
17. Zaghouan
Dominated by the distinctive peak of Djebel Zaghouan, this region combines natural beauty with fascinating Roman ruins. The mountain was a crucial water source for ancient Carthage, connected by a 132-kilometer aqueduct, parts of which can still be seen today.
The Temple of Waters at the mountain’s base is a picturesque Roman shrine built around a natural spring. The surrounding area offers excellent hiking and rock climbing opportunities, with routes suitable for various skill levels. The town itself features charming traditional architecture and is known for its rose water production.
18. Kesra
Perched at 1,100 meters above sea level, Kesra is Tunisia’s highest village and one of its most picturesque Berber settlements. The stone houses with red-tiled roofs cascade down the hillside, connected by steep, narrow pathways offering spectacular views across the valley.
The village is known for its excellent honey and fig production. Wandering through the ancient streets, you’ll encounter traditional craftspeople and can sample local specialties in small family-run restaurants. The surrounding mountains offer excellent hiking opportunities through olive groves and Mediterranean scrubland.
19. Takrouna
This tiny Berber village perched atop a rocky outcrop offers panoramic views across olive groves to the Mediterranean Sea. One of Tunisia’s oldest Berber settlements, Takrouna retains its distinctive architecture of stone houses built directly into the mountainside.
Only a handful of families still live in the village, but a small café at the summit provides a perfect spot to enjoy the spectacular views while sipping mint tea. The village’s remote location and authentic character make it a peaceful alternative to more touristy destinations.
20. Chaambi National Park
Tunisia’s largest national park protects the country’s highest mountain, Jebel Chaambi (1,544 meters), and the surrounding forests and valleys. The diverse ecosystem includes Aleppo pine forests, juniper woodlands, and steppe vegetation supporting wildlife such as Barbary sheep, striped hyenas, and golden jackals.
Hiking trails range from easy walks to challenging mountain ascents, with the summit of Jebel Chaambi offering spectacular views across central Tunisia. The park also contains prehistoric rock art and Roman ruins, adding cultural interest to its natural attractions.
Unique Experiences: Tunisia’s Cultural Treasures
Beyond its landscapes and monuments, Tunisia offers visitors unique cultural experiences that provide insight into the country’s rich heritage and traditions.
21. Tunis Medina
The vibrant streets of Tunis Medina showcase centuries of history and traditional craftsmanship
The heart of Tunisia’s capital is its UNESCO-listed medina, a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, covered souks, and historic monuments dating back to the 12th century. Unlike more tourist-oriented medinas in Morocco, Tunis Medina remains authentically local, with residents going about their daily lives amid the historic surroundings.
Key landmarks include the magnificent Zitouna Mosque, founded in 732 AD, and numerous madrasas (Islamic schools) featuring exquisite architecture. The souks are organized by craft, with dedicated sections for perfumes, textiles, gold jewelry, and traditional chechia hats. Don’t miss sampling local specialties at small restaurants hidden within the maze of streets.
22. Testour
This small town on the Medjerda River reveals an unexpected chapter of Tunisian history through its distinctive Andalusian architecture. Founded by Muslims and Jews expelled from Spain in the 17th century, Testour features unique architectural elements blending Andalusian and Tunisian styles.
The Great Mosque’s minaret incorporates a clock with numbers arranged counterclockwise, while the town’s traditional houses feature decorative elements reminiscent of southern Spain. Testour is also known for its malouf music, a distinctive style brought from Andalusia that continues to be performed at local celebrations.
23. Chenini
The ancient Berber village of Chenini seems to emerge organically from the mountainside
This spectacular Berber village seems to grow organically from the mountainside, with cave dwellings and stone structures blending seamlessly into the rocky landscape. The village’s distinctive white mosque with its seven domes stands out against the ochre surroundings, while ancient granaries (ghorfas) built into the cliff face once stored the community’s precious harvests.
Though largely abandoned today, some families still maintain homes here, and local guides can explain the ingenious traditional architecture adapted to the harsh environment. The surrounding landscape offers excellent hiking opportunities with breathtaking views across the arid mountains.
24. Kerkennah Islands
This archipelago in the Gulf of Gabes offers a glimpse of traditional fishing communities largely unchanged by modern tourism. The islands are known for their unique fishing technique using palm frond barriers called charfia, a method dating back to Phoenician times.
The pace of life is delightfully slow, with small villages, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Local restaurants serve the day’s catch prepared according to traditional recipes, while accommodations tend toward small family-run guesthouses rather than large resorts.
25. Mahdia
This atmospheric coastal town combines historical significance with beautiful beaches and a working fishing port. Founded as the capital of the Fatimid dynasty in the 10th century, Mahdia retains impressive monuments including the monumental Skifa el-Kahla gate and the Great Mosque overlooking the sea.
The compact medina features traditional architecture and artisan workshops specializing in silk embroidery. Mahdia’s beaches offer golden sands and clear waters without the crowds of more developed resorts, while the bustling fish market provides an authentic glimpse of local life and the opportunity to sample freshly caught seafood.
Planning Your Perfect Tunisia Itinerary
With 70 incredible destinations to choose from, planning your Tunisia itinerary might seem overwhelming. Consider organizing your trip by region to minimize travel time and maximize experiences. A typical two-week itinerary might combine Tunis and the northern coast, a few days exploring Roman ruins, and an excursion to the Sahara.
Tunisia rewards travelers who venture beyond the resort areas to discover its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to ancient history, natural wonders, or authentic cultural experiences, this compact North African country offers unforgettable adventures at every turn.
Ready to Explore Tunisia?
Start planning your Tunisian adventure today with the best deals on flights and accommodations. Early booking ensures you’ll have the widest selection of options for your perfect North African getaway.
