Tunisia

20 must-see places in Tunisia: what to see and do on your trip

Corner of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia
Corner of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia

In my recent trip to tunisia I have had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of this country of northern ÁAfrica.

Tunisia has always been a final destination present in my agenda of future trips, and although I had the opportunity to visit it for the first time in March 2015 during a short trip, it has only been more recently when I have really had the opportunity to discover it more thoroughly.

This most recent trip to tunisia has allowed me to visit the most interesting corners of said country to have first-hand the best perspective of its attractions.

 
 

During the latter part of the last century and the beginning of the current one, Tunisia became a very popular holiday tourist destination of the Mediterranean coast, and a growing competitor to Spain thanks to the attractiveness of its beaches, specifically in Hammamet, Sousa and the djerba island.

This is what a tourist trip to Tunisia is like

But beyond the beaches, what really attracted Tunisia was his character picturesque country, with the charming medinas of its towns and cities.

This combined with a great architectural heritage from different periods, from Carthaginians and  Romans, to  Arabs with its monumental mosques.

And also with its great oasis and dune landscapes at the gates of Sahara desert.

But since 2010, the initial destabilization produced in the country by the Arab Spring, along with the economic crisis in European countries like Spain, led to a very significant drop in tourist arrivals.

And this problem worsened after the attacks jihadists events that occurred in 2015, and later, with the pandemic world we have lived.

However Tunisia is already recovering in a decided way the international tourism, something key for a country in which this industry, along with agriculture, is the most important driver of its economy.

 
 

Before highlighting places that are very worth discovering, I tell you that, based on the experience of my trip, currently Tunisia is a safe country for the tourists.

During your tour nowhere will you have a feeling of insecurity, which is favored by being a country where political stability reigns, as well as by the special friendliness of its people.

Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia
Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia

Of course, with the caveat that should be made that in these times, a specific terrorist attack can arise in many parts of the world, including cities as safe as Paris, London, Brussels or Madrid.

20 Best Places to See and Things to Do in Tunisia

In any case, for your future vacations, here are 20 images taken during my most recent trip.

How to have unlimited Internet on your trip

Before starting your trip, don't forget to buy the Holafly eSIM (which we always take on our international trips), so that as soon as you arrive in the country Where you travel you already have the unlimited 4G data connection that will allow you to use Internet tools as useful as Google Maps.

Here you can buy the data eSIM with a 5% discount using code TRAVEL GUIDES, and here you have an article in which we detail the advantages of using said eSIM and how to do it

These photos are a clear invitation to travel to Tunisia for a stay of vacation during which you can know the essential places of this North African country.

Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia
Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia

Sidi Bou Said, beautiful and charming town in Tunisia

If there is a characteristic image of a charming town in TunisiaYou will find that in the town of Andalusian influence Sidi Bou Said.

Very close to the capital, this quite touristy town is located on top of a hill on the seafront.

During your walk through Sidi Bou Said you will find numerous and colorful corners in which the houses combine the bright white color of its facades with the blue doors and windows, style inspired by the towns of the Greek islands.

Great Mosque of Kairouan

If a monument with the best expression of the Muslim architecture in Tunisia, in the city of Kairouan you find one Grand mosque from the 7th century, where among other corners, you can see its recycled columns from the Byzantine Romans.

Great Mausoleum of Kairouan in Tunisia
Great Mausoleum of Kairouan in Tunisia

Great Mausoleum of Kairouan

In the city of 300 mosques as it is known Kairouan, there are numerous mausoleums, although the most notable is its Great Mausoleum, also known as the Barber's Mausoleum.

Chebika Oasis near Tozeur in Tunisia
Chebika Oasis near Tozeur in Tunisia

Chebika Oasis in Sahara Desert in Tunisia

From the city of Tozeur, one of the doors of the Sahara desert in Tunisia, you can take a tour of the region of the mountain oasis where, without a doubt, the Chebika.

Mides Canyon near Tozeur in Tunisia
Mides Canyon near Tozeur in Tunisia

Mides Canyon

La Tozeur mountain oasis route has a little visited corner, right on the border with Algeria, the Mides Canyon, a beautiful landscape enclave.

It is a rarely visited area and do not be surprised if when you visit it, a police car nearby stops you to ask where you are going, because without realizing it you can cross into the neighboring country.

Sunset in the dunes of the Tozeur desert in Tunisia
Sunset in the dunes of the Tozeur desert in Tunisia

Tozeur dunes in the Sahara desert

From Tozeur you can take an excursion to an area of ​​the Sahara desert where do you find some big dunes

In this area your adrenaline will rise when the 4×4 vehicle that takes you on the excursion goes up and down some of these enormous dunes.

Star Wars decorations in Tozeur in Tunisia
Star Wars decorations in Tozeur in Tunisia

Star Wars sets in Tozeur 

In addition to being able to enjoy desert scenes, including the spectacular sunset from tents, this route also takes you to the remains of the scenes from one of the films in the saga The Wars filmed in this country.

Walking through these settings, you will really feel like you are the protagonist of these iconic films.

 
 
Medina Tozeur in Tunisia
Medina Tozeur in Tunisia

Medina of Tozeur 

The city of Tozeur contains an interesting medina with a very peculiar architecture in its buildings, based on decorated bricks.

Chott El Jerid salt lake in Tunisia
Chott El Jerid salt lake in Tunisia

Salt Lake Chott el Jerid in Tunisia

One of the most impressive landscapes you can see in your route through Tunisia is the salt lake Chott el Jerid, a huge flat surface of clay covered in salt where you can see the characteristic mirages of the desert.

This enormous surface of an ancient salt lake located below sea level you will travel through it in the route between Tozeur and Douz.

Camel ride in the Douz dunes in Tunisia
Camel ride in the Douz dunes in Tunisia

Douz dunes, gateway to the Sahara desert in Tunisia

During your trip through Tunisia, another enclave where you can reach the gates of the sahara desert es Douz,

In this place you can ride on the back of a dromedary by a dune area, or if you prefer, go by horse-drawn carriage or drive a quad.

Troglodyte house in Matmata in Tunisia
Troglodyte house in Matmata in Tunisia

Matmata, troglodyte village in Tunisia

At mountain route that runs through several berber villages an essential stage is Matmata, where you find a set of troglodyte houses pierced in caves.

On your trip you can visit some of these houses where their owners are happy to receive tourists, also offering tea and some sweets, hoping to be compensated with a tip.

Hotel Sidi Idriss, setting of Star Wars in Matmata
Hotel Sidi Idriss, setting of Star Wars in Matmata

Star Wars in Matmata

En Matmata you can stay in the hotel Sidi Idriss, whose rooms are caves, a corner that was used by George Lucas for scenes from the first installment of the saga The Wars.

Corner of the Berber village of Tamezret in Tunisia
Corner of the Berber village of Tamezret in Tunisia

Tamezret, a typical Berber village in Tunisia

At route of the berber villages, you can walk through the corners of the old Tamezret which unfolds on a hill pierced by numerous caves.

Corner of the medina on the island of Djerba in Tunisia
Corner of the medina on the island of Djerba in Tunisia

Medina of Djerba Island, between souks and markets

During your vacation stay djerba island You will surely walk through the alleys of the main city of this tourist enclave, where you will be able to see souks, markets and several nice corners.

Don't forget your Travel Insurance

Are you organizing your trip or getaway? Don't leave without take out your travel insurance before, and here we explain why. If you hire it with us, you have a 5% discount

Corner of the Jewish synagogue on the island of Djerba in Tunisia
Corner of the Jewish synagogue on the island of Djerba in Tunisia

Jewish Synagogue of Djerba

En Djerba you must not stop visit the synagogue, meeting point of the Jewish community who lives on this tourist island, and whose interior shows a beautiful and colorful decoration.

Pottery craftsman on the island of Djerba in Tunisia
Pottery craftsman on the island of Djerba in Tunisia

Pottery crafts in Djerba

La djerba island is the principal pottery center of Tunisia, where currently eight families are dedicated to this craft activity following the most traditional method, removing the mud by hand from deep caves.

Jars for capturing octopuses on the island of Djerba
Jars for capturing octopuses on the island of Djerba

Fishing port, a picturesque spot in Djerba

In the port of the Djerba Marina, within the framework of traditional fishing activity you will be able to see the jars that are used as traditional system for capturing octopuses.

Corner of the medina of Hammamet in Tunisia
Corner of the medina of Hammamet in Tunisia

Walled Medina, the other side of Hammamet

The very holiday city of Hammamet It has a small but very pretty walled residential medina on the seafront, where you can see some artist shops and remembrances.

Terrace of Café Sidi Bouhdid in the medina of Hammamet
Terrace of Café Sidi Bouhdid in the medina of Hammamet

Café Sidi in the Medina of Hammamet

El Cafe Sidi Bouhdid is a classic Hammamet medina, and its terrace located at the foot of the wall of the old Spanish fortification and on the seashore is an essential stop for tourists.

Hotel Le Royal Hammamet by BlueBay in Tunisia
Hotel Le Royal Hammamet by BlueBay in Tunisia

Hotel Le Royal Hammamet

Among the many hotels in the tourist complex of Yasmine hammamet, we highlight the hotel Le Royal Hammamet of the chain BlueBay, pioneer of said complex.

In this five star hotel with truly spectacular facilities, where the large marble stairs of its building stand out. LOBBY of entry.

Hotel Le Royal Hammamet by BlueBay in Tunisia
Hotel Le Royal Hammamet by BlueBay in Tunisia

About the Author

José Luis Sarralde

Journalist and traveler throughout his life, José Luis Sarralde is the founder of Guías Viajar, where since 2008 he has been capturing his travel experiences around the world, specializing in cultural and scenic destinations in Spain and Europe.

Comments

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  • What is advisable to do in Tunisia with a group of young people between 23 and 12 years old?
    Is it possible to spend a day and night in the desert?
    Thank you

  • Greetings to all Adventurous Travelers Seeking unique experiences and dream trips in Tunisia.
    I am Naoufel, National Professional Tourism Guide. Officially, belonging to the Ministry and the ”Tunisian National Tourist Office” since 1998. Holder of license no. 1886 and member of the ”Tunisian Federation of Authorized Professional Guides”.
    I am a designer specialized in custom trips and creator of unusual experiences!
    You can follow me on Instagram by searching my account ”Naoufel Briki©” Or on Facebook in our private group called ”Tunisia The Living Legend©” https://www.facebook.com/groups/leyendaviva/ and for a direct chat with me you have to my Whatsapp +216 28 475 777 for an unforgettable trip in TUNISIA
    You are all welcome.

  • Hello Jose.

    An interesting and complete article.
    I would like to ask you what the medinas are like in Tunisia, is there the 'harassment' of vendors as much as it can happen in Morocco? More less?
    Did you explore the medinas and cities with a guide or without a guide?
    Thank you

  • Hello! I am thinking of traveling from Argentina, I have been meaning to visit the African continent for a long time. What do you recommend when traveling to Tunisia? More than anything to spend at least a week there.

    By the way, very good article.

  • I've been there and I loved it... there are some beautiful places missing but the article is very complete.

  • Hello. Good night. The countries of the North Coast of Africa are very wonderful for their culture and monuments; but there is no security. Greetings.

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