20 essential sites: what to see and do on a trip to 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 on my agenda for future trips, and although I had the opportunity to visit it for the first time in March 2015 during a brief trip, it has been more recently when I have really had the opportunity to discover it.

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 djerba island.

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 that Arabs with its monumental mosques.

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

Traveling for Tourism to Tunisia

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.

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 that surely invite you to travel to Tunisia for a stay of vacation during which you can know the essential places of this North African country.

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 in Tunisia

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

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 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 in Tunisia

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.

Tozeur dunes in Sahara desert in Tunisia

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

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 of Tozeur in Tunisia

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

Salt Lake Chott el Jerid in Tunisia

One of the most impressive landscapes you can see in your route through Tunisia is 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.

Douz dunes 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.

Matmata, troglodyte village in Tunisia

In the 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.

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.

Tamezret, Berber village in Tunisia

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

Medina of Djerba in Tunisia

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.

Djerba Jewish Synagogue in Tunisia

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 crafts in Djerba in Tunisia

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.

Djerba fishing port in Tunisia

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.

Medina of Hammamet in Tunisia

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

Cafe Sidi in Hammamet in Tunisia

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 in Tunisia

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.