Well known for its sunny beaches and rich in cultural heritage, Tunisia is home to numerous ancient cities, spectacular mosques, and excellent museums. The diverse landscape in Tunisia with a long Mediterranean coastline dotted with islands, deep valleys, Sahara Desert, and towering Dorsal Mountains, is ideal for many kinds of water sports and other outdoor activities.
Sousse is a colorful and lively Tunisian seaside city of that is also home to a historic Medina with mosques and a colourful souq. Sousse is ideal destination for water sports on the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. One of the most famous holiday destinations in Tunisia, Sousse and the nearby beach resort of Port El Kantaoui have excellent accommodation and dining opportunities. The coastal towns of Hammamet, Monastir and the magnificent Roman amphitheatre at El Jem are not far from Sousse.
More beach destinations. One of the premier beach resorts of Tunisia, Hammamet has fine beaches by the azure blue water of the Mediterranean Sea ideal for sunbathing and water sports. In addition, Hammamet is rich in history and culture with medieval medina, whitewashed houses and colorful souqs. The long coastline of Tunisia is dotted with beautiful islands such as Djerba and Kerkennah. Your trip to Tunisia is not complete without visiting the Sahara desert, its magical landscape and the famous Matmata desert village. There are also many ancient Roman hot springs in Tunisia.
How to get there. The majority of the international visitors arrive at Tunisia by air. There are several international airports in the country, the Carthage International Airport near Tunis being the main airport in Tunisia. The airport receives direct flights to Tunisia from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. There are also ferries to Tunisia from France, Malta and Italy.
Historic cities, beach resorts and desert villages in Tunisia
The attractions of Tunisia range from beaches to ancient archaeological sites. The capital of Tunisia, Tunis has a spectacular old city, Medina, with ancient palaces and mosques. The modern new city of Tunis has excellent opportunities for shopping, dining and entertainment. The ruins of the old Carthage and the remains of the Kerkouane city from the Phoenician and Punic periods are within a short driving distance from Tunis. You can also visit Kairouan, a Muslim holy city and a popular a place of pilgrimage.Sousse is a colorful and lively Tunisian seaside city of that is also home to a historic Medina with mosques and a colourful souq. Sousse is ideal destination for water sports on the turquoise Mediterranean Sea. One of the most famous holiday destinations in Tunisia, Sousse and the nearby beach resort of Port El Kantaoui have excellent accommodation and dining opportunities. The coastal towns of Hammamet, Monastir and the magnificent Roman amphitheatre at El Jem are not far from Sousse.
More beach destinations. One of the premier beach resorts of Tunisia, Hammamet has fine beaches by the azure blue water of the Mediterranean Sea ideal for sunbathing and water sports. In addition, Hammamet is rich in history and culture with medieval medina, whitewashed houses and colorful souqs. The long coastline of Tunisia is dotted with beautiful islands such as Djerba and Kerkennah. Your trip to Tunisia is not complete without visiting the Sahara desert, its magical landscape and the famous Matmata desert village. There are also many ancient Roman hot springs in Tunisia.
Practical information for your trip to Tunisia
Tunisia is located in Northern Africa between Algeria and Libya. The country has a long coastline by the Mediterranean Sea. The Tunisian terrain consists of mountains in the north, dry central plain and Saharan desert in the south. The northern part of the country enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, while the southern part of the country has a dry desert climate. During the summer months from June to August the weather in Tunisia can be unbearably hot and the tourist resorts tend to be very crowded. The most pleasant time to visit Tunisia is in spring from March to May or in autumn from September to November when the weather is mild and pleasant.How to get there. The majority of the international visitors arrive at Tunisia by air. There are several international airports in the country, the Carthage International Airport near Tunis being the main airport in Tunisia. The airport receives direct flights to Tunisia from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. There are also ferries to Tunisia from France, Malta and Italy.
Photo: RobRyb, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
The country can also be accessed by shared taxi from Libya or Algeria.
Getting around. The extensive and effective public transportation in Tunisia is handled by cheap and modern buses. Shared taxis are a popular way of traveling both short and long distances. There are ferry connections to the Tunisian islands. Rental cars are also widely available in Tunisia. The roads are generally in excellent condition and the fuel is relatively cheap. However, the Tunisian driving culture may seem quite chaotic and dangerous. Driving is on the right side of the road.
Visitor services. Tunisia has a wide variety of accommodation options, restaurants and facilities for visitors. Although it is a Muslim country, the major Tunisian beach resorts and the big cities are home to nightclubs and bars where alcohol is also served. English is spoken in touristic areas of Tunisia. French is more commonly understood.
The security situation in Tunisia is relatively good. However, it is advisable to be aware of pickpockets and other petty thefts and avoid walking around alone after dark. Terrorist attacks may also be a threat. Border regions with Algeria and Libya should be avoided as the safety conditions there are unstable. Avoid also local demonstrations as they may turn violent.
History and culture of Tunisia
The first inhabitants of Tunisia were the Berbers. Since ancient days the country has been ruled by many cultures and empires, such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turks, Spanish and French. They all have left their marks in the rich cultural heritage of Tunisia. In the numerous museums of Tunisia you can get in touch with the rich history of the country. A former French protectorate, Tunisia gained independence in 1956 and was the first country to experience the pro-democracy Arab Spring revolutions that shook the Arab World in 2011. Today Tunisia has a reputation as a liberal, tolerant and neutral Arab country.The diverse Tunisian population consists mostly of Arabs but there are also European and Jewish minorities. The conventions of Islam should be respected by dressing formally when visiting the numerous fascinating religious monuments and mosques in Tunisia. Malouf is typical Tunisian music played by small orchestras. Many modern music festivals are held in Tunisia throughout the year.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Djerba
