20 Best Things to Do in Tunisia

Tunisia packs an incredible amount into a relatively small country. You can explore ancient Roman ruins, wander through blue-and-white Mediterranean villages, visit traditional medinas, relax on sandy beaches and venture south into the Sahara Desert.

I first visited Tunisia on a winter sun getaway from the UK and was pleasantly surprised by just how much the country had to offer. The beaches were far more beautiful than I’d expected, and I loved exploring the pretty blue-and-white town of Sidi Bou Said and the dramatic landscapes of the Sahara Desert.

Tunisia is also one of the best destinations in the world for Star Wars fans. Many of the locations used to create the fictional planet of Tatooine can be found in southern Tunisia, including the sets around Tozeur and the troglodyte buildings of Matmata.

While Tunisia doesn’t receive quite as many international visitors as nearby Morocco or Egypt, there’s plenty to see beyond its beach resorts. From the ruins of Carthage and the enormous Roman amphitheatre at El Djem to the palm-filled oases around Tozeur, here are some of the best things to do in Tunisia.

Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Tunisia

Carthage

Just outside Tunis, the ancient city of Carthage is one of Tunisia’s most important historical sites. Once the center of the powerful Carthaginian Empire, the city was famously destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC before being rebuilt as a major Roman city.

Today, the archaeological site is spread across several locations rather than one compact complex. Some of the most impressive remains are the Antonine Baths, which were once among the largest Roman bath complexes in the world. You can also visit Byrsa Hill, the Roman villas and the remains of the ancient Punic ports.

Carthage is easy to combine with nearby Sidi Bou Said, so it makes sense to visit both on the same day if you’re staying in Tunis.

El Djem Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre of El Djem is one of the most impressive Roman sites in Tunisia and one of the largest surviving Roman amphitheatres in the world. Built in the 3rd century, it once held tens of thousands of spectators and is often compared to the Colosseum in Rome.

What makes El Djem so memorable is how much of the structure is still standing. You can walk through the arched passageways, climb up into the seating areas and look down into the arena below. It’s also possible to explore parts of the underground chambers where gladiators and animals would once have waited before entering the arena.

The amphitheatre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best places in Tunisia to get a sense of the country’s Roman history.

Sidi Bou Said

Perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, Sidi Bou Said is one of the prettiest places in Tunisia. The town is instantly recognizable for its whitewashed buildings, bright blue doors and shutters, cobbled streets and bursts of colorful bougainvillea.

I loved wandering around Sidi Bou Said and taking in the views over the Mediterranean. It’s the kind of place that’s best explored without much of a plan – stroll through the narrow streets, browse the small shops and galleries, and stop at one of the cafés for a mint tea.

Sidi Bou Said is only a short distance from Carthage, making it easy to visit both on the same day from Tunis.

Sousse

Sousse is one of Tunisia’s most popular coastal cities, but there’s much more to see here than its beaches and resorts. At the heart of the city is the historic Medina of Sousse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by centuries-old defensive walls.

Inside the medina, you’ll find a maze of narrow streets lined with shops and market stalls selling everything from spices and ceramics to leather goods, clothing and souvenirs. It’s a great place to wander around, browse the souks and experience a more traditional side of the city.

While you’re there, visit the Ribat of Sousse, an 8th-century fortified monastery with a watchtower you can climb for views across the medina. The nearby Sousse Archaeological Museum is also worth visiting for its impressive collection of Roman mosaics.

Tozeur Oasis

Located on the edge of the Sahara in southwestern Tunisia, Tozeur is a desert oasis surrounded by an enormous palm grove containing hundreds of thousands of date palms. The contrast between the lush greenery and the surrounding desert makes it one of the most distinctive landscapes in southern Tunisia.

Take a walk or carriage ride through the palm groves, where you’ll see date palms, fruit trees and small irrigation channels fed by natural springs. Tozeur itself is also worth exploring, particularly the old quarter of Ouled el Hadef, which is known for its traditional geometric brickwork.

Tozeur makes a great base for exploring more of southern Tunisia, including the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Midès, the salt lake Chott el Djerid and several Star Wars filming locations.

Beaches of Hammamet

Hammamet is one of Tunisia’s best-known beach destinations, with long stretches of pale sand and clear Mediterranean water. If you’re visiting Tunisia for some winter sun, it’s a great place to spend a few days relaxing by the sea between sightseeing trips.

There’s more to Hammamet than its resort hotels, though. The old medina is small but picturesque, with whitewashed buildings, narrow streets and a historic kasbah overlooking the coast. You can walk along the walls for views across the beach and Mediterranean.

South of the old town, Yasmine Hammamet is the newer resort area, where you’ll find a marina, restaurants, shops and many of the area’s larger hotels.

Djerba

Just off Tunisia’s southeastern coast, Djerba is known for its sandy beaches, whitewashed villages and relaxed pace of life. It’s one of the country’s main beach destinations, but there are plenty of reasons to venture beyond the resorts.

Spend some time exploring Houmt Souk, the island’s main town, where narrow streets are filled with small shops, cafés and traditional markets. Djerba is also home to El Ghriba Synagogue, one of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa, reflecting the island’s long-established Jewish community.

Elsewhere on the island, you’ll find traditional pottery workshops in Guellala, distinctive white-domed mosques and Djerbahood, an open-air street art project in the village of Erriadh featuring murals by artists from around the world.

Djerbahood

One of the most unusual things to see on Djerba is Djerbahood, an open-air street art project in the traditional village of Erriadh. The project began in 2014, when artists from around the world were invited to create murals on the walls and buildings throughout the village.

Today, you can wander through Erriadh and discover colorful murals tucked between its whitewashed houses, arched doorways and narrow streets. Part of the fun is simply walking around and seeing what you find, as the artworks are scattered throughout the village rather than concentrated in a single gallery or exhibition space.

It’s an interesting contrast to Djerba’s historic architecture and a good reason to explore beyond the island’s beaches and resorts.

Sahara Desert

Exploring the Sahara Desert was the biggest highlight of my trip to Tunisia. Head south and the scenery changes dramatically, with vast stretches of desert, rocky landscapes, palm-filled oases and enormous salt flats.

There are several ways to experience the Sahara, from 4×4 excursions across the desert to camel rides through the dunes. Douz, often referred to as the gateway to the Sahara, is one of the main starting points for desert excursions, while Tozeur is another excellent base for exploring the landscapes of southern Tunisia.

What I hadn’t realized before my trip was just how much of Star Wars had been filmed in this part of Tunisia. Seeing some of the original filming locations while travelling through the desert made the experience even more memorable.

If you’re staying at one of Tunisia’s coastal resorts, I’d definitely recommend making time for a trip south. The desert landscapes are completely different from the beaches and historic towns in the north and were easily my favorite part of the country.

Medina of Tunis

At the heart of Tunisia’s capital is the Medina of Tunis, a maze of narrow streets, covered souks, mosques and historic buildings dating back centuries. Founded in the 7th century, the medina is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best places to experience the historic side of the city.

Wander through the souks around the Zitouna Mosque, where you’ll find stalls selling perfumes, spices, textiles, jewelry, ceramics and traditional handicrafts. The Zitouna Mosque itself is the most important mosque in the medina and has stood at its center for more than a thousand years.

It’s worth allowing yourself time to explore without following a strict route. Part of the experience is getting lost among the alleyways, stumbling across ornate doorways, hidden courtyards and small cafés along the way.

Bardo National Museum

If you’re interested in Tunisia’s ancient history, the Bardo National Museum in Tunis is one of the best museums to visit in the country. Housed in a former palace, its collection traces thousands of years of Tunisian history, from the Punic and Roman periods to the Islamic era.

The museum is particularly famous for its collection of Roman mosaics, which is considered one of the finest in the world. Many were discovered at archaeological sites across Tunisia and depict everything from mythology and hunting scenes to everyday life in Roman North Africa.

The Bardo is a great complement to visiting sites such as Carthage and El Djem, as it gives you much more context about the civilizations that shaped Tunisia and allows you to see artifacts recovered from ancient sites around the country.

Star Wars Sites

Southern Tunisia is home to numerous Star Wars filming locations, many of which can still be visited today. The desert landscapes were used to represent the fictional planet of Tatooine, which took its name from the Tunisian town of Tataouine.

Highlights include the Mos Espa set near Tozeur, Ong Jemel and Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata, which was used for the interior of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home. You’ll also find filming locations around Tataouine and on the island of Djerba.

If you want to see several sites in one trip, you can book a guided Star Wars tour or incorporate them into a wider tour of southern Tunisia.

Chott el Djerid

Chott el Djerid is a vast salt lake in southern Tunisia, stretching between Tozeur and Kebili on the edge of the Sahara. For much of the year, the lake is largely dry, leaving behind an expanse of white salt crust that seems to stretch endlessly towards the horizon.

The landscape changes depending on the weather and time of day, with the salt taking on shades of white, pink and purple. The intense heat can also create mirages across the horizon, adding to the otherworldly appearance.

If you’re travelling between Tozeur and Douz, the main road crosses Chott el Djerid, making it an easy stop as part of a wider trip through southern Tunisia.

Kairouan and Its Mosque

Kairouan is one of Tunisia’s most historic cities and an important center of Islamic culture in North Africa. Founded in the 7th century, its old city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city’s main landmark is the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of the oldest and most significant mosques in North Africa. You can also wander through the medina, visit the ornate Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi and browse shops selling the carpets for which Kairouan is famous.

Don’t leave without trying makroudh, a traditional semolina pastry filled with dates and soaked in honey or syrup. Kairouan is particularly famous for them.

The Crocodile Farm

If you’re visiting Djerba with kids, the crocodile farm at Djerba Explore Park is a popular family attraction. The large outdoor enclosures are home to hundreds of Nile crocodiles, which you can view from walkways above the pools.

Try to time your visit for feeding time, when the crocodiles are at their most active. The farm is part of the larger Djerba Explore complex, which also includes the Lalla Hadria Museum and a heritage village showcasing traditional Djerban architecture and daily life.

It’s an easy half-day activity if you want a break from Djerba’s beaches and historic sights.

Grotte ain Dhab

For something a little different, Grotte Aïn Dhab is a cave system near Siliana in northern Tunisia, known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a much less visited attraction than Tunisia’s ancient ruins, beaches and desert landscapes.

Exploring the cave involves descending underground through narrow passages and chambers, so this is more of an adventure than a casual sightseeing stop. It’s best visited with a local guide who knows the cave system, and you’ll need suitable footwear and clothing.

If you’re exploring this part of northern Tunisia, Grotte Aïn Dhab offers a glimpse of a side of the country that most visitors never see.

Bizerte

Located on Tunisia’s northern coast, Bizerte is a laid-back port city known for its picturesque Old Port, historic medina and Mediterranean coastline. It’s much less touristy than places like Hammamet and Sousse, making it a good option if you want to experience a quieter side of Tunisia.

Start at the Old Port, where colorful fishing boats line the waterfront, before wandering through the narrow streets of the nearby medina. You can also visit the Kasbah and Spanish Fort or stop at one of the waterfront cafés overlooking the harbor.

Bizerte is also a useful base for exploring Tunisia’s far north, including the beaches and rugged coastline around Cap Angela, the northernmost point of mainland Africa.

Ribat Monastir

Overlooking the Mediterranean, the Ribat of Monastir is one of Tunisia’s best-preserved Islamic fortresses. Originally founded in the 8th century, the complex was expanded over the centuries and once formed part of a chain of coastal defenses.

You can explore its courtyards, stone passageways and defensive walls, then climb the watchtower for views over Monastir and the sea. The fortress has also appeared on screen, most famously as a filming location for Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

Its waterfront setting and impressive architecture make the ribat one of the highlights of a visit to Monastir.

Try Local Tunisian Cuisine

One of the best ways to experience Tunisia is through its food, which combines North African, Mediterranean and Arab influences. Harissa, a spicy chili paste, features heavily in Tunisian cooking and is served alongside everything from bread and couscous to grilled meats and seafood.

Make sure you try brik, a thin, crispy pastry typically filled with egg and tuna, as well as Tunisian couscous, which is often much spicier than versions you’ll find elsewhere in North Africa. Other dishes to look out for include lablabi, a chickpea soup flavored with garlic and cumin, and ojja, a tomato and pepper-based dish often served with eggs and merguez sausage.

For something sweet, try makroudh, date-filled semolina pastries, or bambalouni, Tunisia’s version of a fried doughnut.

Ghar al Milh

Ghar El Melh is a small coastal town in northern Tunisia, around an hour’s drive from Tunis. Once an important Ottoman port, it’s known for its historic forts, old harbor and lagoon surrounded by hills and wetlands.

Take a walk around the old port and visit the town’s Ottoman-era fortifications before heading to nearby Sidi Ali El Mekki Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand backed by hills. The area is much quieter than Tunisia’s major resort towns and makes a good day trip if you want to explore more of the country’s northern coastline.

Ghar El Melh is also known for its traditional lagoon farming, a centuries-old agricultural system that has been recognized by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

A Final Word

Tunisia really surprised me with its variety. In one trip, you can explore ancient ruins and historic medinas, relax on beautiful Mediterranean beaches and dine under the stars in the desert.

The biggest highlight for me was exploring the Sahara Desert. Before visiting Tunisia, I had no idea that so many scenes from Star Wars had been filmed there, so it was amazing to see some of the filming locations in person while exploring the desert landscapes.

If you’re looking for an affordable winter sun destination from the UK or Europe that offers much more than just beaches, Tunisia is well worth considering.