Tunisia is one of those destinations that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Berbers, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs have left their mark on this land bathed by the Mediterranean Sea and touched by the desert's light, where myths and legends from another era come to life. If, like the heroes and heroines of historical civilizations, you also dream of traveling to Tunisia to immerse yourself in the Maghreb sun, you're in the right place.
The present Tunisian Republic is located in North Africa, alongside the Atlas Mountains. About 40% of its surface corresponds to the Sahara Desert. The rest is occupied by its beaches, fertile fields, lush valleys, oases, villages, and more or less sizable urban centers, with Tunis, its capital, being the main city. The legendary capital of the Punic State, Carthage, founded in the 8th century BC, was situated within its territory. Throughout the following sections, we will provide you with everything you need to know before embarking on the adventure that will take you to this land and its other emblematic points.
Requirements for Traveling to Tunisia
The requirements for traveling to Tunisia are minimal. To enter the country, you will need a valid passport (an ID card is not accepted), preferably issued six months before the trip. Currently, presenting a Covid Certificate or any other health document is not mandatory, although it is recommended to have travel medical insurance for any eventualities that may arise during the trip. Depending on your country of origin you may need to apply for a visa to travel to Tunisia so make sure to check well in advance.
Is Traveling to Tunisia Safe?
Yes, traveling to Tunisia is safe. With a significant influx in tourism in recent years, necessary measures have been put in place to minimize risks for both the local population and travelers. General health conditions are good, and chances of assault or robbery are low, as Tunisia has a low crime rate. However, as a preventive measure, it is advised to exercise caution with personal belongings, especially during travel and in large cities (as in any other country in the world). Below, we provide some additional recommendations to ensure your vacation is as enjoyable and peaceful as possible. Below, we provide some additional recommendations to ensure your vacation is as enjoyable and peaceful as possible.
Recommendations for Traveling to Tunisia
While traveling to Tunisia is safe, it's still a good idea to consider some basic guidelines to avoid unnecessary risks. Before you go, make sure all your documentation is in order, including flight tickets. Once there, always follow the authorities' instructions and respect local rules. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against traveling to border areas with Algeria and Libya, including militarized zones (restricted access). They also suggest avoiding nighttime journeys outside urban areas. In the capital city of Tunis and major tourist sites like Mahdia, Hammamet, Monastir, the island of Djerba, or Sousse, you'll experience a high level of security during your stay.
Any other recommendations for traveling to Tunisia? Plan your trip well and think about the places you want to visit so you can book accommodations and excursions in advance. This will save you time and energy and ensure you don't miss out on anything. You'll need a special permit to access certain parts of the desert. Pack comfortable footwear and clothing for excursions (and don't forget your swimsuit!) Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate, warm in summer, mild in spring and autumn, and slightly cooler in winter – keep this in mind when packing. And if you want your vacation to be more sustainable, try to avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. Also, whenever you visit a location, whether it's a beach, a city, or another outdoor spot, make an effort to pick up any trash you generate, such as cigarette butts, food remnants, bags, or empty containers.
What to see in Tunisia
The Tunisian Republic is a land of contrasts – contrasts of time and space, natural contrasts, and contrasts between the different historical and cultural influences that unfold as you travel from North to South across its territory. From its paradisiacal beaches to its history-rich cities, refined monuments, and surreal landscapes, here are some suggestions on what to see in Tunisia to make the most of your stay.
Beaches of Tunisia
Port El Kantaoui Beaches
Port El Kantaoui harbors some of Tunisia's most beautiful beaches. Regarded as the "Tunisian Marbella," the marina is the heart of a picturesque Mediterranean village built in 1979, accessed through a medieval-style gate. The water is clean and turquoise, with an astonishingly white and fine sand coastline that, like a preview of the desert, forms dunes in some areas of the beach. Surrounding it are several golf courses, charming seafront restaurants, shops selling clothing or local products, and narrow alleys worth exploring.
Here, you'll find the Iberostar Selection Diar El Andalous, a five-star All-Inclusive surrounded by gardens that look like something out of The Thousand and One Nights. In this luxurious hotel, featuring three outdoor pools and an indoor pool, you can relax and pamper yourself with a complete oriental cure of massages, relaxation baths, and saunas. If you desire more privacy and exclusivity, you'll find it in their Star Prestige areas. Adjacent to it is the Port El Kantaoui golf course, perfect for indulging in your favorite sport.
At Iberostar Selection Kantaoui Bay, three kilometers from Port El Kantaoui and 25 kilometers from Monastir Airport, you can savor the best local flavors at their gastronomic space Raihan, which, along with three other restaurants and four bars, offers a diverse and high-quality culinary experience. To inspire a connection between body and soul, the spa offers two hydrotherapy areas and a thalassotherapy center with a Turkish bath. Both hotels cater to all types of travelers, including families with young children, thanks to their Star Camp program.
Mahdia Beaches
The beaches of Mahdia, serene and seemingly empty even in the summer, are reminiscent of those in the Caribbean. Stretching over three kilometers, they form a distinct white line touched by the Mediterranean's impossible shades – calm and shallow in this area. Hammocks and parasols, restaurants, bars, and cafes, as well as various water sports centers, can be found here. A lush oasis of tropical shrubs and palm trees completes this postcard-like image.
If you're eager to immerse yourself in authentic Arab culture while enjoying the comforts of a five-star hotel, the Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour is the ideal place to do so. With a private beach, located next to the old town of Mahdia, this family-oriented accommodation boasts elegant classical decor with modern touches. It houses a thalassotherapy center and a spa with a hammam, as well as a traditional cafe with shishas, the Café Maure, and comprehensive sports facilities where you can play tennis, pétanque, or football, engage in archery, or join a water aerobics session.
Playa de Sidi Akkour
Sidi Akkour is a paradisiacal beach located on the beautiful island of Djerba, known as the "island of golden sands" since the writer Gustave Flaubert gave it this nickname. In The Odyssey, Homer recounts how Ulysses retreated to rest in Djerba after the Trojan War, fleeing from the sirens' songs. You can do the same during your upcoming vacation while enjoying this dreamy beach. But be careful, because (according to legend) whoever tastes the strange honey-flavored fruits that grow on the island will never want to leave. It's worth escaping to the island part of Tunisia to try their dates and see if reality surpasses literature.
The Iberostar Waves Mehari Djerba is located in Sidi Akkour, right on the beachfront. In its outdoor area, you'll find 50,000 m2 of gardens and palm groves. Its Beach Bar will allow you to experience having a drink with your toes in its golden sand. Their gastronomic selection includes restaurants with Arab, Mediterranean, and Oriental cuisine. With the Aliveness program, you can reconnect with your true self, immersing yourself in the nature around you and within yourself through yoga classes, meditation sessions, and other well-being activities.
Hammamet Beach
Hammamet is a traditional coastal city that has taken shape over the centuries, creating its unique landscape with white, rounded buildings, temples, fairytale-like houses, a port, and a souk. This is the mental image that comes to mind when you picture yourself on vacation in Tunisia. Then, over 14 kilometers of beaches will do the rest. Fine white sand and crystal-clear waters make this maritime enclave one of the most popular among travelers who come to Tunisia attracted by its nature.
This is the location of the Iberostar Waves Averroes hotel, with rooms overlooking the beach and the color blue taking center stage, extending the energy of the sea to infinity. Its Mediterranean architecture, with details typical of the local aesthetic, will provide you with an immersive stay. From there, you can explore the medina of Hammamet and discover its bazaar or visit the nearby cities of Sousse and Monastir. Their spa offers treatments such as massages with natural seaweed, in addition to a Turkish bath. The culinary selection of their themed restaurant, Olivier, and their buffet, Laurier, includes typical Tunisian dishes like couscous, tajines, or stuffed briks.
Skanes Beach
Skanes Beach, near the ancient Phoenician settlement of Monastir, is one of the most highly regarded beaches in Tunisia. In this destination, you'll have everything at your fingertips. In addition to playing golf or diving, you can explore the region, which is home to the historic cities of Sousse, Mahdia, and Kairouan, the Ribat fortress built by the Arab people in the 8th century, and the mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, the hero of Tunisia's independence, born in Monastir.
On the beachfront of Skanes, you'll find the Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace hotel, a five-star accommodation ideal for families or couples, inviting you to stroll through its sumptuous gardens full of palm trees, taste local cuisine (it has a buffet with show cooking where healthy Arab delights take the spotlight), or disconnect and relax in its pools and Spa Sensations. The accommodation has a private beach area, as well as five function rooms for events. Among its Star Prestige areas, there's an exclusive solarium with Balinese beds for adults only.
Other places of interest in Tunisia
Tunis and Carthage
The best way to discover Tunis is to explore it on foot. The Medina district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hides a labyrinth of streets, souks, traditional shops, and mosques that will bring you closer to the most authentic Tunisian tradition. The Bardo Museum showcases the world's largest collection of mosaics, as well as other important archaeological artifacts. Bourguiba Avenue is the main artery of the modern city, where most luxury boutiques and official buildings are concentrated. In its port, La Goulette, you'll find traces of Turkish and Spanish influences. The Belvedere Park viewpoint offers a special panorama. From the capital, you can take a trip to the ruins of Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC, which still displays its beauty by the sea. The Roman villas, baths, and amphitheater will leave you amazed. Don't miss the Carthage Archaeological Museum, with jewels, utensils, and mosaics found during the excavation.
The holy city of Kairouan
Kairouan, also known as Kaïrouan or Cairuán, is located about 160 kilometers south of the capital. It is the fourth holiest city in the Islamic world, after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. For this reason, it is home to numerous mosques, including the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the Three Doors Mosque, and the Barber's Mosque, where the mausoleum of a disciple of the prophet Muhammad "who acquired the habit of carrying three hairs from his master's beard" is located. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.
Its walled enclosure, built in the 11th century, has great historical and artistic value. It protects the Great Mosque, whose most precious treasure is the prayer hall, a forest of more than 400 columns of different architectural styles and origins that were transported from other places to the temple. In its exterior space, accessed through spectacular inlaid and ornamented doors, there is an extensive collection of carpets that cover the floor and chandeliers that illuminate during the night. Traveling to Tunisia will give you the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Muslim religion through its architecture.
Troglodyte houses of Chenini and Matmata
The troglodyte settlements of Chenini and Matmata emerged when to seek refuge from the heat and enemies in the past, Tunisian villages dug their houses into the rock of hills or the ground, creating an underground network of dwellings. Their provisions were stored in the so-called ksar, granaries built like fortresses to prevent theft. Some of them have been transformed into cafes and restaurants, tiny museums, craft workshops, and even accommodations. To travel from Chenini to Matmata, an arid area between the Northern beaches and the Southern desert, it's best to rent an off-road type car with or without a guide. A curious fact? Matmata was one of the chosen locations to shoot the first Star Wars movie in Tunisia, while Chenini appeared in The English Patient.
Hammamet, Sousse, and Monastir
Along the Tunisian coast, the towns of Hammamet, Sousse, and Monastir weave their colorful and bohemian presence together with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. From the ribat (fortress) of Hammamet, you'll enjoy incredible views of the sea. Its open-air market is a spectacle for the senses, much like the terrace of the legendary café Bab Sidi Bouhdid, where you'll have the opportunity to savor mint tea or a delicious tajine prepared in the Tunisian style. In Sousse (or Susa), traditional whitewashed houses with domes that also face the beach stand out, along with the catacombs and the medina. In the ribat of Monastir, you'll find its famous minaret, which now houses the Islamic Art Center, where an astrolabe from the year 927 is preserved. Nearby, you'll discover the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba with its grand golden dome, a true marvel of funerary art.
Weather in Tunisia
Tunisia has a typically Mediterranean climate. This means that summers are usually hot (with high temperatures in the interior and the southern part of the country), and winters are mild. The weather becomes milder in spring and autumn: many people choose to travel to Tunisia between March and May or between September and December to enjoy pleasant temperatures. Generally, rainfall is concentrated during the cooler months of the year. In August, the average maximum temperature is 34ºC, while in winter, the average minimum is 16ºC. On August 5th, the hottest day of the year, temperatures range between 23ºC and 34ºC. On January 20th, the coldest day, temperatures vary from 8ºC to 16ºC.
In Tunisia, the desert meets the sea. If you want to spend your holidays on one of its beautiful beaches, enjoying good weather and plenty of sunshine, as well as taking excursions to explore its natural landscapes, culture, and history, we recommend doing so from spring to autumn, including the summer season.
Traveling to Tunisia with children
Are you thinking of traveling to Tunisia with children? A great plan to do together, especially if you're fans of the saga, is to explore the Star Wars galaxy in Tunisia. To do this, you'll need to head to Djerba from the mainland, where the desert landscapes and retrofuturistic architecture became the backdrop for much of the scenes in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. It's worth spending a few days on the island to give you the opportunity to visit all the film sets. Need more ideas? Stroll through Sidi Bou Said, the most charming village in Tunisia, where the little ones can stimulate their senses by looking at its colorful houses and craft stalls. Visit the Oasis of Chebika, a fantasy oasis full of plants, waterfalls, and natural wells. Spend the day at the beach doing water sports and then enjoy a typical dinner by the sea.
Iberostar hotels in Tunisia are designed to make all types of travelers feel welcome and cared for, including families with children, couples, and small groups. You'll find adapted rooms, as well as various indoor and outdoor pools with Aquafun areas, Star Camp zones, and many more facilities, so while they have fun, you can rest and enjoy your vacation, treating yourself to those moments of relaxation you deserve. Whoever you decide to travel to Tunisia with, this prodigious country in North Africa with a Mediterranean essence and Arab soul will welcome you with open arms.
