Why you should absolutely visit Tunisia in 2024?
Tunisia is a country rich in diverse landscapes, traditional dishes full of flavors and offers multiple activities for all types of travelers. I detail my selection of cities to discover and their specificities.
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The capital Tunis and its surroundings
Lake 1 and 2
For all those who want to taste in very good restaurants with a breathtaking view, I advise you to go to the lakes (1 and 2). Here you will find many restaurants and cafes with outdoor terraces and delicious food! In the evening, this upscale district is very lively 🙂
Sidi bou said
If you go to Tunis, you are obliged to pass by Sidi Bou Said the blue and white quarter! It is a neighborhood located in the heights of the capital. From there you have a breathtaking view of the sea and the harbour. During the day, you can walk around and discover the gates, each more beautiful than the last. You have many cafes and restaurants but I can only advise you to stay until dark. You will discover this district full of charms.
Have a typical bambaloni (delicious fried doughnut inherited from Italian immigration) and enjoy a traditional mint tea at the Café des Délices to admire the view!
I can’t live without it!
The Souk of Tunis
Lose yourself in the many pedestrian streets of the souk of Tunis; From spices and traditional cakes to perfumes and clothing, you’ll find everything you’re looking for! Lose yourself in the alleys and surprise yourself to discover a mosque, restaurants and splendid cafes in this souk.
In the end I wouldn’t say what’s harder, finding your way back or not buying everything!
Sharpen your negotiating skills to get deals at a good price 😉
Cap Bon
In the vicinity of the capital, you have the region of Cap Bon, known for its beaches, each more splendid than the last. From the turquoise blue water of Klébia to the fine sandy beaches of Zerbia, you could almost mistake yourself and think you are in the tropics!
Gammarth and La Marsa
Gammarth and La Marsa are THE chic places to go out in the evening or enjoy the best beaches. Here you will find restaurants with private beaches, and cafes but also a rich nightlife. You have all the best nightclubs available. I recommend the Yuka which has several stages and where the music is contemporary with local artists.
Ghar El Melh and its fishing village
Ghar El Melh is a beautiful beach, restaurants with splendid views to enjoy good fish and a charming little fishing village. This city is definitely worth a visit!
Douga, Carthage and the Bardo Museum
Don’t leave Tunis without seeing the cultural and archaeological richness that the capital has to offer! Visited Carthage and its amphitheater and the Bardo Museum and its incredible collection of mosaics. Take the car and drive to the ruins of Douga with its splendid Roman remains which is located outside the capital.
P.S: if you come in July, enjoy the Carthage Festival where artists from all over the world perform in the splendid amphitheatre.
Ishkeul National Park
This national park is the crossing point for migratory birds. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site; This park has diverse landscapes due to its swamp, its lake and its rocky massif.
Douz and the Sahara Desert
One of the wonders of Tunisia is above all the Sahara desert. It’s hard to explain the feeling you get when you’re surrounded by sand dunes with nothing on the horizon but new dunes. Silence reigns and we lose track of time. Take an organized desert excursion with a camel ride or for those who enjoy adrenaline, a 4×4 adventure! Sleep in tents to discover the desert at night and prolong this magnificent moment.
Matmata and its troglodyte houses
Matmata is one of the most touristic destinations in Tunisia. And for good reason, its famous landscapes were the setting for the Star Wars movies. Discover the atypical troglodyte houses accompanied by a guide and immersed yourself for a day in a science-fiction setting! It’s one of the most Instagrammable places 😉
Tabarka and its mountains
Tarbarka is a coastal town not far from Tunis. It has an impressive Genoese fort but also the most beautiful beaches in the country. This town is mountainous so you won’t find fine sandy beaches but it’s the spot for scuba diving enthusiasts! Don’t miss the needles, these geological 🙂 splendours
Djerba and its street-art
Visit Djerba, a seaside island with one of the oldest synagogues in the world. A place of pilgrimage for Jews, it is an emblematic religious city. Djerba has splendid beaches and this lively city has many restaurants and cafes. In recent years, local artists have had a great time transforming the walls of the city into street art murals under the name: “Djerbahood project“!
Tozeur: its oases and palm grove
Tozeur has no less than 5 oases and 200,000 palm trees! Go on a tour with a guide to discover palm groves, turquoise waterfalls, and canyons. Taste the succulent dates typical of the region 😉
The city also has multiple museums of traditional arts.
Finally, for an experience like no other, climb aboard the historic Red Lizard steam train to discover the orange landscapes of the Selja Gorge.
The seaside resorts of Hammamet and Mahdia
Hammamet and Mahdia are THE Tunisian seaside resorts par excellence. If Hammamet is more akin to the Tunisian Saint Tropez, Mahdia has kept its original charm. Take a ride and visit the well-preserved amphiteatre of El Jem.
Both have many prestigious restaurants and hotels; You’ll find all kinds of beach activities as well, from jet skiing to horseback riding by the sea. They are also two cities that serve as a base for many excursions and have something to delight the shopping adicts !
Kairouan: the religious capital
Kairouan is a key place of the Muslim religion. It has one of the most famous mosques in the world and is home to renowned Quranic schools. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Islam’s holiest cities.
Stroll through the streets and hear the call to prayer from the city’s many minarets to soak up the city’s elusive beauty.
Le Kef and Jugurtha’s Table
For the more adventurous among you and those looking to get off the beaten track, I can only recommend the North of Tunisia. Not very touristy because it is poorly served, if you have opted for a car rental, it is worth the detour. I advise you to visit Le Kef to admire the Kasbah, an incredible Ottoman fortress.
Linger in its Medina and visit the Synagogue al Ghriba and the Cathedral of Saint Peter to finish at the Temple of the Waters (remains of the great Roman Baths). Finally, go to the Algerian border, passing through Tajerouine to Kalat Sinaan, my father’s birthplace.
Observe the beauty of the rocky landscapes and climb the table of Jugurtha, an incredible natural building that bears the name because of its table-like appearance.
At the top, admire a breathtaking view worthy of another world! Bring a guide with you for your safety (presence of crevasse) and do not venture there at the end of the day.
This article is particularly close to my heart because I am half Tunisian. I enjoy sharing the richness of the culture, the beauty of the landscapes and the kindness of the locals with you! I wish you a wonderful stay in my country 🙂
