Top places to visit in Tunis

• Bardo National Museum

  archaeology · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Housed in a 19th-century Husainid palace, the Bardo holds one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics alongside Punic, Christian and Islamic antiquities.

• Punic Ports of Carthage

  punic ruins · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The circular military harbour and rectangular commercial port of Phoenician Carthage, now tranquil lagoons with a small interpretive Oceanographic pavilion.

• La Marsa Beach

  city beach · 4.1 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A wide sandy beach and palm-lined corniche in the affluent northern suburb of La Marsa, popular with Tunis families and lined with cafes.

• Avenue Habib Bourguiba

  boulevard · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The tree-lined "Champs-Elysees of Tunis", a grand colonial-era boulevard of cafes, theatres and the clock tower, and the city's civic stage.

• Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul

  cathedral · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The main Catholic cathedral of Tunis, an 1897 Byzantine-Gothic landmark facing Place de l'Independance at the head of Avenue Habib Bourguiba.

• Baths of Antoninus

  roman ruins · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest Roman thermae in Africa, these seafront ruins in the Carthage archaeological park hint at the monumental scale of the imperial-era city.

• Ez-Zitouna Mosque

  great mosque · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Great Mosque of Tunis, founded in 698 CE, is the oldest and largest mosque in the capital, its vast columned prayer hall built with salvaged Roman columns from Carthage.

• Bab Bhar (Porte de France)

  city gate · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The monumental 19th-century gateway marking the boundary between the medina and the Ville Nouvelle, a favourite meeting point in central Tunis.

• Belvedere Park

  urban park · 3.9 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest park in Tunis, laid out in 1892 on a hillside with pines, olive trees and a hilltop koubba pavilion looking over the city and lake.

• Carthage National Museum

  archaeology · 4.1 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  On Byrsa Hill, the acropolis of ancient Carthage, this museum displays Punic stelae, sarcophagi and finds from the Phoenician and Roman city, with sweeping Gulf views.

• Acropolium (Cathedral of St Louis)

  cathedral · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A striking Byzantine-Moorish cathedral crowning Byrsa Hill, built in 1890 and now a concert and exhibition hall overlooking the Carthage ruins.

• Medina of Tunis

  old town · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A UNESCO World Heritage labyrinth of some 700 monuments — palaces, mosques, madrasas and covered souks — at the heart of the old city, founded in the 7th century.

Things to do

• Medina of Tunis Guided Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from TND 60 per person
• Carthage & Sidi Bou Said Half-Day Tour Tour · 5 h · from TND 120 per person
• Tunisian Cooking Class Food · 3.5 h · from TND 95 per person
• Bardo Museum Guided Visit Tour · 2 h · from TND 45 per person
• Traditional Hammam & Spa Experience Wellness · 1.5 h · from TND 50 per person
• Sidi Bou Said Sunset Photography Walk Tour · 2 h · from TND 40 per person

Day trips and tours

• Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Bardo Full Day 8 h · from TND 150

Where to stay in Tunis

• Medina & Ville Nouvelle about TND 180 per night

  The historic core and adjoining French-built downtown — best for first-timers wanting sights, souks and cafes on the doorstep.

• Sidi Bou Said about TND 320 per night

  The picturesque blue-and-white cliff village; quieter, scenic and upmarket, a short TGM ride from the centre.

• La Marsa & Gammarth about TND 300 per night

  Leafy seaside suburbs with beaches and good restaurants; relaxed base near Carthage.

Hotels

• Dar Ben-Gacem Kahia 4-star · TND 250 to TND 450 per night
• Hôtel Dar Saïd 4-star · TND 320 to TND 600 per night
• Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center 5-star · TND 380 to TND 750 per night
• Golden Tulip El Mechtel 5-star · TND 300 to TND 600 per night
• Novotel Tunis Mohamed V 4-star · TND 220 to TND 400 per night
• Hôtel Tunisia Palace 4-star · TND 180 to TND 340 per night

Where to eat

• Café des Nattes Tunisian, Cafe · about TND 15 per person
• El Ali Tunisian, Mediterranean · about TND 35 per person
• Chez Slah Seafood, French, Tunisian · about TND 45 per person
• Le Golfe Seafood, Mediterranean · about TND 40 per person
• Fondouk El Attarine Tunisian, Cafe · about TND 30 per person
• Dar Belhadj Tunisian, Fine Dining · about TND 75 per person
• Restaurant El Abed Tunisian · about TND 20 per person

Getting to Tunis

Airport: Tunis (TUN)

How visitors arrive in Tunis

• Fly into Tunis-Carthage (TUN) By air · most visitors

  Tunis-Carthage airport, northeast of the centre, handles most scheduled international flights. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• Ferry to La Goulette By ferry from Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo · common

  Passenger and car ferries from southern France and Italy dock at the Port of Tunis (La Goulette); cruise ships also call here. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• Overland from Algeria By road from Algeria · possible

  Driving from Algeria is possible through several border crossings; bus links are irregular and there are no regular passenger trains. Source: worldtravelguide.net

From the airport to the centre

• Metered taxi from Tunis-Carthage airport

  Taxis queue at the terminal. Insist the meter is switched on; if you do not trust it, agree a fare before leaving the terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Airport bus to Tunis Marine unconfirmed

  A local city bus (listed as route 35 by a 2020s guidebook) runs from the airport to Tunis Marine, where the TGM and metro connect. Pay the conductor or driver; check the route number on the stop. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• TGM suburban train from Tunis Marine

  From Tunis Marine the TGM runs to La Goulette, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa. Signage at Tunis Marine is poor. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Do not confuse the airport bus 104 with the ordinary city bus 104, which uses different tickets. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
• Hotel-front taxis can overcharge; hail one in the street and look for the lit red roof light. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the railway station to the centre

• Tunis Gare Centrale to the light metro

  The main station faces Place de Barcelone and connects directly to the light metro for the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Hotel-front taxis can overcharge; hail one in the street and look for the lit red roof light. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the port to the centre

• La Goulette port to the centre

  Most ferries arrive at La Goulette. Taxis are plentiful there and the TGM suburban train also serves the port area. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Hotel-front taxis can overcharge; hail one in the street and look for the lit red roof light. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Ride Hail useful for some trips

  The inDrive app can be used to book rides in Tunis, and the guide recommends it as a ride-hailing option.

• Taxi

  Taxis in Tunis can be hailed on the street, and a red light in the windscreen shows the cab is free; ask the driver to use the meter.

• Train

  The TGM suburban train runs from Tunis Marine to Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa along the northern coast.

• Tram

  Tunis has a light metro network of several lines run by Transtu, with main interchanges at Place de la Republique and Place de Barcelone.

• Walking

Paying

• Taxis should run on the meter; inDrive is mentioned as a ride app alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake "guide" to a carpet shop

  Medina of Tunis

  A friendly local offers to show you the way or a "special view", then steers you to a relative's carpet or souvenir shop where hard-sell tactics and inflated prices follow.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline unsolicited guides; use a licensed guide booked through your hotel and set prices before entering any shop.

Best time to visit Tunis

• Jan 16°C
• Feb 17°C
• Mar 19°C
• Apr 22°C
• May 27°C
• Jun 31°C
• Jul 34°C
• Aug 35°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 27°C
• Nov 22°C
• Dec 18°C

More in Tunisia

• Sousse
• Hammamet
• Djerba
• Kairouan
• Tozeur

Frequently asked questions about Tunis

What are the top-rated places to visit in Tunis?

The highest-rated places in our Tunis guide are Bardo National Museum, Baths of Antoninus, Ez-Zitouna Mosque, Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, Bab Bhar (Porte de France).

Where should I stay in Tunis?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tunis: Medina & Ville Nouvelle, Sidi Bou Said, La Marsa & Gammarth.

How do I get around Tunis?

Ways to get around Tunis covered in our guide: Ride-hailing app, Taxi, Train, Tram.

What scams should I watch out for in Tunis?

Scams reported to us for Tunis include Fake "guide" to a carpet shop. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Tunis?

Average daytime highs in Tunis run from 16°C in Jan to 35°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Tunis?

The nearest airport to Tunis has the code TUN.