While typically seen as a beach destination, Tunisia actually has a laundry list of surprising attractions and things to do for those that choose to venture out from the pristine sandy beaches and dazzling emerald waters. This North African nation has a little bit of something for everyone. From ancient ruins to bustling marketplaces; sweeping sand dunes to craggy mountains, Tunisia has a ton of hidden gems waiting for you to discover.
So keep watching to see our picks of the best things to do in Tunisia.
El Diem Amphitheater
The looming walls of this stunning Roman amphitheater overshadow the surrounding modern town. This Roman Relic is surprisingly well-preserved and remains one of Tunisia’s biggest sightseeing attractions. It’s a particularly popular stop for those that taking day trips from the coastal resorts. Impressively, El Diem is one of the best examples of ancient amphitheater architecture still standing in the world.
To this day, you can still explore the corridors that run underneath the arena just as the gladiators once did. You can also climb to the top row of seats and stare across the arena. If you use you’re imagination, you can picture the kinds of epic battles that once took place within the amphitheater’s walls.
Tunis Medina
One of the most striking parts of the nation’s capital city is it’s old Arab walled town, Medina. Here, visitors can feast their eyes on some truly exquisite examples of Arab architecture. You’ll also find bustling souqs, or street marketplaces, where just about everything you can imagine can be bartered for
The atmosphere in Medina is nothing short of intoxicating. Walking around gives you a pretty good idea of what it must have been like during the Arabian opulence era between the 12th and 16th centuries.
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Djerba
If you’re searching for the most picturesque beach escape, the isle of Djerba ticks all of the right boxes. Houmt Souk, an island town that is the primary point of interest besides the beach, has a charming old town district that is composed of beautiful whitewashed houses.
Shopping is one of Houmt Souk’s biggest draws. There are hundreds of vendors and stalls that offer up their wares at affordable prices right off the beach. While the town itself has plenty to offer, there’s no denying the fact that Djerba’s biggest claim to fame is it’s pristine beaches and shoreline. Date palms help set the mood while the beaches themselves are made for relaxing. Without a question, this is a place where summertime dreams come true.
Carthage
Carthage was at one point one of Rome’s biggest rivals. The seafaring Phoenicians crown city was famously immortalized in the Punic Wars. The ruins of this once great ancient town now sit somberly beside the suburbs of Tunis. They stand as a stark warning that even the most thriving cities can easily be reduced to rubble with the sands of time.
The ruins are sprawled out over a vast stretch of land. If you’ve visited other ancient city ruins such as Volubilis or Ephesus, Carthage might at first seem a bit underwhelming. The ruins aren’t nearly as well prserved as those two defunct cities. But even so, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Catthage is is still extremely important historically and anyone visiting that’s remotely interested in learning about North Africa’s ancient roots shouldn’t pass on a visit here.
Chebika
Arguably one of the most stunning places to visit in Tunisia, away from the major cities, is Chebika. The locale lies at the foot of the Djebel el Negueb mountain range. One might be reminded of the Garden of Eden when visiting this date palm-lined oasis replete with bubbling waterfalls, deep caverns, and rocky cliffs.
Not surprisingly, Chebika is very popular with tourists. It was also one of the filming locations for films like Star Wars Episode IV and The English Patient. So, if you’re a film enthusiast, you have yet another reason to make the journey out to this drop-dead gorgeous location.
The Bardo Museum
This museum is home to the world’s most cherished Roman mosaic collection in addition to a collection of marble statues. It’s one of the most popular and important museums in the Mediterranean region and is only second to the famed Egyptian Museum of Cairo for having such a rich and extensive collection of relics and artifacts.
The museum is housed inside an ornate Tunis palace. It’s rooms are packed full of treasured collections of ancient mosaic art recovered from Tunisian excavation sites. The museum’s Islamic department contains such famous works as the Blue Quran of Kairouan as well as a vast collection of historic ceramics from Anatolia and the Maghreb. Not only is the Bardo Museum one of the most impressive museums in Tunisia, but it’s also one of the top-ranking in the world.
Grand Erg Oriental
This location in the Sahara desert is famed for it’s sand dunes, which are quite majestic and resemble giant waves that have been carved out by the perpetually shifting desert sand. You can rent dune buggies or explore the region by taking a camel tour. The highlight of your visit, however, will be sitting atop one of the dunes and watching an unforgettable sunset over the Sahara.
Sidi Bou Said
Irresistibly charming and exceptionally photo-worthy, Sidi Bou Said is a quaint little clifftop village that almost seams like it was lifted right out of an artist’s canvas. Given it’s photogenic appeal, the hamlet has been flooded with artists in recent years and has evolved into a high-class suburb.
The village’s wrought-iron window frames, whitewashed alleyways, and vibrantly painted blue doors all represent Tunisian architecture at it’s peak. The beautiful Mediterranean setting is just another layer of an already delightful place to visit.
This is a great place to spend a lovely laid-back, relaxing afternoon. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and market stalls to peruse, but you could easily get lost for a few hours just soaking up the atmosphere.
Bulla Regia
Tunisia is peppered with Roman Ruins. One of the most intriguing sites however is Bulla Regia which can be found near Tabarka.
It was here that the Romans had to contend with the harsh summer climate by going underground. That’s right, they ingeniously built their villas below earth’s surface. This has left the city houses that still remain extremely well preserved.
History lovers will absolutely be enamored at the prospect of walking through actual Roman houses. Their walls are still intact and many of the floor mosaics still sit where they were originally laid out. It’s a unique glimpse back in time at the residential life of the ancient world that you don’t normally find at very many places.
Kairouan
Kairouan has quite a few important monuments related to the Muslim faith. Mosques, tombs, madrassas, and Hammams abound, making this the fourth most important city for followers of Islam. The Arabic architecture represented here is outstanding. The skyline is full of ornate domes and towering minarets, but the city’s back streets steal the show.
Kairouan’s old town is charming and feels stuck in a different time. Narrow, labyrinth-like lanes lined with colorful crumbling houses create an atmosphere that is completely unique to this locale, making it one of the highlights of anyone’s visit to Tunisia.
Chott el Djerid
This desolate and almost alien-like destination has a landscape that is sure to wow even the most hard-to-impress traveler. The salt pan is easily reached by those taking a day trip out of the small desert town of Tozeur.
The scenery changes depending on the season. During the summer months, Chott el Djerid looks like something straight out of a movie. Looking out at the desert, you’ll see shimmering mirages off on the horizon while the ground with it’s white, cracked earth looks like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It almost feels like you’ve been dropped off on some sort of moon or far-off planet. You might even catch yourself forgetting that you’re still standing on Earth.
Come winter, the basin fills up partially with water, creating a rather out of place looking lake sitting amidst the desolate desert plains. A visit here teaches visitors that nature is more than capable of creating stranger landscapes than even the most imaginative science fiction author could dream up.
That about wraps up our rundown of the best things to do in Tunisia.
Have you been to Tunisia before? If so, what are some of your favorite attractions in the area? If you haven’t gotten the chance to visit Tunisia yet, what are you most excited to see on your future visit? Let us know in the comments.
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