Experience Tunisia

Tunisia reveals itself as much through its landscapes as through everyday moments: mint tea on a café terrace, a late-afternoon swim, a chat in a corner of the souk. Here are eight ways to experience the country the way we love it, with the places where each one truly comes alive. Mix and match them to build a trip that suits your interests and the season.

Beaches and the coast

With its long Mediterranean coastline, Tunisia has beaches for every taste. Djerba charms with pale sand and calm water, ideal for families. Hammamet and Nabeul, on the Cap Bon peninsula, combine swimming with medinas and citrus gardens. Further north, Kélibia is known for its remarkably clear water, while Tabarka and Raf Raf offer coves framed by green hills. The best swimming days usually run from June to September, but late spring and early autumn are perfect for enjoying the beaches without the crowds. Remember to protect yourself from the sun during the hottest hours.

Where

Djerba Hammamet Nabeul Kélibia Raf Raf Tabarka

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Tunisia is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites that bear witness to three thousand years of history. The amphitheatre of El Jem, one of the best preserved in the Roman world, is breathtaking in scale. The remains of Carthage tell the story of the Punic and then Roman city, overlooking the Gulf of Tunis. At Dougga, an entire ancient town spreads out among olive groves, and Kerkouane is a rare example of Punic town planning. The medinas of Tunis, Sousse and Kairouan are also on the list. Bring good shoes and water, and if you can, hire a licensed guide to bring the stones to life.

Where

El Jem Carthage Dougga Kerkouane Kairouan Medina of Tunis Medina of Sousse

Tunisian food

Tunisian cuisine is generous, fragrant and often spicy. Couscous, made with fish on the coast or lamb inland, remains the dish for special occasions. Try crispy brik with a runny egg, lablabi chickpea soup for a winter breakfast, ojja with merguez sausage, or Tunisian tajine, which is closer to a baked frittata. Harissa, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, goes with almost everything. For something sweet, Kairouan's makroudh and the deglet nour dates of the Djerid are a must. Central markets are the best place to discover seasonal produce and local olive oil.

Where

Tunis Kairouan Sfax Nabeul Tozeur

Desert and oases

Southern Tunisia opens the door to the Sahara. Douz, often called the gateway to the desert, is the starting point for camel rides and nights in desert camps on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental. Ksar Ghilane, an isolated oasis among the dunes, is famous for its hot spring. Around Tozeur, the palm groves of the Djerid, the crossing of Chott el-Jerid and the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza offer striking scenery. Matmata with its troglodyte homes and the ksour around Tataouine complete the journey. For off-road tracks, always travel with a licensed guide or agency.

Where

Douz Ksar Ghilane Tozeur Chott el-Jerid Chebika Tamerza Matmata Tataouine

Thalasso and wellbeing

Tunisia is one of the Mediterranean's best-known destinations for thalassotherapy. Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia and Djerba have many centres where you can enjoy seawater treatments, wraps and massages. But Tunisian wellbeing is also about the traditional hammam, a place to relax and socialise found in every medina neighbourhood. On Cap Bon, the hot springs of Korbous flow at the foot of the cliffs. To make the most of your stay, check the treatments on offer in advance and book your slots, especially in high season.

Where

Hammamet Sousse Monastir Mahdia Djerba Korbous

Medinas and souks

Getting lost in a medina is part of the Tunisian experience. In Tunis, the lanes are arranged around the Zitouna Mosque, with specialised souks for perfumes, chechia caps, fabrics and jewellery. The medina of Sousse is dominated by its ribat and Great Mosque, while that of Kairouan, the holy city, charms with colourful doors and carpet workshops. Sfax has remarkably well-preserved ramparts, and Hammamet a small white medina facing the sea. Wander in the morning, when craftsmen open their shops, and don't hesitate to ask for directions: locals are usually happy to help.

Where

Medina of Tunis Sousse Kairouan Sfax Hammamet Mahdia

Diving and water sports

Tunisia's underwater world holds some lovely surprises. Tabarka, in the north-west, is the go-to spot for diving: its rocky seabed is home to red coral, groupers and posidonia seagrass meadows. Monastir and Mahdia also offer boat trips and introductory dives for beginners. Along the coast, windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddleboarding are popular, notably on Djerba and in the Gulf of Hammamet. The wilder Kerkennah Islands are a chance to discover traditional fishing. Choose a dive centre run by qualified instructors, and respect the seagrass meadows, which are vital to marine life.

Where

Tabarka Monastir Mahdia Djerba Hammamet Kerkennah

Nature and hiking

Beyond the clichés, Tunisia is also a green country. In the north-west, the cork oak forests of Kroumirie around Aïn Draham are perfect for walking. Ichkeul National Park, a World Heritage site, welcomes large numbers of migratory birds every winter. Cap Bon reveals wild cliffs near El Haouaria, while Jebel Zaghouan towers over the plains with its Roman Water Temple. In spring, the fields are carpeted with wildflowers. Take water and proper shoes, and for poorly marked routes, go with a local guide who knows the terrain.

Where

Aïn Draham Ichkeul National Park El Haouaria Zaghouan Tabarka