Att göra i Tunisien - 25 sevärdheter och upplevelser

Writer: Helena Bergström

What to see and do in Tunisia? This glorious Mediterranean country is perfect for sunbathing and swimming, as well as historical sights, Unesco World Heritage sites, great food, golf and desert adventures. We offer all our top tips.

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Things to do in Tunisia

We have visited Tunisia several times, all times on press trips with knowledgeable guides. The first time we traveled around the country by car, taking us both south to the Sahara Desert and east to the island of Djerba. The second time we stuck to popular tourist resorts such as Hammamet and Sousse.

25 things to see and do in Tunisia

Now we thought it was time to share our best tips – about what you can see and do in Tunisia.

1. Visit the capital Tunis

When you visit Tunisia, you might want to check out the capital city of Tunis. You can visit the historic city centre, the medina, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Tunis is also home to the large Bardo Museum, which is filled with collections from different historical eras.

2. Shopping in the medina of Tunis

While in Tunis, you can also go shopping in the medina. There are lots of bazaars where you can find traditional or modern clothes, shoes, jewellery, shawls, hand-woven carpets, baskets, ceramics, souvenirs and spices. If you like food, you can also check out the Marché Central de Tunis food market.

3. Discover the blue-and-white city of Sidi Bou Said

Sidi Bou Said is a small charming Mediterranean town known for its picturesque white houses, decorated with blue carvings, shutters and doors. The town is also famous for being a centre of art, and today attracts tourists with its cosy alleys, art galleries, cafés, restaurants and fine boutique hotels. Don't miss it!

4. Time travel in Carthage

According to tradition, the Phoenicians founded the city Carthage in 814 BC. The city grew into a powerful trading center and its success story lasted for just over 600 years, before the city was violently destroyed.

Today you can visit the ruins, just outside the Tunisian capital Tunis. Here you can see, among other things, the remains of the Antonine Baths, but also, for example, the ruins of an amphitheater.

5. Learning about history at the Uthina archaeological site

Uthina, or Oudna as it may also be called, was an ancient Roman/Berber city, which is now an archaeological site. Located about an hour from Hammamet by car, the site includes the mighty Uthina Amphitheatre and the Capitol Temple.

6. Sunbathing and swimming in Hammamet

Hammamet is a Tunisian Mediterranean resort popular with tourists looking for sunbathing and swimming in a pleasant climate, as well as charter holidays. As well as sun and sea, the resort offers a historic medina with a fortress, as well as activities such as shopping, spas and golf.

7. Discover the holiday resort of Sousse

Sousse, Tunisia's third largest city, is also a popular tourist resort on the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can sunbathe and swim, enjoy a spa or even play golf. You can also explore Sousse's medina, with its historic buildings and shopping, as well as the Sousse Archaeological Museum.

8. Take a boat trip to the Kuriat Islands

Kuriat Islands is located off Monastir and consists of two islands, the smaller of which welcomes tourists. There are day trips to this island, mainly with large ”pirate ships”, but also with smaller boats. On the uninhabited small island you can enjoy the sun and swimming and learn more about sea turtles, which have their nesting grounds here.

9. Strolling in the city of Mahdia

Just south of the tourist resort of Monastir is the town of Mahdia. Here you can stroll around the old town centre, where you'll find the Bordj el Kebir fort and a mosque whose oldest parts date back to the 10th century. There are also plenty of nice cafés and shops.

10. Be impressed by the El Djem amphitheatre

Amphitheatre in El Djem Built in the 3rd century, under Emperor Gordian I, it was incredibly impressive for its time. The enormous theatre, which is the world's third largest Roman amphitheatre, could once accommodate 35,000 guests.

Today you can visit the amphitheater as a tourist, and nearby you can also check out the El Djem Museum, with beautiful mosaics from the area.

11. Discover oases in Tozeur

Located in the western part of Tunisia, Tozeur serves as a starting point for desert adventures and visits to Star Wars filming locations. You can explore the medina and go to different oases, such as the Chebika Oasis and the Tamerza Oasis. The oases offer a beautiful environment with mountains, palm trees, water and ravines.

12. See the filming locations for Star Wars

One thing you definitely don't want to miss doing in Tunisia, if you're a Star Wars fan, is checking out Star Wars filming locations. Just outside Tozeur, in an area known as Onk Jemel, you'll find a film set from what is supposed to be the planet Tatooine. The village of Matmata is another filming location, where they filmed for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

13. Checking out cave dwellings in Matmata

Matmata is a small Berber village in southern Tunisia, where people have traditionally lived in caves underground. Throughout history, these underground dwellings were a protection against both heat and intruders. In modern times, the caves have inspired the Star Wars settings on the fictional planet Tatooine.

14. Fascinated by the Chott el Djerid salt lake

Chott el Djerid is a salt lake located 120 kilometres west of the town of Gabès. There's supposed to be some water here in winter, but all we saw on our visit was a dried-out crisp surface. The dry lake offers spectacular views that can be used for photos, and has also been used by film makers and writers, such as Jules Verne and the Star Wars production.

15. Get to Douz - the gateway to the Sahara

Douz is a town in southern Tunisia sometimes referred to as the 'Gateway to the Sahara'. Indeed, it's a great starting point for those looking for adventure in the desert, whether it's staying in tents, riding camels or even quad biking.

16. Living in tents in the Sahara

One thing you don't want to miss doing in Tunisia, if you like wonderful nature experiences, is to living in tents in the Sahara. There are several different places to choose from, and we stayed with Abdelati outside Douz. A fantastic experience! Here we got to experience dinner in the desert, singing by the fire and a night under the stars.

Att göra i Tunisien - bo i tält i Sahara

17. ride a dromedary

The Sahara covers a third of Tunisia, so it is natural that camels (or dromedaries to be more specific) are important animals. Camels are used in many different contexts, including taking tourists on tours. We rode dromedaries just outside Douz, and found this to be a fantastic experience.

18. Riding a quad bike in the desert

Driving a quad bike, or quad as it is called in English, is a fun and wonderful way to experience the desert in Tunisia. We did a quad bike tour just outside Douz and it was a really fast-paced adventure.

19. Holiday on the island of Djerba

Djerba is a Tunisian island perfect for those who want to enjoy holiday fun, swimming and spas. Here you'll find luxurious holiday hotels and beautiful beaches, but also crafts, historical sights and a Jewish neighbourhood with the country's oldest synagogue.

20. Admire street art in Djerbahood

The neighborhood in Djerbahood, located on the island of Djerba, is very charming with white houses, blue gates, colorful flowers and nice little shops. In addition, the district offers an extensive collection of street art. In 2014, 150 artists from 30 countries participated in the creation of around 250 murals in Djerbahood, and since then the project has been expanded with even more artworks.

22. Relaxing with thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy are spa treatments that use seawater. Treatments that may be included may include, for example, water pressure massage, jet-spray shower, mud wrap or seawater bath with algae.

In addition, different types of massage are often offered. We have tested at Royal Thalasa Monastir hotel off Sousse and on Ulysse Djerba Thalasso & Spa on the island of Djerba. Not bad at all!

22. play golf

One very popular thing to do in Tunisia is to play golf. There are fine golf courses in several places in the country, such as for example Golf Citrus outside Hammamet or Port El Kantaoui Golf outside Sousse.

23. try Tunisian food

When you visit Tunisia, you won't want to miss out on trying Tunisian food. For example, you can try the traditional dish "brick", which is a kind of fried dough dumpling that can be filled with tuna and eggs, for example. Also, don't miss the spicy red sauce harissa.

24. Tasting Tunisian wine

Did you know that wine is produced in Tunisia? You can try local wine in restaurants or maybe visit a vineyard. We have visited the Domaine Neferis vineyard, outside Hammamet, which was very interesting. You can read even more about Tunisian wine at the link below.

READ MORE: Beer and wine culture in Tunisia

25. Travelling by motorhome in Tunisia

Traveling by motorhome in Tunisia may not be that common, but it is entirely possible. You can get to the country by ferry, from Marseille in France or from Citavecchia in Italy. Campsites are less common than in European countries, but there are campsites.

For example, we have visited nice Camping Désert Club in Douz that accept motorhomes. In addition, places where you can stay overnight are listed in the Park4Night app.

Video on the best of Tunisia

Our top tips for Tunisia

French works better than English – feel free to learn some phrases like Bonjour (hello) and Merci (thank you).
Bring both cards and cash. – in smaller restaurants and markets, cash may be required.
The sun is strong. – think sunscreen, hat or scarf.
Negotiate the price when taking a taxi – or turn on the taximeter.
Swimwear is for the beach – dress more well-dressed/dressed up when you leave the sun lounger.

More guides in the same series

Here you will find more guides with tips on what you can see and do in different countries.

Things to see and do in Tunisia – good to know

Capital city: Tunis
Residents: 11.8 million (2020)
Language: Arabic (Berber language spoken by 1 per cent and French is also an important language)
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)
Religion: Islam
Price mode: Prices are lower than in Sweden
Time difference: There is no time difference between Sweden and Tunisia except during summer time. Then the time difference is 1 hour.
FlightsAirline Nouvelair operates direct flights between Stockholm Arlanda and the capital Tunis. You can also travel by charter, for example with Apollo.
Car/caravan: It is also possible to take your car or motorhome to Tunisia. You can take a ferry from Marseille in France or from Citavecchia in Italy.

What to do in Tunisia - 25 sights and experiences