The picture shows a coastal town with whitewashed buildings, palm trees, and blue sunshades. In the background, there is the sea with a small harbour and a mountain range on the horizon.

Tunis

Published: 20 February 2025, 13:30

Ancient treasures and dreamlike beaches

Tunis is a captivating blend of tradition, oriental charm, and modern urbanity. The Tunisian capital can look back on almost 3,000 years of history. The heart of the North African city is the Medina, with its winding alleys and imposing Zitouna Mosque. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, the Medina represents an important historical epoch and provides vivid testimony to Islamic life in North Africa. The colourful souks, including the large central market, Souk El Attarine, are known for their traditional handicrafts such as jewellery, perfume, fabrics, and spices. The Bardo Museum offers a deep insight into the history of the country and also houses one of the world's largest collections of Roman mosaics. A visit to the ancient ruined city of Carthage is a must. Access to the sea as well as the magnificent beaches make Tunis a popular tourist destination that combines historical treasures, culinary diversity, and seaside fun.

Numbers, data, facts

Time difference: none
Population: 1.08 million
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)

Oriental flair: a journey of discovery through Tunis

The picture shows traditional oriental architecture. In the foreground, there is an elaborately decorated archway with colourful, hand-painted tiles and arabesque patterns. Two minarets can be seen in the background.

The Medina of Tunis: a labyrinth of narrow streets, traditional souks, and fascinating architecture. It's a great place to buy jewellery, spices, and fabrics. © fivepointsix/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a minaret decorated with geometric patterns against a deep blue sky with a scattering of white clouds, surrounded by a mixture of traditional and modern buildings.

The centrepiece of the Medina is the imposing Zitouna Mosque. It was founded in 732 and is one of the oldest and most important mosques in North Africa. © BTWImages/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a wide street with a pedestrian zone in the middle. There is a clock tower in the centre, flanked by trees and glowing lanterns on both sides along the street. People are walking, and cars are parked on the side of the road. It is dusk.

Avenue Habib Bourguiba not only resembles the Champs-Élysées in Paris, but also showcases the modern side of Tunis. It is lined with many cafés and shops. © Alexander/stock.adobe.com

The image shows ancient ruins with stone structures and columns. The remains are surrounded by palm trees and shrubs. The blue sea is visible in the background.

Legendary Carthage: Visitors can explore the remains of the ancient Roman city in the ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Carthage was a powerful trading city. © TravelWorld/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a Mediterranean town with white houses, blue accents, green trees, and shrubs. In the background, the blue sea and a mountain range are visible.

The artists' village of Sidi Bou Said enchants with colourful views. These are reminiscent of the pictures by Paul Klee and August Macke, who painted watercolours there. © Ahlem/stock.adobe.com

Fascinating places along the Mediterranean coast

A trip along Tunisia's 1,300-kilometre Mediterranean coast is a feast for the senses. The North African cuisine invites you to indulge in culinary delights. The dreamlike sandy beaches are perfect for letting your soul dangle. The coastal towns fascinate with a mixture of historical heritage, holy sites, and oriental flair. Hammamet and Sousse are long-established holiday resorts with good infrastructure and a wide range of resorts. In El Djem, visitors can see an impressive Roman amphitheatre, an important UNESCO World Heritage Site from ancient times. The southern coastal city of Sfax is less touristy but no less worth seeing. It has developed from an ancient settlement into a modern Tunisian metropolis.

Discover the coast of Tunisia

The picture shows a coastal landscape with turquoise sea, green trees, white buildings, and a city along the beach. Hills rise in the background.

Gammarth is an elegant seaside resort with picturesque beaches north of Tunis. If you are looking for nature and comfort in a beautiful hotel, this is the place for you. © skazar/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a coastal landscape with traditional white houses and domed roofs. There is a large white dome in the foreground. On the left side of the picture, there is a sandstone wall lined with green plants.

The resort of Hammamet is famous for its white sandy beaches, clear water, a variety of resorts, and the well-preserved medina with its fortress wall. © mehdi33300/stock.adobe.com

Cityscape with a sandstone fortress that includes arcades and towers and is surrounded by palm trees and a market square. In the background, the sea can be seen with ships in the harbour and modern buildings along the coastline.

Sousse is one of the oldest cities in Tunisia, and its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port and the archaeological museum are further highlights worth seeing. © lic0001/stock.adobe.com

The picture shows a well-preserved, historic sandstone amphitheatre with several levels of arches and arched windows. The building is surrounded by a paved area with bollards.

Rome? No, that's El Djem: the ancient Roman amphitheatre may resemble the Colosseum in Rome, but it is located in the small town of central Tunisia. © Adrian /stock.adobe.com

The picture shows older buildings with oriental arches and a detailed façade: on the left, a white house with blue windows and decorations, and on the right, a minaret with a clock and a spire. Red, rectangular pennants are stretched across the street.

If you are in the mood for an even bigger city, you can drive further south to Sfax and visit interesting attractions such as the medina, mosques, and museums. © Christophe Cappelli/stock.adobe.com