Carthage

Ancient Ruins by the Mediterranean

Carthage stands as a historic city in Tunisia where ancient ruins tell stories of powerful civilizations. The site includes remnants from Phoenician times, Roman structures and archaeological finds that show how people lived centuries ago. Visitors can walk among amphitheaters, temples and harbors while learning about trade routes and cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean. The location overlooks the sea, offering views of both land and water. Today it remains a place where history feels present without needing dramatic descriptions or modern embellishments.

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City in Tunisia

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

English is spoken by guides, in hotels, and at main tourist sites, but French and Arabic are more common. In restaurants and small shops, basic English is usually enough, but a few French phrases are helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Carthage Summary

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Strong in ancient ruins and Mediterranean history. Explore Roman and Phoenician sites, visit archaeological museums and walk coastal viewpoints.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Historic sites

Ruins

Sea

Walkable

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Tunisia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Tunisian Dinar (TND) £1 ≈ TND 4.011
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are accepted in most tourist areas and larger businesses, though cash is still widely used, particularly in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is expected in Tunisia, with 5-10% in restaurants, rounding up taxi fares, and small tips in hotels. However, it is not mandatory.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Tunisia, but it is generally consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants. Public consumption of alcohol may be frowned upon in some areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated indoor areas in Tunisia.

Revolution Day (17 December)	Marks the 2011 revolution
Independence Day (20 March)	Celebrates Tunisia’s independence from France

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 197 (Police), 190 (Ambulance), 198 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Yango
Other:	Tunisia is known for its Mediterranean beaches, ancient ruins, and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the ruins of Carthage, the Medina of Tunis, and enjoy the diverse landscapes of the country.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Carthage, Tunisia

🌤️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	April - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

International Carthage Festival with concerts at the Roman amphitheatre runs July to August

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Don't miss

🏛️ Explore the ancient ruins at the Archaeological Site of Carthage
💦 Walk through the impressive Baths of Antoninus with sea views
🏺 Visit the Carthage Museum on Byrsa Hill for historical artifacts
🎭 Experience the Roman Amphitheatre and imagine gladiator battles
🌅 Climb Byrsa Hill to see panoramic views of the Gulf of Tunis
⚓ Stroll along the Punic Ports, marveling at ancient naval engineering

You've been here?

Why travel to Carthage?

Carthage is a must for history lovers and anyone who dreams of exploring evocative ruins with a sea view. You can stroll among the remnants of Punic ports, Roman baths, villas and amphitheaters, imagining the city’s glory days as a Mediterranean powerhouse. The Roman Theatre, still used for concerts and festivals and the Baths of Antoninus, with their dramatic arches against the blue sea, are especially atmospheric. The area is lush and peaceful, with cypress and eucalyptus trees shading the archaeological sites and glimpses of the Gulf of Tunis at every turn. But Carthage isn’t a perfectly preserved city: the ruins are scattered and, in many places, fragmentary-don’t expect a single, cohesive ancient city. Some sites are better maintained than others and the Carthage Museum is closed for renovations until at least 2027. Petty theft and pickpocketing can be a concern on public transport in nearby Tunis, so keep an eye on your belongings. Still, for a day of time travel, sea air and stunning vistas, Carthage is unforgettable.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Saint Louis Cathedral
2 حي ماغون
3 Roman Theatre of Carthage
4 Roman Villas

🎡Places for activities

1 Carthage National Museum
2 North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial
3 Amphithéâtre de Carthage
4 قرطاج لاند
5 Hannibal Park Soukra

🎈Events

International Festival of Carthage (July–August, Roman Theatre)
Cultural and music festivals
Local art exhibitions

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Buy combo ticket. Covers all major sites in one day.
Start at Byrsa Hill museum for panoramic views and Punic history overview.
Explore Antonine Baths at sunset; largest outside Rome with sea backdrop.
Visit Tophet sanctuary early morning to avoid crowds at controversial child sacrifice site.

How to travel to Carthage

Carthage is an easy day trip from Tunis, reachable by the TMG suburban train (about TND 3.500 – 7.000 (£0.87 – 1.75), 30–40 minutes) or by taxi (around TND 17.500 (£4.37)). The nearest airport is Tunis-Carthage International, about 20 minutes by car. From the train station, most ruins are within walking or biking distance. Guided tours from Tunis often include Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the Medina.

Access summary

From Tunis–Carthage Airport (TUN): 15–25 min by taxi or rideshare.
From central Tunis: 25–40 min by TGM suburban train or taxi.
From La Marsa/Gammarth resorts: 20–30 min by taxi along the coast.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Carthage

Most visitors stay in Tunis or the nearby village of Sidi Bou Said, both of which offer a range of hotels, guesthouses and boutique stays. Carthage itself is a quiet, upscale suburb with limited accommodation, but you’ll find peaceful guesthouses and some luxury options. Book ahead in summer, especially during festivals.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

El Mouradi Hotel Africa Tunis

Hotel La Maison Blanche

7.4

Dar El Jeld Hotel & Spa

9.5

DAR ZYNE LA MEDINA

8.6

The NINE Lifestyle Experience

9.3

Carthage Thalasso Resort

7.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Carthage

The ruins are spread across a leafy suburb and are best explored on foot, by bike or with a guided tour. The local TMG train line connects Carthage to Tunis in about 30–40 minutes, with several stops in Carthage. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Bolt are convenient and affordable for getting between sites or to nearby Sidi Bou Said. Walking between the main sites is doable but expect some hills and distances.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-74 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 74% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to TND) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£35	£66	£156
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£45	£98
🍝 Food per day	£11	£19	£55
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£2	£4

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4
☕ Cappuccino	£0.65
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.26
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.90
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£15
🤧 Cold medication	£2.80
💇 Basic haircut	£2.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Carthage is generally safe, especially during the day. Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur, particularly on public transport in Tunis. Stay aware of your belongings, avoid isolated areas after dark and use taxis or ride-hailing apps for evening travel.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in Carthage and excellent facilities are nearby in Tunis. Bring any prescription medications. Tap water is technically treated but most visitors prefer bottled water. Sun exposure and dehydration are the main risks.

Accessibility

Some ruins and paths are uneven, with steps and gravel, making access challenging for those with limited mobility. Main sites are reachable by car or taxi, but not all are wheelchair-friendly. Check ahead if accessibility is a concern.

Tap water

Tap water is treated but may taste different from what you’re used to. Most visitors prefer bottled water, which is widely available. Always carry water, especially in summer.