Tunis

Where Ancient Meets Vibrant Modernity

Tunis stands as Tunisia’s vibrant capital, where ancient history and modern life intersect daily. The city center hosts the medina, a UNESCO site filled with narrow alleys leading to bustling markets selling spices, textiles and pottery. Nearby, the Great Mosque of Tunis showcases intricate tilework and serves as a spiritual hub. Outside its walls, cafes serve mint tea while locals discuss politics or sports. The city’s coastal location means Mediterranean breezes often carry salt from the sea, reminding visitors of Tunisia’s long connection to trade and culture.

Add to list Map view

City in Tunisia

$$$

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

See price details

Safety: 5.9

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

Read details

2/5

English is spoken in tourist areas and by some younger Tunisians, but French and Arabic are far more common. Learning a few basic French or Arabic phrases will make your trip much easier.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Tunis Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great for historic medinas and museums. Explore bustling souks, visit ancient mosques and palaces and discover rich North African culture.

Place score

6.6

Best at:

Walkable

Local cuisine

Museums

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

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 Tunis, Tunisia

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, July - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

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

Climate details

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, shorter shop and museum hours

Sightseeing in Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said is best April to June and September to October; July and August are very hot

Beaches at La Marsa and Gammarth are best June to September, as sea is cool before

Don't miss

🕌 Wander through the ancient medina of Tunis
🏛️ Explore the ruins of Carthage overlooking the sea
🎨 Admire Roman mosaics at the Bardo National Museum
☕️ Relax at a café in the blue-and-white Sidi Bou Said
👜 Shop for traditional crafts and spices in souks
🌅 Watch the sunset over Lake Tunis from La Marsa

You've been here?

Why travel to Tunis?

Tunis is a fascinating blend of Arab, Roman and French influences, making it a dream for history lovers and culture seekers. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with vibrant markets, stunning mosques and hidden palaces. Just outside the city, the legendary ruins of Carthage and the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said are unforgettable stops. But Tunis isn’t just about the past. The city pulses with life – cafés spill onto wide boulevards and the scent of spices and pastries fills the air. You can haggle for handicrafts, admire world-class mosaics at the Bardo Museum or relax on Mediterranean beaches. Just be aware of occasional petty crime and the need for extra caution at night or in crowded areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Basilica of Damous el Karita
2 Medina of Tunis
3 Dar Ben Abdallah
4 Bardo National Museum
5 Sidi Boussaid
6 Ariana El Jadida
7 Kasbah Square
8 Zaytuna Mosque

🎡Places for activities

1 شارع الحبيب بورقيبة
2 Bab el Bhar
3 Café des Nattes
4 Golf de Carthage
5 Amilcar Beach

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Belvedere Park
2 Corniche Marsa Beach
3 منتزه النحلي
4 جبل الرصاص
5 Lake of Tunis

🛍️Shopping

1 سوق العطارين
2 سوق البركة
3 سوق الترك
4 Souq des Chechias
5 سوق النحاس
6 TUNISIA Mall
7 Carrefour La Marsa
8 aziza
9 سوق البلاط

🎈Events

Carthage Film Festival
International Festival of Carthage
Jazz à Carthage
Medina Festival
Tunis International Book Fair
Ramadan Night Markets
Sidi Bou Said Music Festival
Tunis Marathon
Spring Festival at Belvedere Park
National Day Celebrations (March 20)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Start early in the medina; lanes get busy quickly.
Group nearby highlights in one day: Medina, Bardo Museum and Avenue Habib Bourguiba strolls.
Take a short trip to Sidi Bou Said and Carthage; both are easy from Tunis.
Carry small cash for souks and cafés and agree taxi prices beforehand if meters aren’t used.

How to travel to Tunis

Tunis is served by Tunis-Carthage International Airport, just 8 km from the city center, with connections across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The city is also accessible by ferry from Italy and other Mediterranean ports. International trains and buses connect Tunis with other Tunisian cities and North African destinations.

Access summary

From Tunis–Carthage Airport (TUN): taxi or bus to center about 10–25 min.
From Paris: frequent direct flights to Tunis usually around 2.5–3 hours.
From Rome: direct flights to Tunis typically about 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tunis

Tunis offers a range of accommodation, from boutique hotels in the medina to modern hotels and beach resorts in the suburbs. Mid-range and budget options are plentiful, but book ahead during festivals or peak season. For a unique experience, consider staying in a restored traditional house (dar) in the old city.

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 Tunis

Getting around Tunis is straightforward: the city has a decent metro light rail system, plentiful taxis and buses. The medina and Ville Nouvelle are best explored on foot, but be prepared for some chaotic traffic and crowded streets. Taxis are affordable but agree on the fare or ensure the meter is used. Rental cars are available, but driving can be challenging due to local habits and road conditions.

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.

-71 %

Daily expenses in Tunis are around 71% 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	£29	£69	£178
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£12	£21	£61
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£2	£5

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.10
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.40
☕ Cappuccino	£0.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.30

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.26
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.65

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.70
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£16
🤧 Cold medication	£3.10
💇 Basic haircut	£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety

Tunis is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime like pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur, especially in crowded areas. Remain alert, avoid isolated places at night and keep valuables secure. There is a heightened security presence due to the ongoing state of emergency.

Health & Medical

Medical care in Tunis is good in private clinics and main hospitals, but facilities may be limited in public hospitals or rural areas. Pharmacies are widespread. Tap water is not always recommended for drinking — bottled water is safest.

Accessibility

Major attractions and hotels are generally accessible, but the medina’s narrow, uneven streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Public transport is improving but not always fully accessible. Plan ahead if you have specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is chlorinated but not always recommended for drinking, especially for sensitive stomachs. Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive. Carry water with you, especially in summer.