Tunisia is underrated and many tend to overlook it! But if you’re still wondering ‘Is Tunisia worth visiting’ then here’s why you should, the best cities in Tunisia, safety in Tunisia, and the best places to go in Tunisia
Tunisia is worth visiting for its underrated pristine beaches with hardly a tourist in sight at many. However, that’s not all you get to do when you visit the country.
It is rich in history, the food is delish and ancient ruins like Carthage and EL Jem share a colourful past. Not to forget, spending a night in the Sahara is an unparalleled experience.
The Medina Guided Walking Tour in Tunis introduced me to the country’s vibrant culture, and I knew it was a place I could return!
If you adore exploring new places across the globe and adding them to your trip lists, then here’s info on why visit Tunisia, safety in Tunisia and I also answer ‘Is Tunisia worth visiting’!
PLANNING YOUR TUNISIA TRIP | THE ESSENTIALS
Guided tours for the best Tunisia experience –
Recommended hotels for the Tunisia trip –
Is Tunisia worth visiting?
Reasons to visit Tunisia
Is Tunisia a good holiday destination?
Tunisia, is a North African country and located on the north-eastern coast, Tunis is the capital city as well as the largest city in Tunisia.
The New York Times mentions Tunisia as a land of golden beaches, sunny weather & affordable luxuries.
But is Tunisia worth visiting for all this? If you are someone who loves to visit places that have it all – beaches & mountains, historic sites & modern architecture all at the same time, then Tunisia is a country you must visit.
It is absolutely worth it.
Best Cities In Tunisia
Tunis, Sidi Bou Said, Hammamet, Kairouan, Sousse are known to be some of the best cities to visit in Tunisia.
Tunis
Tunis is the capital city as well as the largest city in Tunisia.
Why is Tunis worth visiting? Because it is the place where traditions & modernity blend very well.
Most of the popular sites in the city are walkable and within a short distance of each other.
The Medina i.e. the city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important part of the city. Take a guided tour of the Medina Of Tunis and explore different mosques and shops in the old city.
Being the capital city, the place is the centre of Tunisia’s political as well as cultural activity.
This city is known to be the richest in the Islamic world and still holds a strong influence of Islamic spirituality.
But is Tunis worth visiting for travellers who are interested in exploring the city? Tourists will never have a dull day in this city. There are a number of museums, historic places as well as architectural sites which are a must visit.
The National Bardo Museum is one of the most important museums in the Mediterranean region. If you are curious about the history of Tunisia, you must visit this museum.
Zitouna Mosque and Cathedral Of St. Vincent de Paul, Ben Bahr, and Kasbah Square are just a few places to visit!
Tunis has colourful markets, huge roads, and infrastructure all under one roof. Tourists can have a good time even if they go on a simple stroll around the city, doing nothing but admiring the wares around the Medina.
Where to stay in Tunisia?
Hotel Suisse Tunis is located in a great area of Tunis, very close to the main market.
Dar Ben Abdallah Museum, Dar Bach Hamba, and Theatre municipal de Tunis are the nearest tourist points from the hotel. Tunis Carthage is the nearest airport, 11 kilometres away from the hotel.
Hammamet
Previously, Hammamet was a fishing village surrounded by lemon groves. Presently, Hammamet is one of its popular tourist destinations due to its beaches.
If you are travelling to Tunisia, you must include this in your itinerary.
Tunisia shares its Mediterranean coastline with Egypt, which is hardly an hour away from Tunis Airport. There are a number of beach resorts and hotels.
You can also enjoy water sports on the beach. There are many beautiful beaches in Hammamet, but the beach at Mregza is comparatively secluded, and so attracts fewer crowds. You can spend time watching the sunset or if you are into swimming, this beach is perfect.
Hammamet is also famous for its beautiful 12th-century Kasbah and attractive Medina – the historic centre with narrow alleyways. Worth spending an evening strolling in this area.
If you are short on time, you can consider booking this Hammamet and Nabeul Tour from Tunis. But I would insist on spending at least 2 days in Hammamet to soak in its beauty.
Where to stay in Hammamet?
You can choose from a wide range of budget hotels to boutique hotels for your stay in Hammamet.
Hotel Khella is a basic 3-star accommodation that is known for its comfortable rooms and delicious breakfast.
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is also known to be one of the best cities in Tunisia.
You all might have come across many beautiful images of this place while browsing the web but visiting the city in person is magical, it will truly win you over!
Sidi Bou Said is hardly 20 minutes away from Tunis. This city is located on a cliff with impressive views overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
The houses here are painted in white and blue. Beautiful bright bougainvillaea plants add a punch to the white & blue houses.
The city is home to numerous small yet pretty cafes, art shops, and souvenirs shops.
You can shop till you drop here if you are a shopaholic. Places like Sidi Bou Said make Tunisia worth visiting.
The city has many historical landmarks. You can also visit the Baths of Antonius and Ennejma Ezzahra Palace.
Where to stay in Sidi Bou Said?
You may love to stay at Hotel Chez Adac, a beautiful budget hotel. The beach is 850 meters away from the hotel, so you can always walk to it whenever you feel like it!
Kairouan
Kairouan is a holy city in Tunisia and holds a special significance for those who follow Islam.
The Great Mosque Of Kairouan is one of the oldest Islamic landmarks in the northern side of Africa.
Kairouan is also known for some of the best carpets in Tunisia. If you are one who loves to buy souvenirs for your home or for your friends, you should visit the carpet market in Kairouan.
Buying a carpet and travelling back with that can be expensive, but it’s still worth taking a stroll to admire them. Just make sure if you do end up buying something you bargain well – this guide should help!
Sousse
Sousse, also known as Soussa, is another popular city in Tunisia. It is located 140 kilometres south of the capital city of Tunis.
The city has many popular attractions, like the Ribat of Sousse and the Grand Mosque of Sousse.
This city is significant when it comes to Islamic culture. Sousse is also known as the pearl of the Sahel.
Like many other cities in Tunisia, Sousse also gives you lots of options for a beautiful beach holiday along the Mediterranean coast. It has many family friendly resorts and is worth visiting for a wellness getaway or a weekend away.
Where to stay in Sousse?
Dar Lekibra Boutique is a boutique hotel that serves halal breakfasts. The property is recently renovated.
El Jem, Matmata, Tamerza, and Chebika are a few more cities in Tunisia that you should check if you are planning a trip to Tunisia.
Day trip to the Sahara Desert
during your Tunisia trip
The Sahara Desert is one of the best places to visit in Tunisia, if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience.
Plan an overnight stay in a tent in the desert or opt for a jeep safari to get the best experience. This Sahara Desert Jeep Tour is currently offering discounts with complimentary lunch. A pretty good deal not to be missed.
Most resorts or hotels can arrange a desert tour for you. Star Wars and The English Patient were once shot here, making it even more fascinating for movie buffs.
Tunisia is definitely worth a trip even if its just about visiting the Sahara!
A Tunisia road trip
If you are someone who prefers road trips then Tunisia is worth considering to go on one.
But is Tunisia worth visiting for a road trip?
Yes, because there’s so much to do and transportation is unreliable in the country so having your own vehicle helps immensely. However, worth keeping in mind that driving is rash here and not all rules are followed. Hence, safety on the roads can’t be guaranteed.
If you’d still prefer to go on one, worth speaking to your hotel about arranging a dedicated cab for a day or a multi-day trip with a local driver/chauffeur included, as most cabs unless hired from places like Enterprise include one.
If you are planning a road trip in Tunisia, you must carry your national and international driving licences. Presenting both documents can help you avoid legal issues.
Is Tunisia expensive?
Tunisia can help you have a holiday that suits all budgets.
While public transport is cheap, it is unreliable. Cabs if hired, can vary. They can be cheap or expensive if you bargain well. Shared taxi’s are available in some cities.
It is worth booking your taxi in advance from your hotel for your airport pickup and drop as most places do not have the option to book a car or opt for a taxi at the airport.
You will find restaurants to suit all budgets however, most places are budget friendly and offer a wide variety of dishes too suit all palates.
Shopping is inexpensive but of course depend son what you plan on purchasing. Most items are cheap but some like carpets and perfumes can be expensive.
Why Is Tunisia so cheap?
Tunisia has been popular with families for ages however a couple of years ago, fell off the radar due to an incident which made people opt for alternate destinations like Morocco.
However, Tunisia is quite safe and if you travel to Tunisia with your family, you can have a good time on a limited budget.
A semi-luxurious resort would cost you anywhere from £75 to £125 and most resorts include buffet meals that are delish and even include items like unlimited prawns!
If you don’t leave your resort that’s quite cheap but even if you do, it can still be budget-friendly as food elsewhere is cheap too!
Best time to visit Tunisia
Tunisia is a place which has a hot dry summer and mild winter. The place is known for its Mediterranean climate that’s usually pleasant.
The best time to visit Tunisia is between May & September if you are fine with high temperatures.
If you prefer something milder, autumn that’s mainly October and November is better.
January also is a good time to visit Tunisia with average maximum temperatures being around 16 degrees.
Is Tunisia dangerous for tourists?
No! The UK Foreign Office believes most part of Tunisia is safe to travel to, although they warn against travelling to the areas near its borders with Algeria.
Visiting religious sites during festivals can be overwhelming so plan your trip when it’s not Ramadan as most places also tend to be shut.
Tunisia is ranked 94th for solo woman travellers so it is worth visiting as a solo female traveller as well. It is definitely safe for families too.
Follow basic safety tips to stay out of trouble, avoid crowded areas if you find it overwhelming and ensure you keep someone aware of your whereabouts!
Safety in Tunisia
Tunisia is generally very safe and even more so if you plan a resort getaway.
It is still safe if you plan on visiting solo as a female traveller or otherwise.
As with all places around the world, make sure you are aware of your surroundings, keep someone informed of your plans and make sure you avoid places you haven’t researched well.
Scams are common in places and its best to politely decline an offer if you’re not comfortable.
Only plan on asking prices for goods and bargaining if you plan on buying the product.
Why visit Tunisia?
You can experience a diverse culture in Tunisia. From spiritual places to deserts, beaches to museums, art shops to cafes and boutique hotels, affordable living to luxury living, you can get literally everything in Tunisia.
That’s the reason: if you are someone who prefers offbeat destinations that offer value for money, Tunisia is the right place for you!
That sums up all you need to know about visiting Tunisia – at least for the best spots and the first time! Visiting Tunisia is definitely worth it but make sure you do your research well, book in advance and plan intercity travel well!
FAQs – Is Tunisia worth visiting?
Is Tunisia worth visiting?
Yes. You should definitely think of visiting Tunisia if you are a someone who loves nature, history, adventure, and spirituality, all in one trip.
Is Tunisia good for tourists?
Tunisia is a very good destination for tourists. It is beautiful. Cheap. Vibrant and peaceful at the same time.
Is Morocco or Tunisia better to visit?
Both have their specialities, so it would be unfair to choose only one. Both have a rich history and culture with a mix of Arab, African, and European influences.
Is Tunis worth seeing?
Yes. Tunisia has a lot to offer to tourists who expect a trip full of lifetime memories and experiences.
Why do people want to visit Tunisia?
Tunisia is a country that gives you a flavour of northernmost African life, history, and culture. You should definitely visit and experience it.
Is Tunisia a good place to visit?
Absolutely! It’s safe, budget-friendly and one of the best when it comes to family holidays and resort all inclusive stays!
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