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With nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Africa’s northernmost country rewards the culturally curious. Your Tunisia holiday can include visits to ancient ruins, coastal idylls, atmospheric souks, and early Islamic monuments, as well as adventures into the desert wilds.

Here are the best things to do on a Tunisia holiday, as chosen for you by our North Africa specialists. 

Tour Tunis, Tunisia’s historic capital city

While the new city has a distinctly European feel, old Tunis has remained unchanged for centuries. The medina, dating from the 12th century, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is home to bustling souks and a maze of colourful streets. There are around 700 monuments to visit, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from the Almohad and the Hafsid periods.

Recline on the coast of Sidi Bou Said

20km to the north-east of Tunis lies Sidi Bou Said, which offers a tranquil contrast to the bustling capital. This picturesque town has been painted almost exclusively in blue or white since the 1920s, and, coupled with seductive views of the Mediterranean, it evokes the better-known resort towns of Greece.

See the sprawling ruins of Carthage

Carthage refers both to the ancient city and to the civilisation that developed within its sphere of influence. Originally a settlement of Phoenician colonists, it was Rome’s rival for dominance of the western Mediterranean throughout the second and third centuries BC. Eventually this rivalry led to the three Punic wars, each of which Carthage lost. The third Punic war ended with the complete destruction of the city in 146 BC.

The city’s sprawling ruins have been excavated, and include the remains of the crescent shaped Punic port, which would have once served Carthage’s navy. About 15 minutes from Tunis, the Carthage ruins make for an easy excursion, and your guide will bring them to life. 

Explore the holy city of Kairouan

Known as the ‘City of 50 Mosques’, Kairouan was established in 670 AD by the Umayyad Caliphate, one of the world’s largest empires. It flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the ninth century. Despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century, Kairouan remained the Maghreb’s principal holy city, and is home to the Great Mosque – the first mosque in North Africa, and well worth a visit.

Today, Kairouan is one of Tunisia’s nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also famed for its alloucha carpets, hand- knotted from natural wool with symmetrical patterns and floral designs. Tunisia’s government maintains strict quality control: only those of the requisite standard receive the seal of excellence. You can observe Kairouan’s artisans at work during a visit to an alloucha workshop. 

Admire the medina & mosaics of Sousse

Sousse sits on the Mediterranean coast, and the city’s medina is UNESCO-listed for its early Islamic architecture. In the courtyard of the former casbah, you’ll find the Museum of Sousse, which boasts an impressive collection of Roman-African mosaics. Many are inspired by ancient myths, such as Medusa, while others depict the daily life and entertainment of a bygone age.

Visit the Ribat of Monastir

A short trip down the coast from Sousse, you’ll find Monastir and its Ribat, an ancient Islamic defensive structure which dates from the eighth century. It is the oldest ribat in the Maghreb, and was expanded over centuries with courtyards, watchtowers, and two mosques for mujahideen. Visitors can climb the spiralling stairs up the watchtowers for a view across Monastir and its sandy Mediterranean shore.

Go adventuring in the Tunisian Sahara

The desert of southwest Tunisia offers fascinating natural and cultural sights, with the Tozeur oasis and the town of Douz serving as bases of exploration. The Chott el Djerid is the Sahara’s largest salt flat, and an ideal summer location to experience Fata Morganas, a form of mirage.

To observe wildlife, visit Jebil National Park, which is classed as an Important Bird Area, as well as being a habitat for fennec fox, jackal, horned viper, endemic barbary sheep, and many other animals. You can enjoy a taste of Bedouin life staying at a tented camp in the Grand Erg Oriental, a vast series of Saharan dunes within the park. While the facilities are simple, the candlelit camp provides an atmospheric desert experience at night. 

Discover Dougga’s Roman ruins

Perhaps Tunisia’s best-preserved archaeological site, Dougga once held the status of municipium under the Romans. Today, visitors can still follow the ancient stone-paved streets and admire its capitol, theatre and other splendid public buildings. The site is also littered with Latin inscriptions which provide insight into some of the city’s illustrious residents.

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