Tunisia holidays

You’d be forgiven for wanting to focus your Tunisia holiday on the beaches – they are some of the most beautiful on the Mediterranean Sea, after all. However, if you fancy adding history, local culture and cuisine to your trip, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy.

Tunis

Spend a day or two exploring Tunisia’s capital, Tunis – you can lose hours in its sprawling medieval medina while browsing the busy souks. 

When you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the atmospheric food market Marché Centrale for lunch. Try local dishes such as brik a l’oeuf (deep-fried pastry with egg yolk) and makroudh, a sweet filled with dates and nuts. 

For culture, visit the Bardo National Museum to see the collection of Roman mosaics.

History and culture

Tunisia’s history is long and fascinating, stretching back thousands of years and seating one of the ancient world's most influential empires – the Carthaginian Empire. It also has some of the finest Roman ruins outside of Rome, many of which are relatively quiet compared to their European equivalents. The cavernous El Djem Amphitheatre, once able to hold up to 35,000 people, is one of the most impressive.

Inland, Dougga is another must-see ruin in excellent condition. You’ll see bathhouses, a theatre and temples that give insight into how wealthy Romans lived. Meanwhile, at Utica, you can explore the amphitheatre’s basement and learn about the Punic era at the National Museum of Utica.

Medinas

Shopping in Tunisia is more than simply buying souvenirs – wandering the busy souks is an experience in itself. Barter with local jewellers, soak in the scent of herbs and spices and seek out unique gifts, such as Berber instruments or Arabic pottery.

Tunis’ sprawling medieval medina is one of Tunisia’s largest, while Sousse’s labyrinth of alleyways is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Sfax also has an impressive medina, less visited and much more local.

Food and drink

Whether it’s eating fresh seafood along the coast or sampling locally produced olive oil in the rural north, Tunisia has much to offer when it comes to gastronomy. Be sure to try shakshuka (a hearty tomato-based stew), lablabi (a chickpea stew served over bread), and sweet honeyed dates.

For a more traditional experience, try having lunch at a dar (similar to a riad). These hotels are often converted historic houses and offer home cooked-style meals.

From white sand to watersports, Tunisia’s long eastern shoreline is dotted with picturesque beaches just perfect for a day by the sea.

Hammamet

One of Tunisia's first beach holiday destinations, Hammamet has soft white sand, a warm turquoise sea and plenty of restaurants and hotels. It’s also one of the best places for scuba diving, with a World War II wreck to explore nearby.

Monastir

This historic port town has beautiful beaches and luxurious all-inclusive hotels. Its main beach, Plage Sqanes, is a long stretch of golden sand with plenty of opportunities for watersports and camel rides.

Djerba

Why have just one beach when you can have many? The island of Djerba is lined with idyllic white-sand beaches, with Plage Yeti, Plage Seguia Djerba, and Plage de Sidi Mahrez being some of the best.

Sidi Bou Said

On the coast near Tunis, this is a great beach if you’re staying in the capital. It’s a small stretch of sand with several shops and restaurants nearby, plus you can hire kayaks and paddleboards to explore the coastline by sea.

Mahdia

A long stretch of sand in a charming port town, you can spend days in Mahdia relaxing on a sunbed and eating seafood in cafes. The Zone Touristique here has several luxury hotels offering watersports, too. 

The peak season in Tunisia runs from July to August, when the weather is hot (average temperature is 27C with highs of 34C), prices increase and the resorts fill up.

If you can avoid the summer, spring or September and October have milder weather and fewer people around. Expect average temperatures to hover around 20C with plenty of sunshine. Winter is the coldest time to visit (temperatures can drop as low as 10C), but there are still opportunities for shopping, sightseeing and exploring.

During Ramadan, some opening hours may differ. Eid, the end of Ramadan, includes colourful celebrations and fireworks, but again the schedule may change (Ramadan lasts for 30 days but its date changes every year. Be sure to check before you travel).

When is the cheapest time to visit?

You’ll stand a good chance of finding cheap deals for Tunisia either side of the summer season – especially if you spend some time comparing prices in advance of your holiday. If you’re not bothered about sunbathing, winter has bargains too. Otherwise, consider September or October, when the weather is good and the sea is still warm enough to swim in.

When should I go for the best weather?

If you’re seeking a beach break in Tunisia, summer has the hottest temperatures – and the highest prices, so be sure to compare holiday prices and look for deals well in advance of your break. May also has great weather, with plenty of sunshine and average temperatures in the low 20s. September offers a great mix of good weather (25C average) and price, while October is slightly cooler (21C average).