What are the best things to do in Tunis? Explore the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built around the Zitouna Mosque, see one of the world’s greatest collections of Roman mosaics at the Bardo National Museum, walk among the ruins of ancient Carthage and end the day in the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said above the sea. All of these are linked by the TGM light railway, so you can see the capital and its coast in two or three days. This guide covers the top sights, how to get around, a two-day plan and tips for your visit.
Planning a trip? Start with our complete Tunisia travel guide, our Tunisia visa guide and is Tunisia safe?
Tunis at a glance
| Where | The north coast of Tunisia, on the Gulf of Tunis |
|---|---|
| Known for | The medina, the Bardo mosaics, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said |
| UNESCO | Medina of Tunis and the Archaeological Site of Carthage, both since 1979 |
| Airport | Tunis-Carthage International, close to the city center |
| Time needed | Two to three days |
| Getting around | The TGM light railway, the tram, taxis and walking |
The medina of Tunis
The medina is the historic heart of Tunis and one of the best-preserved in the Arab world. UNESCO lists it for its hundreds of monuments, palaces, mosques and madrasas, built mostly between the 12th and 16th centuries when Tunis was a great capital.
- The Zitouna Mosque: the great mosque at the center of the medina, founded in the early centuries of Islam. Non-Muslim visitors can usually see the courtyard from a viewing area at set times.
- The souks: covered lanes for perfume, gold, textiles, chechia hats and spices, each traditionally with its own trade.
- Palaces and houses: Dar Ben Abdallah and other old residences with tiled courtyards.
- Rooftop views: some cafés and shops let you climb to the roof for a view over the minarets.
- Bab el Bhar: the “Sea Gate” that links the medina to the colonial city.
The Bardo National Museum
The Bardo National Museum, in a 19th-century palace west of the center, has one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world, gathered from sites across Tunisia: gods, sea creatures, hunting scenes and portraits of Virgil. It also covers Punic, Christian and Islamic history. The museum reopened in September 2023 after a two-year closure; check opening days before you go.
Carthage
Carthage, a short ride from central Tunis, was the capital of a Phoenician empire that rivaled Rome until it was destroyed in 146 BC, and was later rebuilt as one of the great cities of Roman Africa. Its ruins are spread among the villas of a quiet seaside suburb.
- The Antonine Baths: the huge Roman bath complex by the sea, one of the largest in the Roman world.
- Byrsa Hill: the original citadel of Carthage, with the Carthage Museum and a view over the bay.
- The Punic Ports: the circular military harbor and the commercial harbor of ancient Carthage.
- The Tophet: an ancient Punic sanctuary and burial ground.
- The Roman villas and amphitheater, scattered across the site.
Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa
Sidi Bou Said is a hilltop village of whitewashed houses with blue doors and shutters above the Gulf of Tunis. Walk its steep main street, drink mint tea with pine nuts at a café, visit the Ennejma Ezzahra palace and watch the sunset over the bay. La Marsa, the next stop on the TGM, has a long beach and a relaxed seafront.
More things to do in Tunis
There is more to do in Tunis beyond its famous sights, from the colonial boulevards to fish restaurants in La Goulette.
- Avenue Habib Bourguiba: the tree-lined boulevard of the colonial city, with cafés and the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul.
- La Goulette: the port district, known for its fish restaurants.
- The Belvedere Park: a large park on a hill in the north of the city.
- Day trips: the Roman city of Dougga, the Cap Bon peninsula with Kerkuane and Hammamet, or Bizerte on the north coast.
Getting around Tunis
The easiest way to get around Tunis is by the TGM light railway, the tram and metered taxis.
- The TGM: the light railway from Tunis Marine station to La Goulette, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa, the easiest way to reach the coast.
- The tram (métro léger): covers the city, including a line toward the Bardo.
- Taxis: yellow city taxis are cheap; insist on the meter.
- Trains and louages: trains run south to Sousse and beyond, and shared minibuses connect Tunis with most towns.
Tunis in two days
Two days in Tunis is enough for the medina, the Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | The medina: Zitouna Mosque, the souks and a traditional house | The Bardo National Museum, then dinner downtown |
| Day 2 | Carthage: Byrsa Hill, the Antonine Baths and the Punic Ports | Sidi Bou Said for the sunset, then La Marsa |
Travel with a local guide
Simsem’s Tunisia host, Mohamed Ben Naceur, runs private tours to the Roman sites of the north and the Sahel:
Dougga, Bulla Regia and Testour
A full day to the Roman city of Dougga, the underground villas of Bulla Regia and Andalusian Testour.
El Jem Amphitheater Private Tour
A private trip from Sousse or Monastir to the great Roman amphitheater of El Jem, a UNESCO site.
Sousse Medina Walking Tour
A walk with Mohamed through the UNESCO-listed medina of Sousse, its souks, the Ribat and the Great Mosque.
See all Tunisia experiences on Simsem.
FAQ
What is Tunis famous for?
Its UNESCO-listed medina, the Roman mosaics of the Bardo Museum, the ruins of Carthage and the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said.
How many days do you need in Tunis?
Two to three days covers the medina, the Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.
How do you get from Tunis to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said?
Take the TGM light railway from Tunis Marine station. Carthage and Sidi Bou Said are stops on the same line.
Is the Bardo Museum open?
Yes. It reopened in September 2023 after a two-year closure. Check opening days before you go.
Is Carthage worth visiting?
Yes. Its ruins are scattered, but the Antonine Baths, Byrsa Hill and the Punic Ports bring one of history’s great cities to life, especially with a guide.
Is Tunis safe for tourists?
Yes. Take normal city precautions, use metered taxis and keep valuables secure in the souks.
Sources
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Medina of Tunis
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Archaeological Site of Carthage
- Arab News — Tunisia’s Bardo Museum reopens to public (September 2023)
- Wikipedia — Sidi Bou Said
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
