Where Best

Tunisia

Rome-grade ruins, real Sahara, and blue-and-white coast — a cheap hop from Europe.

· North Africa · Last updated July 2026

Tunisia packs an unlikely amount of the ancient world into a small, cheap country an hour or two from southern Europe. You get Roman amphitheatres you can climb, a Sahara you can actually sleep in, whitewashed Mediterranean towns above the sea, and the desert sets where Star Wars was filmed. Base near Tunis, then range south into the dunes.

Base yourself near Tunis and the range is remarkable for the distance you cover. Sidi Bou Said tumbles blue-and-white above the Mediterranean, ancient Carthage sits on the same headland, and El Djem's amphitheatre rivals the Colosseum for a fraction of the crowds. Push south and the country changes entirely: the Sahara around Douz and Ksar Ghilane, camel treks and a night under the dunes, Matmata's troglodyte homes and the Star Wars sets, and the holy city of Kairouan with its Great Mosque. A lot of ancient world, all on a rock-bottom budget.

The honest part: some southern and western border regions near Libya and Algeria carry travel advisories, so check them and steer clear. The big coastal resort strips like Hammamet and Sousse are package-generic and could be almost anywhere. Little English is spoken, so a bit of French or Arabic really helps. But the trade-off is hard to beat — Rome-grade ruins, real desert, and Mediterranean coast at prices southern Europe forgot, an hour or two from home.

Highlights

  • Sidi Bou Said & Carthage

    The blue-and-white cliff town above Tunis, next to the ruins of ancient Carthage.

  • El Djem

    A vast, remarkably intact Roman amphitheatre — climb it with barely a crowd.

  • The Sahara (Douz / Ksar Ghilane)

    Dunes and camel treks; sleep out in the desert under the stars.

  • Star Wars sets

    Matmata's troglodyte homes and the Ong Jmel sets, deep in the south.

  • Kairouan

    A holy Islamic city built around its Great Mosque.

  • Djerba

    A laid-back island of whitewashed villages and long beaches.

Practical info

Visa
Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.
Currency
TND (Tunisian Dinar).
Language
Arabic and French; little English spoken.
Safety
Tourist areas and the main sights are fine with normal caution, but check government advisories and avoid the remote southern and western border regions near Libya and Algeria.
Getting around
Louage shared taxis and trains link the cities; take an organised tour or a driver for the desert.
Tap water
Drink bottled water.
Plug type
Type C Type E 230V
Money
Cash (Dinar; note it cannot be taken out of the country); cards work in hotels.

General guidance — visas, safety, and health change, so check your government's travel advisory and the official sources before you go.

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Tunisia?
Tunisia is at its best in April–June, September, October.
How many days do you need in Tunisia?
Most trips run 1–2 weeks, depending on how much ground you want to cover.
Is Tunisia expensive?
Plan for backpacker – budget daily spend, depending on how you travel.
Is Tunisia safe for travelers?
Tourist areas and the main sights are fine with normal caution, but check government advisories and avoid the remote southern and western border regions near Libya and Algeria.
Do you need a visa for Tunisia?
Visa-free for most Western passports (90 days). Verify before travel.

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