Must-See Tourist Attractions in Tunisia

Published on November 10, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Nestled at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Tunisia captivates with its rich cultural heritage and varied landscapes, from pristine beaches to majestic deserts.

This captivating country, where ancient history meets vibrant modernity, offers a diversity of must-see tourist sites that fascinate travelers from around the world.

Whether you’re drawn to the ancient ruins of Carthage, the lively souks of Tunis’ medina, or the enchanting oases of Tozeur, Tunisia promises an unforgettable experience filled with discoveries and wonder.

Tunisia’s Hidden Wonders

Tunisia’s Hidden Wonders: Authentic Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

Location	Site Type	Special Features	Practical Tips
Matmata	Troglodyte Village	Houses carved into rock, unique architecture, Star Wars filming location, authentic Berber culture	Visit early morning to avoid crowds, stay with locals, prefer off-season
Tamezret	Mountain Berber Village	Preserved troglodyte architecture, panoramic views of Djebel Dahar, living Berber language	Access via regional road 104, visit local museum, taste local cuisine
Guermessa	Fortified Dahar Village	Ruined troglodyte houses, ghost town atmosphere, rich historical heritage	Bring good shoes, ideal for hiking, interact with few remaining residents
Douiret	Abandoned Berber Village	Ruins of troglodyte houses and ksour, mystical atmosphere	Explore at sunrise or sunset, bring water and supplies
Ksar Ghilane Oasis	Saharan Oasis	Natural hot spring, palm grove, ancient Roman fortress	Accessible by 4×4, overnight tent stays possible, camel rides
Dougga Ruins	Little-Known Archaeological Site	Remarkably preserved Roman remains, UNESCO site but less crowded	Visit on weekdays, bring hat and water, local guide recommended

Troglodyte Berber Villages

Matmata and Tamezret embody the soul of southern Tunisia. Their rock-carved houses offer natural refuge from the heat while blending into the lunar landscape of Dahar. In Matmata, traditional life persists despite tourist interest, particularly thanks to local hospitality. Tamezret, perched on a hill, charms with its narrow alleys, crafts, and panoramic views of Dahar hills. Here, Berber language and customs remain vibrant, and visiting the village museum provides an authentic immersion.

Desert Oases

Ksar Ghilane is a remote oasis surrounded by red dunes and featuring a natural thermal spring. It’s the ideal starting point for exploring the Tunisian Sahara on foot, horseback, or camelback. Far from the crowds, overnight tent stays allow you to experience the silence and magic of the desert.

Little-Known Ancient Ruins

Away from classic tourist routes, Dougga reveals a Roman theater, temples, and mosaics in exceptional condition. The site’s tranquility enhances the feeling of time travel, far from the crowds of Carthage or El Jem.

Tips for Travelers Seeking Authenticity:

• Choose accommodations with locals or small guesthouses to experience local hospitality.
• Respect customs: in Berber villages, discretion and politeness are highly appreciated.
• Plan your itinerary carefully: some roads are difficult to navigate, a 4WD vehicle may be necessary.
• Travel light, but bring water, a hat, and sunscreen, especially for excursions in the south.

These destinations offer immersion in a secret Tunisia, where history, nature, and traditions blend in a unique atmosphere, far from the beaten path.

Planning the Perfect Trip: Itineraries and Access to Tunisian Treasures

Optimal Itinerary 1: Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Saïd and Bizerte

Best season: spring (March-June) or fall (September-November), mild and pleasant climate.

Transportation: rental car, train, or shared taxi.

Estimated travel times:

• Tunis ↔ Carthage: 30 min by car or TGM train.
• Tunis ↔ Sidi Bou Saïd: 40 min by train.
• Tunis ↔ Bizerte: 1h15 by car.

Accessibility: Tunis medina and Carthage are accessible, but wear good shoes for cobblestones; Sidi Bou Saïd has sloping alleys.

Site	Historical/Cultural Anecdote	Tickets & Practical Info	Additional Activities
Tunis Medina	UNESCO World Heritage, heart of Islamic Tunisia since 7th century.	Free entry, guided tours available	Pastry tasting
Bardo Museum	Among world’s finest Roman mosaics.	Paid entry, closed Mondays	Calligraphy workshop
Carthage	Ancient rival of Rome, Punic and Roman remains.	Combined site pass, easy access	Walk on Byrsa Hill
Sidi Bou Saïd	Blue and white village, inspiration for artists (Klee, Gide).	Free access	Mint tea break
Bizerte	Africa’s oldest port, picturesque Casbah.	Free access	Walk along old port

Practical Tips

• Major sites offer combined tickets (e.g., Carthage, museum, baths).
• TGM train (Tunis-Goulette-Marsa) serves Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd.
• Taxis are plentiful but negotiate price before departure.

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Optimal Itinerary 2: Southern Tunisia – Djerba, Tataouine, Douz and the Sahara

Best season: fall and winter (October-March), avoid summer (extreme heat).

Transportation: rental car recommended for freedom, bus or louage (shared taxi).

Estimated travel times:

• Djerba ↔ Tataouine: 2h by car.
• Tataouine ↔ Douz: 2h30 by car.
• Douz ↔ Chott el Djerid: 1h.

Site	Historical/Cultural Anecdote	Tickets & Practical Info	Additional Activities
Djerba	Mythical island of Ulysses’ Lotus-Eaters, synagogues and colorful markets.	Free access, museum tickets	Beaches, bike rides, fishing at port
Tataouine & Ksour	Star Wars filming location, Berber troglodyte villages.	Free access, guided tours available	Overnight in troglodyte guesthouse, hiking
Douz	Gateway to Sahara, famous for desert festivals.	Free access, organized excursions	Camel rides, quad biking
Chott el Djerid	Salt lake, mirages and salt crystals.	Free access	Sunset viewing

Practical Tips

• Rent a 4WD vehicle for easy access to oases and ksour.
• Desert excursions often include overnight Berber tent stays and traditional meals.
• Bring water and sun protection, especially in the desert.

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Optimal Itinerary 3: Historical Axis – Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem, Monastir

Best season: spring or fall to avoid crowds and heat.

Transportation: train or rental car. Stations are well served.

Estimated travel times:

• Sousse ↔ Kairouan: 1h30 by car.
• Sousse ↔ Monastir: 30 min by car or train.
• Sousse ↔ El Jem: 1h by car.

Site	Historical/Cultural Anecdote	Tickets & Practical Info	Additional Activities
Sousse Medina	World Heritage site, medieval fortifications, lively souks.	Free access, guided tours available	Coffee break on corniche
Great Mosque of Kairouan	Founded in 670, Islam’s fourth holiest city.	Paid entry, modest dress required	Makroud pastry tasting
El Jem Amphitheater	World’s third largest Roman amphitheater, 35,000 seats.	Paid entry	Classical music festival (summer)
Monastir Ribat	8th century fortress, sea views, film location (e.g., Monty Python).	Paid entry	Visit Bourguiba Mausoleum

Practical Tips

• Visit mosques in morning to avoid crowds.
• SNCFT trains quickly connect Sousse, Monastir and El Jem.
• Historic centers are walkable, wear comfortable shoes.

General Tips for Exploring Tunisia

• Tickets for archaeological sites available on site, but some excursions or guided tours require advance booking.
• Major sites have French signage, but local guide can enrich visit with anecdotes and stories.
• For immersion, participate in pottery workshop in Djerba, olive oil tasting in Sahel, or traditional hammam in medina.

The Tunisian Sahara, with its golden dunes, served as filming location for many movies and inspires adventure-seeking travelers. Meanwhile, Tunis medina has welcomed merchants, scholars and artists from around the world, remaining a living cultural crossroads.

Recommended Additional Activities

• Enjoy mint tea in Sidi Bou Saïd overlooking the sea.
• Participate in desert festival in Douz.
• Discover Djerba’s fish markets at dawn.
• Attend concert in El Jem amphitheater in summer.
• Hike in mountain oases of Chebika.

For each itinerary, alternate cultural visits, relaxation moments and culinary experiences for an authentic and unforgettable discovery of Tunisia.

Where to Stay: Best Accommodation Options in Tunisia

Accommodation Options in Tunisia: From Luxury to Authenticity

Category	Recommendations Near Key Tourist Sites	Distinctive Features & Amenities	Culinary & Cultural Experiences
Luxury Hotels	– Four Seasons Hotel Tunis (La Marsa, near Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd) – Mövenpick Hotel Gammarth Tunis (near Carthage/Sidi Bou Saïd) – The Residence Tunis (Gammarth) – La Badira (Hammamet) – Anantara Sahara-Tozeur Resort & Villas (Sahara)	Spacious rooms, Clarins spas, pools, direct beach access, golf, wellness centers, suites with sea views or private pools. Personalized services and concierge.	Reimagined Tunisian gastronomy, varied buffets, themed restaurants, culinary demonstrations. Refined atmosphere and international hospitality.
Authentic Guesthouses	– Dar El Jeld Hotel & Spa (Tunis Medina) – Dar Said (Sidi Bou Saïd) – Dar el médina (Tunis)	Traditional architecture, patios, tea salons, carefully decorated rooms, family welcome, craft activities, immediate proximity to souks and museums.	Tunisian breakfast, homemade specialties, immersion in local life, organization of private guided tours.
Camping & Adventure Accommodations	– Campement Zmela (Douz, Sahara) – Camp Mars (Ksar Ghilane, Sahara) – Camp near Tozeur	Comfortable tents or lodges, evenings under stars, camel or 4×4 excursions, sharing with Berber communities, proximity to dunes and oases.	Traditional meals around fire, discovery of desert bread, initiation to Saharan music.

Advantages and Specifics by Accommodation Type:

Luxury Hotels

• Proximity to Mediterranean beaches (Gammarth, Hammamet, Djerba)
• High-end spa facilities (thalassotherapy, massages, hammams)
• Outdoor/indoor pools, fitness centers
• Easy access to tourist sites via private shuttles, taxis or car rental
• Multilingual staff, warm welcome and customized services

Authentic Guesthouses

• Cultural immersion: Arabo-Andalusian architecture, artisanal furniture
• Tunisian hospitality: attentive hosts, personalized advice
• On-site experiences: cooking workshops, discovery of local markets
• Ideal location for exploring Tunis Medina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd on foot

Desert Camping & Accommodations

• Unique Sahara experience: starry nights, desert silence
• Included activities: camel rides, hiking, bivouac
• Berber hospitality: conviviality, sharing cuisine and traditions
• Organized transfer from Tozeur, Douz or Tataouine

Transportation Options Facilitating Site Access:

• Taxis, ride-sharing and private shuttles offered by most luxury hotels
• Easy train or light metro access for Tunis Medina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Saïd
• Car rental recommended for exploring coast or Sahara
• Organized transfers for desert camping and lodges

Local Cuisine and Tunisian Hospitality:

Across all accommodation types, tasting of emblematic dishes like couscous, brik, tajines and local pastries.

Upscale hotels often feature gourmet restaurants and varied buffets, while guesthouses and camping offer family-style authentic cuisine prepared with local products.

Tunisian hospitality stands out with warm welcome, mint tea offered upon arrival, and hosts’ great availability to share advice and traditions.

Whether you seek refinement of 5-star hotels, intimacy of guesthouse nestled in historic alleys, or adventure of Saharan camp, Tunisia offers accommodation palette for all travelers, combining comfort, authenticity and cultural immersion.