Travel to Tunis from London was relatively easy, as there are direct flights. Also, the airport is very close to the city centre. Tunis is the capital of Tunisia, located in the north of the country, along the Gulf of Tunis. I’ve visited Tunis for work twice during my studies, both times in September.
I’ve provided a brief guide based on memories and photos. However, I did not take a lot of photos at that time so I would like to travel to Tunis again in the future.
A funny story during one visit to Tunis happened during a sudden heavy rainstorm, which caused significant flooding throughout the city. First, when we were in the city centre, I think I almost got kidnapped. A man showing his car keys tried to grab me to take me to his taxi, which was not in sight. Luckily, my partner at the time shooed him away and we found a real taxi. We went to eat at Chez Slah to wait out the rain. However, towards the end of our meal, the restaurant realised all of the phone lines were dead. They said not to worry and they would find us a taxi. We were a little suspicious after the early experience. Then they told us the taxi was there and it was a really old car, but… the driver was our server. He had driven his own car to take us as close as possible to our hotel. He got within about a kilometre, then the water was too high. We waded through thigh-high water back to the hotel and then watched the chaos from the balcony. What an experience!
Highlights
- Clock Tower
- Kasbah Square
- Bab al-Bhar
- Bab Saadoun
- Ez-Zitouna Mosque
- Central Market
- Souks (markets)
- Royal Mausoleum of Tourbet el Bey
- Tunis Nippon Garden
- National Museum of Bardo
- Salt Lake
- Tunisian food and pastries
Before you go
- Conservative dress is standard; head coverings for women in mosques
- Alcohol is available, but not for sale on Fridays
- Recommended not to drink tap water and be careful of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Weather is variable so be prepared for changes including rain
- Taxis need to be negotiated or organised via hotels/restaurants
- Offices and shops may close early on Fridays and at lunchtime
Transport
- Tunis – Carthage International Airport is the largest airport in Tunisia. It is located very close to the city centre, just to the east
- For transport from the airport, you can arrange pick-up with your hotel
- Although Uber is not available, Bolt is an alternative. Otherwise you need to negotiate in advance with taxis. There are some scams so be careful
- Walking around the markets and centre of Tunis is safe during the day but be aware as in any big city
Accommodation
- In Tunis, we stayed at a grand but aging hotel called La Maison Blanche. The rooms are spacious and grand, and it very centrally located. We loved the service at the hotel restaurant, as they took such good care of the guests. However, they often did not have most of the menu so I had a lot of lamb tajine!
- Another visit, we stayed at the elegant and spacious Tunis Sheraton in the north of the city
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Google Reviews or using AirBnB
Food
While in Tunis, our collaborators at the hotel chose most of the restaurants we went to. And when the weather was bad, we ate at the hotel restaurant. Although the hotel restaurant was good, they were often out of ingredients and only had lamb tagine!
By far, my favourite restaurant was Dar El Jeld. If you were walking by the building, you may not notice the entrance to the restaurant. It’s a beautiful yellow gate. The interior was grand, and the food was delicious and plentiful. Unfortunately, I did not take many food photos.
Another lovely restaurant, which was casual, delicious and friendly was Chez Slah.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, it is easy to find the places of interest. However, if you do not want to bargain with taxi drivers, then you may want to pay for a driver via the hotel
Q: Do people speak English?
A: No, many people do not speak English so it is better to have a travel app available
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: No, the city is quite spread out so you are likely to need taxis. You can walk around in certain areas like the centre
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