Tunisia
Tunis is a city where the traditional and the modern exist side by side. While the Medina section reveals the city’s past, Ville Nouvelle (New City), Habib Bourgiba Boulevard and the nearby streets show the modern face of the city. Some of the notable sites in Tunis are the Bardo National Museum, the world’s largest mosaic museum; the Al-Zaytuna Mosque, St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral, Ichkeul Lake and Dar ben Abdallah Museum. There are also private tours via the centuries-old Red Train departing from Metlaoui, which about three hours from Tunis. Last but not least, the Medina features intriguing shops offering bags made of camel skin, embroidered bird cages and succulent dates.
Sahara Desert
The magnificent Sahara Desert is one of the most beautiful places in the world to view a sunset. Desert tours often feature travel via camels, the ‘ships of the desert’, and overnight accommodation in a Bedouin camp. Eating around a campfire and watching the stars in the clear desert skies are unforgettable experiences. We recommend that you bring warm clothes as it does get quite chilly at night. Among the desert destinations are Douz, known as the ‘Gateway to the Sahara’, Matmata, a small Berber village with underground dwellings, and Chenini, a hilltop village with structures dating from the 12th century. The region, called Tataouine, was a filming location for scenes in the Star Wars film series.
Sidi Bou Said
Picturesque Sidi Bou Said is often compared to Alacati, Türkiye or Santorini, Greece due to its seafront location, quaint stone-paved roads, and whitewashed houses with wooden, blue-painted doors. Sidi Bou Said is about 20 kilometers from Tunis and about 3 kilometers from the Ruins of Ancient Carthage.
Kairouan
After the completion of the original Sidi Okba Mosque in Kairouan, in 670, North Africa became a center for the study of Islam and the Quran. Also known as the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the original structure was destroyed and rebuilt by the Aghlabids in the 9th century. Among the other notable sites in Kairouan, the Aghlabid Basins are worth mentioning. This marvel of engineering was also built in the 9th century by the Aghlabid Dynasty to provide water for the inhabitants of Kairouan.
When to visit Tunisia
In North Africa, Tunisia borders the Mediterranean Sea. As a result, the country has both Mediterranean and desert climates. Summer months are best for seaside holidays, while November is a good time to visit the desert region.
What to eat in Tunisia
Olive oil, spices, tomatoes and seafood are prominent in Tunisian cuisine. Often quite spicy, many dishes feature the classic Tunisian paste, harissa, which is prepared with red pepper, garlic and spices. In addition to lamb and mutton, camel meat – aged in soil for a couple of weeks – is also eaten. Couscous served with merguez sausage is quite popular; another local dish is ojja, made with tomato, lamb or mutton, egg, pepper and harissa. Dates and almonds often follow the meal, accompanied by a brilliant green tea made with fresh mint and sprinkled with pine nuts.
