The country is small enough to traverse in one day, yet boasts Phoenician remains, Roman amphitheaters, an Islamic sacred city and the border of the Sahara. Everyone knows Egypt and Morocco quite well, while few have Tunisia on their itinerary, thus making it uncluttered by tourists in its major destinations. Top Tunisia tour Packages are those that logically combine the sites mentioned above, with transportation and guides already pre-arranged for your convenience.
This guide begins with the introduction of the details that new comers need. This is where the regions being visited, the mode of access, the opening time of the places to be visited, and also the seasons when certain regions of the country can be visited are discussed.
Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said in Three Days
The first stop should be at the Bardo National Museum, located in the Husainid beys’ former palace to the west of the city center of Tunis. The Roman mosaics of this museum were originally found in Dougga, Sousse, El Jem, Utica and Bulla Regia. Monday is closed, and the museum closes either at 16:30 or 17:00 depending on the time of the year, thus should be included in your morning plans. The light rail line 4 will bring you to the entrance to the museum, while a taxi from the city center takes 20 minutes. Plan for two to three hours for the museum visit.
Carthage and Sidi Bou Said are located at the same coast, and are served by TGM tram from Tunis within 20-30 minute rides in each direction. In Carthage, you can see Antonine Baths and the Theatre of Hadrian. They are not close together, therefore put on good shoes or take a taxi. Sidi Bou Said is only 3 km far, and its terrace cafes fit perfectly in the evening schedule.
Medina of Tunis requires at least half a day. Souks of the medina are covered, selling hats called chechia, perfumes, and brass. The Zitouna Mosque is located in the middle of the medina. Non-Muslim tourists usually see the mosque from outside. Have some lablabi, which is a chickpea soup served with bread and egg in a local café. Bab El Fella is one of the places that serve lablabi, and it is very cheap.
Kairouan and El Jem on the Central Route
Kairouan is around two hours away from Tunis via louage or train, and it is the fourth most sacred city in Islam. The two primary sites to visit are the Great Mosque and the old water reservoirs, while a day can be spent exploring the historic medina. Operating hours for the mosque are limited compared to other museums, so get there early. Dress appropriately by covering your shoulders and knees, and do not forget to ask permission before taking pictures.
El Jem lies 59 km away from Sousse, 45 minutes’ drive, and trains on the Sousse-Sfax line stop there as well. The amphitheatre was built in the third century and is said to accommodate 35,000 spectators. It is open daily, and the ticket usually covers also the adjacent museum housing Roman mosaics. 60-90 minutes should be allowed for visiting the arena, and up to two and a half hours including the museum.
Such two destinations nicely blend into a one-day excursion from Sousse or one-day drive down south. Many tourists compare Best Tunisia Travel Packages in order to ensure whether Kairouan, El Jem and Matmata lie on the same route without any return trips. Distances make the difference. Tunis to Djerba is 506 km, 6 and a half hours by car, and the flight lasts 1 hour 10 minutes. Djerba can be reached from the mainland by a 7 km road bridge.
The Desert South: Salt Lake, Oases and Film Sets
There is a distance of 130 km and around 90 minutes by car between Tozeur and Douz and the route goes through the country’s biggest salt lake – Chott el Djerid. Close to Tozeur, there is an opportunity to see Chebika Oasis and Mides Canyon. Fans of Star Wars should definitely see the locations of Mos Espa and Ong Jemel. The distance from Matmata is 160 km and around two hours from Djerba, and Berber people have created underground houses to protect themselves from the heat.
Douz is the main gate to the Sahara desert, and Ksar Ghilane is located 120 km further, and the way takes two and a half hours. Desert tours include a sunset camel ride and one night at the Bedouin camp. Pay attention to the timing of your travel; you can expect that in March-May and September-November the temperature will be around 18-28 degrees in the whole country, and in July-August up to 38 degrees inland. In the south of the country fuel stops and ATMs are quite rare.
Facts to Check Before You Book
Visa free entry is allowed for 90 days for citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but verify that before embarking. The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency, and one needs to change money upon arrival and then use the remaining amount. Travelers have to pay around 20 to 30 dinars to reach central Tunis from the airport. French language is commonly used and English is spoken in the hotels and resorts, and also a few Arabic words such as shukran (meaning ‘thank you’) are appreciated.
The western interior regions and borders are marked as hazardous for travelers by the government, which are far off the usual tour routes. Always check the government advice before traveling and hire guides for desert tours. Tunisia is a Muslim country. In the coastal region, people can dress freely, and in places such as Kairouan and small towns, they should dress modestly. Some mosques don’t allow non-Muslim visitors, and therefore, they need to be careful about this aspect. Alcohol is available in hotels and authorized restaurants.
Conclusion
In addition, Tunisia offers many chances for the prepared tourists depending on the distance and seasons. For instance, Tunis’ coastal area needs three days to be visited, the middle part of the country can be explored in one or two days, whereas the south needs at least two nights. Every place has to be coupled with the suitable months, some details have to be considered like opening hours – for example, the Bardo Museum is not open on Mondays – and enough money has to be taken for the south.
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