What is Tunisia known for?

First and foremost, Tunisia is known for its rich history, stretching back to antiquity, and its abundance of historical sites. These include the ancient city of Carthage, the El Jem Amphitheatre (one of the largest colosseums in the time of Ancient Rome), a remarkably well-preserved Roman village in Dougga, one of the oldest mosques in the world in Kairouan, and the traditional Berber villages of Ksour Country. Because of this rich history, Tunisia is also well-known for the high caliber of its museums, ranging in scope from Roman history to Islamic art.

Tunisia is also renowned for its varying landscapes. More than just the Sahara Desert, Tunisia is home to green hills, mountains, and valleys in the northern and central parts of the country. Tunisia is also situated on the Mediterranean Sea, and in recent decades the country has become renowned for its beaches and beachside resorts. Tunisia is well-known for its enchanting and mesmerizing medinas and markets, particularly in cities like Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, and Kairouan.

What are the best places to visit in Tunisia?

Most visitors to Tunisia arrive via the capital, Tunis, which is a great place to orient yourself and sightsee for a few days. There are flights from Tunis to the Gulf of Hammamet, and the two regions are connected by road and by rail as well. The seaside resort city of Hammamet is situated on the gulf's northern end, while the historic resort towns of Sousse and Monastir sit at the gulf's southern end. The beautiful city of Sfax is situated a few hours to the south, directly across from the Kerkennah Islands. Historic towns such as Carthage, El Jem, Kairouan, and more are available to visit as a stopover en route to another destination.

When is the best time to visit Tunisia?

It is recommended to visit in the shoulder season, which corresponds to the months of April, May, and September. For those who wish to have fun in the sun, September provides all the sun you desire but with far less heat. April and May are great times to visit because the weather is still quite nice and crowds are not large at resorts or historic sites just yet.

How many days should I spend in Tunisia?

We think you should spend at least 3-6 days in Tunisia, ideally combining the capital, Tunis, with destinations up and down the Mediterranean coastline. A minimum of three nights is recommended for Tunis.

What is the best way to get around Tunisia?

We recommend seeing Tunisia by by air and by private transfer. Fly into Tunis and then arrange for a private transfer to take you in late-model, air-conditioned comfort to and from the airport and your hotel.

What is the currency of Tunisia?

The currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian dinar. There are coins which range from 1 millime (similar to a cent) to 5 dinars, and bills of 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars.

The dinar is easily obtainable via ATMs, and currency exchange bureaux can readily exchange Euros, the British pound sterling, and the U.S. dollar for dinars. In tourist areas, you will find that all three of those currencies will readily be accepted by shop owners, but much like in other tourist economies such as Mexico, just because you will be able to pay in some cases in U.S. dollars doesn't mean that will be the most advantageous for you. Private businesses will not keep the same exchange rate as the banks, so it is just easier to exchange all of your money for Tunisian dinars upon arrival, and back to U.S. dollars when you leave.

Do people speak English in Tunisia?

The official language of Tunisia is Arabic, with Berber and French also widely spoken. The most common language used in business, education, and administration is French, with the mass media divided between publications and television channels in Arabic and French. Many young people and people who work in the tourism industry will be able to speak English, and most likely they will be able to speak Italian as well. You won't be able to be understood by English alone everywhere, so we recommend attempting to learn basic phrases in either Arabic, French, or both. For example, numbers from 1-10, 20, 50, and 100; hello/goodbye; and please/thank you. To say `Do you speak English?`, say `Hal tatahadath al'injilizia?` in Arabic, and `Parlez-vous anglais?` in French.