Top 15 Places to Visit in Tunisia (Beyond the Beaches)

Tunisia is more than a summer destination.

It’s a small country layered with history, light, and landscape; Roman ruins beside Berber villages, blue coastal towns, and wide desert silence.

Here’s a guide to the places that hold the country’s story, from ancient Carthage to the edge of the Sahara.

1. Carthage : Layers of Lost Empire

Overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage feels both ancient and alive. Among olive trees and broken columns, the sea still glows blue against Mount Bou Kornine. It’s a view that holds millennia, from Punic traders to Roman builders, and still whispers of power, loss, and return.

2. Sidi Bou Saïd: The Blue-and-White Hill Over the Mediterranean

Sidi Bou Saïd’s calm blue-and-white streets have inspired travelers and artists for centuries. Once a Sufi retreat, today it remains Tunisia’s most iconic village — quiet, sunlit, and overlooking the Mediterranean.

3. Tunis Medina : The Living City

A UNESCO World Heritage site where daily life and heritage merge.

Shop owners still craft copper, leather, and ceramics in workshops centuries old.

Visit the Great Mosque of Zitouna and lose yourself in the narrow alleys that smell of jasmine and spice.

4. El Jem Amphitheatre : The Roman Echo

One of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world, El Jem once held 35,000 spectators.

Stand in the center of the arena, it’s almost silent now, and imagine the roar of the crowd.

Nearby, a small museum displays intricate mosaics found in local villas.

5. Kairouan : Tunisia’s Spiritual Heart

The first Islamic city in North Africa and home to the Great Mosque of Kairouan.

Its courtyards, columns, and silence carry centuries of devotion.

The medina is known for handwoven carpets, still made in family workshops.

6. Tozeur & the Desert Oases

The gateway to the Sahara. Palms, mud-brick architecture, and an atmosphere that slows everything down.

Visit the old quarter of Ouled el-Hadef, and nearby mountain oases like Chebika and Tamerza, where waterfalls meet the desert.

7. Matmata : Underground Homes of the South

Berber families still live in troglodyte houses carved into the earth.

The cool interiors and circular courtyards are unlike anywhere else.

Some were used as film sets for Star Wars, but the real life continues beyond the cameras.

8. Douz : The Desert’s Edge

Known as the “Gateway to the Sahara,” Douz hosts Tunisia’s annual Festival of the Desert.

You can ride a camel at sunset or simply walk the dunes; endless gold under a changing sky.

9. Djerba : The Island of Calm

An island that feels like a world of its own.

Villages of white domes, olive groves, and quiet beaches.

Explore Houmt Souk’s markets, visit the Ghriba Synagogue, and watch potters work in Guellala.

10. Mahdia : The Quiet Coast

Less crowded than Hammamet or Sousse, Mahdia keeps its calm rhythm.

Its medina lies on a peninsula surrounded by clear water.

Fishermen mend nets at dawn, and cafés stay slow until evening.

11. Sousse : Between Past and Sea

A city that balances modern life and history.

The Ribat fortress and old medina are UNESCO sites, but daily life continues inside.

Ideal stop between Tunis and the south, with easy train and road connections.

12. Dougga : The Hilltop City

A perfectly preserved Roman town overlooking olive groves.

Temples, theatres, and baths remain almost intact.

At sunset, the stones glow gold, one of Tunisia’s most peaceful historical sites.

13. Bulla Regia : Underground Roman Houses

Unique in the ancient world for its two-storey villas, one above ground, one below.

Mosaics are still in place, protected by the earth.

It’s quiet, uncrowded, and deeply atmospheric.

14. Cap Bon Peninsula : Fields, Cliffs, and Crafts

Known for citrus orchards and pottery villages like Nabeul and Kelibia.

Drive along the coast for hidden beaches, archaeological ruins, and views of Sicily on clear days.

15. The Sahara : Where Silence Expands

From Ksar Ghilane’s hot springs to the dunes of Douz and the mountain oases near Tozeur, the desert is alive in its stillness.

Spend a night under the stars; you’ll understand why many Tunisians see it as sacred.

FAQ

How many days do you need to visit Tunisia’s main attractions?

A 10–14 day trip allows a calm route from Tunis to the south, covering both coast and desert.

What’s the best time to visit these sites?

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Learn more in Best Time to Visit Tunisia

Are the archaeological sites open daily?

Most open daily from 8:00 to 17:00; hours shorten slightly in winter.

Is it easy to travel between regions?

Yes — trains, louages (shared taxis), and buses connect all major towns.

You can read more in our Transport in Tunisia Guide.