Carthage
Carthage’s successor, Tunisia is an ancient civilisation, enriched by different cultures through the ages. By visiting the country and its museums you can admire the prolific creativity of Roman and African mosaic artists, the powerful beauty of the El Djem Amphitheatre and the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the delicate elegance of the Capitol in Dougga or the palaces in Tunis, the moving simplicity of Djerba’s architecture… You can find out about the Berber traditions that still continue today, lifestyles that have adapted to the most hostile of environments and the incredible variety of customs and crafts. You can also familiarise yourself with a modern culture with its arms outstretched to the rest of the world.

Universal Heritage
Over its history, Tunisia has always walked the fine line between Africa, the East and the West. Medinas, fortresses, Roman remains… seven sites and monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites, thanks to their cultural value: Carthage, Dougga, El Djem and Kerkouane and the medinas of Tunis, Kairouan and Sousse.

Tunisia has managed to maintain a wonderful balance between its many different influences. Refugees from Andalusia, craftsmen from Italy and Turkish commanders have all left their mark. That’s why Testour’s minarets remind us of Spanish architecture, the ceramics in Kairouan include Ottoman motifs and the tombs of the Beys – the rulers of Tunis – are decorated with marble in the style of the Italians. Similarly, emancipated African slaves are behind a specific musical style known as “stambali”. This cultural richness can also be found in the food, with Berber, Andalusian, Jewish and Italian roots

Museums
The most amazing museum of mosaics in the world can be found in Tunis, in the former Bey palace, the Bardo, comprehensively renovated and extended in 2012. This museum houses a unique collection of Roman antiques. Take the time to marvel at the countless masterpieces of Tunisia’s mosaic artists, who were the most renowned in the Roman world.

Still in Tunis, visit the Sidi Qacem Jellizi ceramics museum, dedicated to a 15th century master ceramicist, and the Museum of Popular Art and Traditions, housed in the Palace of Dar Ben Abdallah. In Carthage, the archaeological museum boasts some really exceptional exhibits, including a sculpted sarcophagus and a small statue of the god, Baal. Depending on your particular area of interest, you can choose between Carthage’s Oceanographic Museum and the museum of musical instruments in Ennejma Ezzahra, in Sidi Bou Said.

In the North West of the country, the modern Chemtou Museum offers lots of information about Numidia, an ancient indigenous civilisation that flourished alongside Carthage (and is actually home to the remains of a temple dedicated to the Numidian King, Massinissa). The Museum of Popular Art and Traditions in Kef is housed in a stunning 18th century religious building. It is a mine of information about the equestrian tradition, clothing and jewellery from the North West and life in Bedouin tents.

In Kairouan, the Raqqada Museum presents some incredibly valuable medieval pieces, including lustre-glazed ceramics and manuscripts such as the famous Blue Qur’an.
Sousse boasts a first-rate archaeological museum with some exceptional Roman mosaics. Also worth visiting are the reconstruction of a Roman villa in El Djem and the museums of Popular Art and Traditions in Sousse, Monastir and Mahdia.

In Sfax, the former Kasbah is now a museum dedicated to historic architecture; the Dar Jallouli Palace is an understated, majestic 17th century house, where you’ll find beautiful objects that once graced the homes of well-to-do families. In Djerba, the Traditional Heritage Museum is dedicated to different aspects of life on the island (clothes, pottery, agriculture, fishing), while the Guellala Museum focuses on scenes from traditional life.

Contemporary Culture
At the beginning of the 20th century, new European architectural trends arrived in Tunisia’s towns and cities. Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Arabisance crept into Arabic architecture. In the 1940s, a modern school of Tunisian painting was born, the Tunis School. Today, there is a real explosion in artistic expression. Photography, plastic arts, performances and installations are regularly showcased in art galleries and public spaces during the Dream City biennale. Tunisian theatre, born in the 1910s, explores new territories, as does contemporary dance, music and cinema, celebrated by a Pan-African festival founded in 1966.

Unmissable sites
Carthage
Legend has it that Carthage (north of Tunis) was founded by the Phoenician Queen Elissa, also known as Dido, in 814 BC. Longstanding rivals of the Greeks, the Carthaginians – also known as the Punics – were in control of a network of trading posts in the Mediterranean, from Spain to Sicily. The Romans destroyed the city in 146 BC, then rebuilt it and made it the capital of the rich province of Africa. Some fragile remains of Punic Carthage can still be seen today: the areas where Mago and Hannibal lived and the Punic ports. The Roman ruins show the city’s opulence: the Baths of Antoninus, whose main room was 30 metres tall and whose cisterns had a capacity of 60,000m3, and the Basilica of Damous El Karita which was the largest in Africa, as well as many more.

Kerkouane
Punic civilisation has held on to many of its secrets. Carthage itself has only held on to a few rare vestiges of this time. Which is why Kerkouane (in Cap Bon) is so important. It has never been rebuilt since it was abandoned in the 3rd century BC. Kerkouane is a Punic Pompeii: you can see the typical urban layout of a small Carthaginian town. The wide, regular streets lead into squares and courtyards; the great gods of the Punic pantheon – Baal, Tanit, Ashtart, Eshmun and Melqart – were worshiped in an open-air sanctuary.

Dougga
The archaeological site of Dougga is one of the most spectacular in Tunisia. Its ruins are surrounded by olive trees and nestled into a cliff facing a slightly inclined plateau; over 70 hectares, they trace out the contours of an almost completely preserved Roman town. Once a royal Numidian town, in Roman times, Dougga, or Thugga, was adorned with decadent monuments: the Capitol, whose pediment bears a depiction of Emperor Antoninus’s elevation to godhood, the 3,500 seat theatre, the Temple of Juno Caelestis encircled by a semi-circular portico, where the Carthaginian goddess, Tanit, continued to be worshipped in secret. These monuments date back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries, a time of great prosperity for Roman Africa, and they are some of the best preserved of the whole Roman world.

El Djem
Not many ancient sites are as impressive as the Roman Coliseum at El Djem. In this enormous amphitheatre, inspired by the one in Rome and architecturally flawless, epic entertainment was put on pitting hunters against wild animals.

Medinas
Although the medinas of Tunis, Kairouan and Sousse are UNESCO World Heritage sites, there are plenty of others that are well worth a visit, including the one in Sfax.
The medina in Tunis boasts a stunning example of 9th century architecture, the Ez-Zitouna Mosque, as well as many other monuments dating back to the Ottoman Empire including the Hammouda Pacha Mosque, the Madrasa Slimania and the tomb of the princess Aziza Othmana. The Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Arabisance buildings around the medina are also worth checking out.
The medina in Sousse is staggered up the side of a hill facing the sea. It is a real treat to explore the narrow little alleyways with their bygone atmosphere and haggle in the souks. Overlooked by the imposing silhouette of the Khalef Tower, the old town has managed to preserve its medieval ramparts and many monuments that bear witness to its past as a stronghold: the Ribat, a small fort and religious retreat, the Grand Mosque that looks like a fortress and the imposing Kasbah.
In the medina in Kairouan, the Great Mosque is well worth a visit: non-Muslims are allowed to enter the courtyard and see the prayer room, a majestic forest of arches and ancient columns. You can also climb up the minaret, inspired by the Lighthouse of Alexandria. You’ll be amazed by the power and simplicity of this 9th century architecture. The contrast is striking between that and Kairouan’s other great monument: the graceful Zaouia of Sidi sahib (or “Barber’s Mosque”), whose wide courtyards are decorated with brightly coloured stones.

The medina in Sfax is one of the best preserved in the whole of the Mediterranean basin, and is laid out like a typical old Arabic town. Its crenelated battlements, built in the Middle Ages, are studded with huge doors: the oldest ones were built as defences to hold back invaders. The Great Mosque, built in the 9th century, occupies a central position.

There’s so much to see and do in each region of Tunisia: a wide variety of landscapes, a coastline spanning 1,250km, studded with islands and archipelagos, a fantastic array of traditions and customs and a rich historical heritage. We are delighted to introduce you to these regions by breaking them down into three areas: the north, the centre and the south.

TABARKA
Visitors choose Tabarka for its exceptional location, between the sea and the mountains. The beaches of golden sand are framed by rocky spurs and forests of pine and cork oak. The crystalline waters hide the precious red coral in its depths. The characteristic silhouette of the Genoese Fort, perched upon an islet, is the emblem of Tabarka. The mountainous backcountry holds the promise of fantastic excursions and hiking around the village of Ain Draham, the entry point to a vast forested mountain range.

BIZERTE AND DOUGGA
Lovers of nature and authenticity, the beaches and valleys of northern Tunisia will take your breath away. Wild coves, forests, vineyards and vast fields of wheat… On the coast, Bizerte, sentinel of the Mediterranean, is a historic city with well-preserved charm. This lush region also is home to two locations designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One is a cultural site, the Roman city of Dougga, and the other, the natural reserve of Ichkeul where the lake attracts thousands of migratory birds.

NABEUL AND CAP BON
A promontory pointed towards Sicily, the Cap Bon region is a vast garden where orange and lemon trees put out their flowers in the middle of winter. Its beaches of fine sand are among the most beautiful in Tunisia. The principal town of Cap Bon, Nabeul is famous for its pottery, its rush mats and its flower essences. The fishing port of Kelibia, the thermal springs of Korbous, the falconers of El Haouaria are just a few of the curiosities found in the region.

HAMMAMET
Hectic resort in summer, well known for its beaches and its party atmosphere, Hammamet is also a small city with an authentic charm. Turquoise waters, the scent of jasmine, white houses and stone walls gilded by the centuries… its medina fringed by fine sand is particularly poetic. Nearby, the new resort town of Yasmine Hammamet offers a more contemporary setting, while the forests and lemon groves are a real pleasure for nature lovers.

TUNIS
A modern metropolis in full growth and major historic city, Tunis is always full of surprises. On the side of the medina, numerous ancient buildings open their doors, some transformed into museums or cultural centres, others into restaurants and tea rooms. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the medina conceals treasures. From its gates extend picturesque quarters with beautiful façades from the 1900s, whilst on the peripheries, chic restaurants and entertainment venues rub shoulders in the modern quarters.

CARTHAGE AND SIDI BOU SAID
Close to the capital, a prestigious location and striking views: this is the introduction to the Coasts of Carthage, named after one of the most glorious ancient cities of the Mediterranean. Founded by the Phoenicians, destroyed then rebuilt by the Romans, Carthage is today a fashionable city. Next door, Sidi Bou Said is an elegant village where the blue and white houses jostle with each other on the hillside, facing the sea. Stretching out close to these inspiring locations are the beaches of Gammarth and La Marsa.

EL KEF
Leave behind Tunis and the beaches of the coast and discover a little known side of Tunisia: the Atlas Mountains and the plains of the “hauts plateaux”. In these contrasting landscapes of the west of Tunisia you’ll find Le Kef, a charming little town with a tumultuous past. Natural beauty is not the only thing this region has to offer: the town has held on to countless memories of its vibrant history, including its Ottoman fortress.

SBEITLA
Sbeitla is a small town in the central west region of Tunisia, 250km from Tunis. It is known for its remarkable Roman site and its Capitol, made up of not one but three temples, dedicated to Minerva, Jupiter and Juno, the gods who protected Rome.

SOUSSE AND PORT EL KANTAOUI
Long beaches, old stones, high palm trees… Sousse is a city ripe with seductions where entertainment and exoticism coexist harmoniously. As a major modern city, it’s one of Tunisia’s most lively coastal resorts. As a historic city, it has conserved a magnificent medina and exceptional monuments from the Middle Ages. Just a few minutes away, a tourist town with Andalusian charm has been built especially for holiday-goers, around a marina: the integrated resort of Port El Kantaoui.

MONASTIR
With its golden beaches and sapphire blue sea, its medieval monuments and its charming marina, Monastir offers one of the most attractive faces of Tunisia. An ideal destination to sun yourself by the sea, but also to visit a fascinating region: from Sousse to Kairouan, from El Jem to Mahdia, you will travel through time. In the countryside, you will get to know the way of life of the Bedouin villages. And along the coast, the fishing ports will enchant you.

KAIROUAN
Away from the coast, in a landscape of steppes, Kairouan is a fascinating city still anchored in a distant past. One of Islam’s holy cities, it was the first capital of the Maghreb. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, it conceals several marvels: the medina, the venerable Great Mosque, the Aghlabid Basins, the stunning mausoleum of Sidi Saheb decorated with ceramic tiles… And of course it is impossible to forget the numerous workshops where the most famous knotted pile carpets in Tunisia are made.

MAHDIA
Mahdia is small city which keeps its original traditions, where the women cover themselves with gold jewelry and the houses are decorated with embroidered hangings. Its monumental gateway calls back to its glorious past: it was the first capital of the great Fatimid dynasty, who would go on to reign in Egypt and Syria. Its medina stretches out along a narrow peninsula, surrounded by deep blue waters; its sumptuous beaches delight the tourists. A charming city with many faces.

SFAX AND KERKENNAH
A major commercial port, an old city surrounded by walls the colour of parchment, stalls echoing with the sound of artisans at work, and a cuisine built around olives, almonds and seafood… Sfax presents an original face of Tunisia, at a distance from the typical tourist itineraries. Facing it, the islands of Kerkennah offer the charm of their well-preserved landscapes and their long beaches of fine sand.

DJERBA AND ZARZIS
Both Mediterranean and Saharan at once, the island of Djerba has been a source of fascination since the time of Homer. Ulysses tasted the “lotus” there, a delicious fruit which takes away all desire to leave, and today each visitor feels spellbound by its exceptional atmosphere; an atmosphere which it shares with Zarzis, its neighbour on the mainland. But Djerba is also an island of holiday clubs, activities in the fresh air, a unique heritage to discover… and excursions into the majestic setting of the Sahara.

TOZEUR AND NEFTA
Towns arising from the desert and pressed against vast palm groves, Tozeur and Nefta surprise, fascinate and immerse visitors in a surreal landscape. The burning light of the Sahara pours into narrow streets of the old quarters, between the high façades and golden coloured bricks. In Tozeur, palaces, theme parks and museums have flourished around the old town. In Nefta, countless domes indicate the tombs of saints, overlooking the oasis which nestles in a basin called the Basket. The dunes of the Sahara are just a few kilometres away…

DOUZ
Covered by a fine white mantle reminiscent of a snow-covered landscape, the Douz region offers one of the gentlest ways to approach the desert. Cordons of dunes and graceful bouquets of palm trees fringe the roads the sand slowly reclaims. The golden vastness of the desert is here, at hand, while the palm groves offer delectable shady places to stop in the forests of date palms. In the heart of the region, a vast salty expanse with shimmering reflections: the Chott El-Jerid.

TATAOUINE
Around Tataouine and Medenine, the desert appears in all its implacable ruggedness. A vast rocky plain opens onto majestic landscapes of mountains and desert plateaus, cliffs and rocky spurs. In this Dante-esque setting can be found the astonishing architecture of the Ksour, collective fortified granaries of the Saharan nomads. Just as impressive are the old Berber villages clinging to the mountain tops, such as Chenini and Douiret. A region of out of the ordinary landscapes and historical traditions.

GABES AND MATMATA
Gabes is the only coastal oasis in the Mediterranean, surrounded by fine sand beaches. Its vast palm grove is truly enchanting, and its old city is distinguished by its authentic atmosphere. But Gabes is above all the entrance to the Sahara; the start of a journey between ridges and arid hills, Bedouin tents and old Berber villages. Here you’ll find still-living traditions and an ancestral way of life, such as the stunning underground village of mount Matmata.

Tunisia has built up centuries of craftsmanship. Since time immemorial, potters have been turning enormous vases and women have been weaving carpets with geometric patterns. Ceremonial outfits covered in embroidery, palaces decorated with sculpted plaster and multi-coloured earthenware bear witness to influences from around the world, from Andalusia and Italy to Turkey. From one region to the next, from one workshop to the next, you can marvel at the inventiveness, skill and rich heritage of Tunisia’s craftsmen and women.

Modern crafts combine design with fashion to create new pieces for everyday life. Traditional outfits inspire new items of clothing; lovely Bedouin fabrics are brought back to life in the form of furniture or cushions; blown glass discovers new textures to fit in to contemporary interiors. Even village craftsmen and women demonstrate a sense of inventiveness, coming up with unusual ideas to combine modern uses with authenticity.

Regional Crafts

In every town or city in Tunisia, brides wear a different outfit. Gold embroidered tunics, camisoles decorated with spangles, lace trousers, fabric shawls… each of these traditional women’s outfits is more extraordinary than the next. One of them, the one worn by Raf-Raf’s wife, is on display at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.

A thousand and one other accessories and items of clothing bear witness to the dexterity of Tunisian’s artisans: “fouta” (a multi-coloured hammam towel), “chechia” (a head covering for men) and “melia” (an outfit worn by Berber women) to name but a few.

Coral jewellery, earthenware tiles, silver and wooden chests, blown glass trinkets, carpets, “mergoums” and “foutas”… treat yourself when you come to Tunisia with some items that will add a splash of colour to your day-to-day life when you get back from your holiday.

In Tabarka: pay a visit to some of the jewellers near the port to pick up some unique red coral or silver pieces. Take back some memories of Aïn Draham made from sculpted wood: canes, little statues of eagles or deer… You can also buy a lovely wicker basket, Berber pottery from Sejnane or pieces made from cork collected from the region.

In El Kef and Sbeitla: in these mountainous western regions, they make hand-modelled pottery without a potter’s wheel (braseros, plates and cooking pots), woollen throws and brightly coloured Bedouin weaving.

In the medina in Tunis: In the medina in Tunis: you’ll find the most sophisticated specialities of Tunisian crafts: silk embroidered dresses, engraved silver chests and jewellery, as well as chechias, traditional red felt head coverings that are now made in all sorts of different colours.

On the Carthaginian coastline: explore the many arts and crafts shops (like jewellery, trinkets and blown glass lamps).

In Nabeul and Hammamet: pick up some china crockery from Nabeul or earthenware tiles with traditional motifs, an economical and unusual way of personalising your home. Nabeul is also known for its baskets and woven “hssira”, mats made from straw, found in homes, cafes and mosques. They make charming bedside rugs.

In Kairouan: it’s impossible to ignore Kairouan’s main speciality, carpets, which you’ll find everywhere. Thick rugs with knotted ends are the classic Kairouan style, with a wide range of different designs. Shorter pile carpets, covered with geometric patterns or little stylised figures – gazelles, people – are lighter and cheaper. You’ll find all shapes and sizes, from a small chair mats to a huge “mergoum” to cover a whole room. There are also plenty of other examples of craftsmanship for you to take home with you, from copper and pottery to leather goods.

In Mahdia: treat yourself to an exquisite woven silk scarf from a workshop in the medina, an age-old speciality in Mahdia. In the workshops throughout the town, weavers create silk fabrics with bands of colour, made to stand out with thin gold and silver lines and geometric patterns. The region is also known for its “foutas”, long towels in pastel or light colours, brightened up with thin stripes, which have become a popular fashion accessory.

In Sousse and Monastir: the souks are packed with Tunisian arts and crafts, including Kairouan carpets, carved copper lamps, embroidered dresses, decorative china tea sets and multi-coloured leather slippers… Look out for the lovely pieces made out of olive wood, including statuettes, cutlery and kitchen utensils. In Moknine, a village of potters, large terracotta vases are the speciality, as well as multi-coloured china crockery.

In Sfax: in Sfax head to the medina to seek out little wooden pieces that were once part of everyday life: “qobqabs” (slippers for the Hammam), kitchen utensils and multi-coloured spinning tops. In Kerkennah you’ll find natural sponges and traditional boat models (“loude”) made by the island’s craftsmen.

In Djerba: a visit to the jewellery souk is a must for stunning enamelled silver pieces. Not far away, shops sell a wide range of tablecloths, scarves, hangings and striped throws made in Djerba’s workshops. You can also pick up a hat made of woven palm leaves.

In Tozeur: every single part of the palm tree is used here, to make all sorts of things, including baskets out of woven palm leaves and chests out of palm wood.

In Douz: as a souvenir of your desert adventures, you can take home a “chèche” (a long cotton scarf to protect your face) and some leather sandals.

In Gabès: at the Jara market in Gabès, you can snap up some of the region’s arts and crafts specialities. You’ll find all sorts of pieces made out of woven esparto: baskets, sunhats, embroidered shoes and stunning “mergoums” (short-pile rugs) from the south of Tunisia, in warm colours and with geometric Berber patterns.

In Tataouine: check out the weekly markets, where you can find brightly covered woven throws or some lovely material decorated with chevrons and geometric patterns like a “bakhnoug” (a Berber shawl) worn by women in this region.

Weaving & Carpets
Tunisia has a rich tradition of weaving rugs. The story goes that in the 19th century, the daughter of the Ottoman governor was the first person, in Kairouan, to weave a carpet using wool to give to one of the city’s mosques. The tradition continued, making Kairouan the capital of carpets in Tunisia.

A Kairouan carpet is the one that most closely resembles oriental carpets. You can recognise them from the large medallion in the middle, surrounded by a flower pattern and a frame of parallel stripes. Classics include those with a bright red main feature and others with white and brown natural sheep wool colours. Admire the work of craftsmen and women in a carpet workshop and marvel at their skill and the amazing patterns that come to life before your very eyes.

All sorts of carpets have been made in Tunisia since ancient times. “Klims” and “mergoums” are short pile rugs, decorated with parallel strips and Berber motifs, and “gtifs” are thick, brightly coloured carpets made in the south and in the countryside.

In homes in villages in the south, weaving plays a particularly important role. Carpets grace the floor, throws cover the walls and beds. Their warm colours are created using pigments from plants: bright red, midnight blue, brown, orange… The simplest boast brightly coloured stripes. The most beautiful are completely covered in geometric motifs: diamonds, chevrons, symbols and little stylised animals, drawing on a traditional repertoire of meanings.

Village women also weave little scarves that they wear to go out, “bakhnoug”. These fine pieces of wool, red for young girls, black for older women, are decorated with delicate white patterns.

The countless resorts and holiday clubs that are dotted along the Tunisian coastline offer a wide range of fun and sporting activities. When it’s all-inclusive, you can spend your days honing your tennis skills or having a go on a catamaran in the sunshine. Another option is golf, with ten courses offering fantastic choice of beautiful landscapes spread across the different resorts.

Around Tunis and in the big resorts, there are plenty of lounge bars, casinos and trendy clubs to choose from if you fancy going out. From Tabarka and Bizerte on the north coast, to the Gulf of Gabès in the south, amateur sailors can access around thirty different ports and moorings and there are seven marinas with cutting edge facilities.

The variety of landscapes, forests and mountains in the north and the Sahara desert are fantastic locations for some amazing walks, horse rides and motorbike adventures. Tunisia’s marine life is exceptional, and there are diving centres in most resorts. Last but not least, hunting fans can find expert guides to show them round the expanses of wilderness.

Clubbing & Nightlife
Tunisian youngsters love to have a good time. In a big marquee, on the beach, in a garden lined with palm trees or right in the middle of the desert… they’re all perfect for dancing! Tunisia boasts some huge open-air discos, prestigious clubs that attract big name international DJs and loads of discos where you can get up on the dance floor to the latest tunes. And as if that wasn’t enough, there are regular club events organised on the beach and in the desert dunes.

If you fancy an evening out, you can choose from a plethora of the many lounge bars that have sprung up over the last few years. In an American-style bar, a pub or a Latino club, you can keep your strength up with some sushi or some tapas between the bar and the dance floor. Whether you’re into 90s rock, afrobeat, R&B or progressive house, you’ll find the perfect ambiance for you.

Trekking
Immerse yourself in the heart of some parts of Tunisia that most tourists, especially those in a hurry, never get to see. Enjoy your holiday at a different rhythm, whether that’s on foot, on a bike or riding a Berber horse, an agile, hardy little horse. You’ll find out that Tunisia is home to some stunning Mediterranean landscapes: pine forests and scrubland, orchards and fields of wheat, white sandy coves and rocky cliffs. You can embark on an unforgettable climb up to summits at an altitude of more than a thousand metres. You can explore the intimacy of the Sahara through its canyons and gravel plains or through the immensity of the sandy desert. Countless surprises are here waiting for you: Roman remains in the middle of nowhere, lakes and migratory birds, fossils and rare plants… and plenty of traditions to experience along the way.

Bird Watching
Tunisia is one of the biggest corridors for migrating birds. Indeed, Cap Bon, a peninsula that juts out towards Sicily, is one of the main crossroads in the Mediterranean for migrating birds. The Gulf of Gabès hosts the largest gathering of migratory waders in the Mediterranean, bringing together more than 330,000 birds. Ducks, birds of prey, passerines, gulls, waders … you can see some 400 different species of birds in Tunisia.

Golf
So close to Europe, enjoying lovely weather all year round and gorgeous sunshine, Tunisia has plenty to offer golfers. There are ten large golf courses with contrasting landscapes, from the forests of Tabarka to the palm grove in Tozeur. These different courses, well designed and able to adapt to different levels of player, all have comfortable, well-equipped clubhouses and are based in tourist resorts with a wide range of accommodation options and other leisure activities.

Tabarka Golf Course
18 hole course : Par 72, 6400 metres (back tees)
9 hole compact course
Area: 118 ha
Architect: Ronald Fream
The Clubhouse contains a Pro shop, a salon bar with an open fire, a restaurant, two salons, a banquet house and terraces overlooking the course.

Golf de Carthage
18 hole course : Par 66, 4524 m
Area : 29 ha
Architect : course created in 1927 and redesigned in 2013 by French architect Yves Bureau
Practice, golf academy
The restaurant with terrace and lounge bar not only host golfers but also business meetings.
Address : Rue 13 Août, Chotrana 2, La Soukra

The Residence Golf Course (Gammarth)
18 hole course: Par 72, 6451 m
Architect: Robert Trent Jones II
80 position practice on grass (putting greens, pitching greens, bunkers)
Courses, beginners and perfecting classes
Cart, trolley and golf bag rental, on-course snack and refreshment service
The 4000 m2 in area Clubhouse offers a restaurant with terrace, bar and swimming pool. Pro shop, meeting room and television room.

Yasmine Valley Golf Course (Hammamet)
18 hole course, Par 71 5850 m (back tees)
9 hole executive course
Extension under construction of a second 18 hole course
Architect: Ronald Fream (Nicklaus Design for the extension)
Located near the entrance, the Clubhouse overlooks the whole area and offers a great panoramic view from its terrace. In a relaxed atmosphere, it offers a bar, restaurant, changing rooms, a pro shop, equipment rental and master caddies.

Golf Citrus (Hammamet)
Les Oliviers course: 18 holes Par 72, 6,106 metres (Men), 5,290 metres (Women)
La Forêt course: 18 holes Par 72, 6,066 metres (Men), 5,235 metres (Women)
One 9 hole Executive course: Par 28, 1,121 metres
Driving range 350 metres long and 120 training mats (putting greens, pitching greens, bunkers)
Lessons and courses
Surface area: 173 ha
Architect: Ronald Fream
The Club House has changing rooms and showers, a bar and an à la carte restaurant, as well as caddies and a Pro shop.

El Kantaoui Golf Course
Panorama Course: 18 holes Par 72, 6,045 metres
Sea Course: 18 holes Par 72, 6,253 metres
Surface area: 132 ha
Architect: Ronald Fream
Driving range with putting green and practice ground
The Club House has changing rooms, a bar-restaurant with a panoramic terrace, as well as a Pro shop, caddies, des golf buggies and equipment to hire.

Flamingo Golf Course (Monastir)
An 18 hole course: Par 72, 6,402 metres
Architect: Ronald Fream
Golf academy
Driving range
The Club House has a Pro shop, a restaurant, a lounge and a bar with a fantastic view of the green. Option to hire equipment, caddies.

Palm Links Golf Course (Monastir)
An 18 hole course: Par 72, 6,076 m
Architect: Christ Pitman
Golf academy
Driving range
The Club House has a bar, a restaurant, a Pro shop with equipment to hire, caddies and golf buggies.

Djerba Golf Club
Three 9 hole courses:
Les Palmiers Par 37, 3,056 m
La Mer Par 36, 3,130 m
Les Acacias Par 35, 2,722 m
Surface area: 90 ha
Architect: Martin Hawtree
The Djerba style Club House includes a restaurant, a lounge bar and a large bar terrace overlooking the course. Pro shop, equipment hire, lessons.

Golf Oasis Tozeur
An 18 hole course: Par 72, 6,345 m
Surface area: 150 ha
Architect: Ronald Fream
25 hectares of turf, irrigated using recycled water
The Club House has a relaxation area, a Pro shop, a restaurant and a bar. Equipment and golf buggy hire.

Hunting
You can go hunting in Tunisia against the backdrop of some stunning Mediterranean scenery or on the outskirts of the Sahara. Right next to Europe and not far from some large tourist resorts, you can find plenty of game to tussle with, in extensive, wild expanses of land. You can enjoy the unforgettable experience of hunting wild boar in the forest, heathland or sandy desert, or you can shoot thrush near pretty olive groves. An adventure that is guaranteed to get your heart racing, right in the heart of nature, with the opportunity to meet friendly Tunisians who are passionate about hunting.

Water Sports
From the calm waters of Djerba in the south, to more sporty locations on the north coast, you can try windsurfing or have a go on a catamaran and a whole host of other water sports like jet skiing or kite surfing.

Whether you’re a beginner or hone your skills at the water sports of your choice at countless water sport centres dotted along the Tunisian coast.

Sailing
From Tabarka and Bizerte on the northern coast to the Gulf of Gabès in the south, via the Cap Bon peninsula and the whole of the east coast, sailors have access to around thirty different ports and boatyards. Seven marinas offer cutting-edge equipment and services and facilities for winter storage. If your boat needs some maintenance, there are a number of shipyards, including some that are internationally renowned, dotted along the Tunisian coast.

MONTAZAH TABARKA MARINA
GPS coordinates: 36°57’N – 8°45’E
Capacity: 100 moorings
Draught: min. 2 m; max. 4.5m
Careening area, travel lift (30 tonnes)
Camera surveillance
Water, electricity, showers and toilets
Telephone, TV, Wifi
Other services: medical service, pharmacy, bank
Nearby: different categories of hotels, restaurants, scuba diving, golf (18 holes).
International airport at Tabarka

 

BIZERTE MARINA
GPS coordinates: 37°16,52’’N – 9°52’51,25”E
Capacity: 800 moorings (6m to 150m)
Draught: min. 3.5m; max. 12m
Careening area and travel lift (100 tonnes) at Zarzouna fishing port
Camera surveillance, security guard
Water, electricity, Wifi, TV available in the harbour master’s office
Other services: pharmacy, bank, car hire etc.
Nearby: hotels in town and the tourist resort, restaurants, scuba diving
International airport at Tunis (70km by motorway)

 

SIDI BOU SAÏD PORT
GPS coordinates: 36° 52′ N – 10° 21′ E
Capacity: 400 moorings
Draught: min. 2m; max. 3.5m
Careening area (2,500m2), travel lift (26 tonnes)
Camera surveillance et VHS monitoring
Water, electricity, telephone, TV, Wifi, showers, toilets
Other services: 24 hour reception, pharmacy, bank
Nearby: plenty of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, art galleries, bars, nightclubs, two 18 hole golf courses
International airport at Tunis (18 km)

 

PORT EL KANTAOUI MARINA
GPS coordinates: 35°53’ N – 10°36’ E
Capacity: 340 moorings
Draught: min. 1.6m; max. 3m
Careening area, travel lift (20 tonnes)
Camera surveillance, 24 hour reception
Mooring chains and lines
Water, electricity, telephone, TV, Wifi, douches and toilets
Other services: pharmacy, bank, car hire
Nearby: plenty of hotels, aparthotels, restaurants, bars, 36 hole golf course, scuba diving
International airports at Monastir (25 km) and Enfidha (35 km by motorway)

 

YASMINE HAMMAMET MARINA
GPS coordinates: 36°22’23,1″N – 10°32’52,9″E
Capacity: 720 moorings
Draught: min. 2.3m; max. 6m
Shipyard (Rodriguez group), careening area (9,000m2), travel lift (150 tonnes)
Camera surveillance
Water, electricity, Wifi, showers, toilets
Telephone (private branch exchange), TV with satellite dish
Other services: 24 hour reception, pharmacy, bank
Nearby: plenty of hotels and restaurants, bars, nightclubs, two golf courses (45 holes and 18 holes), scuba diving
International airports at Enfidha (40km by motorway) and Tunis (70km by motorway

 

CAP MONASTIR MARINA
GPS coordinates: 35°46’53”N 10°49’60”E
Capacity: 300 moorings
Draught: min. 3.5m; max. 5.5m
Careening area, travel lift (30 tonnes)
Camera surveillance (7 days a week, 24 hours a day)
Water, electricity, parking, Wifi etc.
Other services: car hire, laser game, gym etc.
Nearby: plenty of hotels, aparthotels, restaurants, bars, scuba diving, two 18 hole golf courses
International airport at Monastir (8km)

 

HOUMT-SOUK MARINA
GPS coordinates: 33°53’2”N 10°51’5”E
Capacity: 100 moorings
Draught: 3.5 m
Channel entrance 4,500m long and 4m deep
Water, electricity
Nearby: plenty of hotels, aparthotels, restaurants, bars, 27 hole golf course
International airport at Djerba, 10km

Scuba Diving
Diving in Tunisia means exploring some really dazzling submarine landscapes, grottos and drop-offs, impressive tunnels, mysterious wrecks from the Second World War and vast swathes of Posidonia! The Tunisian coastline offers a well-kept example of the Mediterranean. Not yet very well known among divers, there are plenty of surprises on offer here: strangely shaped nudibranchs, shimmering mottled cuttlefish, dozens of sea bream and groupers and giant shellfish. Tunisia boasts 20 diving clubs affiliated with the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques; they will teach you how to feel comfortable in your flippers and take you out on some memorable adventures. And thanks to the country’s many tourist attractions, you can really get the most out of your stay.

Adventure races and rallies
Get your adrenaline fix in driving adventure in Tunisia, either on the road or off-road. In the south of the Sahara, the sand dunes give way to canyons and oases nestled in the mountains. In the lush green north, you’ll find narrow windy roads, pretty villages and dotted around, some ancient archaeological sites. Throughout the coast, you’ll find endless beaches, untamed coves and unusual medinas… You’ll see the most breathtaking panoramas and discover hotels, farmhouses and camps in the Sarah where you can enjoy a well-earned rest.

All the flavours you could imagine can be found in Tunisia. Whether you’re in a city restaurant or a hotel, you’ll come across fantastic Asian cuisine and tapas bars as well as French and Italian dishes.

Above and beyond traditional Tunisian recipes, you can enjoy an inventive take on Mediterranean cuisine in a chic restaurant overlooking the sea, cocktails and nibbles in a trendy bar, or delicious Italian food in a laid-back atmosphere. You can eat sushi, seafood lasagne or sirloin steak with a Roquefort sauce as you gaze out to sea.

Wines
It is no coincidence that one of the most highly rated wines in Tunisia (Magon) is named after Mago, the Carthaginian agronomist who wrote the first guide on how to make wine. The love story between Tunisia and wine dates back to the Phoenicians. Wine production slowed down somewhat when Islam arrived, but saw a revival at the end of the 19th century, when large numbers of Italians came to Tunisia, followed by the French. Most Tunisian grapes are the same as the ones you would find in the south of France, like Cabernet-Sauvignon, Carignon, Syrah and Mourvèdre for red wines, and Chardonnay, Muscat, Ugni and Sauvignon for whites.

Today, the country produces some fantastic wines, and boasts seven AOCs, including the Magon (AOC Mornag, Syrah and Merlot). Tunisian wines just keep getting better and are winning gold medals at international competitions thanks to partnerships with experts and investors from Italy, France and Australia.

Sophistication and tradition
Tunisian cuisine has its classics, like couscous with lamb or fish; as a starter, you can try a Tunisian “tagine” – a thick omelette with vegetables and cheese, not unlike a Spanish tortilla – and a “mechouia” salad – grilled, crushed tomatoes and peppers. Also worth a try are a traditional stew, or “marqa” (with potatoes, vegetables and peas), “mosli” (baked fish or lamb), “complet poisson” (grilled fish and fried vegetables) or “kabkabou” (fish stew with olives and confit lemon). In the souks in medinas, you’ll find some delicious snacks to satisfy you if you’re feeling a bit peckish: the famous crispy, golden egg “brik”, a little “fricassé” sandwich, “kafteji” (summer vegetables with egg, fried and then mixed up), or a bowl of “lablabi” (spicy chickpea soup).

Pull up a chair in a palace or “fondouk” (a roadside inn) that has been converted into a restaurant, you’ll enjoy the best that Tunisian gastronomy has to offer. For example, couscous with grouper, quince and rosebuds; a plate of stiffed vegetables, “fondouk el ghalla”; or stewed sweet and sour lamb with prunes and almonds, “marqa h’loua”. For pudding, try “bouza”, a pistachio cream, or a pastry flavoured with rosewater. Then wash it all down with some mint tea and pine nuts.

Tunisia is a fantastic destination when it comes to wellbeing. The country is renowned for its hospitality, with its Mediterranean climate and the sweet smell of jasmine and orange blossom, and wellbeing has deep roots in Tunisia’s traditions. Water has always been a source of natural beauty and health, from Roman thermal baths to Turkish hammams. Tunisia is now the second biggest country in the world when it comes to thalassotherapy, boasting some sixty dedicated centres along its coastline.

From the north of Tunisia to the south, many hotels have a wellbeing centre offering a wide range of massages, wraps and beauty treatments. Some have actual thalasso centres or luxury spas; whether you’re looking for an à la carte treatment or a comprehensive package, you can enjoy the benefits of seawater and seaweed, packed with mineral salts and trace elements. And if you prefer thermal springs, there are treatment centres in the North West and in Djerba.

Thalasso & Spa
Designer brand beauty treatments, revitalising massages to keep your body and mind in harmony, all the healing benefits of plants, cutting-edge aesthetic medicine, relaxation techniques and muscle building… These spas and thalasso centres are constantly introducing new services, like Barbary fig oil, Singapore massage, aquabiking and Watsu relaxation in a seawater swimming pool.

Tunisia has been honing its expertise in this field since 1994 and is now a leading destination when it comes to thalassotherapy. Respect for protocols, quality of the water, medical supervision: everything is done in accordance with best professional practices. With a few little extra touches: sunshine, smiles and the natural kindness of the Tunisians.

Thermal Treatments
With a long tradition of thermal waters, Tunisia has embarked on the launch of fully renovated thermal spas that comply with international norms and the new requirements for health and wellbeing tourism.

A hammam with thermal spring water, a thermal swimming pool overlooking the mountain (at Hammam Bourguiba), facilities adapted for people with disabilities (at Djerba Thermalisme): the new thermal spa reports have plenty to offer. Hammam Bourguiba, nestled in the mountains in the northwest, has already become a major thermal spa resort with luxury accommodation. They treat ENT conditions and rheumatism here, as well as offering more short-term treatments where the focus is on relaxation and wellbeing, where thermal solutions are complemented by other types of treatments.

Massages and traditional treatments
Tunisia’s spas and thalasso centres combine age-old massage techniques that relax the muscles using toning kneading movements and the sliding pressure of the fists and forearms. A very thorough approach that is guaranteed to give you a real boost!

The magic of light, bracing air, landscapes that stretch out to infinity and the bare purity of the desert… The call of the Sahara rings out louder as modern life becomes more restrictive and oppressive. The Tunisian Sahara encourages contemplation whether you’re staying in a luxury hotel, a well-equipped campsite or a tent right in the heart of the desert. It comes to life in a 4×4, speeding over rocky roads, or on the back of a camel. It can also offer adrenaline junkies the speed and thrills of extreme sports. Its originality and diversity are as impressive as its facilities. The Tunisian Sahara is the perfect venue for some out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

The Grand ERG
The desert just how you imagine it: that feeling of abundance and immensity, the silence, the calm… Tunisia is home to 40,000 square kilometres of sand desert, part of the Grand Erg Oriental, offering absolutely stunning panoramic views of dunes, shaped by the wind. Gently undulating or imposing waves of sand, they turn from yellow to pink at daybreak – a rare spectacle that more than makes up the night spent in a bivouac to catch it. The landscape is constantly changing, and sometimes hides the odd surprise: a well filled with silt, mountains towering over the dunes, basins filled with undergrowth and shrubs, or even a lake inhabited by ducks and egrets. Local guides and camel drivers offer the benefits of their passion and their experience to anyone who would like to discover the emotions of a journey through the Sahara.

Highlights:
• The beauty and variety of the sites.
• Ease of access, proximity of tourist facilities and refuelling stations.
• Fantastic opportunities for walks, camel rides and motorbike, quad bike or 4×4 adventures.
• Some routes are on tarmac and so suitable for passenger cars.
• Routes secured by regularly spaced out military posts and refuelling stations.

Douz and Chott el-Jerid
Covered in a thin white layer like a snow-covered landscape, the Douz region offers the easiest way into the desert. Strings of dunes and graceful clusters of palm trees line the tracks carved out of the sand. The pale white immensity of the desert is there, within your grasp. Douz is inhabited by the Mrazig, nomadic farmers who even now occasionally leave their permanent homes to spend some time in a tent. Not far from Douz, the vast palm groves of Kébili and Deggache are lovely, shaded places to stay in the date palm forests. In contrast, the sandy villages of Sabria, Nouil, El Faouar and their little oases seem lost between the sandy desert and a huge expanse of the shimmering salt lake, Chott El-Jerid.

Highlights:
• The excellent choice of accommodation, hotels with views of the dunes.
• Immediate access to the desert.
• The presence of the nomadic culture, the big weekly market.
• Activities available (ULM flights, quad biking, sand skiing, land sailing and speed sailing on Chott el-Jerid).
• The many Saharan camps.

Canyons and Oases
Tozeur rises up out of the desert, nestled into a huge oasis that is home to hundreds and thousands of palm trees. This surprising, fascinating place feels a very long way away from Europe, which is in fact just a few hours away. The dazzling southern light pours into the avenues of the town. It forges a path for itself through the narrow alleyways of the old parts of town and between the tall, pale brick façades. These textured bricks form complicated diamond and chevron patterns on the walls. The small town of Nefta distinguishes itself from its neighbour thanks to its rich Sufi tradition; it is home to countless domes, marking sanctuaries and tombs of saints. It overlooks a palm grove that curls up like a bunch of flowers beyond a basin, called the Corbeille.

A few dozen kilometres from Tozeur and Nefta are Chebika, Tamerza and Midès, oases in a landscape of mountains that is one of the most moving sites in southern Tunisia. In this breathtakingly beautiful landscape every oasis is different. In Chebika, a wadi runs down the side of a steep mountain, forming waterfalls and rivulets where frogs have made their home. The old village of Tamerza, abandoned like a ghost village, looks out at a spectacular mountainous landscape; its lush oasis is fed by a towering waterfall. Last but not least, Midès, tucked away into a dizzyingly high canyon, boasts spectacular views. Further east, you can see another stunning landscape carved by erosion: the huge canyons at Dghoumès.

Highlights:
• The excellent choice of accommodation and luxury hotels.
• The relaxing atmosphere, the brick architecture.
• A ride in a horse-drawn carriage, on a mule or on a bike through the palm grove promenades.
• The sand dunes a few kilometres away from Nefta.
• The set where Star Wars was filmed at Onk Jemel (near Nefta).
• The many attractions in Tozeur and the surrounding area: golf, museums, theme parks, Lézard Rouge train.
• The canyons at Chébika, Tamerza, Mides and Dghoumes.

Ksour and Berber villages
Right in the heart of a dry, mountainous landscape studded with plateaus and craggy peaks, the stunning architecture of Ksour rise up before you. Hidden away in the middle of nowhere, looking like huge rock-coloured beehives, these “desert castles” (“ksour” is the plural of “ksar”) were once meeting points for the region’s semi-nomadic people who stored their harvests there, safe from looters, in overlapping store rooms called “ghorfas”. Some Ksour, like the ones at Chenini and Douiret, are villages nestled on top of impregnable summits. The ruins of their “ghorfas” blend in to the tops of the mountains, and the homes are partly hollowed out of the rock walls. The Berber language is still in use today. Further north, the landscape mellows as it approaches Gabès, the large seaside oasis.

Highlights:
• The originality of the sites and ways of life.
• Berber crafts (weaving).
• The chaotic, spectacular landscape, the lure of adventure.
• The number and variety of Ksour, which are attractions in themselves.
• The option to stay in some Ksour and converted troglodyte houses.

White sand and blue skies
With its fantastic coastline, 1,250 kilometres of fine sandy beaches and its string of idyllic islands, Tunisia is one of the best-known Mediterranean destinations for seaside holidays. From Nabeul to Mahdia, from Tabarka to Djerba, hotels with lush green gardens jostle for space along the coast. The sea stretches out like a magnificent blue mirror; children play in the water, the multi-coloured domes of parasail wings rise up into the sky, windsurfers crisscross over the water, jet skis buzz along the shoreline… The wide range of hotels, resorts, activities and leisure options guarantee a fun-packed holiday. Less well known are some of Tunisia’s romantic beaches, well-kept secrets off the beaten path, studded with unusually shaped rocks, or lined with palm trees and golden sand dunes.

The Islands
1,250 km of coastline, with a whole host of islands to choose from.

In the north, 36 miles from Tabarka, the archipelago of Galite has six islands and is a popular, unique area for boat trips. These uninhabited granite islands are a little paradise of well-preserved nature. On either side of Bizerte, the coat is studded with charmingly enchanting capes and bays; a string of islands encircles the shore coastline – the Cani islands, the Fratelli islands, Pilau Island and Plane Island. From Gammarth, next to Carthage, you can travel by sea to the wild little coves of Cap Bon and Zembra island, a nature reserve and national park. And if you are travelling along the Sahel coast near Sousse, you’ll find the small island of Kuriat.

But to get back in touch with nature, what could be better than a break on one of Tunisia’s sunny southern islands, far removed from the hustle and bustle? Djerba and the Kerkennah Islands, on the edge of the country’s deep south, boast shimmering blue water, palm trees that sway gently in the wind and the peace and quiet of a landscape shrouded in a blanket of sand. The Kerkennah Islands (14 islands) are a well-kept paradise. The most famous of Tunisia’s islands, Djerba, is flanked by two smaller islands (El Guettaya Gablia and El Guettaya Bahria). And while the northern coast of Djerba has become a major tourist resort, the inland region and stunning white sandy beaches have managed to hold on to their peace and quiet. You can stay in an old country manor house – known here as a menzel –, in a little village house or in one of the many fondouks where travelling salesmen used to break their journeys. Under a whitewashed arch or in a mezzanine cooled by a fresh breeze, you can enjoy all the simplicity that traditional island life has to offer.

A tour of Tunisia’s Beaches
From the gorgeous Tunis bay to the tree-covered hills of Tabarka, from the peaceful charm of Mahdia and Monastir to the modernity of Yasmine Hammamet, from the quiet landscapes of Djerba to the hustle and bustle of Sousse, every seaside resort has its own unique charms. Their beaches are closely supervised and different coloured flags indicate warnings and recommendations depending on the weather, the wind direction and the strength of the currents. But alongside Tunisia’s big resorts, there are also plenty of lesser known beaches and idyllic wild coves like Korbous, Cap Serrat, Sidi Jemour and El Hamra. Seek them out and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

For Families
Tunisians love children, and they’re not afraid to show it! Hotels are fully equipped with special menus and packages, family rooms, baby clubs, mini clubs and clubs for teenagers. Warm water and fine sand: the beaches are perfect for little ones. They can play in fully secured swimming pools under the watchful eye of lifeguards. A trip out to sea, a ride on a banana boat in a huge stream of bubbles, a quad bike adventure or a day in an animal park will give the whole family some truly unforgettable memories.

Non-Stop Activities
Your hotel will have plenty to offer to fill your time, from aqua aerobics and traditional aerobics to beach soccer. If it’s an adrenaline rush you’re after, try Fly Fish, parasailing or giant water slides. Defy gravity in a theme park, or get stuck into a fierce paintballing battle in a paintballing club. You can count on the entertainment team at your hotel to come up with new games and new activities to keep you entertained. And when the sun goes down, you can let your hair down in a club with the best local and international DJs.