Tunis holiday
The capital city of Tunisia boasts sun, beaches and a fascinating history
For travellers looking for something more out of their time away than an over-crowded beach, the city of Tunis is the perfect solution. Hugging the Mediterranean and boasting excellent weather, the Tunisian capital is nevertheless largely unspoilt by mass tourism, while it also serves as a perfect base to explore some of the finest sites of ancient civilisations.
Traditions and Culture in Tunis
Once the Romans, under the Emperor Augustus had left, Tunisia thrived through its trade links with the rest of the Mediterranean, with the Muslim religion and Arabic culture being firmly established in the capital, where it can still be felt today. Indeed, from the bustling markets, where tagines and couscous can be picked up for almost next to nothing, to the daily call to prayers blaring out across the city, it can be something of a culture-shock for the inexperienced traveller. However, this is part of the charm and excitement of the city, and visitors are well advised to dive-in and immerse themselves in the traditions still on display around the ancient medina.
The other side of the city, of course, is the one shaped by its colonial past, best illustrated in the eastern quarters of the Ville Nouvelle, where the boulevards are wide and tree-lined and surrounded on each side by belle époque buildings, many of which have been well-renovated over recent years.
Aside from the food and shopping, the best of Tuins' culture is showcased at the marvellous Bardo Museum, where giant mosaics recovered from Roman times are displayed in a 13th century palace.
Recommended in Tunis
Simply wandering through the maze of winding alleys of the 1,300-year old medina, which houses innumerable mosques, souks and minarets and where haggling is not only welcomed but expected is perhaps rewarding enough. One other top tip is to climb to the top of one of the towers surrounding the Zaytouna Mosque (which non-Muslims are not permitted to enter) to take in a view of the complete city and see its distinct split into the ancient and the modern.
Also highly recommended is hopping on a train and heading out a town to check out the ruins at the UNESCO world-heritage of Carthage or to the charming villages dotted along the shores of Lake Tunis, such as La Goulette, La Barsa and Sidi Bou Said, with the latter being arguable the most picturesque villages in the whole of the Mediterranean.
For a more relaxing time, the seaside resorts of the Cotes de Cartage are just a few minutes away and are particularly popular with the locals during the sweltering summer months.
Weather in Tunis
Tunis is best visited during the spring months up to the end of May, when the air is fresh and the heat is offset by a cool wind blowing in from the sea. During the summer months, the heat can climb as high as 48 degrees C and many locals choose to head to the seaside. Winter is also pleasant in the Tunisian capital and temperatures of 25 degrees C are common, while rainfall is also relatively minimal.
Destination Checklist for Tunis
Tunis has a population of around 700,000 and, while the official language is Arabic, French is also widely spoken.
The city is one hour ahead of GMT and the country's international dialling code is +216.
The official currency is the Tunisian Dinar.
