How to visit Tunis in 2025
- Alexander
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How to visit Tunis in 2025: North Africa’s city of Contrast
Tunis is an extremely diverse city and probably the most liberal place in the Arab world. It’s a place of contrasts like I’ve never seen before. One part of the city is shaped by Roman ruins and ancient history, while another gives off a European vibe surrounded by centuries-old mosques.
Tunis’ colonial past is still visible, but it has been reshaped by local identity into something completely unique.
Yet, there are barely any tourists around. Since the terrorist attacks of 2015, Tunis has stayed off most travelers’ radar.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to visit Tunis in 2025 — including what to do, safety concerns, and why this North African capital deserves a spot on your list.
🔗 Travelling through Tunisia? Check out my Guide How to visit Tunisia
Table of Contents
📜 A (Very) Quick History of Tunis
Tunis has been around for a while. Like, a long while. We’re talking over 3,000 years of history, starting out as a Berber settlement before the Phoenicians rolled in and turned nearby Carthage into one of the most powerful cities in the ancient world. When Carthage fell to the Romans, Tunis quietly stayed in the background, only to rise to prominence centuries later under Arab rule.
The city became a major hub during the Islamic Golden Age, especially under the Hafsid dynasty. Then came the Ottomans, then the French. So yeah, Tunis has had more empires than you’ve had passport stamps. What’s cool is that you can still see all of that layered history: Roman mosaics, Ottoman palaces, French boulevards, and classic Islamic architecture. All in the same afternoon.
🛬 How to enter Tunis
Entering Tunisia’s capital city is pretty straight forward.
By Air
Tunis is well connected to most major european airports. Roundway tickets are around 200€ roundway from most european cities.
By Land
You can cross into Tunisia overland from:
Algeria – Several crossings are open with Oum Teboul being the most common one and best for foreigners.
Libya – The Ras Ajdir border crossing is operational. Busses go from Tunis to Tripolis.
💡 Thanks to its strong ties to Europe, easy visa rules, and affordable flights, Tunis is actually perfect for a weekend getaway.
👮 Safety in Tunis
After the Arab Spring Tunisia suffered several Terrorist Attacks, especially in the year 2015. I strongly believe that the country changed to the better and Tunisia is much safer nowadays.
The big cities and popular tourist spots have stepped up security, and most visitors have smooth, enjoyable experiences.
If you want a detailed analysis of Tunisia’s safety check out my Full Safety Guide Is Tunisia Safe?
🚕 How to get around in Tunis
Getting around in Tunis is probably as easy as it gets.
Taxis
Taxis are the most common way of transport here. Just make sure the Meter is running or agree on a price in advance. A short ride within the city is normally less than 2€.
🚇 Tram
The tram system is super affordable and as modern as a european one. A ticket is just a few cents.
🚌 Busses
There are busses running offering tickets for just a few cents. With the tram and taxis being so convenient, I didn’t even bother trying them.
🛬 Getting into the City Center from the Airport
This might be the only time a taxi tries to overcharge you. Some drivers will ask for 15€ for a ride that’s really worth 3€. Just look for a cab with the meter running, and you’ll be fine.
🛏️ Where to stay in Tunis
Both Airbnb and Booking.com work perfectly in Tunis. You can easily find a room for anywhere between 10€ and 50€, depending on the area and your comfort level.
🔗 Travelling through Tunisia? Check out my Guide How to visit Tunisia
🕌 What to do in Tunis
Tunis is a city of two souls. On one side, you’ve got ancient ruins, Roman baths, and historical city of Carthage. On the other, there’s the energy of a modern capital, with cafés, markets, colonial-era streets, and a lively cultural scene.
In this section, I’ll break down what to do in Tunis by area, so you can plan your trip like a pro (or at least like someone who didn’t just land two hours ago with no clue).
🏛 Eastern Tunis: Ruins, Carthage, and a Touch of the Aegean
Eastern Tunis is home to what’s left of the mighty city of Carthage, once Rome’s fiercest rival and one of the most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean world. While not all ruins are perfectly preserved, the scale and setting are really impressive, even if you are not into history.
🏺 Carthage
This eerie open-air site was a sacred cemetery for Carthaginian children and was possibly even used for ritual sacrifice. The Romans were so disturbed by it that they built temples around the area. Both to erase it and also to contain its energy.
These ancient military harbors once hid hundreds of Carthaginian warships. Think of it as the world’s first covert naval base.
Massive Roman bath ruins set right along the coast. It’s one of the biggest Roman bath complexes outside Italy.
Roman Amphitheater of Carthage:
Though not as massive as the one in El Djem, this Roman amphitheater is still worth a visit.
💡 A ticket covering all the Carthage sites costed me 15 Dinar and can be purchased at most sites. For african passport holders it’s just 5 Dinar.
⛲ Sidi Bou Said
Right next to the ruins lies Sidi Bou Said, which will remind you of Santorini island in Greece. White houses combined with blue doors and windows are clustered along narrow cobblestone streets. All of that next to a beach that I had amost entirely to myself with just some local fisherman were around.
🕌 Medina & Modern Downtown Tunis
While eastern Tunis is all about ancient ruins and peaceful coastal views, the center of the city is where modern life and deep tradition collide. They 1000 year old medina right next to European-styled cafés and French architecture. College Girls smoking Shisha next to a group of women in abaya.
🧭 The Medina of Tunis (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Medina of Tunis is massive, messy, and magical. It’s a maze of narrow alleys, old mosques, local workshops, and hidden courtyards that feels like it hasn’t changed in centuries. This isn’t one of those cleaned-up, tourist-only medinas. Locals still live here, shop here, and get their shoes fixed or their hair cut in tiny back-alley stores.
The spiritual heart of the medina and one of the oldest mosques in North Africa. Non-Muslims can’t enter the prayer area, but you can admire the architecture from the surrounding streets.
An old palace in the medine that has been closed to the public for some time by now.
A palace of the 19th century with little visitors. The entry is just 5 Dinar.
💡 Pro Tip: Get lost! Seriously. That’s the best way to explore here.
🕰 The New City: French Vibes in North Africa
Just outside the medina is downtown Tunis, and it couldn’t feel more different. Wide boulevards, French-colonial buildings, outdoor cafés, and palm trees lining Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the city’s main artery. It feels a bit like Marseille
The most iconic spot here is the Tunis Clock Tower, a modern landmark that looks oddly like the one in Paris (just… pointier).
🛍 The Souks of Tunis
If you like markets (and even if you don’t), Marché Central de Tunis is worth a visit. It’s a huge covered market with everything from fresh fish and spices to knockoff sneakers and secondhand phones. Loud, colorful, chaotic
For a more traditional vibe, check out Moncef Bey Souk. It’s slightly more chilled, with a mix of vintage clothes, old-school barbers, and endless stalls of random stuff.
🏛 Musée National du Bardo:
A bit outside the city center, the Bardo Museum is home to one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Some of the pieces are so detailed it’s hard to believe they’re 2,000 years old.
It’s one of the best museums in North Africa and a must if you want more context about everything you’ve seen in Carthage.
More on Tunisia
How to visit Tunis in 2025
How to visit Tunisia in 2025
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Alex
Welcome off the beaten path!
I’m Alex, a 23 year old traveler who loves to explore the corners of the world, that still seem to be untouched. In this Blog I want to share my experiences with you.
