World Guide

Tunisia

Country · Africa, Northern Africa

Carthage
Pictured: Carthage · Photo: Calips, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Tunisia is a country in Northern Africa, bordered by Algeria and Libya. With a population of about 12.3 million, it features a capital city, Tunis, and covers an area of 163,610 square kilometers. Travelers can visit nine significant locations, including various archaeological sites and historic mosques.

Highlights

This guide covers nine major sights across the country. Many of these focus on history and architecture, such as the Archaeological site of Carthage, the Amphitheatre of El Jem (UNESCO), and Dougga (UNESCO). Visitors can also see the Medina of Tunis (UNESCO), the Great Mosque of Kairouan, and the Bardo National Museum. Other notable locations include the site of Kerkouane (UNESCO) and the historical structure of Ksar Ouled Soltane. These sites provide insight into the region's architectural and archaeological heritage.

Food and drink

Local culinary traditions include dishes such as Shakshouka, Mechouia salad, Lablabi, Fricasse, and Msoki. Other options include Kabkabou, Ummak huriyya, and Taguella. For bread, there is Tabouna bread. Sweet items include Bambalouni and Assidat zgougou. Boukha is also available.

When to go

The climate data is for Tunis. Summers are hot and dry, with daily highs reaching 31 °C in July and 32 °C in August. Rain is minimal during these months. Winters are cooler, with daily highs around 15 °C to 16 °C in January and December. These winter months are also the wettest, with about 73 mm to 79 mm of rain over 10 days each. Spring, particularly May, offers milder temperatures with highs around 24 °C and less rain.

Practical notes

The currency is the Tunisian dinar. The official language is Arabic. The country uses 230V electricity with plug types C and E. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+01:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Tunisia

  • Shakshouka
  • Boukha
  • Mechouia salad
  • Lablabi
  • Fricasse
  • Bambalouni
  • Assidat zgougou
  • Taguella
  • Msoki
  • Kabkabou
  • Ummak huriyya
  • Tabouna bread

Top sights in Tunisia

  1. CarthageCarthage
  2. Amphitheatre of El JemUNESCOAmphitheatre of El JemEl Jem
  3. Ksar Ouled SoltaneKsar Ouled SoltaneTataouine
  4. Great Mosque of KairouanGreat Mosque of KairouanKairouan
  5. Medina of TunisUNESCOMedina of TunisTunis
  6. DouggaUNESCODougga
  7. Bardo National MuseumBardo National MuseumTunis
  8. Acropolium of CarthageAcropolium of CarthageCarthage
  9. El Ghriba SynagogueEl Ghriba SynagogueDjerba
  10. Al-Zaytuna MosqueAl-Zaytuna MosqueTunis
  11. Carthage PalaceCarthage PalaceCarthage
  12. Baths of AntoninusBaths of AntoninusCarthage
  1. Raqqada · Kairouan
  2. KerkouaneUNESCO
  3. Archaeological site of CarthageUNESCO
  4. Ribat of Monastir · Monastir
  5. Bourguiba mausoleum · Monastir
  6. Borj El Kebir · Djerba

UNESCO sites in Tunisia →

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is December, with about 79 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C151517202428313228252016
Average low, °C9910121519212221181310
Rainfall, mm7353444125123852525979
Rainy days107877315881010

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Tunis (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories