Tunisia: North Africa's Best-Kept Secret
Ancient ruins, Saharan dunes, and Mediterranean beaches — all without the crowds. Here’s how to plan your trip.
Tunisia doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It’s got Roman ruins that rival anything in Italy, Saharan desert you can actually reach without a three-day expedition, and Mediterranean coastline that costs a fraction of what you’d pay in Greece or Croatia. The food is incredible (brik is basically a fried egg in a pastry and it’s exactly as good as that sounds), the people are genuinely welcoming, and the whole country is small enough to cover in a week or two. It’s North Africa without the tourist markup. This guide covers all of it.
2.5–3 hrs
From the UK
Apr–May / Oct–Nov
Best time
Arabic (French widely spoken)
Main language
TND (Tunisian Dinar)
Currency
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Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Tunisia is spring (April–May) or autumn (October to early November). Temperatures are warm and comfortable, and there are far fewer tourists than in peak summer.
July and August can be extremely hot, often pushing above 30 °C, while September still offers plenty of sunshine with quieter beaches.
Tunisia has a mostly dry climate with very little rainfall year-round. Winter temperatures sit around 12 °C, rising above 20 °C from late April. Summer (June to September) regularly reaches 30 °C or more, and evenings stay warm too.
For a month by month look click here
What To Expect
19°C
- Temperature
Capital: Tunis
Language: The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. You can greet people by saying, “Salam”
Currency: The official currency of Tunisia is Tunisian dinar. £1 GBP is equivalent to 3.83 TDN and $1 is 2.75 TDN. Check the latest rates here
Credit Cards & ATMs: ATM’s can be found in the major tourist spots. Withdrawal limits depend on the bank, but are quite limited (300 to 800 TND). This means multiple transactions are usually needed and fees can be costly. Only Tunisian Dinars can be withdrawn from ATMs in Tunisia. Credit and debit cards are accepted in some but not all of the larger shops, restaurants and hotels. Its always best to have cash in Tunisia.
Plugs: For Tunisia there are two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Tunisia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter
Safety: While much of Tunisia is safe to visit now, including the capital Tunis and much of the north of the country, much of the south and the western border is still considered dangerous for tourist travel, because of terrorism or military operations. Incidents of mugging, pick pocketing, bag-snatching and petty theft can occur. Take sensible precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Never ever: Do not discuss religion with anyone and do not show public displays of affection (kissing)
Tunisia Travel Guides
From the ancient medinas to the Saharan south — guides for every kind of trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps (coming soon)
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Tunisia Cost?
Tunisia is one of the cheapest countries in North Africa. Here’s a realistic breakdown so you can budget properly.
🎒
Backpacker
~£30 / $38 / €35 / 95 TND per day
- Hostel dorms from £5 / $6 / €6 / 16 TND per night
- Street food and market meals
- Shared louages (minibuses) between towns
- Free mosques, medinas, and beach days
🍜
Mid-Range
~£65 / $82 / €76 / 207 TND per day
- Budget hotels and guesthouses from £20 / $25 / €23 / 64 TND per night
- Restaurant meals and local cafés
- Mix of louages and private taxis
- Guided day tours and museum entries
🏨
Upscale
~£130+ / $164+ / €152+ / 414+ TND per day
- Boutique riads and resort hotels
- Fine dining and seafood restaurants
- Private car hire or domestic flights
- Private desert tours and luxury camps
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £5–10 / $6–13 / €6–12 / 16–32 TND per night
- Budget guesthouse: £12–20 / $15–25 / €14–23 / 38–64 TND per night
- Camping: £3–7 / $4–9 / €4–8 / 10–22 TND per night
Mid–Luxury
- Mid-range hotel: £30–60 / $38–76 / €35–70 / 96–191 TND per night
- Boutique riad: £50–90 / $63–114 / €58–105 / 159–287 TND per night
- Beach resort: £80–150+ / $101–190+ / €93–175+ / 255–478+ TND per night
City Travel
- City taxi ride: £1–3 / $1.30–3.80 / €1.20–3.50 / 3–10 TND
- Louage between cities: £2–8 / $2.50–10 / €2.30–9.30 / 6–25 TND
- Local bus: £0.15–0.50 / $0.19–0.63 / €0.17–0.58 / 0.5–1.6 TND
Long Distance
- Train (Tunis to Sousse): £2–5 / $2.50–6.30 / €2.30–5.80 / 6–16 TND
- Domestic flight: £40–80 / $51–101 / €47–93 / 127–255 TND
- Car rental per day: £15–35 / $19–44 / €17–41 / 48–112 TND
Eat Cheap
- Street food (brik, fricassé): £0.50–1.50 / $0.63–1.90 / €0.58–1.75 / 1.6–4.8 TND
- Local restaurant meal: £2–5 / $2.50–6.30 / €2.30–5.80 / 6–16 TND
- Coffee (espresso): £0.30–0.60 / $0.38–0.76 / €0.35–0.70 / 1–2 TND
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £6–15 / $7.60–19 / €7–17.50 / 19–48 TND
- Seafood on the coast: £10–25 / $12.60–31.60 / €11.60–29 / 32–80 TND
- Beer (where available): £1.50–3 / $1.90–3.80 / €1.75–3.50 / 5–10 TND
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: £1–3 / $1.30–3.80 / €1.20–3.50 / 3–10 TND
- Carthage ruins entry: £3 / $3.80 / €3.50 / 10 TND
- Hammam (traditional bath): £3–8 / $3.80–10 / €3.50–9.30 / 10–25 TND
Big Experiences
- Sahara overnight camp tour: £40–100 / $51–127 / €47–117 / 127–319 TND
- Quad biking in the desert: £20–40 / $25–51 / €23–47 / 64–127 TND
- Full-day guided tour: £25–60 / $32–76 / €29–70 / 80–191 TND
8 Ways to Save Money in Tunisia
🚐 Use louages — Shared minibuses between cities cost next to nothing and run constantly. They leave when full, not on a schedule, so bring patience.
🍞 Eat where locals eat — Skip hotel restaurants. Street-side brik stalls and hole-in-the-wall couscous spots are better food at a tenth of the price.
💵 Carry cash everywhere — Card acceptance outside Tunis and tourist hotels is patchy at best. ATM withdrawal limits are low, so plan ahead.
🕌Free stuff is everywhere — Medinas, mosques (exterior), beaches, and most towns are free to wander. The best experiences in Tunisia don’t cost anything.
🏪 Buy from souks, not shops — Market prices are negotiable and almost always cheaper than fixed-price tourist shops. Start at half the asking price.
🚿 Stay in local guesthouses — Small family-run dars and pensions are cheaper than hotels and usually include breakfast. You’ll eat better too.
🧴 Skip bottled water in cities — Tap water in Tunis and northern cities is generally safe. Fill a reusable bottle and save a few dinars every day.
📱 Get a local SIM — Ooredoo or Tunisie Telecom SIMs cost a few dinars and data is cheap. Don’t pay international roaming rates.
Getting Around Tunisia
Tunisia’s compact enough to cover in a couple of weeks. Here’s how to get between the good bits.
Domestic Flights
Best for reaching the south quickly. Tunis to Djerba or Tozeur saves a full day of driving.
✅ Fast for long distances
✅ Cheap if booked early (from £40 / $51 / €47)
❌ Limited routes, mostly to/from Tunis
Car & Campervan
Best for flexibility. The roads are decent, fuel is cheap, and you can stop wherever you want.
✅ Total freedom on your schedule
✅ Fuel is significantly cheaper than Europe
❌ Driving in Tunis is chaotic (avoid it)
Private Taxis
Best for short distances and airport transfers. Cheap by European standards.
✅ Affordable for short hops
✅ Available everywhere, easy to flag down
❌ Always agree on the fare beforehand or insist on the meter
Train (SNCFT)
Best for the Tunis to Sousse corridor. Comfortable, air-conditioned, and scenic.
✅ Cheap and comfortable for main routes
✅ Air conditioning (a big deal in summer)
❌ Network is limited. Don’t rely on it for the south
Louages (Shared Minibuses)
Best for budget travel. This is how most Tunisians get around. Cheap, frequent, and surprisingly efficient.
✅ Incredibly cheap (Tunis to Sousse from £2.50 / $3.20 / €2.90)
✅ No booking needed, just turn up
❌ They leave when full, not on a tim
Ferries
Best for reaching Djerba from the mainland or arriving from Europe.
✅ Jorf–Djerba ferry is quick and cheap
✅ International ferries from Marseille and Genoa
❌ Limited domestic routes otherwise
Which Is Right For You?
Sticking to the coast
Louages or train between Tunis, Sousse, and Hammamet
Heading south to the Sahara
Rent a car or book a guided tour
Island hopping to Djerba
Short domestic flight or the Jorf ferry
Tight budget, lots of time
Louages everywhere. Bring snacks.
Quick Tips
📅
Book Flights Early
Domestic flights to Djerba and Tozeur sell out in peak season
🚗
Skip Tunis by Car
The city centre is a nightmare to drive in. Use taxis or the metro
⏰
Louages Run Daytime Only
Most stop by early evening. Plan long trips for the morning
🛡️
Agree Fares First
Especially with taxis. No meter = no ride, or agree a price before you get in
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Tunisia?
Most European, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. You just turn up, get your passport stamped, and you’re in. That said, check with the Tunisian embassy or consulate for your specific nationality before you book anything. Rules change, and it’s not worth finding out at the airport.
Is Tunisia safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Tunisia has had security concerns in the past (the 2015 attacks hit tourism hard), but the government has invested heavily in security at tourist sites and hotels since then. Petty crime like pickpocketing happens in busy medinas and markets, same as anywhere. The main thing to be aware of: the southern border areas and parts of the western mountains near Algeria are restricted. Stick to the main tourist routes (Tunis, Carthage, Sousse, Djerba, Tozeur) and you’ll be fine. Check your government’s travel advisory before you go.
What's the best time to visit Tunisia?
April to May and October to early November. Summer (June to August) is genuinely brutal, especially in the south where temperatures hit 45°C+ regularly. Winter is mild on the coast but some desert tours shut down. Spring and autumn give you warm beach weather up north and bearable temperatures for exploring ruins and the Sahara.
How long do I need in Tunisia?
A week covers the highlights: Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and either Djerba or a Sahara excursion. Two weeks lets you do the lot without rushing, including Sousse, El Jem, Dougga, Tozeur, and some proper beach time. The country is compact so you’re not losing days to transit like you would in Morocco.
Is Tunisia expensive?
No. It’s one of the cheapest Mediterranean destinations going. Budget travellers can get by on £30 / $38 / €35 a day without really trying. Mid-range is around £65 / $82 / €76 a day with comfortable hotels and restaurant meals. Even the “luxury” tier is a fraction of what you’d pay in Southern Europe. The biggest costs are getting there (flights) and any organised Sahara tours.
Can I drink alcohol in Tunisia?
Tunisia is a Muslim-majority country, but it’s one of the more liberal in North Africa when it comes to alcohol. You can buy beer and wine in tourist restaurants, hotels, and dedicated bottle shops (look for “General” shops or Magasin General supermarkets). It’s not available everywhere though, and during Ramadan availability drops significantly. Don’t drink in the street or near mosques.
Do I need travel insurance for Tunisia?
Yes. Tunisia has no reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, US, or most European countries. Medical facilities in Tunis are decent but limited outside the capital. A hospital stay will cost you out of pocket without insurance, and medical evacuation to Europe is eye-wateringly expensive. Don’t skip it. Compare policies in our Travel Insurance hub.
What should I wear in Tunisia?
Tunisia is relatively relaxed compared to some North African countries, but modesty still matters outside beach resorts. In medinas, mosques, and rural areas, cover your shoulders and knees. At beach resorts and hotels, normal swimwear is fine. Women don’t need to cover their hair. Basically: dress how you’d dress visiting a church in Italy and you won’t have any problems.
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