Tunisia is a beautiful country to visit in North Africa. The popular tourist destination offers stunning beaches for people looking to relax and look around the diverse cities and historical sites. Its UNESCO-protected archaeological sites will give you a view into Roman, Arab and European rule periods and the treasures that were left behind after each rule period. Listed below are some of the top things that you’ll be able to do and see in Tunisia. You doid need a visa if travelling from the UK, but the good news is the new e-visa is due to launch this year making the process a lot easier.
Visit the capital of Tunis
If you’re looking for somewhere to start then the capital of Tunisia would be the place. The city was formed before the Roman era and currently it has an incredible blend of African, Arabic and European cultures immersed within the city. You can view the colonial buildings which are situated next to cafes and palm-lined avenues in the French Ville Nouveau area. You can also look to barter the prices of the authentic Arabic fabrics and crafts in the medina.
The capital is also home to the second-largest museum in Africa, called the Bardo Museum. It is placed in the 19th-century palace and it contains a vast amount sculptures, mosaics and sarcophagi that have been unearthed from multiple ancient sites around the country.
Visit the town of El Djem
If you visit El Djem, you’ll be able to relive the stature of the Roman Empire. The area is now built around the ruins of an old Roman city called Thysdrus and most of its original architecture is no more apart from the grand amphitheater which held 35,000 spectators. The amphitheatre used to house chariot races and gladiator shows and was one of the biggest in the empire.
It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and luckily it’s more intact than the Coliseum in Rome as two-thirds of its outer walls are still up. Visitors will be able to search through the underground cells and passages that once were filled by animal and human contenders.
Visit the Grand Erg Oriental Dunes
If you’re looking for the county’s natural beauty sites then you should head to the Grand Erg Oriental dunes located in the Sahara Desert. The dune sea stretches for around 370 miles/600 kilometres between Algeria and Tunisia. You can take trips in the region lasting either a few hours to a few days via using either a 4×4 safari or via camelback.
You can also experience the camping trips where you’ll be able to stare at the starscapes at night and marvel at the beautiful sunrise and sunset colours in the desert. Not only is Grand Erg Oriental famous for its rolling dunes, but it also surrounds different types of wildlife, green oases and rocky mountains.
Visit the Ichkeul National Park
Tunisia’s best wildlife experience is found at Ichkeul National Park in the north of the Country. It has mountains, wetlands, and a vast expanse of Lake Ichkeul that is all protected by UNESCO. There are also opportunities for hiking and birdwatching there. The lake provides a crucial stopping point for the migratory birds travelling from Europe and Asia to sub-Saharan Africa. In season, over 300,000 geese, coots and ducks can be seen daily on the lake and big flocks of flamingos and storks gather within the area. The park also is home to over 500 plant species and 200 animal species.
Visit the city of Kairouan
Kairouan is a city located in the Northern inland region of Tunisia and it is the centre of Islamic history. The city was founded in 670 AD and was the principal holy city in the Maghreb region under the Aghalabid dynasty during the 9th century. It is recognised by UNESCO as an important figure of Arabo-Muslim culture.
Visitors will be able to walk through the mazy medina streets which are lined with bust souks and painted buildings. There are also a number Islamic monuments in the alleyways like stucco and mosaic-adorned tombs and ornate mosques.