The first thing you think of when you say Tunisia is sunshine, sea, and golden desert sand. This small country in North Africa is full of surprises. You can wander through ancient Roman ruins, explore the maze-like streets of old Tunis, or sip sweet mint tea in a busy market filled with spices and colors.
Down south, the island of Djerba is a calm paradise with white beaches, blue-and-white houses, and peaceful villages. It’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the simple things. You can also ride a camel into the Sahara, watch the sunset over the dunes, or try a big plate of couscous with spicy harissa.
Tunisia is a place full of history, flavor, and friendly faces. Explore this beautiful country with our complete Tunisia travel guides.
The best time to visit Tunisia is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when the weather is warm but not too hot, and the skies are mostly clear. These seasons are perfect for walking through ancient ruins, exploring cities like Tunis or Sousse, and relaxing on the beach without the summer crowds.
In the summer months (June to August), temperatures can get very high, especially in the south and desert areas. It’s a great time to enjoy the Mediterranean coast, swim in the sea, or relax on the island of Djerba. Just be ready for the heat if you plan to do any sightseeing.
Winter (December to February) is cooler and quieter. Coastal areas stay mild, while the inland regions can get chilly, especially at night. It’s a peaceful time to explore Tunisia at a slower pace, with fewer tourists and a more local feel.
The official currency in Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND) and you can pay by credit card in bigger restaurants, hotels, and shops, but not everywhere. It is therefore always useful to have enough cash with you and also to give tips.
You will find ATMs in every touristic area and major city where you can withdraw money, but not in the more remote places.
The official language in Tunisia is Arabic. But French is also widely spoken, especially in the cities and tourist areas. English is becoming more common, particularly among younger people and in touristic places.
It is generally safe to travel to Tunisia, especially in popular tourist areas like Tunis, Sousse, Hammamet, and Djerba. These places are well-patrolled and often visited by tourists. However, some regions near the borders with Libya and Algeria are not safe and should be avoided.
Petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams can happen, so it’s smart to stay alert, especially in busy areas. Solo female travelers may get unwanted attention and should take extra care.
Tap water in Tunisia is safe to drink in most cities, but it may taste heavily chlorinated. In rural areas, the quality can vary, so it's best to stick to bottled water. To minimize health risks, it's also recommended to avoid ice cubes and use bottled water for brushing your teeth in these areas.
Tunisia is a Muslim-majority country with a mix of modern and traditional styles. There’s no strict dress code, but it’s respectful to dress modestly, especially outside tourist areas.
For women: it’s a good idea to cover shoulders and knees, especially in rural areas or when visiting mosques. In beach resorts, swimsuits are fine, but not in town or public streets.
For men: shorts and T-shirts are generally okay, but avoid going shirtless outside the beach or pool.
As Tunisia is an African country, European roaming charges don’t count. We therefore recommend purchasing an E-SIM. Airalo is an excellent partner for this!
Haggling is a common practice in Tunisia, especially in markets and souks where prices are often set higher than what the seller expects to get. If you're shopping for souvenirs, clothes, or handicrafts, it's normal to bargain and even expected.
Be polite and keep it friendly. Start by offering about one-third or half the asking price and work from there. Just remember, haggling is not usually done for fixed-price items like food, drinks, or public transport.
Tipping isn’t mandatory in Tunisia, but it’s generally appreciated, especially in the service industry.
In restaurants, it’s common to leave around 10% of the bill if a service charge isn’t already included. In cafes and casual places, rounding up or leaving a few coins is enough.
Tipping taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides is also a kind gesture. You can tip taxi drivers by rounding up the fare, and hotel staff or tour guides usually appreciate a few dinars per day.
In Tunisia, the power plug types used are C and E. The standard voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz.
The time zone in Tunisia is GMT+1 year-round.
