Travel Guide Tunisia
Tunisia lies on North Africa's Mediterranean coast between Algeria and Libya, about eleven ferry hours from Palermo.
by Felix Gillen
Why Go To Tunisia?
Within a few hundred kilometres, Punic, Roman and Islamic history sit side by side. Tunisia has ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among them Carthage, El Djem, Dougga, Kairouan and, since 2026, the village of Sidi Bou Saïd. Add long sandy beaches, medinas with working souks and a cuisine built on harissa, olive oil and couscous. In the winter months the oases on the edge of the Sahara come into their own.
Where in Tunisia?
Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.
More highlights in Tunisia
Unique experiences that make Tunisia unforgettable.
How to plan your trip to Tunisia
From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.
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Use it on the road
Download the guide to your phone and use it on site, even offline.
Regions to Discover
Explore the diverse regions of Tunisia.
Recommended Itineraries
Discover the best routes through Tunisia.
Classic Tour: Tunis, Kairouan and the Sahel
Twelve days through the north and the Sahel: from the medina of Tunis via the ruins of Carthage and Dougga to Kairouan, on to the amphitheatre of El Djem and down to the coast at Sousse, Monastir and Hammamet. The medina of Tunis, Carthage, Dougga, Kairouan, El Djem and the medina of Sousse are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Stops at a glance
View Route Details →
The South: Djerba, Matmata and the Oases
Ten days in southern Tunisia: from the island of Djerba to the cave dwellings of Matmata, to Douz on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, and across the Chott el Djerid salt lake to Tozeur and Nefta. Parts of the route lie in areas covered by specific warnings in the UK FCDO Travel Advice. Check the current advice before you travel and only go into the desert on organised tours with local operators.
What you eat in Tunisia
Good to Know
Essential info for your trip planning.
Land & People
Landscapes Tunisia spans 163,610 km² and features over 1,100 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline.
History & Society
From Carthage to the Ottomans According to tradition, Phoenicians from Tyre founded Carthage in 814 BC.
Food & Drink
Tunisian Cuisine Olive oil, tomatoes, fish, and lamb form the base, while Harissa provides the spice.
Practical Info
Health & Safety Check the UK FCDO Travel Advice for Tunisia, linked on this country page, before and during your…
Getting Around
Arrival Direct flights to Tunis, Enfidha, Monastir, and Djerba are available from German-speaking countries, for…
RV Travel
Arriving by RV RVs reach Tunis-La Goulette by ferry from Italy or France.
Traveling with Kids
Beach Holidays with Children Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, and Djerba are classic beach resorts with many hotel complexes…
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
17–26°C·22–58 mm(little rain)
April, May and October are best suited for Tunis, the north, and tours to the ancient sites: In Tunis, daily maximum temperatures are then between 22 and 27 °C. In September, the sea is still warm at around 25 °C, but rainfall increases again to almost 60 mm per month. For swimming, June to September is the best time, often until mid-October on the east coast and Djerba.
Coast and NorthThe north experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. In Tunis, only just over 4 mm of rain falls in July, while nearly 70 mm falls in December. The values above are from the Tunis-Carthage station (average 1991 to 2020).South and SaharaTowards the south, it quickly becomes drier: Tozeur receives barely 100 mm of rain throughout the year. In July and August, average maximum temperatures there reach around 40 °C, with records at 49 °C. For the oases and the edge of the Sahara, November to March are the most pleasant, with daytime temperatures usually below 30 °C; April and October are a compromise. Djerba is warmer than Tunis, with sea temperatures reaching around 28 °C there in August and September.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Aug
Sep
Oct
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Dec
Swim Season & Peak Summer
Spring and Autumn: ideal for tours
Winter: mild on the coast, best time for the desert
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.3 | 59 | 5.3 |
| February | 12.5 | 55 | 5.7 |
| March | 14.6 | 46 | 6.4 |
| April | 17.2 | 38 | 7.5 |
| May | 21.0 | 22 | 9.1 |
| June | 25.1 | 13 | 10.3 |
| July | 28.1 | 4 | 11.5 |
| August | 28.7 | 15 | 10.6 |
| September | 25.6 | 58 | 8.6 |
| October | 22.0 | 55 | 7.0 |
| November | 17.2 | 53 | 5.8 |
| December | 13.5 | 68 | 5.1 |
Video reports from Tunisia
Get inspired by authentic travel tales.
9 best places to visit in Tunisia
Lonely Planet (2025): the country's key destinations from the coast to the desert, with planning tips.
The Guardian (2022), photo essay by Harry Johnstone: the herbalists of Souq El…
The Guardian (2025), by Diana Jarvis: the overland route from London to Tunis…
Travel advice
Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for Tunisia is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.
Go to GOV.UK
Who's behind Fernweh?
Hi, I'm Felix.
I love to travel, and I love planning even more. Fernweh.guide is my attempt at building a really good online travel guide.