Classic Tour: Tunis, Kairouan and the Sahel

The Medina The old city grew from 698 around the Zitouna Mosque and covers approximately 270 hectares. Its alleys do not follow a grid, and the residential buildings are constructed around courtyards. The Medina boasts around 700 historical monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas, and fountains. Guilds and Souks Souk El Attarine: Perfumers, established around 1240 under the Hafsids on the north side of the Zitouna Mosque Souk Ech-Chaouachine: Makers of the red Chechia hats, a guild of Andalusian origin Souk El Berka: Jewelers, established in 1612 as a slave market Souk El Leffa: Fabrics, woolens, and clothing Visiting Mosques Mosques in Tunis are generally not accessible to non-Muslims, including the prayer hall of the Zitouna Mosque. However, structures such as the Tourbet el Bey Mausoleum are open to visitors.

Punic and Roman Carthage According to legend, the Phoenician princess Dido (Elyssa) founded the city in 814 BC. After the Third Punic War, the Romans completely destroyed it in 146 BC. Augustus refounded it as a Roman colony in 29 BC. Museums: What's Open National Museum on Byrsa Hill: closed since 2018; renovation of the museum and Byrsa Hill was put out to tender in summer 2026. No reopening date has been set. Former Saint-Louis Cathedral (Acropolium): provisionally and partially accessible since March 2024; due to planned works on Byrsa Hill, inquire on site. Musée Paléochrétien in Dermech: reopened in December 2025 after renovation, featuring finds from late Roman and early Christian times. Theater and Festival The 2nd-century Roman theater was largely reconstructed in the 20th century. Today, it hosts the annual Festival International de Carthage, which took place for the 60th time in summer 2026.

Blue and WhiteA 1915 decree placed the village under protection, mandated the colors blue and white, and prohibited unregulated construction. This includes courtyards, studded wooden doors, and bougainvillea.Saint, Artists, and World HeritageThe name derives from the scholar Abou Saïd el-Béji (1156 to 1231), who taught on the hill and is buried here. Since the 19th century, artists and writers like Paul Klee, August Macke, Gustave Flaubert, and André Gide have visited. In July 2026, the village was designated as Tunisia's tenth World Heritage site, recognized as a center of cultural and spiritual inspiration in the Mediterranean region.Festivals and Current SituationKharja: In mid-August, religious brotherhoods process through the village.Storm Damage: Following heavy rains in January 2026, parts of the hillside slid, some buildings were temporarily evacuated, and roads were closed. Protective work on the hill was announced from August 2026.

Numidians, Punics, Romans Long before the Romans, Thugga was a Numidian city. Testament to this is the approximately 21-meter-high Libyco-Punic Mausoleum of Ateban from the 2nd century BC. Its bilingual inscription was broken out by the British consul Thomas Reade in 1842, severely damaging the tomb; the inscription is now in the British Museum. Tour Theatre: Built 168/169 AD, approx. 3,500 seats; usually the first stop after the entrance Capitol and Forum: The temple for Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva from 166/167 AD, next to it the Square of the Compass Rose Temple of Juno Caelestis: On the outskirts of the city, via a path through an olive grove Baths: The Licinian Baths from the 3rd century and the Antonine Baths with supply tunnels Trifolium House: The largest private house of the city excavated to date, named after a clover-shaped room Practical Admission: 8 TND for visitors not residing in Tunisia Opening Hours: Winter 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Summer 8 AM to 7 PM, Ramadan 8 AM to 5 PM Footwear: Paths are paved and sometimes steep; sturdy shoes are better than sandals Mosaics: The Cyclops Mosaic from the Baths of the Cyclops is now in the Bardo Museum in Tunis

Visiting the Great MosqueAccess: The courtyard is open to all, the prayer hall only to Muslims; you can look inside through the open doorsHours: generally daily for non-Muslims until about 2 PM, shorter on Fridays; please check locallyDress: Shoulders and knees coveredCombined TicketA combined ticket is available for the Great Mosque, the Aghlabid Basins, and other monuments. Price information varies; current prices can be found at the ticket offices.CarpetsKairouan carpets are classified by knots per square meter, from simple quality with 10,000 to 40,000 knots up to extra-fine carpets with up to 490,000. Some shops are located in old townhouses, for example, in the former governor's mansion. A purchase is not obligatory.

The AmphitheaterDimensions: 148 x 122 meters (external dimensions), Arena 65 x 39 meters, approximately 36 meters highCapacity: Estimates range from 27,000 to 45,000 spectatorsConstruction Period: first half of the 3rd century, the year 238 is frequently citedPredecessors: It is the city's third amphitheater; the two older ones held approximately 6,000 and 7,000 spectatorsLater UseDuring the Middle Ages, the structure served as a fortress. In 1695, Mohamed Bey had a breach made in one of the walls; by 1850, it had been extended to approximately 30 meters. Later, its interior was used for a saltpeter factory, shops, dwellings, and as a grain store.Festival in the AmphitheaterSince 1985, summer concerts of the Festival international de musique symphonique d'El Jem have taken place. The 39th edition ran from July 11 to August 15, 2026; the program appears each June.

Aghlabid MedinaThe Ribat, Kasbah, and Great Mosque largely originate from the 9th century, the era of the Aghlabid dynasty. The Ribat attained its present form in 821 under Emir Ziyadat Allah I, and the Great Mosque was built in 850/851.Ancient HadrumetumBeneath the modern city lies Roman Hadrumetum. The mosaics in the Archaeological Museum, which come from its villas, constitute the country's largest collection after the Bardo in Tunis.Good to KnowAttire: In the Great Mosque, shoulders and knees must be covered; wraps are available at the entrance.Opening Hours: Mosque open mornings only; Ribat and museum open into the afternoon, longer in summer; check current times locally.Nickname: In Tunisia, Sousse is known as the Pearl of the Sahel.

The RibatThe Abbasid governor Harthama ibn A'yan had the coastal fortress built in 796. Since 1958, it has housed a museum of Islamic art.The Ribat served as a film set, including for Monty Python's “Life of Brian” (1979) and the TV series “Jesus of Nazareth”.The City of BourguibaHabib Bourguiba was born in Monastir and was Tunisia's first president. His mausoleum was built starting in 1963 during his lifetime; he has been interred here since his death in 2000.Good to knowClothing: For the mausoleum, cover shoulders and kneesCash: Credit cards are not accepted everywhere outside of hotelsRamadan: Many eateries not geared towards tourists do not open during the day

Medina and Kasbah The Medina is the historic core of the city; its walls were completed around the mid-13th century. The Kasbah dates back to an 893 fortress and was significantly expanded under the Hafsids around 1463. Its bastions and walls predominantly originate from the 16th and 17th centuries. Tour: From the Kasbah walls, you can overlook the Medina, beach, and fishing boats. Dar Khadija: This three-story museum recounts approximately 2,000 years of city history and features a rooftop terrace. Dar Sébastien and the Festival The Romanian George Sebastian had a villa built in Hammamet after the 1929 stock market crash. In 1962, he sold it to the Tunisian state, and an open-air theatre was added to the garden in 1964. Today: The villa houses the Centre culturel international de Hammamet, featuring exhibitions. Festival international de Hammamet: Held every summer in the open-air theatre, the 60th edition in 2026 ran from July 11 to August 13, featuring 32 performances from 12 countries. The Roman Pupput Emperor Commodus elevated the site to a Roman colony between 185 and 192. A large part of the ancient city disappeared under hotel constructions in the 1960s.