Tunis in 5 days

A Mediterranean capital of a labyrinthine medina, Roman Carthage ruins and the blue-and-white of Sidi Bou Said. Best time to visit: March to May and September to November. Average daily budget: $30 to $60 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: The Medina, The UNESCO old town of covered souks, the Zitouna Mosque, palaces and hidden courtyards.

Morning: Bardo Museum. See one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics in a former palace.

Afternoon: Explore The Medina, The UNESCO old town of covered souks, the Zitouna Mosque, palaces and hidden courtyards.

Evening: Explore the Medina. Wander the labyrinth of souks, stopping at the Zitouna Mosque and rooftop terraces for medina views.

Eat: Couscous, the national dish, often with lamb, fish or vegetables

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Ville Nouvelle, The French-era downtown along Avenue Habib Bourguiba with cafés, theatres and the cathedral.

Morning: Ancient Carthage. Walk the ruins of the Antonine Baths and Byrsa Hill overlooking the Mediterranean.

Afternoon: Explore Ville Nouvelle, The French-era downtown along Avenue Habib Bourguiba with cafés, theatres and the cathedral.

Evening: Sidi Bou Said. Sip mint tea among the blue doors and whitewashed lanes of this cliffside village.

Eat: Brik, a crisp fried pastry with egg, tuna and capers

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Carthage, The seaside suburb scattered with the ruins of the ancient Phoenician and Roman city.

Morning: Day trip to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. The ancient Roman-Punic ruins of Carthage and the blue-and-white clifftop village of Sidi Bou Said are a short train ride away, a perfect half-day combo.

Afternoon: Explore Carthage, The seaside suburb scattered with the ruins of the ancient Phoenician and Roman city.

Evening: Rooftop café terraces in the medina for sweeping views over the old town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Tajine tunisien, a baked egg-and-cheese frittata, unlike the Moroccan version

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Sidi Bou Said, The clifftop village of blue-and-white houses, bougainvillea and sea views.

Morning: The Tourbet el Bey mausoleum and the palaces of the old aristocracy.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Sidi Bou Said, The clifftop village of blue-and-white houses, bougainvillea and sea views.

Evening: Sunset from the Café des Délices in Sidi Bou Said.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Harissa-spiced grills and fresh Mediterranean seafood

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: The Medina, The UNESCO old town of covered souks, the Zitouna Mosque, palaces and hidden courtyards.

Morning: Day trip to the Roman amphitheatre at El Jem or the seaside ruins of Kerkouane.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore The Medina, The UNESCO old town of covered souks, the Zitouna Mosque, palaces and hidden courtyards.

Evening: Dinner at Couscous, the national dish, often with lamb, fish or vegetables, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in The Medina.

Eat: Couscous, the national dish, often with lamb, fish or vegetables

Hidden gems

Rooftop café terraces in the medina for sweeping views over the old town.
The Tourbet el Bey mausoleum and the palaces of the old aristocracy.
Sunset from the Café des Délices in Sidi Bou Said.
Day trip to the Roman amphitheatre at El Jem or the seaside ruins of Kerkouane.

Getting around

Central Tunis links the medina and the Ville Nouvelle on foot. The cheap TGM light-rail line runs from downtown out to Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa, making the coastal sights easy. Taxis are inexpensive and metered; agree or insist on the meter. A hired driver suits longer day trips like El Jem.

Safety

Tunis is generally safe for tourists, with the usual big-city caution against pickpockets in the medina and crowded areas. Dress modestly, especially near mosques, and women may prefer to avoid quiet streets alone at night. Check your government's travel advice, as remote border regions are best avoided; the capital and coastal sites are fine.

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