Discover the Wonders of Tunisia: A Gateway to North Africa
The captivating North African country of Tunisia sits at the heart of the Mediterran, straddling the old and the new, the exotic and the traditional. Caught in a cleft between Algeria and Libya, it offers travellers sumptuous modern seaside resorts set side by side with a treasure-trove of ancient Roman, Arab, Berber, and Phoenician sites.
Just a few miles north of the capital, Tunis, lie the remains of the legendary ancient city of Carthage, founded in the 8th century BC. By contrast, Tunis is a bustling modern metropolis where steel, glass, and palm trees form the backdrop to streets filled with fast-moving yellow taxis.
The centuries slip away in the medieval Medina found in the heart of this pristine city. It serves as a haven for souvenir hunters, boasting hundreds of narrow streets crammed with vendors of antiques, jewellery, pottery, carpets, perfumes, dried fruit, books, spices, and other delights. Also, no tourist to the city should miss a visit to the Bardo Museum, for the joy of viewing one of the world’s greatest collections of Roman mosaics.
Tunisia has a thousand miles of coastline to the north, where luxurious resorts like Hammamet and Nabeul nestle amid citrus orchards. Vacationers relish the sandy beaches and crystalline waters along the waterfront, where the only alternative to lazy bronzing is to indulge in a round of golf or take the plunge with some watersports.
Those intrepid enough to venture into the south, on the threshold of the Sahara desert, will be rewarded with some interesting geographical features like the ‘forest in the desert’ at Ramada, the dry salt lake at Chott el Jerid, or the remote oasis at Ksar Ghilane.
The cherry on the top for visitors to this affordable and exotic holiday destination is the warmth and genuine friendliness of the Tunisian people. This is evident in even the smallest of villages, where if you happen to pass through during one of the numerous summer festivals you will be welcomed and urged to join.
Although recent political upheaval has kept Tunisia on the front page rather than in the travel section, the country has made the transition to democracy smoothly and is once again welcoming tourists and cruise ships to its shores.
Key Facts
- Language:
- The overwhelming majority of people in Tunisia speak Arabic and French. English is taught in all schools and is increasingly spoken by younger people. Some German and Italian is also spoken.
- Passport/Visa:
All visitors must hold documents and tickets for return or onward travel, though some nationals can obtain visas on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination, as immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Dual nationals should enter and leave Tunisia on their Tunisian passports.
- Currency:
The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), divided into 1,000 millimes. Banks and some hotels provide foreign exchange. ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts; almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro (Switch) cards. Visa, Maestro and MasterCard are accepted for payment in many souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters the least problems. All Tunisian currency must be exchanged before departure.
- Electricity:
- Electrical current in Tunisia is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round European-style, two-pin plugs are used.
Overview
A popular holiday resort destination for tourists, Tunisia has more to see and do than just beautiful beaches scattered along its Mediterranean coastline, and luxurious resorts such as Hammamet and Nabeul. There are countless attractions to meet just about every sightseer’s needs.
Visitors should start off in the capital of Tunis, a fast-paced modern metropolis juxtaposed by a medieval Medina. Ideally they should spend a few hours here taking in the history and hunting for bargains and souvenirs in the countless tiny streets lined with vendors touting antiques, pottery, jewellery, and other delights.
It’s worth heading to the Bardo Museum to marvel at some of the world’s greatest Roman mosaics, while just a few miles north of Tunis lie the remains of the legendary ancient city of Carthage, which dates back to the 8th century BC. Venturing south towards the Sahara affords visitors plenty of fascinating geographical features such as the ‘forest in the desert’ at Ramada, as well as the dry salt lake at Chott el Jerid, and the remote oasis at Ksar Ghilane.
Climate in Tunisia
Tunisia’s climate is Mediterranean on the northern coast, while the inland areas range from semi-desert to desert. Coastal areas average highs of around 91F (33C) in summer and 64F (18C) in their rainy winter season. The inland desert areas are even hotter during summer, producing desert winds that cause a strong increase in temperature, a drop in humidity and sandstorms in the coastal and mountainous regions. Temperatures during these periods (June to September) can be especially hot, sometimes rising above 104F (40C). The height of summer is a popular time to visit, but many people prefer to go between October and May when the temperature is more comfortable, or in the spring (March to May) when there are magnificent displays of wild flowers throughout the countryside.
Health Notes when travelling to Tunisia
No vaccinations are recommended for Tunisia and no serious health risks exist, though visitors travelling outside the resorts should ensure they drink only boiled, purified water. All medical expenses must be paid for immediately after treatment in Tunisia, and costs can be quite high. The availability of medication is limited, so visitors should bring adequate supplies of their own medication. Travel insurance is a necessity.
Safety Notes when travelling to Tunisia
Travellers are advised to avoid the border areas with Algeria, and to be extra cautious if travelling alone in the southern and eastern border areas. In general, the northeastern coast region from Tunis all the way down to Gabes, remains safe and tourist friendly, although in recent years, there have been isolated incidences in the safer resort areas, such as Sousse, where violent terrorist attacks have been especially aimed at large groups of foreign tourists.
As a result, many resorts have dramatically increased security to protect their visitors, and foreign travellers are advised to pay close attention to travel warnings and recommendations from official government sources before travel to Tunisia. Travellers should also cooperate with security officials and carry a copy of their passport at all times while in the country.
Although violent crimes are unlikely in larger tourist cities and resorts, petty theft and pick pocketing do occur. An increase in bag snatching has been noted in tourist areas and visitors are advised to keep bags close at all times.
Customs in Tunisia
Tunisia is a Muslim country and visitors should respect the local sensibilities, especially during the month of Ramadan. Visitors, and women in particular, should dress modestly outside of the beach resorts. Women should note that coffee houses are mainly populated by men and women are often ushered into the ‘family section’ in restaurants. Homosexuality is illegal and although it is common to see Arab men greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and even hold hands in public, this is unacceptable for tourists. Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is widely available.
Duty Free in Tunisia
Travellers to Tunisia do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500g tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol; 250ml of perfume; and gifts to the value of $25.
Doing Business in Tunisia
Tunisians like to get to know the person with whom they will be doing business and negotiations tend to be prolonged and very sociable occasions. As with other Arab countries, one is expected to dress conservatively and formally in Tunisia. French is the common language of business and interpreters will be necessary otherwise. A firm handshake is the accepted form of greeting and the Arabic ‘salaam aleikum’ works better than a simple ‘hello.’ Business hours are generally 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Communication in Tunisia
The international dialling code for Tunisia is +216. There is widespread internet coverage, with WiFi in most tourist resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Visitors can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Tipping in Tunisia
Tipping is not a requirement in Tunisia but appreciated for good service in local establishments. Most people performing a useful service will wait to be tipped. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10 percent.
Passport/Visa Note
All visitors must hold documents and tickets for return or onward travel, though some nationals can obtain visas on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination, as immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Dual nationals should enter and leave Tunisia on their Tunisian passports.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US nationals must have a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, and can stay visa-free for up to four months.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. Canadians do not require a visa to visit Tunisia for four months.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
British passports should be valid for the duration of the stay. British passport holders don’t need a visa for visits of up to three months.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian nationals need a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay, but can stay visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals require a visa. A passport that is valid for the duration of the stay is required. A visa is not requirement for maximum stays of three months.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals require a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African nationals must have a passport that is valid for the duration of their intended stay, but can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.
Tunisia Embassies
- In the United States:
Embassy of Tunisia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 862 1850.
- In Canada:
Embassy of Tunisia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 0330.
- In the United Kingdom:
Embassy of Tunisia, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 20 7584 8117.
- In Australia:
Embassy of Tunisia, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6290 2061.
- In South Africa:
Embassy of Tunisia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 342 6282.
Foreign Embassies in Tunisia
- American Embassy
United States Embassy, Tunis: +216 71 107 000.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Tunis (also responsible for Australia): +216 70 010 200.
- British Embassy
British Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 108 700.
- Irish Embassy
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Tunis: +216 71 426 730.
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, Tunis: +216 71 800 311.
Currency Converter
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
