The country: Tunisia.

Mission: Discover the top 5 famous sites in Tunisia worth visiting.

If you’re thinking of sandy beaches and relaxation when saying Tunisia, you are not wrong. But the country has a lot more to offer – many UNESCO World Heritage sites, historical attractions, the impressive desert, and more.

So, wondering what to see in Tunisia? This article will present you the 5 best places to visit in Tunisia. I’ve included a bit of everything – history, relaxation, gorgeous landscapes – for a perfect first trip to Tunisia.

Best time to visit Tunisia

First thing’s first. When to visit Tunisia?

The best time to visit Tunisia is from April to May and from September to October. But, if you like the sun, then June-August are great months too (July is the hottest).

The country has a Mediterranean climate – so there are plenty of months perfect for a trip to Tunisia, and in the end the best time to go to Tunisia depends on your preferences (more or less sun/heat.)

You might need a visa to visit Tunisia

While citizens from some countries can visit the country visa-free, there are also many countries that need a visa for Tunisia.

The good news is that you can get an online visa for Tunisia. The eVisa will simplify the process of obtaining travel authorization to enter the country and the online application for the Tunisia visa will only take a few minutes to complete. How cool is that?

5+ Famous sites in Tunisia worth visiting

Now, let’s see the best places to visit in Tunisia.

Sahara Desert

It’s impressive, it’s mesmerising! It’s the Sahara desert – and it can be easily reached from many cities in Tunisia.

Let the vast area of sand conquer your heart as the Sahara desert is one of the best places to go in Tunisia!

Tunis with The Medina of Tunis and Carthage

Tunis, the country’s capital, is one of the best destinations in Tunisia and you could actually plan a whole trip just to this city and have a lot to see and do! Plus the city is a great base for day trips to surrounding areas! But one of the best attractions in Tunis is the Medina of Tunis.

Around 700 monuments await to be discovered here! The Medina of Tunis is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tunisia.

You can see mausoleums, madrasahs, palaces, mosques, and more here and they will all leave you breathless while also telling you a lot about the golden period of the area and of Tunisia’s history.

The ancient Carthage is now a wealthy suburb of Tunis, but this neighborhood is also home to the ruins of the Phoenician city of Carthage, a very powerful one in the past.

Amphitheatre of El Jem

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia, the Amphitheatre of El Jem is in fact the largest amphitheatre built outside of Italy.

Erected in the 3rd century, the Amphitheatre of El Jem is North Africa’s largest amphitheatre with a capacity of 35,000 spectators. It is also one of the finest examples of Roman architecture in the area.

Dougga

One of the most important Roman sites in North Africa, Dougga is easily reachable from Tunis and one of the top historical places to visit in Tunisia.

It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia and it provides insight into life in Tunisia in the 6th century BCE.
When here see the remains of the villas, bath complexes, and, of course, temples, Roman Theater, and the Forum.

2 Special places to visit in Tunisia for architecture buffs and Star Wars fans: Matmata and Sidi Bou Said

If you’ve seen the first episodes of Star Wars, back in the day, and you liked them enough to want to visit the place where some of the scenes were filmed, then Matmata will be one of the best places to visit in Tunisia for you!

The interesting cave houses – some of them can now be rented for stays – can be found here.

This Berber village was built like that so that the people could cope with the extreme heat in the area. The architecture is quite interesting – even if you are not a fan of Star Wars.

Sidi Bou Said may remind you of the famous Santorini. Why? Because the houses are all painted in white with blue roofs, fences, windows, grills.

It is said that this is because a noble French baron bought a house here and advised all the inhabitants to paint their houses in blue and white so that they will be less heated by the powerful sun.

One of Tunisia’s top places to visit – easily accessible from Tunis – Sidi Bou Said is perfect for those who look for cities where they can just wander, stroll the streets, and discover amazing attractions.

Cars are banned in the centre of the city – so you can walk here. In Sidi Bou Said you’ll find shops selling ceramic items (Tunisia is famous for them), the beautiful Palace Dar Nejma Ezzahra, art galleries, and the Museum Dar el-Annabi that will offer you the chance to see a traditional house from the inside.

There are numerous attractions in Tunisia, but this article promised to present you the top famous sites in Tunisia worth visiting. They are perfect for your first trip to Tunisia and the best part is that they can easily be included in an itinerary for Tunisia for a few days, most of the places being relatively close to Tunis.

Enjoy your Tunisia vacation!

photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6