Travel to Tunisia: A Gem in Northern Africa

June 30, 2010
Travel to Tunisia

If you’re like me, Morocco and Egypt usually come to mind when thinking of exploring Northern Africa. But if you look just in-between Libya and Algeria you’ll find another little gem worth discovering–Tunisia. If you travel to Tunisia, you won’t be disappointed!

Travel to Tunisia: A Gem in Northern Africa

Tunisian Sites to See

Known to most Europeans as a holiday beach destination, Tunisia has much more to offer than white sand beaches and deep blue Mediterranean waters.

Looking back on the past 8 weeks that I have lived here I am left thinking of just how many wonderful surprises it has offered up. Archeological sites from the Berbers, the Phoenicians as well as the Romans can all be explored. The Roman city of Dougga were some of the most impressive I’ve seen (above photo), the mosaics found in both Bulla Regia and Sousse are incredibly preserved and the coliseum in El Jem is not only fascinating, but also one of the last major sites built by the Romans.

Need a break from ruins? Head south to visit oasis towns, salt lakes, ride camels, visit movie sets and sleep under the stars amidst the otherworldly beauty of the Sahara. Or watch the sunset over the Mediterranean while sipping mint tea in the whitewashed town of Sidi Bou Said, a town that looks and feels more like Santorini, Greece than Northern Africa.

The amount of attractions offered up by this small country are astounding. The ease of travel is probably the best in the region as Tunisian women enjoy many rights not found elsewhere in Northern Africa. It is considered the most progressive in this arena compared to its peers.

Travel to Tunisia: A Gem in Northern Africa.

Safety Tips in Tunisia

The majority of women do not cover their heads although modesty still goes a long way and you should always keep in mind that you are visiting an Arabic Muslim state. Outside of the beach resorts it is better to opt for longer skirts or capris and shirts with some sort of sleeve instead of tanks.

When visiting tourist areas, especially the souks, you should always be mindful of your bag and of anyone getting overly friendly. However, I never had an issue with men being overly aggressive. If you’ve been to Egypt you’re in for a treat and will even find it quite relaxing.

The best advice if planning to travel to Tunisia is to learn some basic French. English is at a minimum and only found at hotels and at tourist attractions.

 

Photo credit for Travel to Tunisia: A Gem in Northern Africa by Melissa V.

 

About Melissa Varnadoe

Melissa Vernadoe has been traveling full-time with her wife’s job for 2 1/2 years. They’re in a different country every 8 weeks and are doing their best to soak in as much as they can before heading back to the real world. Read all about their journey on our blog.

4 thoughts on “Travel to Tunisia: A Gem in Northern Africa

  1. March 11, 2011
    Reply

    It is always a better experience when traveling and visiting locals. As an American traveler I found Tunisia to be much more relaxing than other Northern African countries. Although the more touristy an area (like the beach resort towns) the more agressive I felt the guys were. In Tunis I felt very comfortable being on my own during the day.

  2. March 11, 2011
    Reply

    Wow, it sounds incredible! I’d love you to write a post about your experiences there!

  3. Courtney
    March 11, 2011
    Reply

    Tunisia is not in the MidEast but rather in North Africa, smack dab between Algeria and Libya. Having traveled and spent 2 weeks with my boyfriend and his family -Tunisian citizens, I can say without hesitation that the people here are some of the warmest I’ve met throughout my travels. Head to Hammamet for great beaches – like Miami and St Tropez mixed together. Incroyable! And try all the food – You don’t have to worry about it being TOO spicy, except heads up on fish couscous down south (e.g. Sfax) because that’s spicier than lamb or veggie couscous. Give it a shot and skip the tourist traps… You’ll be perfectly safe even at night. Especially during the summer, entire families head out together from 9 or 10 PM on. So you’ll be among great people and have incredible experiences!

  4. March 11, 2011
    Reply

    A relaxing country in the Middle East? Definitely sounds like a compelling country! Thanks for the great information.

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