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25 Best Things to Do in Tunisia (Editor's Picks for 2026)
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25 Best Things to Do in Tunisia (Editor's Picks for 2026)

The shortlist of experiences worth structuring a trip around.

Updated 2026-06-18 11 min readeTunisie editorial team
Quick answerUpdated Reviewed by eTunisie editors (Tunis)

Tunisia's top 25 experiences span Roman archaeology (Carthage, El Jem, Dougga), the Sahara (Tozeur dunes, Star Wars sets, Ksar Ghilane), Mediterranean beaches (Djerba, Hammamet, Mahdia), UNESCO medinas (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan) and cultural rituals (hammam, mint tea, couscous Friday).

  • Carthage + Bardo Museum — the world's largest Roman mosaic collection.
  • El Jem — third-largest Roman amphitheatre on earth.
  • Sidi Bou Said sunset — North Africa's most photographed village.
  • Sahara overnight at Ksar Ghilane — bivouac, dunes, hot spring.
  • Star Wars filming locations at Matmata, Ong Jemel and Chott el Jerid.

Tunisia packs an unusual amount into a small footprint. This is our editor's shortlist of the 25 experiences worth structuring a trip around — ordered loosely from the can't-miss to the worth-a-detour. Most travellers will fit 8–12 of them into a week.

The 25 things to do

The list:

  • 1. Wander the UNESCO Medina of Tunis at sunrise.
  • 2. Spend half a day at the Bardo Museum (world's biggest Roman mosaic collection).
  • 3. Take the TGM light rail from Tunis to Carthage and walk the Antonine Baths.
  • 4. Sundown coffee at Café des Délices, Sidi Bou Said.
  • 5. Climb inside the El Jem amphitheatre (third-largest in the Roman world).
  • 6. Visit Dougga — the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa.
  • 7. Walk the Great Mosque of Kairouan, fourth-holiest site in Islam.
  • 8. Bargain for a carpet in the Kairouan souk.
  • 9. Camel trek and overnight bivouac at Ksar Ghilane.
  • 10. Sunset over the dunes at Ong Jemel (Tatooine in Star Wars: A New Hope).
  • 11. Walk the troglodyte pits of Matmata (Luke Skywalker's home).
  • 12. Drive the Berber ksars circuit: Ksar Ouled Soltane, Chenini, Douiret.
  • 13. Swim at Sidi Mahres beach, Djerba.
  • 14. Visit El Ghriba synagogue, the oldest in Africa (2,500 years).
  • 15. Wander the pottery alleys of Houmt Souk and Guellala.
  • 16. Relax for a day at a Hammamet thalassotherapy spa.
  • 17. Dive the coral reefs off Tabarka.
  • 18. Sail a felucca or yacht out of Sidi Bou Said marina.
  • 19. Eat couscous au poisson on the seafront in Mahdia.
  • 20. Take a public hammam in the Tunis medina.
  • 21. Drive the coastal road from Tabarka to Cap Serrat through the cork forests.
  • 22. Walk Sousse's UNESCO medina and climb the ribat tower.
  • 23. Explore the Roman city of Sbeitla at sunset.
  • 24. Birdwatch at Ichkeul National Park (UNESCO lake).
  • 25. Cook tagine and brik with a Tunis-based food tour.
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Tunisia best known for?
Ancient Carthage, Roman ruins (El Jem, Dougga), the Sahara desert, UNESCO medinas (Tunis, Kairouan), Star Wars filming locations, and Mediterranean beach resorts (Hammamet, Djerba).
What's the most photographed place in Tunisia?
Sidi Bou Said — the blue-and-white cliffside village above the Bay of Tunis.
Can you visit Star Wars locations in Tunisia?
Yes — Matmata, Ong Jemel, Chott el Jerid, Ksar Hadada and Tataouine all appear in the original and prequel trilogies. Day tours from Tozeur and Djerba cover the main sites.
Is one week enough to see Tunisia's highlights?
One week covers Tunis + Sahara + one beach (8–10 of the list). Two weeks adds Kairouan, El Jem, Dougga, Tabarka and more depth.

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