Characterized by white villages and a cuisine that combines North African with European flavors, Tunisia is a country with a lot of history, warm people and miles of amazing beaches.
A trip to Tunisia has to start in the capital. Visit the Bardo Museum and see fantastic Roman mosaics. Go shopping in the Medina of Tunis, one of the most impressive markets in the world.
Once the center of the Carthaginian Civilization, this is now a wealthy area of Tunis with villas and gardens galore. You can see the ruins that remain, and while there, head to Sidi Bou Said, a cliffside village with distinct white and blue houses.
Mahdia also has a special location on a small peninsula with spectacular views of the Mediterranean. This village specializes in the fish industry and weaving, and has a lovely and well-developed beach stretch.
Believed to be one of the best-preserved ancient Roman towns, this archeological site has to be seen to be believed, with a restored theater, a Temple of Saturn and wonderful background views.
A true oasis of colors, you will find over 250 murals that have been created by artists from all over the world in the village of Erriadh, located on the island of Djerba.
As summers tend to get really hot in Tunisia, the best time to visit the country is in spring, between the months of March and June, or in autumn in September or October.
Citizens of around 50 countries, including most European countries and some African countries, can enter Tunisia without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of non-exempt countries must apply for a visa prior to arrival.
The main international airport in Tunisia is the Tunis-Carthage airport, and the national airline Tunisair operates nonstop flights to over 100 destinations. Lowcost flights are also available to and from Enfidha airport with budget airlines.
It is possible to travel to Tunisia by ferry from a few of the Mediterranean countries, including Malta, Marseille in France, and Sicily and Naples in Italy.
Hotels and furnished apartments are the most common types of accommodation in Tunisia. If you are looking for a budget option, you can find some cheap rooms inside the Medinas in the cities.
The capital Tunis has a well-organized public transport system, which includes a subway, light rail, buses and regional trains. The rest of the country is mainly served by buses and trains.
The national railway company SNCFT runs trains that travel from Tunis to a variety of destinations throughout the country, including Sfax, Sousse, Carthage and Marsa.
In locations where trains do not arrive, your best option is to use minibuses that function like shared taxis, called Louage and white in color with a stripe on the side. The stripe color indicates the area that the Louage travels to and all prices are fixed. However, you should still agree on the fare before you get in. Some larger buses also operate between the major cities, such as Tunis, Hammamet and Nabeul.
If you are planning to rent a car during your trip, brace yourself for a hectic drive in the cities and an easy drive in the countryside. Rental cars are usually handed over with an empty tank and it's up to you to fill it up. Alternatively, some private taxis offer long distance travel for reasonable prices - make sure you agree on the price before leaving.
Local flights in Tunisia are offered by TunisAirExpress, the domestic branch of the national airline Tunisair. Flights are available going to and from Tunis, Tozeur, Djerba and Gabes.
An inexpensive meal in Tunisia costs around 5 TND (2 USD), while a nicer restaurant meal will cost around 40 TND (14 USD) per person. A monthly local public transport card is about 30 TND (11 USD). Credit and debit cards are accepted in all major hotels, restaurants and outlets. However, for smaller vendors and for using transport, you will need to have cash on you.