Tunisia: Hammamet, Djerba and the Sahara — Where to Go and What to Try

The capital, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said

The medina of Tunis is the old town, a maze of narrow lanes, markets and workshops. Close by lie the ruins of Carthage, once one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. And on a hill above the sea stands Sidi Bou Said, a village of white houses and blue doors with a view over the bay.

The coast: Hammamet, Sousse and Monastir

Hammamet is one of the country's best-known resorts, with long beaches, an old medina by the sea and gardens. Sousse and Monastir combine a beach holiday with history: both towns have old ribat fortresses and medinas that are lovely to wander through in the evening.

Djerba: an island in the far south

Djerba is a peaceful island of beaches, olive groves and little white houses. Life here is unhurried: the sea, markets, pottery workshops and villages that move at their own pace.

El Jem and the Sahara

El Jem is home to a huge Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world. Further south the Sahara begins: in Douz and Tozeur you can ride a camel, watch the sunset among the dunes, and see oases and the places where famous films were shot.

What to try

Tunisian cuisine is spicy, vibrant and wonderfully homely.

• Couscous — with meat, fish or vegetables.
• Brik — a crispy pastry filled with egg and tuna.
• Harissa — a hot chilli paste served with almost everything.
• Mechouia — a salad of roasted vegetables.
• Fresh fish and seafood on the coast.
• Dates and mint tea with pine nuts.

Good to know before you go

Tunisians are hospitable, and a few simple rules will help you feel at ease.

• Haggling is expected in the markets and medinas — calmly and with a smile.
• In the old quarters and away from the beach, it's best to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
• Rules for visiting mosques vary — ask locally whether you can go inside.
• Summers are very hot, especially in the south: carry water and wear a hat.
• Cash comes in handy at markets and in small cafés.

Staying connected

In Tunisia you need the internet from the very first minutes: to call a taxi, open a map, translate a menu or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.