If you have 4 days to spend in Tunisia, an ideal combination would be to split your stay between Tunis (the country’s capital) and Hammamet (its coast). This will give you the advantage of exploring the country without spending lots of hours on a car/bus.
Let’s explore the top attractions in Tunis, Tunisia's capital.
Al-Zaytuna Mosque:An impressive mosque and former Islamic university (one of the oldest in Tunisia) is a must see during your stay in Tunis. The tall minaret and the lovely typical blue door definitely stand out.
Dar Bey Government Palace: At the end of the beautiful Rue de la Kasbah, this luxurious building emerges. Even if it looks like a museum, it is actually a Governance Office related to Financial Affairs.
Kasbah Square: A few meters from the Governance Palace you cannot miss this huge square that impresses with its size and its unique architecture. The Tunisian flags and the city’s Town Hall create a nice atmosphere.
Medina Of Tunis: If you are into shopping like I am, you cannot miss the city’s Medina. More traditional and less touristic gives a great vibe of the local atmosphere and of course great opportunities for endless shopping. While strolling around don’t miss the chance to pass Rue Sidi Ben Arous, a traditional road with lots of cafes and more impressive traditional Tunisian doors.
Victory Square: After passing the labyrinth of the Medina, reach this lovely square with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants along with a beautiful fountain in its middle with a view at the Bab al-Bhar, the historic getaway landmark that separates the Medina form the modern City. If you continue to this road (Ave de France) you can reach The Cathedral of Saint Vincent de Paul, a catholic church inspired by Notre Dame de Paris.
Central Market of Tunis: Another typical experience when exploring Tunis is this traditional market with local products. Around it, you may found little streets with many local shops that give a unique Tunisian vibe and more shopping opportunities along with little squares where locals hang around.
Useful Tips
Transportation: Speaking about transportation I would like to point out the ways that you can get around the country. The best taxi app that I used is Indrive. You can bargain the price online with the drivers (which is quite amusing) and make sure you have cash as cards are not accepted. Be careful though! Indrive and other taxi apps can be legally used only within the same city and its surroundings (ex. within Tunis or Hammamet and their surroundings but if you wish to travel between Tunis and Hammamet (which is a 2 hour drive), even though the app suggests you drivers and prices, when you try to book it, the drivers ask a lot bigger price and this ride is not considered legal, so in case of control you might face issues).
Therefore, the most affordable and legal way to go around the country is by little minibuses (8-10 seats) called Louage! There are no fixed itineraries, you only need to go to the Louage station and wait until they are full. That means that especially on popular routes, the buses come practically every 5-10 minutes. You pay for the ticket by cash inside the minibus and enjoy the ride (not a luxurious one but undoubtedly typical experience of the country). Your last option of going around cities in Tunisia is by private taxis or tours which are expensive in my opinion but certainly more comfortable.
Money Exchange: Cards may be used at hotels and restaurants but for taxis, shopping and daily expenses always cash is needed. Please note that the Tunisian dinar is a strictly regulated closed currency. That practically means that you cannot bring Tunisian dinars with you nor take them with you outside the country. Therefore, you need to exchange them before leaving the country.
Shopping: Make sure to bargain and have extra luggage room for souvenirs, colorful ceramic plates, the yummiest dates that you have ever tasted (around 2 euros for half kilo) and endless couscous (0,20 euros for 1 kilo).
For more information or to help you plan your ideal trip within your budget, please contact us.