In 2025, I visited Tunisia and also had to go to Carthage. It´s known for its interesting history, which I will tell you about in this article. How to get around and which sites so you need to watch? Quickly read further.
What to expect in this article:
- About my trip to Tunisia
- Prices + how to go from one place to another?
- 1. Antonine Baths (Thermes d'Antonin)
- 2. Carthage Amphitheatre
- 3. Punic Ports
- 4. Tophet of Carthage / Salammbo Tophet
- 5. Roman Villas (Villa of the Aviary)
- 6. Theatre of Carthage
- 7. Palais Zarrouk / Beit el Hikma
- How to get around in Tunis
- Final thoughts about Carthage
About my trip to Tunisia
I visited Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on April 25, and wow – what a mix of culture, chaos, and charm! Never did I expect to visit Tunisia in 2025, but it was a pleasant surprise and all of that with 2 colleagues.
We also visited Carthage near Tunis in Tunisia. Carthage is full of very old ruins. It is more than 2,000 years old! People from Rome used to live here a long time ago.
Now, I want to tell you about the 7 ruins I saw.
For a full guide of Tunis, you should read What to do in Tunis: My 2-day travel guide to Tunisia’s capital (9 awesome spots!), in which I include when to visit Tunis, how to go around, and more tips.
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Prices + how to go from one place to another?
The ruins are not close together. You cannot walk to all of them easily and public transport in Tunis is not the best. That’s why we hired a taxi. The driver took us to all 7 places. We paid 10 euros per person for the taxi, and it was worth it!
He just drove to all the places and was waiting for us.
The ticket for ALL the 7 ruins is just 4 euros per person. Be aware that the tour was only for one hour, for us it was enough to see all 7 spots, but I can imagine you want to spend more time at each spot, then the price might go up.
Be aware: The taxi drivers and sellers are quite sneaky, so at the end he asked us a very high price, when we asked him to drop us at Sidi Bou Saïd. It was only a 2 minutes drive and I was annoyed with him, but we could also have known it was not that far, so it is our fault. But just be aware of that.
I hope in the future there will be a more easier way to go from one spot to another…
1. Antonine Baths (Thermes d’Antonin)
This was my favorite ruin of all! 😍 It’s a big area with old Roman baths, right next to the sea, and because of that the view is gorgeous! You can walk on the stones, see the big columns, and look at the waves in the background. I loved the mix of old history and nature.
The sea view is just wow! But there are also tunnels and stairs. It felt so cool to walk between them and made you think you were part of a movie.
Many guides were walking around if you want to know more about the history. I was just walking around enjoying the views 🙂
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2. Carthage Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre of Carthage is where Romans once watched big shows — like gladiator fights, wild animal hunts, and games. It was an oval-shaped arena, open in the middle, and could fit thousands of people.
It was cool to go down the stairs and walk where the gladiators walked. It even felt a bit eerie to walk there.
It’s outside the main Carthage area, so I was really happy we had a taxi. It’s not the most impressive site visually, but it has strong historical energy.
3. Punic Ports
This place was really different from the others. It’s not big or grand, but it’s very calm and interesting. These were the ancient harbors of Carthage. Ships came here long ago — both warships and trade ships.
There are two parts: one is round (for military) and the other is square (for business). Today, it looks like a peaceful lake, and it was nice to walk around and we really wanted to sit down and watch the lake.
It’s a nice stop for a small walk, maybe a snack break too. Just like the other spots, we only spend a little time here, but it was good enough.
4. Tophet of Carthage / Salammbo Tophet
This place felt very different. It’s quiet and a little strange — some people say this was a holy place for special rituals. Some believe children were buried here a long time ago.
It’s not a big area, but it’s important for understanding the full Carthage story. We only stayed here for a few minutes (also because our time was running out), but it was good to have seen it.
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5. Roman Villas (Villa of the Aviary)
These are ruins of rich Roman homes. People lived here, had dinner parties, and relaxed in their gardens. There are tiny colored tiles that make pictures of birds, flowers, and designs.
The area is open, quiet, and perfect for a little walk in the sun (if it is not too hot!).
6.Theatre of Carthage
Not to be confused between the Theatre and the amphitheatre! It was made for music, plays, and poetry. It’s shaped like a semi-circle, just like theatres in Greece and Rome. The theatre today has been partly restored, and it’s still used for concerts and events.
I felt like this was the most famous spot in Carthage and it felt cool to walk here. Especially after visiting the amphitheaters in Rome (Italy), Amman (Jordan) and Pula (Croatia), which are much bigger of course. Sometimes I wish I had the chance to visit El Jem in the South as well, but I will visit Tunisias again to see that!
7. Palais Zarrouk/ Beit El Hikma
Palais Zarrouk, also known as Beit El Hikma, is a beautiful palace near the sea in Carthage. The outside of the building is absolutely gorgeous — white walls, elegant arches, and a peaceful vibe.
We didn’t go inside (it’s now a cultural and academic center), but just standing outside was worth it. It’s right next to the water, so after walking all day, we sat by the sea for a few minutes and relaxed with the breeze, as it was quite warm.
It is not really ruins, but it was good to see.
How to get around in Tunis
Tunis can be a little chaotic when it comes to transportation, but don’t worry, here’s what worked best for me:
Use Bolt: The Bolt app works great in Tunis. It’s much cheaper and easier than arguing with regular taxi drivers about prices. But! You need cash! For almost everything in Tunis you need cash! For more tips about Tunis, read What to do in Tunis: My 2-day travel guide to Tunisia’s capital (9 awesome spots!)
Avoid renting a car: We did not want to do this. Driving in the city is hectic, and parking is tricky. At the airport we did see some car rentals, so it is always an option.
Walking: Some areas like La Marsa, Sidi Bou Said, and parts of the city center are walkable and safe during the day.
- Tram: There are some trams, but we couldn’t find where they went. One of the days, we just stepped into one (paid 30 cents for 2 people!) and it stopped in Manouba and then went back.
Final thoughts about Carthage
If you love history and learning, you will like Carthage too. Take your time, take pictures, and take in the stories. If you can, hire a guide, to understand even more.
Tunis surprised me in a good way, I have told everything about it in my other article.
Did you like reading this article? Have you been to Tunis? I would love to know, so make sure to message me on my social media or leave a comment below.
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