What to do in Tunis: My 2-day travel guide to Tunisia’s capital (9 awesome spots!)

Tunis! A place I did not expect to visit in 2025, but here we are. In this article I will share everything about my experience. From annoying sellers, to places where to eat and what to do. Quickly go down and read more 🙂

What to expect in this article:

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.

It’s one of those cities where you can sip tea by the sea, explore Roman history, and get lost in streets that look like you are in Greece– all in one day. If you love history, street vibes, and a bit of adventure, you’ll enjoy Tunis. But! I have a few honest tips that will help you enjoy your trip even more (learn from my experience 😅).

Let me walk you through what to do in Tunis, how to get around, where to stay, and a few things to avoid. Spoiler: 2 days is the perfect amount of time to soak in the highlights. We spent around 5 days here and it was way too much, I would have loved to visit other spots in Tunisia, next time…

That being said, Tunis is the heart of Tunisia, rich in culture and history. It is based on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, across Italy and Malta. Tunis is a city of contrasts — from the chaotic charm of the medina to the calm seaside in La Marsa. In this article, I will share more!

When to visit Tunis

Tunis has great weather most of the year, but here’s the best time to go:

Spring (March–May): This is the perfect time! I visited in April and it was sunny, warm (around 25°C), and not too crowded. We had a rainy day, so it is good to take a jacket.
Autumn (September–November): Also a great time — still warm, with fewer tourists than summer.
Summer (June–August): It can get very hot, especially if you plan to walk around ruins like Carthage. Which is not ideal for everyone (like me).
Winter (December–February): Cooler and quieter, but still nice if you prefer fewer crowds. Just bring a jacket!

1. Visit the Zitouna Mosque (from outside)

The Zitouna Mosque, also called Al-Zaytuna, is located in the center of the old Medina and is the oldest mosque in Tunis. It’s surrounded by buzzing souks, and even if you can’t go inside (non-Muslims usually aren’t allowed), it’s beautiful to admire from the outside. The architecture is impressive, and the area around it is always lively. We had some issues finding the inside and asked for help. But be careful with whom you ask, as we were guided by a seller who eventually wanted us to go to his store.

Don’t forget to get the panoramic view of the Medina. There are multiple cafes you can enter. We only got there because of the annoying seller, but the view wasn’t bad and there are some cafes nearby. Have a tea with a view of the Medina.

Tip: Cover your shoulders if you want to be respectful in the area. Try to find the entrance by yourself (we eventually could not find it), unless you want to be guided by an annoying seller.

Also, quickly head to Kasbah Square, which is another important place in Tunis. It is a big open square surrounded by beautiful white buildings. Here you can see the Government Palace and an impressive mosque called the Kasbah Mosque. The square is very peaceful compared to the busy medina streets. It’s a good place to take a quiet break, but only do it when you have time.

Don't forget to book an activity in Tunis

2. Stroll (briefly) through the Medina

Briefly… eventhough that is almost impossible. The Medina of Tunis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feels like a maze of narrow streets, shops, scents, and colors. It is hard to find a way out and it can take 30 minutes to just walk through the whole Medina.

Anyway, you’ll find handmade souvenirs, spices, rugs, and leather goods. But… be prepared. The sellers can be very pushy, especially with tourists. It’s charming but also overwhelming. My colleague loved shopping, and we were often annoyed by how pushy they were. Or how they like flirting and telling us to stay in Tunisia so they offer us 20 camels and a Ferrari, sure…

🚶‍♀️ My tip: Walk around for 30–45 minutes max, then head out for a quieter experience elsewhere. Keep your bag close and say “No, merci” often. If you do want to buy something, try to bargain about the price.

And don’t forget to check out the famous square of Bab al-Bhar of course!

3. Explore the Bardo Museum

If you love art and Roman history, the Bardo Museum is a must. It’s known for having one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world, taken from ancient sites across Tunisia. The building itself is a mix of modern and Arab-Andalusian architecture – very Insta-worthy!

🎟️ Important: The museum is sometimes closed (it was when I visited!), so check ahead of time before going. It’s about 20 minutes from the city center by Bolt or taxi.

4. Relax in La Marsa

Ahhh… La Marsa. This was my favorite place to chill after the buzz of Tunis. It was also where our Airbnb was based, and the area felt safe and a bit hipster sometimes. It’s a laid-back seaside neighborhood with palm trees, local bakeries, stylish cafés, and a promenade perfect for evening walks.

I stayed in a lovely Airbnb in La Marsa with a sea view, and I totally recommend it if you want peace and beauty. It’s also close to Sidi Bou Said and Carthage, so it was a great place to stay. Only Tunis center was around 30 minutes by Bolt.

5. Sidi Bou Saïd

Even though it’s technically just outside Tunis, a visit to Sidi Bou Saïd is a must! This charming blue-and-white village on a hill is just picture-perfect and full of cute cafés, art shops, and beautiful views of the sea.
Sometimes it really felt like I was walking in Greece, because of the blue doors and the views of the sea. If you love to take photographs, you can easily spend a whole afternoon here.

Don’t forget to visit Bleue, it is a small cafe with good food and lovely staff. I will share more about it later. I loved it so much, that I wrote a separate article about Sidi Bou Saïd, so read it here!

What’s it like visiting Sidi Bou Saïd, (Tunisia) – my honest travel story

6. Carthage: Ancient ruins by the sea

Carthage is full of ancient Roman ruins and historical sites just 15 minutes from La Marsa. You can explore places like the Antonine Baths, the Amphitheatre of Carthage, and more. The ruins are spread out, so it’s nice to explore slowly. You should take a whole morning to visit the different ruins. Carthage is also not far from the city center, from la Marsa it is only 15 minutes by car.

⚠️ Tip: You’ll need a taxi or Bolt to go between the different Carthage sites. Don’t forget to read my article about Carthage ruins: 7 must-see ancient sites in Tunis (Tunisia)

7. Central Market of Tunis (Marché Central)

This colorful market is perfect for a quick walk-through. It’s full of spices, fruits, fish, and friendly (not too pushy!) vendors.
A real look into the local life of Tunisia. I loved this experience. It felt like chaos, but organised chaos and the people were all friendly. I don’t think I had seen so many street cats on a local inside market.

8. Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul

Close to the Bab Al-Bhar, you can find the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul. It is a big white and yellow church in a French style, built when Tunisia was a French colony. Even if you do not go inside (we could not find the entrance), it’s nice to stand outside and admire the building. The square around the cathedral is busy and full of life. There you can also find the I love Tunis sign!

From the cathedral, you can walk down the main street called Avenue Habib Bourguiba. This is the most famous street in Tunis and felt like walking in La Ramblas in Barcelona! I never expected this before. It is full of shops, cafés, trees, and flowers. If you keep walking straight, you will see the Tour de l’Horloge — the Clock Tower of Tunis. It looks a little bit like a small version of Big Ben in London!

It’s a great walk to feel the energy of the city.

9. The beach!

Yep, Tunis has beaches! Head to La Marsa or Gammarth for golden sand and chilled-out vibes. It’s a great way to relax after exploring the city. I went in April and the weather was already perfect for a walk by the sea. My colleague even went for a swim when it was around 30 degrees!

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!
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.

Carthage ruins: 7 must-see ancient sites in Tunis (Tunisia)

Where to eat in Tunis

Tunis has some really tasty food! You can compare it with Moroccan food. You’ll find stews, fresh seafood (especially in La Marsa) grilled meats, and my favorite: couscous. Here are a few places I loved:

La Cojina – La Marsa –Cozy, local, and full of flavor. Their daily menu is always fresh, and it’s where I had some of the best home-style Tunisian food. Plus, La Marsa has a really calm vibe that I loved. It was a great place to have our Airbnb.
Mrabet Café – Tunis Medina –Tucked right inside the busy medina, this café is a great escape from the chaos. You might not see it when you are not looking for it, so use your Maps. Order a fresh mint tea and people-watch from the rooftop, outside or inside, it’s quite large. I had a Caesar Salad, which was not bad. I would recommend eating something Tunisian, of course.
Bleue! – Sidi Bou Said. My colleagues wanted to eat here twice, that’s how much they loved it. I loved the hipster vibe, the super friendly staff that speak English and the good food. Salad, Tunisian, breads, yoghuer.

🍲 Don’t miss: Brik (a crispy pastry with egg), Ojja (spicy tomato and egg dish), and fresh orange juice from street stalls! You can find Baklava at many stalls

Money tips for Tunis

Get cash at the airport: There are ATMs and currency exchange counters right after you land. I always recommend getting your own valuta and change it. Make sure to get a lot of cash! We couldn’t pay with card almost anywhere. Not in some restaurants, not with Bolt, not on the markets and medina…
Use local cash: Credit cards aren’t accepted in many places, nor are other currencies, like Dollars or Euros.
Currency exchange: The Tunisian Dinar (TND) is a closed currency, meaning you can’t get it before you arrive. The airport in Tunis is the easiest place to exchange money.

💡 I exchanged just a bit at the airport, then used an ATM later for better rates.

Once I have my own house, I also want this map!

Internet and SIM cards

No need to worry about internet! Tunisia has great mobile coverage and getting a SIM card is very easy.

📱 You can:

Get an eSIM online before arrival (I used Maya Mobile).
Buy a SIM at the airport after baggage claim – my colleague did this. It was easy to find and they do help at the counter.
Visit a phone store in the city center – my other colleague did this at Orange in La Marsa. Again easy to find and the agent helped. Often times I go to a local store, but they do not have it.

Even though we all used a different way to get the Sim, we all paid approximately the same price (between 13 and 16 euros).

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Where to stay in Tunis

The city center can be a bit noisy, so I really loved staying in La Marsa. My Airbnb (see link) had views of the sea, and it felt like I could take a mini beach vacation after exploring the city.

From La Marsa, it’s just a short ride to:

Sidi Bou Said
Carthage ruins
The airport (around 30–40 minutes)

If you like a calm, stylish, and safe area with cafés, restaurants, and a beachy feel—La Marsa is for you. I wouldn’t mind staying in Tunis center either, as it is filled with life.

How many days in Tunis?

👉 2 days is perfect!

Here’s how you can do it:

Day 1: Central Market + Medina + Bardo Museum + evening in La Marsa
Day 2: Sidi Bou Said + Carthage + mint tea by the sea

After that, I recommend going inland or south if you love nature and desert landscapes!

We actually spent 5 days in Tunis and it was a bit too much in my opinion, we did take it a bit slower and also chilled around our Airbnb for some time. One day it was raining all day, so we also spent one morning in a shopping mall.

You can easily see most of Tunis in 2 or 3 days.

Don't forget to book an activity in Tunisia!

Did you know this about Tunisia?

Tunisia is full of surprises – here are a few things I wish I knew before I went!

Many people speak French: Tunisia was once a French protectorate, so French is widely spoken. Most people don’t speak English and I even heard girls say some people speak better French than Arabic.
It’s very affordable: From meals to transport (Bolt taxis), Tunisia is budget-friendly. You can enjoy a delicious plate of couscous or grilled fish by the sea without breaking the bank.
It’s safe but busy: Tunis feels safe, especially in places like La Marsa or Sidi Bou Said. But like many cities, always keep your valuables close in crowded areas like the medina. They are some areas where you can see poverty, but I did not feel unsafe.
Taxis don’t always use meters: That’s why I recommend using Bolt – it saves you from negotiating prices and is super easy to use.
The weather is sunny almost all year: Even in April, I was walking around in a t-shirt and sunglasses (except for the day it was raining). Just don’t forget sunscreen and a hat if you’re visiting ancient ruins! In the evening it can cool down, so I would still recommend a jacket.

Would I go again to Tunisia?

Tunis surprised me. It’s energetic, full of life, and culturally rich. I did not expect Tunis to be so gorgeous! La Marsa felt like a more posh area.
But it’s also a bit intense, so go slow and plan ahead. Explore, but take breaks. Stay by the sea, try the tea, and don’t be afraid to say no to sellers in the souks. 😄

✨ Would I go again? Yes, but next time I’d combine it with more nature, the Star Trek places in the south and quiet towns. Tunis is the perfect starting point to discover Tunisia!