Tunisia holidays

Tunisia holidays

Deals from £192 per person

A land bursting with souks and spices amidst desert dunes. A place for romantics, beach-lovers, barterers and adventurers, this sun-kissed land entices and delights many people for many reasons. The Romans loved it, and so do we, and it's not hard to think why with our great selection of Tunisia holidays.

Things to do

A land bursting with souks and spices amidst desert dunes. A place for romantics, beach-lovers, barterers and adventurers, this sun-kissed land entices and delights many people for many reasons. The Romans loved it, and so do we, and it’s not hard to think why with our great selection of Tunisia holidays. Echoing with the regular call to prayer, Hammamet will give you a rich taste of the exotic.

Places to stay

With crystal blue waters, sandy bays and a rich, cultural history, Tunisia is the perfect place to go on holiday. On your holiday to Tunisia, you can choose to explore Hammamet’s resort or the city of Monastir. Both places are home to some amazing history, like Monastir’s Forte El Ribat castle which sits on the seafront, or the 13th century Kasbah in Hammamet. If you prefer to soak up some traditional culture on your holiday to Tunisia, wander down to Monastir’s marina to look at the pretty boats and mingle amongst locals, or pick up a bargain at Hammamet’s Medina.

What should I pack?

Your holiday wardrobe will depend on what time of year you’re travelling and the activities you’re planning. It’s wise to check the weather forecast before you go.

During the summer, loose, cotton clothing can help keep you cool when the temperature rises. Dressing conservatively is also advised (Tunisia is a Muslim country). For example, women shouldn’t wear mini-skirts, and a headscarf must be worn when visiting a mosque, while men should avoid shorts and vest tops when visiting religious sites.

Even though it’s hot during the day, it’s worth packing something a little warmer to wear in the evening; in certain parts of Tunisia, temperatures can actually fall below 0°C when the sun goes down, especially in the more mountainous areas.

Planning on hiking? You’ll need hiking boots to take on those sandy deserts and rocky paths, so make sure they’re sturdy and comfortable.

Don’t forget sun cream

You can expect lots of glorious sunshine in Tunisia, so be sure to pack your sunglasses. Bring plenty of sun cream, too, as it can be very expensive to buy when you’re out there. A sun hat can is great for keeping the sunshine at bay, especially for the kids.

Bring mosquito repellent

Be sure to bring mosquito repellent with you, just in case you can’t find any while you’re out there. It’s always sensible to wear it in the evenings.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Djerba | Hammamet | Port el Kantaoui | Sousse

 

Map of Tunisia

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12-34 ℃

Hot temperatures can reach the mid-30s in summer, and there’s comfortably warm weather in winter.

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3.5 Hours

Enfidha Airport (NBE), around 100km from the capital, Tunis.

Tunisia is best for...

History lovers: Follow in the footsteps of the mighty gladiators at the impressive ruins of the largest colosseum in North Africa at El Djem. Sousse Archaeological Museum claims to house the second largest collection of mosaics in the world.

Movie lovers: Filming for numerous Star Wars films has taken place in Tunisia’s deserts and mountainous regions. Kairouan’s medina was the stunt double for Cairo in Raiders of The Lost Ark. While Monastir’s Ribat was the double for Jerusalem for the 1970s TV series Jesus of Nazareth. The set was then reused for Monty Python's Life of Brian, with further locations in Sousse, Carthage and El Djem also being used.

Medinas: Get lost in the narrow bustling streets of Sousse, Monastir and Kairouan, where you can absorb the atmosphere, haggle for a bargain and breathe in the aroma from the coffee and tea shops. Sousse’s medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fast facts for Tunisia

FCO Travel Advice: Before you book, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia for travel advice before making your decision.

Language: The main language spoken is a local Tunisian dialect that combines Arabic with some French. Most locals speak French and hotel staff will usually speak English. Signage is usually in both Arabic and French and at tourist attractions there’s usually signage in English as well.

Currency: The currency used in is the Tunisian Dinar (TND) which you can only buy in Tunisia itself.

Local time: Tunisia is the same time as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Enfidha Airport. Transfers take between 30 and 45 minutes.

Flight time from UK: Transfers to hotels in Port El Kantaoui take around 30 minutes. Sousse and Hammamet are around 40 minutes away, while Skanes and Monastir are around an hour away.  Note: While there is an airport in Monastir, which is closer to Sousse than Enfidha, there are currently no flights from the UK.

Tourist Information: Further Tunisia tourist information can be found at https://www.discovertunisia.com/en/.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Tunisia.

Tourist tax: You'll be charged 2-3 Tunisian Dinars per night, depending on the star rating of your hotel. The star rating refers to your chosen hotel's official star rating system, not Thomas Cook’s. The maximum number of days of tax to be paid is 7, and children under 12 won’t be charged.

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Tunisia safety and security

What about my passport?

You’ll need a valid passport to travel to Tunisia. For stays lasting up to three months, your passport must be valid for the length of your stay. It doesn’t need to be valid for longer than this. If you’re a dual Tunisian-British national, you should enter and leave the country on your Tunisian passport.

There is a tourism tax (see below), which is payable for stays of up to seven nights. It doesn’t apply to guests under 12 years old. For all the latest Tunisia passport information, head to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia/entry-requirements.

Do I need a Tunisia visa?

British citizens don’t need a visa to travel on their holidays to Tunisia. You just need a valid passport and proof of your hotel reservation. For all the latest Tunisia visa information, head to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia/entry-requirements.

Should I get travel health insurance?

In Tunisia, there’s no provision for free medical care. Doctors’ fees, medication and hospital visits in private clinics must be paid for at the time. As these costs can be high, it’s sensible to buy travel health insurance and have funds you can access.

If you have a regular prescription, be sure to bring along copies in case you lose them and need to get replacements.

Any other tips?

Always take care of yourself and your personal belongings and be aware of pick-pockets. Try to avoid carrying all your important documents (for example, your passport, money and valuables) in the same bag.

For more information and Tunisia travel advice, head to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia/safety-and-security.

Tunisia weather

Temperature: Mid-30s (°C) in July and August.

When’s the best time to go?

Tunisia is an African country, but the climate is surprisingly Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, and the thermometer regularly rises to 30°C and beyond in July and August. The Sahara Desert location means sea breezes are rare and the midday sun can be pretty intense, so make sure you’re prepared for this.

If you’d prefer a slightly cooler climate, spring or autumn are the best times to visit Tunisia. Temperatures hover around the mid-20s, so you’ll feel more comfortable.

No matter what time of year you visit, make sure you carry bottled water at all times, especially if you’re going sightseeing.

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