Create meetup in Tunischevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Tunis Guides
3 Days in Tunis: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day in the heart of Tunis, the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at the iconic Zitouna Mosque (open to non-Muslims only from the outside) and… 🗺️ Day 1: Medina and Souks
Start your first day in the heart of Tunis, the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Begin at the iconic Zitouna Mosque (open to non-Muslims only from the outside) and then wander through the labyrinthine souks, where you can shop for leather, spices, and traditional crafts. For lunch, head to Dar El Jeld, a renowned restaurant serving authentic Tunisian cuisine, located at 5-10 Rue Dar El Jeld, with mains around 40-60 TND.
🏛️ Day 1 Afternoon: Museums
After lunch, walk to the Bardo National Museum, about 20 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes by tram (Line 4 or 6, stop: Bardo). The museum houses the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics, and admission is 13 TND for adults. Plan to spend at least two hours here, then return to the Medina for a mint tea at Café M'Rabet, a historic spot on Rue des Forgerons.
🌆 Day 1 Evening: La Marsa
In the evening, take the TGM light rail (Line TGM, about 30 minutes) from Tunis Marine station to La Marsa, a chic seaside suburb. Stroll along the waterfront promenade and have dinner at Le Golfe, a seafood restaurant with views of the marina, where a meal costs around 50-70 TND. End the night with a drink at the trendy Café de la Plage, which stays open late.
🏺 Day 2: Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
Dedicate your second day to the ancient ruins of Carthage and the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said. Start at the Carthage Archaeological Site (open 8:00-17:00, admission 12 TND), which includes the Antonine Baths and the Punic ports. From there, take a taxi (10 minutes, about 5 TND) or walk 20 minutes to Sidi Bou Said, a blue-and-white village perched on a cliff.
🎨 Day 2 Afternoon: Sidi Bou Said
Spend the afternoon exploring Sidi Bou Said's art galleries and boutiques. Visit the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace, a stunning example of Andalusian architecture, now a museum of music (open 10:00-18:00, admission 8 TND). For lunch, try Café des Délices, famous for its almond pastries and panoramic views, with a meal around 20-30 TND. Don't miss the sunset from the village's cliffside viewpoint.
🍽️ Day 2 Evening: Local Dining
Return to Tunis city center for dinner at Chez Slah, a beloved local spot serving traditional Tunisian dishes like couscous and brik, located at 5 Rue des Glacières. Expect to pay around 25-40 TND per person. After dinner, take a leisurely walk along Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the main thoroughfare, and stop for ice cream at the historic Café de Paris.
🏞️ Day 3: Day Trip to Sidi Bou Said?
If you have a third day, consider a day trip to the ancient city of Dougga, a UNESCO site about 2 hours southwest of Tunis by car or bus. Alternatively, visit the coastal town of Hammamet, known for its beaches and medina, just 1 hour by train. Both options offer a change of pace from the capital and are easily arranged with a guided tour or public transport.
🚋 Getting Around
Tunis has an efficient public transit system, including the TGM light rail, metro lines, and buses. A single metro or TGM ticket costs about 1 TND, and taxis are affordable, with a starting fare of 2 TND plus 0.5 TND per kilometer. For day trips, consider renting a car or booking a shared tour, as public buses can be slow and infrequent. Always confirm the fare before starting a taxi ride.
second the rec for dar el jeld but go for lunch not dinner, the set menu is cheaper and you get the same view of the courtyard. also, the medina gets dead quiet after 7pm, so don't plan on shopping late, everything shuts down except the touristy spots near zitouna.
for day 3, if you do hammamet instead of dougga, take the louage (shared taxi) from the station near bab el bhar, it's like 4 tnd and way faster than the train. get off at the medina gate, not the beach stop, the old town is the best part anyway.
one thing the guide misses: the bardo's mosaics are stunning but the building itself is a former palace, so look up, the ceilings are painted and people miss them walking around staring at the floor. also, friday is the quietest day at the museum, locals are at the mosque so you'll have the rooms to yourself.
last tip, avoid the taxis parked right outside the medina gates, they quote double. walk 2 minutes to the main avenue and flag one down, it'll be half the price and the driver won't try to take you on a scenic route.
The guide's spot on about the Bardo, but here's a tip that'll save you some hassle: buy your ticket at the little kiosk across the street from the main entrance, not at the museum gate. It's the same price, but the line moves way faster and you skip the crowd of touts who hover around the front door trying to "help" you buy a ticket for a tip.
For Day 1, if you're at Café M'Rabet and the terrace is packed, don't bother waiting. Walk two doors down to Café de la Place, it's less pretty but the mint tea is just as good and you'll actually get a seat. The staff at M'Rabet are famous for ignoring tourists, it's part of the charm but not when you're thirsty.
One thing nobody mentions about Carthage: the Antonine Baths are the main draw, but the Punic ports on the other side of the site are way more atmospheric. It's a bit of a walk, but you'll have the place to yourself and you can see where the ancient war galleys were moored. Bring water, there's no shade out there and the sun is relentless.
For the Dougga day trip, if you do rent a car, stop at the café in Teboursouk on the way back. It's the last town before the site, and they do a proper Tunisian breakfast with fresh msemen and lablabi.
solid itinerary, honestly. one thing i'd add: skip the tram to Bardo if you're not pressed for time, the taxi is like 5 TND and drops you right at the gate. the tram stop is a bit of a walk and the heat in summer makes it brutal.
also, for day 2, when you're in Sidi Bou Said, go past the main tourist drag and find the little staircase near Café des Délices that leads down to the rocky coast. there's a tiny hidden cove where locals swim, no one bothers you, and the view of Carthage from the water is way better than from the village. pack a swimsuit even if you don't plan on it.
for dinner at Chez Slah, don't skip the brik with a runny egg, it's messy but worth it. and ask for the terrace upstairs if it's open, way more atmosphere than the ground floor. oh, and for Dougga, honestly i'd rent a car for that one, the bus is unreliable and you'll waste half the day waiting. the site itself is incredible, but it's the kind of place you want to wander without a schedule.
Things to Do in Tunis (2026)
Begin your Tunis visit inside the UNESCO-listed medina, a maze of alleys that has been the city's heart since the 7th century. Don't miss the Zitouna Mosque (non-Muslims c… 🏛️ Start with the Medina
Begin your Tunis visit inside the UNESCO-listed medina, a maze of alleys that has been the city's heart since the 7th century. Don't miss the Zitouna Mosque (non-Muslims can't enter, but the courtyard view from the surrounding streets is worth it) and the bustling Souk el Attarine, where you can watch artisans hammering brass and copper. Go early, around 9 a.m., to beat the tour groups and the heat, and expect to get lost; that's part of the charm.
🏺 Explore the Bardo Museum
The Bardo Museum, housed in a 15th-century palace, holds one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics, including the famous 'Virgil' mosaic. It's located at 2000 Le Bardo, about 20 minutes by taxi from the city center (around 10 TND). Plan at least two hours, and note that the museum is closed on Mondays; opening hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer.
🚋 Ride the TGM to Carthage
Hop on the TGM light rail at Tunis Marine station (a 10-minute walk from the medina) and ride the scenic 20-minute line to Carthage. The train runs every 10 minutes and costs about 1.20 TND one way; you'll pass the sparkling Gulf of Tunis. Once there, visit the Carthage Archaeological Site (entrance 12 TND) to see the Antonine Baths and the Punic ports, and then walk up to Byrsa Hill for a panoramic view.
🌿 Stroll Belvedere Park
For a green escape, head to Belvedere Park (Parc du Belvédère), Tunis's largest public garden, located on Avenue Taieb Mhiri. The park is free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it's a favorite spot for locals jogging or picnicking. At its center, the 19th-century Villa Belvedere now houses the Museum of Modern Art, where you can see works by Tunisian artists for just 5 TND.
🍽️ Taste Local Flavors
Sample authentic Tunisian street food at the medina's food stalls: try a brik (a crispy fried pastry filled with egg and tuna) for about 2 TND, or a plate of lablabi (chickpea soup) for 3 TND. For a sit-down meal, head to Dar El Jeld, a renowned restaurant in a restored palace at 5-10 Rue Dar El Jeld, where a full dinner with couscous and pastries costs around 60 TND per person. Reservations are essential, especially on weekends.
🎨 Discover Street Art in La Marsa
Take the TGM to La Marsa, a coastal suburb that has become a canvas for vibrant street art, especially around the Place des Palmiers and the alleys near the port. The murals change frequently, so every visit feels new; you'll spot works by local and international artists. After exploring, grab a coffee at one of the cafés along Avenue Habib Bourguiba, where you can watch the sea and the promenade.
🛍️ Shop at Souk El Attarine
Dedicate an afternoon to Souk El Attarine, the perfume and traditional crafts market in the heart of the medina. You'll find everything from hand-blown glass and leather goods to silver jewelry and saffron, but be prepared to haggle; start at half the asking price. The souk is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but it's best to go before 1 p.m. when it's less crowded.
🌇 Catch Sunset at Sidi Bou Said
End your day in the iconic blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, just a 10-minute taxi ride from Carthage (around 5 TND). Climb to the Café des Délices at the cliff's edge, where you can sip mint tea (5 TND) while watching the sun dip into the Mediterranean. For a quieter view, walk down to the lighthouse at the village's southern tip, which is free and open until sunset.
The guide's spot on about getting lost in the medina, but I'd add one thing: don't skip the roof terraces. A lot of the old houses and some shops let you climb up for a few dinars, and the view over the Zitouna's green-tiled roofs and the minaret is way better than anything you'll see from street level. Ask for "terrasse" and someone will usually point you the way.
For the Bardo, if you're into the mosaics, try to catch the Sousse room on the second floor. It's smaller and less crowded than the main galleries, but the hunting scenes there are some of the most detailed in the collection. Also, the taxi ride is closer to 15 TND if you're coming from the medina side, so don't be surprised if the meter runs higher than the guide says.
One thing nobody mentions: the TGM gets packed during rush hour, around 6 p.m., with commuters heading to La Marsa. If you're going for the street art, go mid-afternoon instead, and you'll have the murals to yourself. And when you're in Sidi Bou Said, skip the café at the top if it's crowded; the little steps just below the lighthouse have a bench that's perfect for sunset and costs nothing.
Good list, and the Bardo tip about the Sousse room is a keeper. One thing I'd add for the medina: the Tourbet el Bey, a mausoleum tucked away near the kasbah, is usually empty and costs a couple of dinars. The marble and carved plaster inside are stunning, and it gives you a quiet break from the souk chaos. It's a five minute walk from Zitouna, just ask a local to point you to "Tourbet el Bey" and they'll know.
For the TGM, if you're heading to Carthage, get off a stop early at Carthage Byrsa instead of the main station. The hillside path up to the museum is less crowded and you'll pass the old villas and cacti before hitting the ruins. Also, the 12 TND site ticket covers the Byrsa museum too, so don't skip it, the Punic artifacts are better than the Roman stuff in my opinion.
On the food front, skip Dar El Jeld if you're on a budget and try Dar Belhadj in the medina instead. It's a similar palace setting, but the set menu runs around 35 TND and the lamb with prunes is the best I've had in Tunis. They take walk-ins for lunch most days, though weekends still book up fast.
honestly the medina advice is solid but i'd say go even earlier, like 8am, and hit the souk el attarine first before the shopkeepers even finish setting up. you get the real vibe without the haggle pressure and the light through the wooden roofs is unreal for photos. also if u want a quick bite near the bardo, there's a tiny place on rue de la liberté, just past the museum entrance, that does the best ojja i've had in the city for like 4 tnd, way better than the tourist spots near the medina.
for carthage, skip the main site entrance and walk the path along the coast from the antonine baths toward the punic ports, it's free and you get the same ruins vibe with way fewer people. and if u're tired of mint tea in sidi bou said, try the sable noir at café des délices, it's a local chocolate drink that's richer and honestly pairs better with the sunset view than the tea.