Tunis, Tunisia

At the northern-most tip of the African continent exists the nation of Tunisia, sandwiched between Algeria and Libya, and in the countrys northern region stands somewhat ironically the second largest North African city, Tunis. Though Tunis may give off an old-town vibe, travelers always delight in the citys technological advancement, and the great number of hotels available to a wide range of budgets. The city is all about interaction, from talking with vendors and haggling over handmade tunics to receiving recommendations on places to eat your evening meals. The city is not so much chaotic as it is genuine: nobody tries to put on a show for visitors, and locals are always happy to point you in the right direction. (Note: Crime is minimal here, though, in the past few years the city has seen a considerable increase in police patrols as a result of the detonation of a car bomb in 2002)

When to go

The country of Tunisia is consistently covered in the regions Mediterranean climate, and Tunis gets much of the brunt of the weather along with other coastal locales. When rains come, they come in full force, but luckily, if you plan your trip around the time between December and March youll avoid the heaviest weather of the year. Apart from the occasional downpour, the city experiences quite a bit of sunshine throughout the year, and temperatures waver little, peaking at around 80F in summer. Activities and/or events are few in Tunis, though summer tends to bring the largest crowds, and therefore the Medina always seems to be full of entertainers looking to earn a bit of extra cash.

Getting there and around

Tuniss airport, Carthage International Airport, is located quite close to the city (8km/5mi), and a bus or taxi will get you to the city center (or your hotel) in half-an-hour or less. The terminal does not hold an extravagant array of services, but provisions are available at its duty-free shop and there are a few banks which offer currency exchange. In the evening, taxi fares increase to compensate for the decrease in activity.

Most people ride buses and taxis to get around the city, but more and more commuters be they locals or foreigners are boarding the light-rail trains around Tunis. The trains go to major destinations throughout the city as well as a few sites on the outskirts, such as Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. For those who are unwilling to tackle the train system, you can always hail a taxi and rest assured that you wont go broke by the time you arrive at your destination.

Attractions

Undoubtedly one of the greatest sites in all of Tunis, the Great Mosque is a great place to see some fantastic architecture and an even better view of the city (from the tower). The mosque is almost completely doused in white, as are many of the citys buildings in the old town, but unfortunately, the interior is off-limits to non-Muslims. If you happen to score friendly points with a few locals, they may be able to allow entry for those not practicing their faith, but nothing is guaranteed.

The most popular tourist trap is the Medina. Actually, we shouldnt call it a tourist trap, since for the most part the vendors are friendly, but we advise that you dont brush them off briskly, and always try to walk from stall to stall with a smile this is what creates the cool, easy-going atmosphere the area is known for. This is the only place in Tunis that youll probably get to obtain authentic souvenirs, so dont leave without at least some bit of city life in your hands!

If you visit one museum in Tunis, the Bardo Museum is it. Not only is its exterior fascinating, but inside you will get a chance to view the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. The Bardo Museum once stood as a palace, and though gardens still flourish beautifully around the establishment, the displays are anything but that of a residential nature; the historic and archaeological artifacts will astound you.