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Information on Tunisia and travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Highlights of Tunisia

Tunisia is one of North Africa’s sparkling gems, home to intriguing archaeological sites, stunning Mediterranean beaches, and a rich historical past. With over 1,200kms of sunny coastline, this is an ideal destination for sun-worshippers, but Tunisia offers much more than just hedonism, with significant sites such as Carthage and Tunis providing enormous insight into the region’s fascinating development through the ages.

Tunis, the country’s capital city, is a cultural Mecca, with an old Medina area and the newer Ville Nouvelle, constructed by the French. The Medina’s most significant attraction is the Zitouna Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque, which was crafted from the ruins of Roman Carthage. The former palaces of Dar Lasram, Dar Ben Abdallah and Dar Othman, and the 15th century mausoleum complex of Sid Qasim are all fabulous examples of ancient architecture and encompass museums, displays and cultural centres tracing the region’s past.

The main attractions in the Ville Nouvelle are the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, which integrates the Gothic, Byzantine and North African design styles, and the Bardo Museum, with its outstanding collection of mosaics and classical sculpture, among other Punic and Roman artefacts.

Connected to Tunis by light rail is Carthage, one of the country’s most important archaeological sites, founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC and conquered by the Romans in 146 BC. Most of the remaining ruins date back to the period of Roman rule, and include Roman baths, an amphitheatre, and the Sanctuary of Tophet, which was originally used as a religious sacrificial site. The National Museum of Carthage on Byrsa Hill provides a wealth of information on the site, and it’s not a bad idea to begin your tour of the area here.

Although not as well known as Carthage, the most immaculately preserved Roman ruins in Tunisia can be found at Dougga, located southwest of Tunis. The Punic Mausoleum here is one of the few remaining examples of pre-Roman architecture in the country, and along with the archaic theatre – where classical dramas are performed in July and August – is the major highlight of Dougga.

Farther south, the town of Tozeur is an architectural treat, with most buildings constructed of bricks arranged in intricate patterns. Superb displays of ceramics and decorative art can be viewed at the Dar Charait Museum, and taking a horse-drawn carriage through the ‘palmeraie’ – one of Tunisia’s largest oases – is a unique way to enjoy the lush natural surroundings.

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