Must See

Tunisia's main appeal, aside from its seaside resorts, is based on its many historical monuments, which reflect the Punic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic influences.

Tunis

Tunis is the capital and heart of modern Tunisia, lying on a hilly ridge of land between the Lac de Tunis (a shallow, brackish lagoon to the east and northeast), and the Sebkha es Sedjoumi (a shallow salt lake to the southwest). The Lake of Tunis is linked with the sea by a narrow canal, with the city's outer harbour in La Goulette, at its seaward end. The historic centre of Tunis is the old Arab town, the Medina, which is surrounded by the new town, with the harbour to the east.

The world-famed Bardo Museum is a major tourist attraction, containing pieces from the many cultures and civilisations that have flourished here. Exhibits include the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics and archaeological treasures from the Carthaginian, Roman, early Christian and Islamic eras. Another popular museum - the National Museum of Carthage - is located on the outskirts of the city near the airport.

Visitors can simply walk through the city's busy, meandering streets and admire its architectural beauty. Tunis has a well preserved Medina - the largest in Tunisia and the finest after the Medina of Kairouan. Originally dating back to the 9th-11th centuries, its present form comes largely from the Hafsid (13th century) and Turkish (17th-18th century) periods. The French demolished its outer walls but left it otherwise unchanged. The ring of streets around the old town forms an oval that measures 1.5 km from north to south by 800 m from east to west.

Bizerte

Bizerte has been a major port since Phoenician times when it was known as Hippo Zarytus. It became a naval base for the French in the 19th century and has remained Tunisia's biggest military centre ever since. In recent years Bizerte has developed into a popular seaside resort, with extensive dunes and uncrowded beaches running along the Corniche (coast road). Within the town, there is a Kasbah dating mainly from the 17th century; within its walls is a mini-town of narrow, winding alleys. At the heart of Bizerte is the picturesque Vieux Port (Old Port), surrounded by cafes and shops and usually dotted with dozens of brightly coloured fishing boats.

Carthage

Carthage lies on a peninsula that stretches out into the Bay of Tunis, and was the centre of the maritime Punic Empire and later the capital of the Roman Province of Africa before being destroyed by the Arabs in AD 692. It is now one of Tunis's most attractive suburbs, with avenues lined by eucalyptus trees and palms, and gardens full of purple bougainvilleas and red hibiscus blossom.

Ancient Carthage was once the greatest city in North Africa; however, the majority of its historic buildings have been destroyed, used as building material or simply built over during the following centuries, and there are now only scanty and scattered remains. However, these remains are well worth seeing, such as the Antonine Baths (once the largest baths in Africa), and its adjoining Archaeological Park. The Antonine Baths (also known as Baths of Antoninus Pius) are one of the best preserved sites in Carthage, and occupy an area of 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres). Other sites include the Punic Quarter, where two sections of the 5th century BC town have been excavated, giving an excellent impression of the layout of the houses, and The Tophet, the sacred place where human sacrifices (molek) were offered to the gods. The tophet site is a maze of burial shafts and remains of foundations, with numerous stelae (stone or wooden slabs), some of them bearing inscriptions and symbols.

Dougga

Under the Numidian King Massinissa in the second century BC, this town was known as Thugga, and is now the best preserved Roman city in Africa. The town is situated on a plateau 96 km (60 miles) southwest of Tunis, surrounded by pastureland and olive-groves.

In Roman times, Dougga had a population of up to 10,000 and occupied an area of some 25 hectares (62.5 acres). In contrast to most Roman towns, Dougga was not laid out on any definite plan and its maze of paved streets were suitable only for pedestrians.

Highlights of the site include the Baths of Licinius (or Winter Baths), built about 260 AD and rebuilt in the 4th century, the Capitol, a number of well-preserved villas, the Forum and the Temple of Saturn.

A theatrical festival is held here every June.

Kairouan

Kairouan is the fourth holy city of Islam (after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem), and within its walled medina there are more than 50 mosques, the Great Mosque of Sidi Oqba being the main attraction. Originally built in 671 AD, the existing building was constructed by the Aghlabids in 863 AD. There is a busy market on Mondays.

Kerkouane

The remains of the Punic town of Kerkouane may be found 8 km (5 miles) north of Kelibia. The excavations here are among the most important in the whole of North Africa, and the town is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The town is believed to have been a Phoenician port of call long before the foundation of Carthage, and was destroyed in 236 BC during the Third Punic War when it was razed to the ground by the Romans. Unlike Carthage, the town was never rebuilt, so the layout has been preserved intact.

Sahara

Sweeping across the southern tip of Tunisia is a gorgeous section of dune-filled desert. Visitors can witness the grand desolation of it by wandering through the towns on the desert fringe, or they may prefer to go desert trekking from Douz, either by camel or in 4-wheel-drive vehicles. However, anyone planning a desert safari should always be accompanied by a local experienced guide, and must also inform the National Guard of their plans. Vehicles should be equipped with emergency rations, fuel and water, a full tool kit and handbook, spare tyres and a compass.

Sousse

Sousse is the third largest city in Tunisia (after Tunis and Sfax) and is located just 8 km (5 miles) south of Port El Kantaoui, surrounded by extensive olive plantations and fringed by a beach of fine sand. Sousse was one of the Phoenicians' great coastal cities but it fell to Arab invaders in the 7th century. The foundations of a new city were laid in AD 790, and several examples of that time still remain, including the Great Mosque and its Ribat - one of a chain of fortresses that stretched along the Mediterranean coast. Other highlights include the Medina, the Archaeological Museum and the beautiful sandy beaches. Every Sunday there is a camel market near the Catacombs.

Tatouine

This desert area near Tozeur has been the star of a number of films, including 'The English Patient'. However, it's most famous role came in the 'Star Wars' series, when the landscape was used to depict Luke Skywalker's home planet, Tatooine. Locals still inhabit the distinct underground dwellings made famous by the films and a number of tour operators now offer desert safaris to the locations where these famous blockbuster films were shot.

Tozeur

Tozeur is the major town of the Bled el Djerid (Land of Palms) and provides a thriving market for the nomads of the surrounding area. Visitors can simply wander through the old quarter of this beautiful oasis town set against the desert dunes, or they can visit the marketplace with its carpets, silk and woollen fabrics, leather articles, clothing and jewellery. Tozeur's major trade however involves the high quality deglat en nour ('fingers of light') dates, which are mainly exported.

Beaches

There are many top quality beaches and resorts in this strip of sun-scorched Mediterranean coast. Some of the best may be found in Mahdia, one of Tunisia's newest tourist towns.