Tunisia tours & holidays

Tunisia boasts a Mediterranean climate in the north and an arid, desert-like climate in the south. The busiest months are July and August when the hot weather draws tourists to the beaches.

The coldest and wettest months are January and February, although the average rainfall for this period is still relatively low; many interior Saharan regions of Tunisia don't see rainfall for years.

March to May is a great time to visit as it's less crowded, the temperatures are cooler and the scenery is spectacular. November is considered the optimal time for trekking in the desert.

You may also want to factor in the holy month of Ramadan (the dates of which change yearly). Travelling during Ramadan presents benefits and challenges as many restaurants close and business hours can be interrupted. That said, it's a great opportunity to learn about the local culture and customs.

Tunisia is an Arabic country with a strong sense of history and tradition, yet a good dose of modernity. The overwhelming majority are Arabic-speaking Muslims; nine in ten Tunisians are Amazigh (Berber), with the remainder a mix of European, African and Arab peoples.

These days social and political life in Tunisia is mostly secular. Since the Arab Spring – a region-wide revolutionary movement sparked in 2010 by the Tunisian Revolution – the Tunisians have enjoyed more religious and social freedom and greater democracy. Still, when travelling, it’s important to keep in mind the country’s Islamic culture. If Ramadan is on, be careful not to drink or smoke in the public presence of those practising it.

Family is an important part of Tunisian life and a good topic of conversation when meeting new acquaintances. Wearing a headscarf is not necessary for women travelling in Tunisia (unless visiting mosques), but it pays to dress conservatively. Language-wise, French and Arabic are the officials, but English is increasingly prevalent – children are nowadays taught it at school.

Tunisian cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean, French, Italian, Turkish and Amazigh (Berber) influences. Seafood is popular in coastal areas in the north, while hearty regional classics like shakshouka (baked eggs in tomato) are common all over.

Two major staples of Tunisian cuisine are harissa (a spicy chilli paste made with coriander and caraway seeds) and couscous (buttery semolina granules) which are also popular in neighbouring countries like Morocco.

Must-try foods in Tunisia

1. Kosksi

Translating to couscous, this is Tunisia's national dish. The Amazigh people are thought to have created it as far back as the 3rd century. A simple yet delicious plate of seasoned couscous is usually accompanied by baked vegetables and chickpeas, or by beef, lamb or chicken.

2. Brik pastry

Brik, or 'brick', pastry comes in sweet and savoury forms, but you'll likely stumble on the egg and meat-filled kind first. Though its name may suggest otherwise, the dough is relatively thin and delicate. You'll find this snack at street stalls across the country.

3. Tajine

Not to be confused with the Moroccan version (that’s very different), Tunisian tajine is similar to a quiche or frittata – more of a European-style finger food. Typical ingredients are onions, spices and ground meat, all held together with egg and breadcrumbs and flavoured with herbs and spices.

4. Lablabi

A fantastic option for vegetarians, lablabi is a hearty chickpea soup with liberal doses of cumin and coriander. Tuna or egg are sometimes added for extra punch, and some harissa doesn’t go astray. Capers or chopped almonds sometimes top the dish off.

5. Bambalouni (Tunisian doughnut)

Sweet toothed-travellers shouldn’t miss the ‘yo-yo’, also known as a bambalouni, or simply Tunisian doughnut. Deep fried, but with the subtlety of so many other sweets from the region, it’s often lightly flavoured by rose water, orange blossom or lemon.

Sandwiched between Libya and Algeria, Tunisia benefits from its location on the Mediterranean Coast. The south is characterised by arid plains and desert, which give way to rolling hills and fertile areas prime for cultivation in the north.

With a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia has plenty of white sand beaches that are popular with swimmers, surfers and divers. Tunisia's capital and largest city, Tunis, is mostly modern in design, except for the old medieval medina in the middle of town.

Tunisia is a treat for those who love to haggle the North African way. The country has many souqs and medinas where you can get a great price on local and authentic items. Shop for endemic spices, blown-glass perfume bottles, traditional ceramics and more.

You may like to purchase a Tunisian rug, which will be truly evocative of your stay in the region. Kairouan is a particularly good place to shop for a rug. Just look out for the ONAT (Office National de l’Artisanat Tunisien) stamp of approval on the back of your rug before you buy it to ensure it’s authentic.

A traditional Arabic shisha, also known as a hookah, is also worth considering as a souvenir. It’s the apparatus used to smoke the characteristic flavoured tobacco of the Middle East. It’s not for everyone, of course, but travellers are known to buy them for their aesthetic qualities alone.

International Festival of Sousse

This three-week festival brings together a miscellanea of arts from across the country. See performances, eat African cuisine and enjoy the biggest carnival parade in Africa.

Festival of the Sahara

Held in Douz in the heart of the namesake desert, Festival of the Sahara started as a Bedouin marriage market but became a full-blown celebration of arts, culture and sports in the region. There’s delicious food, military parades, greyhound racing and much more.

Ulysses Festival

The legendary Greek king Ulysses is said to have immortalised the island of Djerba when he visited thousands of years ago. The island hosts this festival every year with cultural events and performances from across the Mediterranean.

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

• Independence Day

• Youth Day

• Martyrs' Day

• Labour Day

• Republic Day

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)

• Women's Day

• New Era Day

• Mawlid (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)

*Please note dates of Tunisia's public holidays may vary.