How many days in Tunis? 3 days of medina, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and Dougga
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Tunis is a capital of two halves: the walled medina, one of the best-preserved in the Arab world, and the French-built Ville Nouvelle around Avenue Habib Bourguiba. Along the bay, a suburban train links the ruins of Carthage, the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said and the beaches of La Marsa. Give it three days: the medina and the Bardo museum, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, and a day trip inland to Dougga, the finest Roman town in North Africa.
Short answer
Two days covers the medina, the Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. The third day goes to Dougga, which many visitors rate above Carthage itself.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The medina and the Bardo
Morning. Enter the medina at Bab el Bhar (the Porte de France) and walk up Rue Jamaa Ez Zitouna to the Zitouna Mosque, founded in the 8th century; non-Muslims can see the courtyard from a viewing area in the mornings outside Friday prayers. Continue into the souks: perfume, chechia felt hats, gold and copper.
Afternoon. Take a taxi 15-20 minutes (about TND 8-12) to the Bardo National Museum (about TND 13-15), a palace holding one of the world's great collections of Roman mosaics, including the portrait of Virgil with two Muses.
Evening. Return to Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Tunis's tree-lined boulevard, for a coffee or mint tea with pine nuts, then dinner at a restaurant in the medina such as Dar el Jeld, in an old palace (mains about TND 40-70).
Men offering to take you to a terrace view of the medina often lead to a carpet shop. It can be worth it for the view, but you are not obliged to buy.
Day 2: Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
Morning. Take the TGM suburban train from Tunis Marine station, about 25-30 minutes (about TND 1), to Carthage Hannibal. Buy the combined Carthage ticket (about TND 12-15) and visit Byrsa Hill with the Carthage Museum, then walk down to the Antonine Baths on the sea.
Afternoon. See the Punic Ports, the circular military harbour, and the Tophet, then take the TGM two stops to Sidi Bou Said. Walk up the steep main street of white houses and blue doors, and visit Dar Ennejma Ezzahra, the palace of Baron d'Erlanger, now a centre for Arab music.
Evening. Drink mint tea on the terrace of Café des Délices overlooking the bay, eat a hot bambalouni doughnut from a street stall, then dinner in La Marsa, one stop on.
The Carthage sites are spread out over 3-4 km; take a taxi between them if it is hot, or plan to walk 2-3 hours.
Day 3: Dougga
Morning. Drive or take a tour about 2 hours west to Dougga (Thugga), a UNESCO site of a Roman town on a hillside of olive groves (about TND 10-12). Start with the Capitol, from 166 AD, and the theatre for 3,500 people.
Afternoon. Walk the stone streets to the Temple of Juno Caelestis, the baths, houses with mosaics and the Libyco-Punic mausoleum, a 21-metre tower from the 2nd century BC.
Evening. Return to Tunis for a final dinner. Try couscous with fish or lamb, or ojja (eggs in spicy tomato sauce with merguez), about TND 15-30 in local restaurants.
Dougga has little shade; go in the morning, bring water and a hat, and wear good shoes for the uneven paving.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Days 1 and 2. If you only have one day, combine the medina in the morning with Carthage and Sidi Bou Said in the afternoon.
Got extra days?
Add Kairouan, the holy city of the Great Mosque, about 2.5 hours south; the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, one of the largest in the world, about 3 hours; or the beach town of Hammamet, about 1 hour.
Where to stay in Tunis
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Ville Nouvelle hotels | Simple hotels near Avenue Habib Bourguiba and the TGM. | TND 100-180 |
| Mid-range | Medina guesthouses (dar) | Restored courtyard houses inside the medina. | TND 250-450 |
| Mid-range | La Marsa | Seaside suburb near Sidi Bou Said and Carthage, on the TGM. | TND 250-400 |
| Comfort | Sidi Bou Said / Gammarth | Boutique hotels with sea views and pools. | TND 500-1,000 |
Getting around
The TGM train runs from Tunis Marine to Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa every 15-20 minutes, for about TND 1. The métro léger trams cover the city. Yellow taxis use meters (most rides TND 5-12); Bolt works in Tunis. From Tunis-Carthage Airport, a taxi to the centre takes 15-20 minutes for about TND 15-25. For Dougga, hire a driver or join a tour; louages (shared minibuses) leave from the stations to other towns.
What to eat in Tunis
Tunisian food is bold with harissa and olive oil. Eat brik, a crisp pastry with egg and tuna; lablabi, a chickpea soup with bread and cumin for breakfast; couscous with fish on the coast; mechouia salad of grilled peppers; and kafteji, a fried vegetable mix. Sweets include makroudh (date-filled semolina) and baklawa. Street food costs TND 3-8; a medina restaurant TND 30-70. Alcohol is sold in many restaurants and hotels, and Tunisia makes its own wine and Celtia beer.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October are best, with highs of 22-30°C. July and August are hot, often 33-38°C, and the beaches are full of local holidaymakers. Winter is mild and rainy at 15-17°C. During Ramadan, many cafés close by day but the medina comes alive after sunset.
Month-by-month weather for Tunis →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | TND 60 | TND 150 | TND 350 |
| Food & drink | TND 40 | TND 80 | TND 150 |
| Sights & tickets | TND 15 | TND 35 | TND 70 |
| Local transport | TND 10 | TND 30 | TND 80 |
| Total per person, per day | about TND 125 | about TND 295 | about TND 650 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Tunisian dinars (TND); a private driver to Dougga adds about TND 250-400 per car. Hotels may add a small per-night tourist tax of a few dinars.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Tunis safe to visit?
Tunis is generally calm for visitors, and the medina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said are busy with tourists. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, keep valuables discreet, and avoid demonstrations. Check your government's travel advice before you go, as some border areas are not recommended.
Can I bring dinars into or out of Tunisia?
No. The dinar is a closed currency and cannot legally be taken out of the country. Exchange money on arrival at the airport or banks, and keep the receipts if you want to change dinars back before leaving. ATMs are common in Tunis and accept international cards.
Is Carthage worth it?
Yes, but manage your expectations. The Romans destroyed Punic Carthage in 146 BC, and most of what remains is Roman and scattered. The Antonine Baths, Byrsa Hill and the museum are the highlights. Dougga, two hours inland, is far more complete, so do both if you love ancient history.
What should I wear in Tunis?
Tunis is relaxed by regional standards, and many locals dress in Western clothes. In the medina and at mosques, cover shoulders and knees, and women should bring a scarf for religious sites. On the beaches of La Marsa and in hotels, swimwear is normal.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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