Tunisia History Tour

Arrival at Tunis Airport

Welcome to Tunis; your cultural tour to Tunisia starts here. Upon your arrival at Tunis Airport, you will meet our representative, who will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the historic center of Tunis. Your historic walking tour of the city is scheduled for tomorrow. The remainder of today is at leisure to relax and acclimate. Dinner and accommodation will be at your hotel.

Cultural guided tour of Tunis

Meet your local guide after breakfast, who will take you on a walking tour of Tunis and its satellites. Our first exploration of this unique cultural and historical walking tour starts with a visit to the Medina of Tunis*, one of the first Arab-Muslim towns of the Maghreb (698 A.D.). With its souks, urban fabric, residential quarters, monuments, and gates, this ensemble constitutes a prototype among the best-conserved cities in the Islamic world. Our next stop is the Bardo Museum, famous for its fine collection of mosaics. The Punic vestiges, the array of Roman mosaics, and the unique sculptures in this museum are truly astounding! In the afternoon, we have a tour of Carthage*. Founded by the Phoenicians, Carthage is a vast archaeological site situated on a hill that dominates the Gulf of Tunis and the surrounding plain. Metropolis of the Punic civilization in Africa and the capital of the Roman province of Africa, Carthage played a central role in Antiquity as a great commercial empire. During the lengthy Punic Wars, Carthage occupied territories that belonged to Rome, which ultimately destroyed its rival in 146 BC. The town was rebuilt by the Romans on the ruins of the ancient Phoenician City. We continue to Sidi Bou Said, a splendid Moorish village perched atop a headland. Our cultural and historical visit to Tunis has come to a close. Tonight, we will treat ourselves to a typical Tunisian restaurant with live music. Please return to our hotel for comfortable accommodation. (B, D)

Travel to Dougga and Kairouan After breakfast, we will depart for Kairouan. In the morning, we visit the archaeological site of Dougga/Thugga*, which covers an area of approximately 75 ha. A local archeology guide will give us a special tour of the Dougga site. These monumental ruins of an entire city with all its components testify to more than 17 centuries of history. They are outstanding examples illustrating the synthesis between different cultures: Numidian, Punic, Hellenistic, and Roman. In the afternoon, we will continue to Kairouan, the landmark of Islamic history in North Africa. Dinner and accommodation will be at your hotel. (B.D.).

Travel to El Jem and El Kantaoui Port

This morning, we tour the holy city of Kairouan with our local guide to explore cultural and historic sites. Founded in 670, the city flourished under the Aghlabid dynasty in the 9th century. Kairouan remained the Maghreb's principal holy city despite the transfer of the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century. Kairouan's rich architectural heritage includes the Great Mosque, featuring its marble and porphyry columns, as well as the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates. In the afternoon, we depart for El Jem*, with its impressive ruins, including the largest stadium in North Africa —a vast arena that could hold up to 35,000 spectators —located in the small village of El Jem. This 3rd-century monument illustrates the grandeur and extent of Imperial Rome. Continue to Port El Kantaoui. Dinner will be at a harbor restaurant, where we can enjoy the fresh catch and traditional Tunisian staples. Accommodation will be at the hotel. (B, D)

Visit Sousse and travel to Hammamet

Today, we will travel to Hammamet, visiting Sousse and other highlights. Our first stop will be Sousse, an important commercial and military port during the Aghlabid period (800–909) and a typical example of a town dating from the first centuries of Islam. With its kasbah, ramparts, Medina (featuring the Great Mosque), Bu State Mosque, and typical ribat (a combination of a fort and a religious building), Sousse was part of a coastal defense system. Next, we get to Hammamet to visit the Spanish fortress and the Medina. (B, D)

Explore Hammamet and Kerkuane - Return to Tunis

In the morning, We drive to the coastal town of Nabeul, the main center of the Tunisian pottery industry. Then we head to Kelibia to visit the recently restored fortress overlooking the harbor. We see the Punic Town of Kerkuane and its Necropolis in the afternoon. This Phoenician city was probably abandoned during the First Punic War (c. 250 B.C.) and, as a result, was not rebuilt by the Romans. The remains constitute the only example of a Phoenician-Punic city to have survived. The houses were built to a standard plan by a sophisticated notion of town planning. Tonight, you are invited to a farewell dinner at a traditional Tunisian restaurant with music and dance. (B, D)

Tunis Airport

In the morning, we will take you to the airport for our flight home or your next exciting destination. We hope you have enjoyed every component of this Tunisia cultural tour. Come back and see us again on another tour to explore the best of Tunisia's active tours. (B)