Attractions of Mahdia (Tunisia) - what to see

There aren't many attractions in Mahdia. All of them are concentrated in the territory of the Old City (Medina) and can be explored on foot in one day.

Popular excursions offered in Mahdia:

• Journey to the Sahara
• Cruise on a "pirate" ship
• Excursion to Salakta town

Medina (Medina)

Sprawled on a peninsula and occupies the entire territory. It is an old quarter with shops, cafes, and houses of local residents. On the area occupied by the Medina and beyond, all the main attractions of Mahdia are located. It will be interesting to stroll through the narrow streets with white houses, so characteristic of an Arab country. At the market in the Medina, which, in general, is one big market, you can buy everything from food to traditional Tunisian souvenirs (ceramics, silver and gold items, metalwork, hookahs, etc.), as well as products typical specifically for Mahdia from local silk craftsmen.

At the Friday markets along the coast on the embankment, goods from local artisans are presented weekly.

🚶 How to get there: located on the peninsula (Medina on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: daily, 24/7.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

Skifa el-Kahla (Skifa el-Kahla)

Skifa el-Kahla are the city gates, translated from Arabic they are also called "Black" or "Dark Gates". They represent a 40-meter dark corridor (hence the second name of the gates), passing through which you can also enter the Medina. Perhaps this is the only thing left of the 10th-century defensive walls after their destruction as a result of the attack on the city by the Spanish in 1554. The gates were restored afterwards, and stones from the former defensive walls were used in their construction. The gates also had important strategic significance – they were the only entrance to the city. Climbing to the top, you can see a stunning view of the Medina, the sea, and the harbor.

🚶 How to get there: Medina, near the Archaeological Museum, Place du 7 Novembre square (Skifa el-Kahla on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: daily, 24/7.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

Archaeological Museum (Archaelogical museum)

The museum's exhibition features items found in the vicinity of the city and beyond. Here you can see exhibits from different historical periods and cultural heritage, household items of the peoples inhabiting the territory of Tunisia. On two floors of the museum, there are mosaic panels and statues from El Jem, traditional jewelry and clothing, musical instruments, national crafts, pottery, oil lamps, and much more.

🚶 How to get there: Medina, near the Skifa el-Kahla gates, Place du 7 Novembre square (Skifa el-Kahla on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: daily, from April to September – 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-19:00, from September to March – 9:00-16:00, Monday – closed.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: 5 dinars (see Currency of Tunisia), photo – 1 dinar.

Great Mosque (Grand Mosque)

According to historical data, the Great Mosque was built by Caliph Ubaid Allah, the ruler of Mahdia, in 916. It was repeatedly destroyed, but the attack of the Spanish on the city in 1554 damaged it quite seriously (part of the walls collapsed). In its current form, it was built in 1965 with maximum preservation of its original appearance. It is very laconic and simple in architecture. The main entrance to the Mosque is from the northwest (from the Medina). The inner courtyard is surrounded on three sides by semicircular passages and measures 42m by 50m. The main prayer hall includes 9 passages; the main central passage, the widest, leads to the mihrab.

🚶 How to get there: Medina, along the southern coast, 300 m from Skifa el-Kahla or the Archaeological Museum (Mosque on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: daily, during prayers.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free, non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the mosque interior.

Borj el-Kebir Fortress (Borj el-Kebir)

Borj el-Kebir is a very powerful structure, with thick walls reaching up to 10 m in some places. The fortress is located east of the Great Mosque, but since it is visible from almost everywhere, you won't miss it. It was built in 1595 on the site where Ubaid Allah's palace (the first ruler of Mahdia) previously stood, which was destroyed. The fortress served as the main defensive fortification of the city against attacks from the sea. Later, in the 18th century, three bastions were added at the corners. The fortress has two entrances, many narrow passages, an inner courtyard, where the windows of the chamber-rooms open. There is no decoration inside. In general, it doesn't represent anything special. However, it is recommended for viewing, if only for the panoramic view from the fortress walls and towers – the old bay, the lighthouse, the Medina, Cape Africa, as well as the cemetery surrounding the fortress on three sides.

🚶 How to get there: Medina, along the southern coast, 350 m from the Great Mosque (fortress on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: daily, from April to September – 9:00-19:00, from September to March – 9:00-16:00.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: 5 dinars, photo – 1 dinar.

Old Cemetery (Old Cemetery)

Whether to classify the old cemetery as an attraction – we don't know, but it needs to be mentioned. It stretches from the Borj el-Kebir fortress further to Cape Africa. In the lighthouse area, you can even find graves dating back to the 10th century. In some sources, it is also called the Sailors' Cemetery. White tombstones against a background of green grass – do not, by any means, produce a depressing impression.

🚶 How to get there: outside the Medina, along the southern coast to the east (cemetery on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

Old Port (Old Port)

Not far from the Borj el-Kebir fortress is the old port. It is considered the oldest Punic port. Even today, local fishermen's boats are moored here. You can also see the narrow strait leading to the port and the ruins of two watchtowers.

🚶 How to get there: outside the Medina, along the southern coast, 150 m east of the Borj el-Kebir fortress (port on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

Lighthouse (Lighthouse)

The lighthouse was built in 1890 and is still operational today. It is surrounded by a low wall around the perimeter. Unfortunately, you will not be able to enter the inner territory and the lighthouse itself; no tours are conducted here.

🚶 How to get there: outside the Medina, to the east on Cape Africa (lighthouse on the map of Mahdia)

🕐 Opening hours: 24/7.

💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

Dar al Himma Museum (Dar al Himma Museum)

Dar al Himma is a silk weaving museum. It presents fairly modern exhibits, but of a narrow theme – silk. It was opened in 1977 in the former Sfar Mosque. The museum's exhibition displays looms, clothing, fabrics, and silk ribbons. It also demonstrates the history of the emergence of silk weaving in Mahdia in the 19th century, thanks to Jews from Libya. By 1956, this craft had developed and improved so much that restrictions were imposed on the import of silk from Lyon, which held the world's primacy in silk production.

🚶 How to get there: the museum is located across the road from Skifa el-Kahla in the former Sfar Mosque (museum on the map of Mahdia)

Salakta (Salakta)

The small town of Salakta is located 13 km from Mahdia. On the coast, near the local port, there is a museum with a modest collection of mosaics. And behind the museum building, you can see the ruins of an ancient city. In general, nothing special.

🚶 How to get there: 13 km north of Mahdia (Salakta on the map of Mahdia)