Tourist information about Tunis city

General information about Tunis city

Tunis city (Tunis) – the capital of the state of Tunisia, bearing the same name. Located in the northeast of the country, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by Lake Tunis (El Bahira), situated between the city itself and the Gulf of Tunis, which opens into the sea.

Tunis city is the largest among Tunisian cities, with an area of 131.3 km². The capital has 28 suburbs, the most famous of which are Carthage (ancient city), Gammarth (suitable for vacation), Sidi Bou Said (beautiful artists' town). The capital itself is divided into 15 districts with a population of over 2 million people (including suburbs).

Tunis is an important political, cultural, and commercial center of the country. It houses enterprises in the textile, chemical, cement, food, and metalworking industries. Additionally, it is the main tourist center of the country. Due to the lack of luxurious beaches, the city is mainly visited only to get acquainted with the country's culture and religion, and to see the attractions. Most sightseeing tours include a visit to the capital.

Not far from the city center is the Tunis-Carthage International Airport, as well as a major seaport with a developed transport network. A wide public transportation network is represented by metro lines, buses, trains, and taxis. Thanks to this, Tunis is a convenient starting point for traveling around the country and to individual resorts.

The history of the capital is inextricably linked with the history of Carthage. The first mention of Tunis dates back to the 4th century BC. In the 2nd century BC, this territory was inhabited by Berbers and Numidians. After the fall of Carthage (146 BC), rule of the country passed to the Roman Empire, and Tunis was also destroyed. In the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, it was rebuilt by order of Augustus (Roman emperor). In surviving road maps from that time, the city is mentioned under the name Thuni. The main occupation of the inhabitants was agriculture, and the city became a transit point for trade. Later it was ruled by Arabs, and during the 12th-13th centuries, thanks to them, it became an important military and strategic center in the western Mediterranean. Under the rule of the Arab Aghlabid dynasty, the city became the second most important in the country. From the 12th to the 16th centuries, it became one of the largest cities in the country. During this period, Tunis was alternately ruled by Berbers, French, pirates, Spanish, and Turks.

At the beginning of the 18th century, under the rule of the Husainid dynasty, the city developed as a trade center. As a result of naval defeats by the British and French, their presence had a major influence on the local economy. From 1881 to 1956, the capital was under French protectorate. The city developed and expanded; Europeans represented almost half of the population and settled in the area of the New City, while locals lived in the area of the Old City. Their influence led to the development of construction, transport, and industry. In 1956, Tunisia gained independence.

Thanks to its rich history, Tunis has absorbed the cultures of many peoples. There are mosques, synagogues, Orthodox and Catholic churches, museums, mausoleums, palaces, the Medina, parks, and theaters. Among the must-see attractions located near the capital are the famous Carthage and the blue-and-white Sidi Bou Said.

The city itself is conditionally divided into two parts: the New City (Ville Nouvelle) and the Old City (Medina). The modern New City is characterized by wide avenues, administrative buildings, boutiques and shops, and hotels. The Medina of Tunis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Its flavor, countless narrow alleys and passages, and active trading will undoubtedly leave no one indifferent.

Weather in Tunis city, seasons

Climatic conditions for Tunis city are generally favorable year-round. The comfortable time to visit the capital is spring (March-May), when the temperature begins to rise and ranges from 10 to 19°C, precipitation is still possible but rare; and autumn (October-November) - the temperature drops to 15°C, and rain is sometimes possible. The hottest time is summer (June to September) – the air warms from 27 to 40°C, at night it does not fall below 20°C. In the winter period (December-February), the weather is quite cool and rainy, daytime temperature 12°C, at night down to 7°C. In the winter-spring-autumn period, it is recommended to take warm clothes with you.

Seasons in Tunis city by month, when is the best time to go

Hotels in Tunis, where to stay

For budget-conscious and independent travelers, it is best to stay near the Medina or directly within it. In hotel booking search engines, it is difficult to find budget accommodation in the capital. Nevertheless, on the spot, within the Medina, it is quite realistic to find a hotel for 10-20 Tunisian dinars (see currency of Tunisia, exchange rate). There are also hotels in the new city, but much more expensive, although of a higher standard.

You can find and book a hotel in the capital Tunis using the search form below. The search is conducted in the popular Southeast Asian search engine Agoda.com, Russian language and Russian-language support are available: