Zitouna Mosque
The largest mosque in Tunisia, the Zitouna Mosque
dates back to the 8th century; the 160 columns of the mosque were
brought from the ruins of Carthage. Set in the heart of Tunis, the
mosque was improved upon almost continually until the 19th century,
when the minaret was added. Zitouna (or Al-Zaytuna) was the centre
of learning and intellectual pursuits in Tunisia, and is considered
the first Islamic university. Visitors to the Zitouna Mosque must
dress modestly, and non-Muslim guests may only enter the courtyard.
The mosque is surrounded by bustling souks on three sides.
Zitouna
Marcus
Belvedere Park
Tunis' largest parks, Belvedere Park covers 270 acres
(110 ha) just north of the city. Known as the 'Lungs of Tunis' due
to the scarcity of green spaces in the city, Belvedere Park has a
number of family-friendly attractions to enjoy on fine days in
Tunis. Children will love the Tunis Zoo, a pleasant facility with
monkeys, bears, deer, peacocks, and elephants; while adults will
marvel at the intricately-decorated high domed ceilings of the
Turkish Pavilion. Belvedere Park has an art gallery featuring local
contemporary works near the entrance gate, and when the weather is
hot visitors can cool off in the shade of trees overlooking Lake
Tunis on Place Pasteur.
Belvedere Park
Conrado Plano
Carthage
Carthage was the base of a powerful trading empire
during the Phoenician and Punic periods, ruled by the infamous
conqueror Hannibal. Destroyed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC,
the site was redeveloped a century later and became a Roman
capital. Located in an affluent suburb roughly nine miles (15km)
north of Tunis, the remaining ruins of ancient Carthage were
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Visitors can buy a
ticket for just a few dinars that allows access to up to 10
different archaeological sites, including the Antonin Baths,
Amphitheatre, Water Cisterns, Basilica of Saint-Cyprien, Punic
Tophet, and the Carthage Museum. Also on-site in the museum complex
is the Acropolium (St Louis Cathedral), a stunning cathedral built
in the late 19th century.
Address:
Nine miles (15km) north of central Tunis
Carthage
Kirk K
Kerkouane
Approximately 50 miles (80km) east of Tunis lies
Kerkouane, a former city of the Phoenician and Punic periods. The
city was abandoned around the 3rd century BC, which meant it was
largely ignored by the conquering Romans and is today the only
remaining untouched Punic settlement. The city was declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1980s. The remains of Kerkouane
and its famous necropolis are not large, and can be explored in
about an hour. Visitors can look for the distinctive minimalist
mosaics of the Punic god Tanit, and learn about the city's
surprisingly modern town-planning. A small museum housing
interesting relics and artefacts gives further insight into the
history of Kerkouane. Set along an attractive bit of Tunisian
coastline, visitors from Tunis will enjoy the peace of the site and
lovely ocean views. The museum shop sells a few souvenirs and
snacks, but a picnic lunch is the best complement to an excursion
to Kerkouane.
Kerouane
Sek Keung Lo
Tunis experiences a warm Mediterranean climate with two distinct
seasons: a hot and dry period running from May to September and a
cold and wet season from October to April. Winter is the coldest
time of the year in Tunis with heavy rainfall and temperatures
dropping to 43°F (6°C).
Summer months experience an average of 10 hours of sunshine a
day. The hottest months are from June through August, when average
daytime temperatures can climb as high as 104°F (40°C), though
thankfully the breeze off the Mediterranean Sea tends to alleviate
the heat.
Tunis-Carthage International Airport
Location: The airport is situated about four miles (6km) from
Tunis.
Time: Local time is GMT +1
Transfer Between Terminals:
A shuttle bus links the terminals every 10 minutes.
Getting to the city:
The airport is well served by public buses and taxis. The bus
trip to the city centre takes about 30 minutes.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at the airport include Budget,
Hertz, Avis, and Sixt.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available at the airport and cost roughly between TND
5 and TND 15 to the city. Taxis should be metered and visitors
should insist the meter is turned on. There are extra charges for
luggage and travelling after 9pm.
Facilities:
Facilities at the airport include a post office, bank, bureau de
change, ATM, restaurants, cafeterias, bars, VIP lounge, duty-free
shop, first aid, gift shop, travel agent, and tourist help
desk.
Parking
Short and long-term parking is available at the airport.
Tunis is served by an extensive public
transportation network made up of buses, a light rail system known
as Tunis Metro, and a regional train service connecting the city
centre to some of Tunis's northern suburbs.
Buses in Tunis are operated by Societe Nationale
de Transport Interurbain (SNTRI) and the city is well-covered with
more than 200 routes. The Metro system is made up of several lines
and covers a substantial part of Tunis and its neighbouring
suburbs. Bus, train, and metro fares are relatively inexpensive,
but do increase at night. Travellers who want to explore the city
at a leisurely pace will find that much of Tunis is accessible on
foot.
Taxis are easy to find in Tunis and are a
comfortable and convenient way to get about. Travellers should
always ensure that the driver turns the meter on, so that they do
not get overcharged. While it is possible to rent a car in Tunis,
drivers should be highly alert and drive defensively as Tunisian
drivers are notoriously erratic. For the most part, cars are not
necessary for getting around the city. The road conditions are
generally good in Tunis. However, pot holes become a problem the
further travellers get from the city centre.
While largely ignored by the package tourists who
flock to the seaside resorts of Tunisia, the capital city of Tunis
is a vibrant and fascinating metropolis that provides many
attractions for tourists on holiday in Northern Africa.
Tunisia is a unique blend of Eastern and Western
culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in Tunis. The city
is home to beautiful religious structures of several faiths,
including the famous Zitouna Mosque and the Cathedral of St Vincent
de Paul. Walking tours of the city include these buildings, as well
as several historic city gates, such as the Bab el Bahr and Bab
Saadoun, dating back to the 14th century.
Tunis also has several interesting museums,
including the Bardo Museum, which has extensive collections of
artefacts ranging from the prehistoric era to the Ottoman Period.
The Early Christian Museum also has fascinating exhibits.
Tunis's souks and markets are wonderful places to
pick up lovely souvenirs and simply wander through. However, the
crowds and noise can be overwhelming. Tourists can take refuge in
Belvedere Park, a large, leafy area set on Lake Tunis with museums,
cafes, and a zoo.