Nine sites, three thousand years of history
Tunisia's UNESCO-listed sites span the country's entire history: Punic civilisation, Roman Tunisia, the arrival of Islam and the great medinas. The list also includes a nature reserve, Ichkeul, and since 2023 the island of Djerba.
The good news is that most of them are concentrated in the north and centre of the country, within a few hours' drive of each other.
- Medina of Tunis
- Archaeological site of Carthage
- Amphitheatre of El Jem
- Ichkeul National Park
- Punic town of Kerkouane and its necropolis
- Medina of Sousse
- Kairouan
- Dougga
- Djerba
Carthage and the Tunis medina
Carthage was Rome's great rival before being destroyed and later rebuilt by the Romans. Today the remains are scattered across a residential suburb: the Antonine Baths by the sea, Byrsa Hill, the Punic ports, the tophet. A driver lets you move from one site to the next without wasting time.
The Tunis medina, twenty minutes away, has kept its souks, mosques and palaces. Both combine easily with Sidi Bou Saïd in our Line 1.
El Jem and Kairouan
The amphitheatre of El Jem, built in the 3rd century, could hold around 35,000 spectators. You can still go down into the underground passages and climb to the upper tiers. It is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Africa.
Kairouan, founded in the 7th century, is the first holy city of the Maghreb. Its Great Mosque is one of the oldest in the Muslim world; the Aghlabid Basins and the medina complete the visit. Our Line 2 combines both sites.
Dougga
Dougga is often considered the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa: capitol, theatre, temples, baths, houses and paved streets, all on a hillside covered in olive trees. With few visitors, the site can be enjoyed in peace.
Allow about 1 h 45 from Tunis and a little longer from Hammamet. Our Line 3 adds Bulla Regia and its underground villas.
Kerkouane and the Sousse medina
Kerkouane, at the tip of Cap Bon, is the only Punic town whose layout has survived intact: abandoned after the Punic Wars, it was never rebuilt. You can still see its houses, streets and tiled bathtubs facing the sea. It is part of the Cap Bon tour (Line 4).
The Sousse medina, with its Ribat and Great Mosque, can be visited in half a day; it is included in our Line 5.
And the other two?
Ichkeul National Park, near Bizerte, is a lake and wetland famous for migratory birds, especially in winter. Djerba, in the south, deserves a trip of its own: it cannot be reached on a day trip from the north.
Recommended excursions
Frequently asked questions
How many UNESCO sites does Tunisia have?
Nine, including eight cultural sites and one natural site, Ichkeul National Park.
Which UNESCO site should I visit first?
For a first visit, Carthage and the Tunis medina, or the spectacular amphitheatre of El Jem.
Can you see several UNESCO sites in one day?
Yes: El Jem and Kairouan, or Carthage and the Tunis medina, are easy to combine.
