Visiting a medina and mosque in Tunisia: practical tips

What should I wear?

In the medinas, simple, modest clothing is best, for men and women alike: shoulders covered, shorts or skirts at least to the knee. To enter a mosque courtyard, legs and arms must be covered, and women may be asked to cover their hair.

Keep a light scarf in your bag: it also comes in handy against the sun.

Mosques: what you can visit

In Tunisia, prayer halls are generally reserved for Muslims. Some major mosques, such as the Great Mosque of Kairouan or the Zitouna Mosque in Tunis, open their courtyards to visitors at certain times, outside prayer times. You can then admire the prayer hall from its doorways.

Opening times vary, especially on Fridays and during Ramadan: ask locally or check with your driver.

In the souks: haggle with a smile

In the souks, the first price quoted is rarely the final one. Haggling is part of the game: offer a lower price, keep smiling, and don't hesitate to walk away if the price doesn't suit you. In fixed-price shops, however, there's no bargaining.

Be wary of people who approach you offering to show you "a terrace with a view" or to guide you for free: the tour often ends in a shop. A simple "no, thank you" is enough.

Photos, money and tipping

Always ask before photographing someone
Avoid taking photos during prayers and inside mosques
Dinars can only be bought in Tunisia: change money on arrival or withdraw from a cash machine
Keep small notes for entrance fees, cafés and tips
A small tip for a service is appreciated, but not compulsory

The best time to visit

Morning is the ideal time: the souks come to life, it's cooler and the lanes are less crowded. On Friday lunchtimes, many shops close for the main prayer.

With a driver, you are dropped as close as possible to the medina gates, and he waits for you when you come out: no hunting for parking in narrow streets.