Best Things To See In Tunisia | Affordable Adventures & Free Sights

Tunisia offers a remarkable mix of vibrant street life, rich cultural heritage, ancient ruins, and dramatic landscapes, and you don’t need a big budget to enjoy it. Whether you’re exploring centuries-old medinas, wandering Phoenician or Roman ruins, enjoying panoramic seaside views, or sipping mint tea in a shaded café, low-cost and free experiences are woven into everyday life here. This post covers the best things to do in Tunisia. Although many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most are very affordable, and some are even free.

Best Things To See In Tunisia

Tunis Medina (Free)

The Medina of Tunis is one of the most visited cultural sites in Tunisia. It’s one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tunisia and one that is free.

This medina covers over one square mile, with pedestrian alleys lined with homes, shops, cafes, and restaurants. One of its most beautiful streets, and its most aristocratic thoroughfare, is Rue Sidi Ben Arous, where the wealthy and high-ranking officials lived. Also make sure to explore its souks, its famous mosque, Zitouna Mosque, try Tunisian food, and people-watch in one of its many cafés.

Roofs of Tunis (Free)

To get a rooftop view of the Medina of Tunis, visit the Roofs of Tunis. This free rooftop is above a shop in the souk. The view, accented by the colorful zellij-style tiles and Andalusia-influenced architecture, is incredible. This site is also free, although you will be asked to browse the artisan crafts in the shop below.

Bardo Museum

The Bardo Museum is another outstanding place to visit in Tunis, offering a collection of relics and ruins from around Tunisia. It’s best know for having the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. There are over a 1,000 Roman mosaics here!

The Ruins of Carthage

The Ruins of Carthage is another one of the best things to see in Tunisia. These ruins date back to the 9th century BCE, to the Phoenicians that built a city that rivaled Rome. This was one of the most powerful cities in the Mediterranean before the Romans eventually defeated it and rebuilt the city as their own.

The ruins here cover a vast area and include the Imperial Roman Baths of Antoninus, ancient Villas, a controversial necropolis, and a Roman Theater and amphitheater. There are 10 sites on the ticket, which costs less than $5 (as of March 2026).

Sidi Bou Said (Free)

Sidi Bou Said sits on the coast of Tunisia, about a 20-minute drive east of Tunis. The whitewashed homes here, with their charming cobalt blue accents, date to the 18th and 19th century. These were the summer homes of the wealthy. They are perched upon a clifftop overlooking the Mediterranean.

Wandering the charming narrow streets to see the architecture and the sea views is free and should not be missed. Sidi Bou Said is on the tentative list for UNESCO-listing, so may be UNESCO-listed in 2026.

Ennejma Ezzara Palace

The historic 20th-century mansion of Ennejma Ezzara Palace offers exquisite Arab-Andalusian architecture, exotic decor, and stellar views of the sea. There is a small fee to enter and explore this mansion-turned-museum in Sidi Bou Said.

Dar el-Annabi

Another amazing house to visit in Sidi Bou Said is Dar el-Annabi. This 3-story house, which dates back to the late 18th century, was once the summer home of the Annabi family, a prominent Tunisian family. It showcases Andalusian-inspired architecture and lifestyle. There is a small fee to enter and explore its rooms and the sea view from its rooftop.

El Jem Amphitheater & Museum

The El Jem Amphitheater dates back to Roman times when this was a very prosperous city, a global hub for olive oil, or “liquid gold”. This amphitheater drew visitors from all around to watch the spectacles performed in its arena. Surprisingly, this is the 3rd largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world.

El Jem is very low cost to enter and includes the museum nearby which features exquisite Roman mosaics from the luxury villas that once stood nearby. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is about a 2.5- to 3-hour drive southeast of Tunis.

The Medina Of Kairouan (Free)

The Medina of Kairouan is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia. It was founded in the 7th century and once served as a political, religious, and cultural capital. You can explore the old pedestrian walkways and souks here for free. Kairouan is about a 2.5-hour drive south of Tunis.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

The Great Mosque of Kairouan is one of the oldest and most important mosques of the Islamic world. For many centuries Kairouan was considered the most religious and holiest city in North Africa, with many taking pilgrimages here. There is a small fee to enter this mosque.

Hammamet

If you enjoy sunning on the beach or water-sport activities, Hammamet is one of Tunisia’s most popular coastal resorts. It’s sometimes called the “Tunisian Saint-Tropez”. There is a more modern section of Hammamet, filled with luxury hotels and upscale restaurants, and an older, more cultural section, which has a 15th century walled-medina with souks and a kasbah. Choose which is right for you. Hammamet is about an hour drive southeast of Tunis.

Sousse Medina (Free)

The Medina of Sousse is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia. Sousse is near the coast, about a 2-hour drive southeast of Tunis.

Sousse is best-known for its well-preserved medina and the Ribat. The Medina is free to enter and explore.

The Ribat Of Sousse

The Ribat of Sousse, a well-preserved, Islamic fortress-monastery, dates back to the 8th century. It was used to guard the coast and provide a spiritual retreat for the soldiers. Climbing its watchtower for a panoramic view is one of the top things to do here. There is a small fee to enter.

Sousse Archaeological Museum

The Sousse Archaeological Museum is also worth a visit. It contains the world’s second largest collection of Roman mosaics (after the Bardo Museum). One of its most famous pieces is a Byzantine baptismal pool. Its unique design is covered in intricate mosaics. While there is a small baptismal pool mosaic in the Bardo Museum, this one is really is unique.

Dougga Archaeological Park

The Dougga Archaeological Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tunisia. It’s considered the best-preserved Roman small town in North Africa. The history here spans many centuries (as in Carthage) with ruins that date back to Punic (or Phoenician), Roman, and Byzantine cultures. You can see several exquisite monuments including the Capital Temple, a Roman Theater, that is still used for performances today, public baths, a mausoleum, and more. Dougga is about a 2-hour drive southwest of Tunis.

Bizerte (Free)

Bizerte is in the northernmost part of Tunisia about an hour drive from Tunis. It sits on Lake Bizerte which connects to the Mediterranean via a channel, creating a charming harbor surrounded by whitewashed homes and restaurants.

You can explore the narrow streets of its medina, visit the Kasbah of Bizerte, for panoramic views of the harbor, the “Vieux Port”, or the Old Harbor, as well as beaches with seaside promenades.

Tozeur

Historically, Tozeur was an important stopping point for caravans crossing the Sahara. Today it’s a blend of oasis life with desert landscapes and unique architecture. You can explore its 14th century medina, with its geometric brickwork, visit a Palmerie, with hundreds of thousands of date palm trees, and visit Star Wars movie locations.

You can also take day trips to Chebika, one of the most beautiful mountain oases in Tunisia, and Chott el Djerid, the largest salt lake in the Sahara.

The drive from Tunis to Tozeur is 7 to 8 hours. You can also fly, or take a train or bus.

Summary

Tunisia really has a lot to offer as a travel destination. And since it’s not a common travel destination, I found its UNESCO-listed medinas to feel very authentic. I also appreciated the fact that the ancient ruins were not crowded (although I did visit off season), everything was reasonably priced, and there was a laid-back vibe in the air, especially at its many beaches. And while I’ve heard others complain about difficulties with the locals here, I found everyone to be friendly and helpful. I was reminded once again, that the off-the-beaten-path destinations are often the most enjoyable.

Although I did not have a chance to visit all the sites above, I did visit most of them, including: Tunis, Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Hammamet, Sousse, and El Jem. I definitely plan to go back to see more.

Want To See More Of Tunisia?

• Top Things To Do In Tunis | Ancient Ruins & Hidden Gems
• What To Do In Sidi Bou Said | Tips for First Time Travelers
• Timeless Treasures | Discovering the Ruins of Carthage
• El Jem Amphitheater | Incredible Roman History In Tunisia

Safe Travels!

Julie