Discover the Best Day Trips from Tunis, Tunisia

Tunis itself has all the charm you need for a short break. However, if you’re staying longer, the city makes a great base for exploring the northern and central parts of the country. From vast ancient Roman cities and crumbling Berber hilltop towns to hot springs, wild beaches, and rolling countryside dotted with vineyards and olive groves, a warm welcome awaits whichever route you decide to take.

Whether you’re a culture vulture, beach bum, nature lover, or shopaholic, you can be sure of a great day out just a short journey from Tunisia’s capital.

Best Day Trip for History and Culture: Dougga and Testour

An easy two-hour drive west of Tunis, the verdant countryside of the Testour region makes for a picture-perfect road trip. UNESCO awarded World Heritage status to the sprawling Roman town of Dougga, and it’s not hard to see why: a morning wandering through the best-preserved Roman site in North Africa will leave you pondering why it’s so obscure compared to the Forum in Rome or the Greek Acropolis. Dougga, an important town long before the Romans developed it, has archaeological artefacts dating back to 139 BC, but it is the remarkably intact Roman Temple of Jupiter and intricate mosaic floors that will leave you in awe.

Unlike Roman sites on the other side of the Mediterranean, you can explore Dougga close up and often alone, providing a prime opportunity to meander through the old streets and imagine how life used to be. The entry fee is surprisingly minimal at 7DT.

Once you’re done exploring, head 30 minutes east of Dougga to the charming town of Testour, with a stop at Verger de Montagnes to refuel after the morning’s adventure. This Tunisian-style farmstay offers sumptuous lunches on the vine-covered veranda using homegrown produce and homemade cheeses, as well as spaces to spend the night if you can’t pry yourself away. Be sure to call in advance.

Walk off the feast in the unusual Andalusian-inspired Testour, which has beautiful architecture and, unlike most towns in Tunisia, a Spanish-style main square. The city’s Great Mosque is thought to be the only one with two Stars of David in the minaret’s design, paying homage to the Jewish community that was also forced to flee from Spain and helped their neighbors build this mosque. Uniquely for a mosque, the minaret also features a clock that goes backwards, which according to local legend demonstrates the refugees’ desire to turn back time.

Best Day Trip for Getting Away from It All: Korbous and Foret de Meroua

Korbous lies across the sea from Tunis on the Cap Bon peninsula, and it’s just a short journey to its famous hot springs. However, this isn’t the only reason to pack your swimmers and head southeast. The rolling hills create a dramatic entrance to the region with stunning limitless sea views. Active travellers should park a few miles out and hike the paths down into the village. There are various hot springs in the main town, but consider following the stream of people along the coast road to those that tumble down the rocks into the sea, providing a cooler and more picturesque option. Although signage is limited, friendly locals will guide you. After a dip in the springs, visit Crique de Robinson, a simple rustic eatery serving good food on its terraced beachfront setting. Be sure to book in advance.

After lunch, continue driving to the Foret de Meroua and rest on a deserted wild beach where grass blows through seemingly endless sand dunes that stretch on uninterrupted for miles. The openness makes it windy here and the sea can be rougher, but the joy of having such a stretch of beach to yourself is worth it. If you don’t have a 4×4, it’s best to park further away from the beach, before the tracks turn to sand. Bring a picnic to enjoy at sunset. For the adventurous, consider camping overnight to the sound of the ocean.

Best Day Trip for Beaches: Ghar El Milh and the Raf Raf Peninsula

Beloved by locals, the hilly stretch of coastline from Ghar El Milh to Cap Angela features rugged cliffs and calm turquoise lagoons. Dotted with lovely restaurants, old forts, and numerous walking trails, this northeastern point just over an hour from Tunis makes for an excellent day trip from the city. The old Barbary pirates’ base of little-visited Ghar El Milh retains its authenticity despite being home to attractions that should draw more tourists, such as old Ottoman fortresses and the picturesque ancient port. Fishing remains a primary source of income, leading to plenty of seafood restaurants lining the coast.

Walking trails from this area lead past a delightful old whitewashed temple and around the cliff edges of Raf Raf. Hiking in this area offers verdant scenery and dramatic cliffs, particularly outside the peak summer season when the weather is cooler and the beaches much quieter. During summer, boat tours are available to Cani Island with Bichi Bizerte for snorkeling in the intense blue waters of the grottoes. Nearby Bizerte has charm with crumbling French-style villas and a pretty old port, making it worth exploring. Walks from the town offer views of the old shipwreck just off the coast. From Bizerte, it’s a 30-minute drive to Cap Angela, where trails lead out to the northernmost edge of Africa.

Best Day Trip for Avoiding the Crowds: Zaghouan, Zriba, and Uthina

Pack up a picnic and head to the crumbling hilltop Berber town of Zriba for lunch amidst the remnants of an abandoned town. There are various routes to Zriba from Tunis, but the back lanes through Zaghouan are particularly beautiful in spring when a blanket of yellow wildflowers spreads among olive groves against the backdrop of Jebel Zaghouan, the highest peak in the area.

The town of Zaghouan, known by the Romans as the Temple of Water, is home to the beginning of the ancient aqueduct network built by Hadrian in the 2nd century. While some remains of this impressive engineering can be easily visited, experienced hikers will find numerous challenging climbs and walks around the Zaghouan mountains, rewarding efforts with incredible views. For those less experienced, several hiking and adventure clubs can assist you.

Abandoned since the 1960s, the hilltop town of Zriba is serenely beautiful, with stone buildings that blend seamlessly into the rocky mountainous surroundings. Although in various states of disrepair, you can still sense life here and envision the town in its former glory. A wander through the ruins and the surrounding countryside makes for a great morning out: find a good spot, and set your picnic on a fouta (traditional Tunisian blanket) while taking in breathtaking views. On your way back to Tunis, consider a detour to Uthina, an impressive Roman site with a wonderfully restored amphitheater where you can explore the symmetrical and slightly eerie underground chambers in solitude.

Best Day Trip for Shopping: Nabeul, Hammamet, and Takrouna

The coastal region of Nabeul has much to offer shopaholics and is easily reached by public transport or car. Nabeul’s bustling Friday market is famous for brightly painted Tunisian pottery at great prices. After checking out the ceramics, head south along the coast to the old medina in Hammamet. You can follow the walls of the old fortress to enjoy views of the bay before exploring the pale blue and white streets of the old town. The residential area is calm and a joy to walk around, away from eager market vendors. Art lovers will find a number of tiny galleries tucked away in small medina houses where generations have painted.

For a luxurious afternoon, indulge in relaxation at La Badira or mingle with trendy locals on the beach at Sindbad. For those eager for culture (or more shopping), take a taxi up the winding lanes to nearby Takrouna. This hilltop Berber village is home to a few families whose main income source is brightly woven rugs they sell. These charming women will happily share some homemade bread and tea while telling you stories of life in the village. At the top of the hill lie the mausoleum and the artsy Le Rocher Bleu cafe, a perfect spot to cool down with a fresh citronade and take in the endless panoramic views.

Make It Happen

While there are trains, buses, and louages (shared taxis) that run to these towns, it’s best to hire a car or join a guided tour for most journeys. Boats with captains are available for private hire for up to seven people from Sidi Bou Saïd Harbour to Korbous for 1000DT per day.