A 10-Day Tunisia Itinerary: From the Medinas to the Sahara

Ten days is enough to see the essentials of Tunisia without rushing: the capital and its coast, the great Roman sites, a holy city, the Sahel and the south. Distances in the south are long, so this route favours fewer, longer stops. Adjust it to the season and your pace.

Days 1–3: Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said

Spend a day in the medina of Tunis and at the Bardo Museum. Give a day to the ruins of Carthage and the cliffs of Sidi Bou Said, ending the evening in La Marsa.

Day 4: Dougga

Head inland to Dougga, the best-preserved Roman town in North Africa. Arrive early for the light and the quiet.

Day 5: Kairouan

Continue to Kairouan for the Great Mosque, the Aghlabid basins and a box of makroudh.

Day 6: El Jem and Mahdia

Stop at the amphitheatre of El Jem, then reach the coast at Mahdia for a slow evening on the peninsula.

Day 7: Matmata and the ksour

Drive south to the troglodyte houses of Matmata and the fortified granaries around Tataouine.

Days 8–9: Djerba

Cross to Djerba: Houmt Souk, Erriadh and long lunches by the sea.

Day 10: Tozeur, or back to Tunis

With more time, continue west via Douz and the Chott el Djerid to Tozeur. Otherwise, fly back to Tunis from Djerba.

Before you go

Read our guide to the best time to visit Tunisia and our selection of places to stay.

Cover photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0