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Backpacking Tunisia in 2025

A complete guide for backpacking in Tunisia with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.

Visit Tunisia

Embark on an enriching backpacking journey in Tunisia, where history, culture, and affordability converge to create a unique experience. Pros? Explore ancient ruins, wander through bustling souks, and unwind on Mediterranean beaches without breaking the bank. Tunisia offers a rich tapestry of North African charm. However, occasional language barriers and varying levels of tourist infrastructure may pose challenges. For the intrepid backpacker seeking a blend of history and relaxation, Tunisia stands out as an accessible gateway to the Maghreb, where each step unveils a captivating intersection of past and present, making it an alluring and distinctive destination.

Why to go?
Why backpacking in Tunisia

People

Tunisian people are known for their warm and welcoming nature, making visitors feel at home in their country. They embrace a culture of hospitality that is deeply rooted in their traditions and values. Tunisians are known for their genuine kindness



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Architecture

Tunisia is home to a variety of ancient ruins and interesting architecture. One of the most famous sites is the ancient city of Carthage, which was once a powerful Phoenician and Roman city. Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city,



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Beach life

Tunisia is great for beach life and snorkeling because it offers a diverse range of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and soft white sand. The Mediterranean climate provides warm, sunny weather for most of the year, making it an ideal



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Food

The food in Tunisia is so good because of its rich and diverse culinary heritage. Influenced by Mediterranean, African, and Middle Eastern flavors, Tunisian cuisine is a delightful fusion of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients. The use of locally



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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Tunisia

  1. Visit the ancient ruins of Carthage: Explore the remnants of the once-great city of Carthage, which was one of the most powerful cities in the ancient world. Discover the history and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  2. Explore the Medina of Tunis: Wander through the narrow streets of the Medina, the historic heart of Tunis. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, visit the traditional souks, and admire the beautiful architecture of the old city.
  3. Experience the Sahara Desert: Take a desert excursion and experience the breathtaking beauty of the Sahara. Ride a camel across the golden sand dunes, spend a night under the stars in a desert camp, and witness the magical sunrise over the vast desert landscape.
  4. Relax on the beaches of Djerba: Enjoy the sun, sand, and crystal-clear waters of Djerba, an island known for its beautiful beaches. Whether you prefer a peaceful retreat or water sports activities, Djerba offers a variety of options for all beach lovers.
  5. Discover the Roman ruins of Dougga: Step back in time at the ancient Roman city of Dougga. Marvel at the well-preserved ruins, including the stunning theater, temples, and baths. The site provides a fascinating glimpse into Tunisia’s rich Roman heritage.

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🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Tunisia

The best time to visit Tunisia for backpacking is during the spring and autumn seasons, specifically from March to May and September to November. During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). This allows for comfortable exploration of the country's diverse landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant cities. Additionally, visiting during the shoulder seasons helps avoid the peak summer tourist crowds and scorching temperatures that can exceed 40°C (104°F).JANFEB
MARWhy visit in March?
APRWhy visit in April?
MAYWhy visit in May?
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SEPWhy visit in September?
OCTWhy visit in October?
NOVWhy visit in November?
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when-to-go

Risk level: medium (50%)
Safety advice for Tunisia


  • Terrorist attacks are an ongoing risk in Tunisia, including at tourist and religious sites. Local authorities have increased security. Be alert to possible threats.

  • Instability in Libya and Algeria has resulted in greater volatility in southern Tunisia. There's a kidnapping risk in the border regions. If despite our advice you plan to travel to these areas, seek professional security advice.

  • Civil unrest is common. Protests, demonstrations and strikes can occur with little or no warning and can become violent, especially on days of national significance and around Friday prayers. Avoid all protests and large gatherings. Follow the advice of local authorities.

  • A state of emergency was declared in 2015 and is regularly extended. It remains in effect until further notice. The state of emergency grants authorities and security forces exceptional powers against threats of terrorism or organised crime. It allows actions such as preventative arrests, banning strikes or meetings and control of media. For more information see the 'Civil unrest and political tensions' section.

  • Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, occurs. Don't leave valuables in parked cars or unsecured in your hotel room.

  • Women may be harassed on the street. Take care when travelling alone or at night.

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source: www.gov.uk

Tunisia
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Tunisia sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.

Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Tunisia. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Tunisia may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Tunisia, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
authorOver the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.


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last page update: 29 September 2024

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