Tunisia may be small in size, but it’s nothing of the sort when it comes to history and culture. Home to Carthage’s ancient ruins and vibrant medinas, as well as diverse landscapes that span from the Mediterranean coast to the Sahara Desert, Tunisia is a North African destination well worth visiting.
The Best Places to Stay in Tunisia
Our top 5 picks for the best areas to stay on a trip to Tunisia include:
- Tunis: The capital of Tunisia is a must-visit for those who want to see a modern North African cosmopolitan city with lots of cultural spots, cafes, and restaurants.
- Monastir: A wonderful seaside town, perfect for people seeking pristine beaches paired with local historic sights, including a famous mausoleum and a medieval fortress.
- Djerba Island: Perfect for vacationing by the sea in Tunisia, doing watersports, and also visiting one of the oldest synagogues in the world.
- Sousse: A larger city in Tunis and a UNESCO site, best for people who are looking for some more ancient cultural spots but who also don’t want to miss out on relaxation by the sea.
- Tozeur: Perfect for adventurers and those who want to see another side of Tunisia — one that offers an oasis amidst the Sahara desert and the otherworldly landscapes of the Chott el Djerid salt flats.
Where to Stay in Tunisia: Best Areas & Hotels
Tunisia is a very hospitable country that offers a wide variety of accommodations. From guesthouses and small hotels, through mid-range and upscale hotels, to luxury, all-inclusive resorts, there are plenty of options for everyone’s budget.
The same goes for the food. Tunisia has a diverse and rich cuisine, offering mouth-watering delicacies able to accommodate all types of eaters — vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians, but also meat eaters, and those in between.
Tunisia is a great place for both relaxation and city exploration, offering stunning, ancient medinas, but also great beaches and seaside towns.
Here you can sunbathe and swim in the Gulf of Tunis and Gulf of Hammamet, and also stay among medieval old town walls and witness the dynamic, but also relaxed way of life of local Tunisians.
Read on to find out what type of Tunisian city or town will best suit your vacation plans.
1. Tunis
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The capital city of Tunisia, Tunis, is a captivating place that perfectly encapsulates the alluring mix of modernity and tradition of this charming North African country.
When we talk about Tunis, we have to start with the medina, which is the name of historical districts in Arab culture, apart from being the name of “The Prophet’s City” in Saudi Arabia.
When we mention Tunis’ medina, we’re referring to one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world and one of Tunisia’s greatest assets.
This UNESCO site is a huge labyrinth of centuries-old streets and passageways, as well as bustling souks (markets). Here, you’ll also find Ez-Zitouna Mosque, dating back to the 9th century, which stands as a proud testament to the city’s architectural and spiritual heritage.
Beyond the medina, Tunis has evolved into a modern metropolis with wide boulevards, government buildings, and contemporary neighborhoods.
Avenue Habib Bourguiba, often referred to as the “Tunisian Champs-Élysées,” is a bustling avenue lined with embassies, florists, shops, and cafes like the charming Café Theater, part of the beautiful Municipal Theatre located on the same avenue.
Outside of the city center stands the Bardo National Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of Roman mosaics. It’s perfect for history buffs who want to find out more about Tunisia’s past as a Roman province.
However, due to the pandemic, the museum was temporarily closed in 2021, and it’s due to be reopened, although there’s still no specific date as to when this will happen at the time of writing.
Tunis also serves as a gateway to other Tunisian attractions. One example is the nearby seaside town Sidi Bou Said, known for its picturesque blue and white houses and cobbled streets, which also offer stunning views of the Gulf of Tunis.
In the same area, you can find the ancient ruins of Carthage, another UNESCO Heritage site that stood as one of the most prosperous cities in the ancient world.
What remains of it includes the Roman Theatre of Carthage, the Baths of Antoninus, and Byrsa Hill. For more, visit the Carthage National Museum.
Tunis Budget Hotels
- Hotel AL KARMEL is a two-star hotel near Tunis’ zoo and botanical garden. It has nice, simple, and clean rooms with private bathrooms, desks, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The rooms also have balconies. Breakfast is included in the price, making this hotel a great value for your money.
- El Patio Courtyard House is a three-star hotel in Tunis’ medina, near Ez-Zitouna Mosque. It has beautiful rooms decorated in the local, traditional style with ornate rooms, charming vintage beds, and turn-of-the-century furniture. All rooms have a balcony or a patio, as well as air conditioning and private bathrooms. Breakfast is included in the room price.
Tunis Mid-Range Hotels
- Dar Hayder-la Medina is a mid-range three-star hotel in the city center, decorated in a traditional Tunisian style, with arabesque tiles and beautiful green doors. It has rooms with free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. Some rooms also come with a patio. Traditional Tunisian or international breakfast is included in the room price.
- Hotel Carlton is a three-star hotel with a great location, right on Avenue Habib Bourguiba — in the very heart of Tunis. It’s known for its wonderful service and exceptional breakfast, as well as its bright rooms with wide balconies where you can enjoy the Tunisian sun and have a glimpse of the Tunisian busy city life.
Tunis Luxury Hotels
- Palais Bayram is an amazing five-star hotel located in the heart of old town in a historic 18th-century building. When you’re inside the hotel’s rooms, you can’t help but feel like you’re back in time, but with one exception — you have all the luxuries of today! The hotel has an indoor spa and wellness center, a traditional teahouse, and a wonderful restaurant that serves local cuisine.
- Mövenpick Hotel du Lac Tunis is a beautiful five-star hotel from the Mövenpick brand on a wonderful waterfront location next to the Lake of Tunis. The hotel has fantastic amenities, like an indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness center, and fitness center. It also has two restaurants that serve traditional and international delicacies, as well as a buffet breakfast every morning.
2. Monastir
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Monastir is a coastal city located on the central-eastern coast of Tunisia. The city’s history dates back to ancient times, with remnants of Phoenician and Roman influence evident in its architecture and archaeological sites.
The main draw of Monastir, however, is the Ribat of Monastir, a well-preserved 8th-century fortress that offers panoramic views of the sea and the city and now serves as the Museum of Islamic Art.
The city is also known for its wonderful beaches — Skanes Beach, Qaraiya Beach, and Falaise Beach are the most popular ones in Monastir, perfect for sunbathing and water sports, attracting both locals and tourists.
Monastir’s marina is also something you shouldn’t miss while you’re visiting — it adds to the coastal charm of the city, and it’s a great place for sailing and boating.
Near Monastir’s marina, you can also find the Mausoleum of Bourguiba, the final resting place of Tunisia’s first president, Habib Bourguiba. It’s a significant cultural site because of the historical importance of Habib Bourguiba, who was considered to be the father of Tunisian independence.
Monastir Budget Hotels
- Marina Cap Monastir – Appart’Hôtel is a three-star hotel in a wonderful location on Monastir’s marina. It’s a nice white-blue-painted hotel with clean, bright apartment rooms, some of which have sea views. All rooms have private bathrooms and kitchens and a balcony or terrace. The hotel has a private beach area and a fitness center that guests can use. Considering its location, room size, and all the amenities, it’s a great value-for-money accommodation option.
- Hotel Mezri is a three-star beachfront hotel that offers very budget-friendly room prices. It has a small outdoor pool and a terrace, as well as free breakfast every morning. Rooms have pool or sea views, as well as air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Monastir Mid-Range Hotels
- Dar Benti is a beautiful four-star hotel in a traditional building in the center of Monastir. It has a beautiful outdoor pool and a terrace where you can sunbathe or have breakfast. The rooms are elegant, and the white walls are complemented by traditional, ornate furniture.
- Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort is an upscale, upper mid-range five-star hotel on a beachfront location in Monastir. It has one outdoor and two indoor pools, a fitness center, and a spa. Breakfast is included in the regular room prices, but there are also options for dinner as well.
Monastir Luxury Hotels
- TUI MAGIC LIFE Skanes is a four-star luxury hotel located on Monastir’s beachfront, near the Presidential Palace of Bourguiba. It has everything from table tennis to three pools, one of which has waterslides, perfect for both adults and children. In fact, this hotel is very kid-friendly because it also has a kids club and playroom. It’s an all-inclusive resort, meaning breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in the room price.
- Iberostar Selection Kuriat Palace is a five-star all-inclusive resort near the Family Skanes Waterpark and the Presidential Palace of Bourguiba. It’s a luxury resort with beautiful, bright, modern rooms that overlook the sea. It has three pools, a spa, and a wellness center, as well as two restaurants, a bar, and a private beach area reserved only for hotel guests.
3. Djerba Island
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Djerba Island, located off Tunisia’s southern coast, is a captivating Mediterranean escape known for its cultural diversity, sandy beaches, and historical significance. The island’s unique blend of Berber, Jewish, and Arab influences creates a harmonious atmosphere where tradition thrives.
If you want to experience Tunisia’s cultural diversity reflected in its religious legacy, you have to visit the Ghriba Synagogue, believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in the world, with some estimates that it dates back to the 6th century BC.
This iconic synagogue is located in the small village of Hara Sghira Er Riadh, which used to be an ancient Jewish village called Djirt. It’s a charming place located in Djebra’s inland, with picturesque stone houses and colorful wooden doors.
While you’re here, it’s also worth visiting Djerbahood, a part of the village adorned with street-style murals, part of a street art event that happened in 2014.
Around 150 artists participated from all over the world, which resulted in the creation of 250 murals throughout the village. Another small town you can explore on the island is Houmt Souk.
It’s the capital town of the island, and, with a name that means “the market neighborhood,” it’s known for its bustling souks, markets, and narrow streets lined with shops selling local products and handmade crafts.
But this wouldn’t be a vacation island without great beaches. Djerba is also known for its pristine beaches.
Our top suggestions include Sidi Mahrez Beach, El Hachen Beach, and beaches Yati 1 and 2, among many others, boasting turquoise waters and golden sands, places where you can relax or do all kinds of water sports.
If you’re looking for a bit of entertainment while you’re visiting Djerba, then make sure to visit the Djerba Ulysses Festival. It’s a festival that usually happens in August, and it’s aimed at promoting Djerba’s cultural and historic multicultural legacy.
It features theater and dance performances, musical concerts, art exhibitions, workshops, as well as street food markets. If you want to get to know Djerba in a nutshell, then make sure to come when this festival is happening.
Djerba Island Budget Hotels
- Djerba Authentique is a charming three-star hotel, a little less than three miles from Sidi Mahrez Beach. It has nice, clean rooms decorated in traditional style, with private bathrooms, and free continental breakfast. Some rooms also have balconies.
- Hôtel Djerba Erriadh is a one-star hotel near the port and the Ghazi Mustapha Tower. It has a great location, especially convenient if you don’t have a car. Rooms are in the traditional Tunisian style, with private bathrooms and balconies. Breakfast is not included in the price, but it’s pretty cheap if you decide to pay extra.
Djerba Island Mid-Range Hotels
- Hasdrubal Thalassa & Spa Djerba is a five-star hotel with a private beach. It’s a great hotel with lots of amenities, like two swimming pools, a spa and fitness center, a restaurant and a bar. It has spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms and bathtubs. It’s a great value for your money when you consider what it offers — the location, the price, the amenities, and the service.
- Palm Djerba Suites is a three-star hotel close to the beach, in the lower mid-range. It’s pretty nice — it boasts two swimming pools and a restaurant where you can have free breakfast every morning. Reviewers particularly liked the spacious rooms and the friendly staff.
Djerba Island Luxury Hotels
- Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso is a beachside luxury five-star hotel from the famous Radisson brand. It has a private beach that only hotel guests can use. It also has three swimming pools, a spa and wellness center, four restaurants, and five bars. You can also do lots of daily sports activities at the hotel, such as power yoga and water sports.
- TUI BLUE Palm Beach Palace Djerba is a beautiful, luxury five-star hotel that’s adult-only, meaning kids are not allowed to stay at the hotel. Here you can enjoy yourself on the hotel’s private beach or swim in one of the three pools. You can also relax at the hotel’s spa and wellness center or exercise at the fitness center. This is an all-inclusive resort, so you can have meals and drinks any time of the day — and night!
4. Sousse
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Sousse is a true gem in eastern Tunisia, a historically significant city that beautifully melds modern life with ancient charm.
Known for its stunning Mediterranean beaches and rich history, Sousse has been inhabited since ancient times, with remnants of its Phoenician and Roman past still visible and perfectly integrated into its Islamic present.
In 2003, Sousse received worldwide recognition as an important spot of culture and history when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Medina and its archaeological heritage, including the Riba fortress.
The city’s UNESCO-listed medina captivates visitors with its intricate architecture and bustling markets. Another thing you can find there is the Ribat of Sousse, a well-preserved medieval fortress built in the 9th century, which offers wonderful views of the city and the sea.
One of the things you can do to familiarize yourself with Tunisian history and culture is to explore the Sousse Archaeological Museum. Located in a historic casbah, it’s home to an impressive collection of artifacts from the region’s rich history, including Roman mosaics, sculptures, and Islamic ceramics.
Another important sight is the Great Mosque of Sousse, which dates back to the 9th century and showcases a blend of Islamic and Byzantine styles. It’s a wonderful architectural piece, perfect for architecture enthusiasts and lovers of Islamic and Byzantine art.
But Sousse also has other attractions, like its city beaches. The beaches around Port El Kantaoui are particularly attractive for tourists who seek relaxation and who also want to do water sports.
Among the other great beaches within the city we’d recommend is the Bou Jaafar Beach. It’s one of Sousse’s main beaches, located in the city center, where you can swim, sunbathe, or enjoy water sports like parasailing and jet skiing.
Sousse Budget Hotels
- Hotel Soussana is a nice, two-star hotel near Bou Jaafar Beach. It has rooms with sea or city views, with private bathrooms and balconies. The hotel also has a restaurant where you can have free breakfast every morning.
- Hôtel Medina is a two-star hotel right next to the Great Mosque of Sousse. The hotel has very affordable room rates and is especially convenient for people traveling without a car because it’s in the center of the city. All rooms have private bathrooms and a balcony or a terrace. Breakfast is included in the room price.
Sousse Mid-Range Hotels
- Dar Antonia is a beautiful four-star hotel in the heart of Sousse’s medina. Its white and pastel-green exteriors and Tunisian-style rooms, each individually decorated, make this hotel a delight to stay at. The hotel has a wonderful rooftop pool that offers stunning views of the authentic Soussian cityscape.
- Dar Lekbira Boutique Hôtel is a three-star hotel in the center of Sousse. It’s a traditionally-decorated hotel, very ornate and colorful, with beautiful arabesques. Rooms are spacious, with air conditioning and balconies, and they also have private bathrooms with a spa bath.
Sousse Luxury Hotels
- Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa is a beachfront luxury five-star hotel in the very center of Sousse. It has a private beach area reserved only for its guests. It also has saltwater outdoor swimming pools, a spa, wellness, and a fitness center. Rich breakfast is included in the room price — you can have it in your rooms or on the hotel’s terrace and restaurants.
- Sousse Pearl Marriott Resort & Spa is a luxury five-star hotel in Sousse’s center. It has a private beach, and if you’re not feeling like going to the beach, that’s fine. The hotel also has not one but four swimming pools that you can use. It also has a spa, a bar, and five restaurants serving different kinds of cuisines, both local and international.
5. Tozeur
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Tozeur is a captivating desert oasis town located in southwestern Tunisia. Nestled at the edge of the Sahara Desert, Tozeur boasts a remarkable blend of ancient traditions and modern comforts.
The town’s most striking feature is its lush palm groves, watered by an intricate network of canals known as “qanats,” which have sustained the area for centuries.
Tozeur’s architecture is characterized by its distinctive brickwork, featuring intricate designs and geometric patterns that provide shade and ventilation. The medina is a maze of narrow streets lined with traditional shops and cafes.
Within its walls you should visit the Sidi Ben Aissa Archaeological and Traditional Museum, especially if you want to familiarize yourself with the local Tozeur’s traditions. Another such place is Musée d’Arts Tozeurous, located a few streets away.
Tozeur is also a gateway to the Chott el Jerid salt flats, part of the landscape surrounding the Chott el Jerid lake. These salt flats are the Sahara Desert’s largest salt pan and are particularly famous in the world as the filming locations of the Star Wars franchise.
They’re definitely a must-visit for fans of the films but also for all people who want to experience an otherworldly landscape, a stark desert expanse that produces a magical shimmer in the special hours during sunrise and sunset.
Other notable attractions near Tozeur are the old, picturesque villages of Chebika and Tamerza, known for their stunning canyons, waterfalls, and ancient ruins. These sites offer a glimpse into the natural beauty of the region.
Also, while you’re in Tozeur, you can visit the neighboring town of Nefta, which is renowned for its historic mosques with intricate, arabesque tilework, as well as an important religious site of annual pilgrimage.
The town’s unique charm, desert landscapes, and cultural heritage make Tozeur an enchanting destination for travelers seeking an authentic Tunisian experience, different from all the other cities and towns we’ve included in our list here.
Tozeur Budget Hotels
- Maison D’Hôtes Dar Fatima is a two-star hotel near Tozeur’s street market. It offers cozy rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also have a balcony. Free breakfast is included in the room price. Guests were particularly fond of the friendly owners of the hotel who allegedly treat everyone like family.
- Résidence Le Ruisseau is a two-star hotel with a location opposite Tozeur’s Central Bus Station. It offers simple, but cozy rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning, and a balcony. Breakfast is included in the room price.
Tozeur Mid-Range Hotels
- Dar Yomma is a nice three-star hotel near El Berka Park. It has an outdoor pool surrounded by tall palm trees and sunbeds where you can relax with a book, a refreshing drink, or sunbathe. It has simple, cozy rooms with private bathrooms and air conditioning, and a terrace. Guests also had lots of praise for the hotel staff and the hotel owner.
- Dar Saida Beya is a small, charming three-star hotel in the center of Tozeur. It has beautiful, sepia-tone rooms decorated in a more minimalist traditional Tunisian style. All of them have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and patios. A nice breakfast is included in the room price.
Tozeur Luxury Hotels
- Anantara Sahara-Tozeur Resort & Villas is a five-star luxury resort outside of Tozeur’s center. It’s an amazing hotel, built in an ancient-modern style, with an oasis in the desert type of theme. It has an outdoor pool, a spa and wellness center, three restaurants, and a bar. Guests particularly liked the exceptional breakfast, and that the hotel is pet-friendly.
- Maison d’hotes Dar Tozeur is a beautiful four-star hotel in the center of Tozeur. The place has been described by many guests as dreamy and magical, in large part because of its traditional-style outdoor pool and ornamental rooms. The hotel has a fitness center and a bar and also offers room service. Guests can use the hotel’s sauna and hammam.
Book Your Trip to Tunisia Today!
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Tunisia is a country rich with culture, architecture, and historic and natural wonders. It’s hard to choose one place where you should stay in Tunisia, so instead, we chose the best five, although there are many more!
| 🏆 Best for First Timers | Tunis |
| ⛱️ Best for Beaches | Monastir |
| 🛥️ Best for Watersports | Djerba Island |
| 🏛️ Best for Ancient Culture | Sousse |
| 🌲 Best for Adventure | Tozeur |
After all, that’s just how Tunisia is — it manages to surprise you on every corner with something both ancient and modern, hospitable and wild, something tangible and otherworldly.
When you’re visiting a country like that, it pays off to leave a little bit to the imagination and to let yourself be surprised. So, with so much to see and do, what are you waiting for — book your trip today!