Tunisia
Holidays & Travel Facts

It may be but a slim wedge of North Africa’s vast horizontal expanse, but Tunisia has enough history and diverse natural beauty to pack a country many times its size. With a balmy, sand-fringed Mediterranean coast, scented with jasmine and sea breezes, and where the fish on your plate is always fresh, Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-and-sea holiday.

Overview for Tunisia

The Carthaginian Empire, Rome's arch enemy, was centered in Tunisia. Its capital, Carthage, is now a suburb of Tunis. Founded by Phoenician settlers from Tyre and Sidon (modern day Lebanon).  Tunisia lies in Northern Africa and has a Mediterranean Sea coastline in the very centre of Mediterranean Africa. Tunisia lies immediately to the south of Italy and Malta. Libya borders Tunisia to the south-east, whilst Algeria lies to the west

Best Time to Visit

Tunisa is predominantly temperate in the mountainous north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.  There is a hot, dry central plain with a semiarid south that merges into the Sahara desert in the south.

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Visas

No visa is required for Americans, Canadians, European Community citizens, Great Maghreb nationals (Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania), Japanese and South Koreans. A landing visa (on arrival) is available for Australians. For New Zealand, other African and Asian countries' nationals, a visa must be applied for at the embassy of coverage.

Religious Etiquette

Tunisia is predominantly Muslim (Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%)  Although they are used to Western ways, you should try to be respectful. This means that Muslim conventions are best respected:

  • Women and men should make an effort to cover their legs and arms.

  • It is regarded as disrespectful to show public affection.

  • Be discreet when drinking alcohol.

  • During Ramadan -- the month of fasting -- travelers should avoid eating and drinking during the daytime. Also, be sure not to smoke in front of people, nor chew gum, and it is polite to avoid talking about the nice lunch you had.