Traveling in North Africa: Highlights from a Holiday in Tunisia

Tunisia, The Original Africa

North Africa is brimming with individuality. The region is unlike anywhere else I’ve visited before, although there are bits of familiarity within the culture, architecture, religion, cuisine and landscape. It is in those small recognizable morsels that leaves you intrigued to visit and once there, longing to return. 

The word Africa could have actually originated in Tunisia. Africa is traced back to potentially a Roman word, meaning one theory is that the Romans were credited with formally naming the continent. They may have used the “land of Afri” to describe the northern region. During the time, the capital was Carthage, which is now modern day Tunisia. Other theories are that the Phoenician word for dust is “afar”, or the Latin word for sunny is “aprica”.  However the Romans choose to call it, Tunisia and the ancient ruins that comprise so much of the country are a solid and constant reminder that the region played a significant role in worldwide modern civilization. 

Linguistic Tip: I learned that the suffix “-ica” can be used to talk about a piece of land so Afr-ica is how the word would have been formed. 

While the list of things I enjoyed about Tunisia is ever growing, there are a few stand outs that I would recommend adding into your visit to Tunisia. 

Best Medina in Tunisia: Kairouan 

I’ve been through a medina or two in my life. Morocco was one of my first medina experiences, and while the old walled city in Marrakech is  undoubtedly the most iconic, I was so impressed by the laid back local life in the Kairouan old city. Exploring here is best done on foot, it is a manageable city to see by walking, and a good way to get a feel for the small pedestrian side streets and alleyways.

Tunis has a contemporary vibe, while Kairouan feels like not much has changed over the centuries within its babs (gates). Wonderful examples of Islamic architecture appear around every corner and you immediately feel like you’ve lived in the neighborhood your whole life, shop owners greet you with smiles, old women sitting on their doorfronts nod hello to you as you walk through the little labyrinth.  

Kairouan is the fourth most important city in the Muslim religion and the mosque here is the oldest in North Africa. Tunis may be the modern capital of the country, but Kairouan can be seen as the religious capital. People will come as a pilgrimage to visit the mosques and famed Islamic schools of the city. While non-muslims are not permitted to enter the prayer hall of the Great Mosque, you can explore the outside grounds and the doors are often open so you can have a sneak peak inside. 

In addition to being the religious capital, Kairouan is well known for their carpet weaving. An ancient tradition, weaving plays an important role in this region. It is said that a good future wife would purchase a Kairouan rug as part of her dowery. 

Best Seaside Town in Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said 

Don’t get Sidi Bou Said confused with an ultra famous Greek Isle, although it could be easy to draw parallels. White buildings adorned with bright cobalt roofs and the Mediterranean Sea glistening in the distance, there are many visual similarities. 

The differences, however, are what make Sidi Bou Said one of my favorite seaside cities. This is probably the closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re in the Greek Isles without stepping one foot in Greece. The white buildings, some dome roofing along with the bright blue trimmings really takes me back to my other Mediterranean seaside trips. Even with the similarities, Sidi Bou Said can stand on it’s own when it comes to a perfect beachside vacation town. 

Wake up early and walk around the small streets, scope out all of the intricate doorways of Sidi Bou Said. It was my favorite part of spending time in the village, hunting for doors. The grand archways, the nailed patterns and brightly painted wood make for eye catching photos. 

Sidi Bou Said was a refuge for artists in the late 19th, early 20th century and you can nearly feel the creativity pulsing through the cobble stoned streets. Famous painters like Matisse had spent time here and it is easy to see the reason why, Sidi Bou Said is simply a muse. 

Best Eco Activity: Ichkeul National Park 

A must visit day trip, Ichkeul National Park and Lake are a prime example of how a little care can keep an eco system alive. This is THE place for bird enthusiasts. Hundreds of thousands of birds use this area as a stop over in migration patterns. If you’re lucky, Jamil will be there as your guide to share his enthusiasm for ornithology. Careful, it’s contagious. An afternoon with him and a few glimpses through the binoculars and you’ll be hooked. The highlight was a large low flying flock of flamingos that we spotted almost right when we set up our observation spot. 

Fun Fact: A large grouping of flamingos is called a flamboyance. It doesn’t get much better than that! 

Best Place to Learn History: Bulla Regia 

Thinking back to history class, it is likely to have learned an extensive amount about ancient civilizations. While places like Italy and Greece were curriculum highlights, modern day Tunisia serves as a destination packed with reminders of the past. Bulla Regia is one such location that provides an extraordinary look back to the centuries and was one of my favorite places to visit during my trip.  

The site has preserved and fully visible floor mosaics, which is unusual due to factors like age and environmental impact. The Romans at the time would live underground floors during the hot summer months and actually being able to walk old staircases to the sub-level housing is mind-blowing when you truly calculate the age of these homes. We were one of the only people walking through the grounds, so in comparison to some of the more popular sites in other European countries, this is one UNESCO site you can’t pass up. 

Best Place to Wind Down: Tabarka 

Northwestern Tunisia may be well known for North African vacationers, but for myself as an American, it was a completely new destination to learn and explore. The beaches here are frequented by Tunisian and Algerian vacationers and the surrounding region has some impressive day trips to visit in between your seaside down time. 

My favorite part of our time here was packing our day with sight seeing, only to be rewarded with a swim at dusk, the pool overlooking the sea with the Genoese Fort in the background. 

Things to Know Before Going on Holiday in Tunisia 

Northern Africa for some is a romantic, mysterious destination. One that is partnered with intrigue simply on the basis that it is a culture and region many of us are not familiar with. I traveled with Off Season Adventures, and it was the perfect way to be introduced to a new country. They took the guesswork out of how to visit Tunisia, with lots of information prior to the trip and then phenomenal guides on the ground when I arrived. 

Tunisia was under French rule from the late 1880’s until 1956, so French and European influences can be found within language, culture and cuisine, among other things. Once colonialism is formally over, there are still remnants of foreign occupation that have lasting effects. 

Many asked about safety with solo female travel in Tunisia. Because of two tragic incident involving attacks in 2015, tourism took a major hit. The people of Tunisia are hospitable to visitors and they are looking forward to welcoming tourists return. I felt completely safe and secure during my time in Tunisia. 

Weather in Tunisia 

Tunisia although small in size, is geographically diverse and mainly boasts a Mediterranean climate. Summers here are HOT. I traveled in September, and we had most days with dry heat and a handful of days with some spectacular, speedy thunderstorms. Spring, April through June, is their major tourist season, as well as when the weather is the most agreeable. After summer, the visitors pick up again in October into early winter. 

Booking Tip: Try visiting on a shoulder season, where the crowds are fewer, the weather can still be favorable and it’s more cost effective.  

Food of Tunisia 

Tunisian food could be worth the trip. Fresh and seasonal are two things that fall as a staple. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better melange of a meal, Mediterranean flavors, Berber spiciness. Lots of seafood is readily fresh and available since many towns hug the coastline. In addition, familiar Northern African foods like couscous also make an appearance at the table. One major addition that I tried for the first time was Harissa. It is a spicy, peppery sauce that is served with nearly everything. Think about how Americans feel about ketchup, that is how Tunisians love their Harissa. 

Tunisian Culture 

For a majority of visitors, coming to North Africa may mean the first introduction onto the diverse, spectacular continent. I’ll share a secret with you, taking a visit to a place like Tunisia will smash stereotypes and show a wonderful view on African or Arabic culture, two things that you may not be accustomed. The religion, the history, the culture and the people are friendly and fascinating, so I recommend taking some time to learn something new.

Tunisia is a predominately Muslim country. Visiting a place that is majority one religion can be a new experience, especially when coming from places with more diverse doctrines. It is a gentle introduction into Islamic traditions, Tunisia is a more contemporary country and is relaxed compared to other more strict, conservative Muslim countries. 

Even with those considerations, I recommend dressing conservatively out of respect. Covering shoulders, wearing long skirts or pants are preferred. In most of the tourist areas, clothing is more “westernized” but being more modest is suggested. If you’re visiting a beach near a hotel or at a pool in your bikini, it’s best to use your judgement.   

Book a holiday in Tunisia with Off Seasons Adventures as a perfect way to dip your toes into North Africa. Alternatively, if you’ve been to Africa before, consider a country like Tunisia to explore a different and diverse region. A massive thanks goes to Off Season Adventures for organizing my trip.

Our friends at Off Season Adventures want you to have the same fabulous experience I did. They are offering $100 off a trip to any Speck on the Globe readers, just use the code ‘SPECK’ at checkout!