The Medina

Tunis, Tunisia

The UNESCO-listed old city, a labyrinth of souks, mosques, madrasas and palaces around the great Zitouna Mosque. The historic heart of Tunis.

Places in The Medina

Dar El Jeld The grandest Tunisian dining, in a magnificent restored palace in the medina, serving refined traditional dishes beneath a soaring painted ceiling. A special-occasion feast.
El Ali A restored medina house that is part café, restaurant and cultural space, serving modern takes on Tunisian dishes with a rooftop terrace. Creative and warm.
Medina & street food (brik, lablabi) The stalls and hole-in-the-wall spots serve brik (crispy egg pastry), lablabi (chickpea soup), fricassé and grilled merguez, the true taste of Tunis. Cheap and delicious.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to November for warm, comfortable Mediterranean weather. Summer is hot and busy at the beaches; winter is mild and quiet. Spring brings the countryside into bloom.
Getting around: The TGM light rail links central Tunis to Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the beach suburb of La Marsa — the most useful line for visitors. Taxis are cheap and plentiful; the medina is walked. A guide helps for a first medina visit.
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (DT)
Language: Arabic. French is widespread; English in tourism.
Timezone: CET (UTC+1)
Current trends: A revival of the medina with boutique dar guesthouses and rooftop cafés; a small modern-Tunisian and international dining scene in the ville nouvelle and La Marsa; a strong café-and-shisha culture; and cultural tourism deepening around Carthage and the Bardo.

Ville Nouvelle — The French-built new town along the grand Avenue Habib Bourguiba, with cafés, the cathedral, theatres and shops. The city's modern, café-lined spine.
Sidi Bou Said — A postcard cliff-top village of cobbled lanes, blue doors and white walls above the Mediterranean, the region's most beautiful spot. Essential and enchanting.
Carthage — The leafy seaside suburb built over the ruins of the ancient Punic and Roman city, with archaeological sites scattered among villas. History by the sea.
La Marsa — A relaxed, upscale beach suburb with a seafront corniche, cafés and restaurants, popular with locals for weekends. The city's easy Mediterranean escape.