Travel tips for Tunisia

June 11, 2023 4:17 AM

We're considering a vacation in Tunisia for late February through early March of next year. The temps at that time will put the kibosh on ocean swimming, of course, but a stay at a town next to the ocean might be pleasant--as would desert trips. Questions . . .

-Tunis: Some people recommend staying at Sidi Bou Said and commuting into Tunis proper every day. Is this a practical idea? Or would it be better to divide the Tunis-area stay into a few days in Tunis followed by a few days in Sidi Bou Said?
-After Tunis, Tozeur will be the next destination. If possible, we'd like to rent a car and drive around the nearby oases. Are they close enough to make day trips a possibility?
-What other towns or regions should we consider if we're looking for quiet, historically or culturally interesting towns--with great food--rather than beach resorts? Do Djerba and Hammamet fit the bill? Any other suggestions?
More generalized suggestions or ideas would be welcomed as well!

posted by Gordion Knott to Travel & Transportation around Tunisia (2 answers total)

Considering the economic and political turmoil in Tunisia at the moment, I would wait a few months before making any nonrefundable decisions. Traveling in a country undergoing a rapid economic collapse is not fun even if it's relatively safe.
posted by derrinyet at 7:48 PM on June 11, 2023

I am an adventurous traveler but I'd also advise against self-organized travel to Tunisia at the moment. I've been there in the past, it's a beautiful country but maybe now is not the time. If you want to stay in the region and some travel risk is acceptable to you, I'd suggest looking into Egypt or Jordan. Especially the latter offers a great combination of city (Amman), cultural sights (Petra) and desert drives (Wadi Rum) as well as beach resorts for a few days to snorkel/dive and relax.
posted by Fallbala at 1:17 AM on June 12, 2023