Lively Tunisia has oriental exoticism spiced with a touch of African way of life and European culture.
The scents and colors of the old bazaar streets will fill your senses as you step into the oldest parts of the Tunisian city. Beautiful jewelry as gifts and a glass of tea in the shade of the shop sheds – a casual lifestyle suitable for the holidaymaker. Of other Mediterranean destinations, fabulous Tunisia stands out in terms of prices, golf and the Sahara.
A colorful blend of the past and modern times
Nearly 3,000 years ago, the Phoenicians built the mighty city of Carthage on the shores of the Mediterranean. Today, the area is filled with bustling bazaars, upscale golf courses and long sandy beaches. Tunisia is a mixture of modern and past.
According to countryaah, Tunisia in North Africa is one of the most accessible countries on its continent. It is located on the shores of the Mediterranean between its major neighbors Algeria and Libya.
Due to its location, Tunisia not only mixes time periods but also cultures. The French rule that lasted until 1956 is still evident, especially on restaurant menus. The religion was brought to the country by the Arabs around the 6th century. However, the first residents of the area were Berbers, who still live in the southern parts of the country.
Best time to travel to Tunisia
Tunisia is a fairly small country, but the geographical variations within it are large. The northern coastal resorts have a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and often rainy winters. Once upon a time, the green coast of Tunisia served as a granary for the Roman Empire. In the more mountainous areas of the central part of the country rise peaceful olive groves, which in the south turn into the endless sandy sea of the Sahara.
Finnish tour operators fly holidaymakers to Tunisian holiday paradises almost all year round. The best travel time is late spring and early fall, when the day’s highest temperatures remain at 30-degree splits. Even in the summer months, the degrees remain relatively tolerable thanks to the marine climate. In the autumn, the seawater stays at bathing temperature until November.
Bargaining saves in Tunisia
Tunisia’s price level is affordable compared to other Mediterranean destinations. In hotel restaurants, the price of a meal may rise almost to Finnish readings, but other places to eat are considerably cheaper.
In urban bazaars, avid traders offer stuff ranging from trinkets to valuables. Shopping at them is beneficial as long as you remember to bargain briskly. Popular souvenirs and souvenirs include handmade rugs, silver jewelry, pottery, and copper and brass items. You should also take a moment to admire the colorful and fragrant spice shops.
Experience a varied holiday in the warmth
The white sandy beaches and turquoise sea invite you to laze and relax, but even Tunisia, who is looking for a more active holiday, will not be left cold. The 1,300-kilometer coastline provides a functional setting for water sports, and the lush hinterland of the north attracts horseback riding trips. There are high-quality golf courses near the resorts, the price level of which is clearly lower than in Europe.
Short for TS by abbreviationfinder, Tunisia is also a paradise for the cultural holidaymaker. The country’s long history and unique cultural mix guarantee a diverse range of culturally significant destinations. The most notable of these are the ruins of the former flagship city of Carthage, the impressive amphitheater of El Jem and the old center of the capital, Tunis.
Islamic culture defines Tunisia
Tunisia is a Muslim state, and despite the increase in tourism, it is good for visitors to respect the local culture. Dress that is too revealing attracts unfavorable attention in the city, and religious sites such as mosques cannot be reached by tourists without covering clothing. In the hotel pool and on the beaches, bikinis and swimsuits are of course the right of the holidaymaker.
Alcoholic culture does not include alcohol, so its intake in the country is limited. Hotels and restaurants do serve local wine and beer, but alcoholic beverages are not always available on the shelves of small shops.
In addition to Arabia, French and English are widely spoken in Tunisia. Bazaar merchants are in a class of their own.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN TUNISIA
Holiday flights to several destinations
Packed trips to Tunisian beach resorts are sold by many of Finland’s largest travel agencies. Destinations vary slightly between tour operators, but the most popular holiday destinations are Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir and Djerba. Flights and weekly accommodation at the beach resort tax the holiday fund at around 500-1000 euros per adult. By grabbing a sudden departure, the price of the trip drops by as much as half.
There are no scheduled flights from Finland to Tunisia, but by changing to Paris, for example, you can get to the capital Tunis for less than 500 euros.
Getting around Tunisia
Even though you are in a desert state, a camel is not the only travel option. Trains and buses run between the cities, smaller local buses run shorter distances. It is easy and inexpensive to get around by public transport, so if you have enough time, you should hop aboard and explore the neighboring town.
Renting a car is a great way to see Tunisia. Especially in the south, however, care must be taken, as sandy roads may be deceptively soft.
Taxis are cheap in Tunisia. A trip of about five kilometers to the resort costs less than three euros.
Child-friendly accommodation options
Beach resorts offer hotels for many tastes. The offer of Finnish tour operators varies from apartments to all inclusive hotels. There are accommodation for families with children, with pools suitable for the little ones, plenty of program and food for even the most picky tastes.
TRAVEL DESTINATIONS IN TUNISIA
Tunisian beaches invite you to vacation
The most popular resorts are located on the green coast of the north of the country, offering an interesting combination of history and present. From the white sandy beaches and shiny hotels just a stone’s throw away are the ancient city squares with their fountains.
Of the beach resorts, Hammamet attracts with its long beach and diverse recreational opportunities. More than 3,000 years old, Sousse, on the other hand, enchants with its old town and miles of catacombs. Djerba is the southernmost island in the Mediterranean, with everything you could expect from a beach holiday: white beaches, turquoise sea, chalk-white houses and olive groves.
From a million cities to the desert
There is much more to see in Tunisia than the beaches and bazaars, so a holidaymaker looking to do something should take part in excursions with tour operators or take a trip on their own, for example to the mighty city of Carthage or a desert safari.
Watching the sunset at the end of a camel ride is perhaps one of the finest ways to crown your vacation in Tunisia. The trip also provides an opportunity to visit interesting desert landscapes familiar from, for example, Star Wars movies.
In southern Tunisia, it is not worth ignoring the unique architecture of the Berbers. Among other things, Matmatas’ attraction is the underground dwellings of the indigenous people. Still, some of the Berbers live in these villages, with residential caves engraved on the walls of crater-shaped pits.
The capital of Tunisia, Tunis, is at first glance a modernist city. In the middle of it, however, lies the Medina, an old town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The Medina’s more than 700 monuments, among magnificent mosques and ornate fountains, exude history.
