travel tips | tunisia (eng.)

TUNISIA

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

Tunisia or Tunisian Republic, is a region of the Maghreb, which is in North Africa. The country is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the north and on the south, it is also bordered by Italy, Libya and Algeria. 40% of its territory is composed of the Sahara Desert, and the rest of the country has a fertile and productive soil.

It has been for many decades a vacation scenery for Europeans, and some years ago the country also became a destination chosen by Brazilian people. The country is the setting of the tales of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and it has stunning landscapes, like the mysteries of the Sahara desert and the beauty of many beaches.

Tunisia is a country of contrasts. On the north there are mountains and palm trees forests. On the south, there are deserts inhabited by Berber communities. With a history of over 300,000 years, Tunisia is a truly unique country. You will see landscapes that look like the moon, deserts, many beautiful beaches, and their traditional culture influenced by the Arabs and the French that attracts tourists from all over the world. It is the most European country from Arab origin.

Tunisia has a unique climate on the planet, due to the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea. On the north, where there are mountains, the winter is rainy and the temperatures are pleasant.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPSTUNISIA

most countries. For Tunisians, there are only two holy dates: Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, when they celebrate the end of Ramadan (fasting) and the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and Eid ul-Adha on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the year.

CURIOSITIESThe Tunisian culture encourages people to bargain. So negotiate when you go shopping, because you may end up paying less than what you expected.

The Tunisians really wear those Aladdin shoes, the pointy ones in the front. And they are very comfortable.

TRANSPORT

Travelling in Tunisia is very easy. The country offers many kinds of transportation such as airplane, train, bus and car.

By air: There are flights to the main destinations in the country.

Train: train lines run throughout the country, from Morocco to Algeria. At Barcelona Square, from Tunis central station there are trains that go to all over the country. At this station you can buy the Blue Card pass, valid up to three weeks. Even if you have the Blue Card pass, you need to make reservation in advance, especially during the high season.

Almost 40% of the Tunisian territory is composed by the Sahara Desert, which is on the south of the country. During the summer the climate is usually dry, but as you get closer to the Mediterranean Sea, the temperatures are not as high.

It is nice to visit Tunisia all year long. July and August are the warmest months of the year, perfect for those who like to dive and go to the beach.

If you prefer mild temperatures, go to Tunisia during spring or autumn, when the temperatures are not so high. During the winter, the temperatures are not very low.

HOLIDAYSTunisia follows the Islamic calendar which is different from the Gregorian one, followed by

Bus: You can get to the main cities in Tunisia by bus routes through the bus stations (“Gara de autobus”). At the Bab Saadani station there are buses to the north of the country, and from Tunis-Bab el Fallah or Bab Alioua leave the ones that go to the south.

Car: It is very easy to drive through the Tunisian coast. Even though the roads are in good condition, tourists should be always with a guide.

ATTRACTIONS

There are several attractions in Tunisia. The fact that the country has the best of historical and new attractions only adds to the fun. Some of the most interesting are:

Bardo Museum: where one of the largest collections in the world of Roman, Byzantine and Carthaginians mosaics is. Not much is known about the daily life of the city of Carthage, founded in 800 b.C. by the Phoenicians and destroyed by the Romans in 146 b.C, at the end of the Punic wars against Rome.


Medina of Tunis: the old city, built in the seventh century, have a huge market that is in the heart of the city’s culture and history. There you will see a typical characteristic of any Arab country, the famous market bargains. A business that starts at $ 100 may end up at $ 5. This is culture!

Zitouna Mosque: is one of the oldest in the world, and was rebuilt in the nineteenth century on a structure of the seventh century. It is one of the few Mosques in the world that allows the entry of non-Muslim visitors. Over 200 columns were removed from the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, which can be observed in the colonnade around the courtyard.

Carthage: even though there is not much left from the old city after the Roman destruction, the visit at Carthage is a true history class. Go to the base of Mount Byrsa and take some time to visit the St. Louis Cathedral. From the top of the hill there is a great view of Tunis, capital of Tunisia.

Antoine Baths: At the Antoine Baths you will find the ruins where the public baths of Antoninus Pius happened. In the past, there were spa hot baths, cold baths and sauna, but today, all that there is left are the caves. Built between 145 and 165 a.C., Antoine Baths is one of the largest buildings of the Roman Empire.

Zaghouan: near the city, visit the Roman ruins of a 60 km long aqueduct, which, in the second century, supplied the north coast of the country. Next to the Bardo Museum in the capital, it is possible to see some of their structures, but they will only appear in all its splendor near Thuburbo Majus, an archaeological site west of Zaghouan.

Sanctuary of Tophet: an archaeological site was excavated in the beginning of the century


as a sanctuary of sacrifice. Walking through it is possible to see tombstones with bas-reliefs showing human figures.

Dougga / Thugg: Tunisia is a city by the sea, and, just like the Medina, is a World Heritage.

The city founded by the Berber people is in ruins, and is proud of being the city that has more churches and temples in Africa, one for each Greek god. Dougga is the right destination for those traveling to Tunisia.


WHERE TO STAY

In Tunis there are several options to stay, hostels, hotels and apartments. With prices ranging from $ 107 up to $ 356 per night, you can have the best of Tunis. Depending on the price and the neighborhood it may be included all meals or at least the breakfast.

DINING OUT

The country’s cuisine is a result of many different cuisines, the result of several people who occupied the country, such as the Berbers, Andalusian, Persians, Turks and Egyptians, and

the influence of Arabic, French and Greek cuisine, its dishes and flavors are unique and delicious.

The starters of a typical meal is a tomatoes and lettuce, sour cream and cucumber salad with a wonderful pastel named Brik (stuffed eggs). Usually it is served with a fish soup with tomatoes called Chorba. The fish and mutton are mostly found in hot dishes. In Tunis, is quite common to serve as starters bread and harissa paste, red pepper with olive oil.

Another typical dish is a fried dumpling stuffed with egg and tuna served with a soup of vegetables and cereals. And do not forget to try the famous dates that are sold all over the country.

A good place to eat is in Monastir, a town in the center of the country. There are restaurants

for tourists, with a typical Tunisian menu, but without the more exotic dishes. There, you can taste the food without spending a lot and also enjoy a fantastic view.

In the region of Tunis there are also excellent places for a good meal. For those who prefer a simple meal the tip is to go to coffee shops. Just like the European coffee shops, they serve cappuccinos and croissants, pizzas and burgers. It is a great option for those who do not like to try different seasonings.

For those who enjoy the nightlife the Avenue Bourguiba Fattouma is the place to be, perfect for young people. There are many kind of bars, from Rock to Jazz music, it is worth checking them out!

SHOPPING

As the Dinar is worth about a dollar, shopping in Tunisia is very attractive. It is worth buying liquor, perfumes and clothes.

Shopping in Tunisia is a real adventure! With many colors, scents and spices Tunisia is nothing like the other Muslim countries. Prices are very good, and there is always a chance to bargain. You can buy necklaces, perfumes, lamps, roses from the desert and other typical objects around the city.

MARKET STREETA good place to get typical Tunisian items is at the Medina of Tunis. It is quite interesting to see how life is in this country, where the culture is so unique. The Medina is an extraordinary place with its mix of stalls selling jewelry, vegetables, fruits, sweets, meats and spices.


CURRENCYThe national currency is the Tunisian dinar, equivalent to about one dollar. The U.S. Dollar and Euro are accepted almost everywhere. The exchange is possible in banks, airports and some hotels. There are ATMs for Visa Electron.

216190198197

COUNTRY CODE

EMERGENCIES

FIREMEN

POLICE

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

216 (0) 71 754 000

TOURIST INFORMATION

00216 93 614 067

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

travel tips | tunisia (eng.)

Documents