5 Unforgettable Road Trips in Tunisia

Tunis → Bizerte → Tabarka → Ain Draham

Mediterranean cliffs, cork oak forests and underground Roman ruins

Start in Tunis with a detour to the iconic blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said, perched above the Gulf of Tunis. Head north along the coast to Bizerte, Tunisia's northernmost city, and explore its charming old port and Ottoman-era kasbah.

Continue west along dramatic Mediterranean cliffs to Tabarka, famous for its coral coast, Genoese fort and jazz festival (July). From Tabarka, climb inland to Ain Draham, a mountain town surrounded by dense cork oak and pine forests — a world away from the Tunisia most tourists imagine.

Detour south to Bulla Regia, a Roman site unique for its underground villas with remarkably preserved mosaics — built below ground to escape the summer heat 2,000 years ago.

Highlights: Mediterranean cliffs, cork oak forests, Bulla Regia underground Roman ruins, Sidi Bou Said

Hammamet → Sousse → El Jem → Mahdia

Beach resorts, a Roman colosseum and fishing ports

Begin in Hammamet, Tunisia's most popular resort town. Wander through its beautifully preserved medina, relax on golden sand beaches, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. The modern tourist zone of Yasmine Hammamet adds waterparks and golf courses.

Drive south to Sousse, the “Pearl of the Sahel”, whose UNESCO-listed medina is one of the finest in North Africa. The ribat (fortress-monastery) offers panoramic views over the old port.

Head inland to El Jem for the crown jewel of this route: the third-largest Roman amphitheatre in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage colosseum once held 35,000 spectators and is remarkably intact — more atmospheric than Rome's own Colosseum.

End your journey in Mahdia, a peaceful fishing port on a narrow peninsula. Explore the Skifa Kahla gateway, the old silk weavers' quarter and pristine beaches that see very few tourists.

Highlights: Hammamet medina, Sousse UNESCO medina, El Jem Roman amphitheatre, Mahdia fishing port

Hammamet → Nabeul → Kelibia → El Haouaria

Vineyards, clifftop views and UNESCO Punic ruins

The Cap Bon peninsula is Tunisia's garden — a fertile finger of land jutting into the Mediterranean, covered in vineyards, citrus groves and flower fields. This is the perfect short road trip for a weekend escape.

Start in Nabeul, famous for its pottery workshops and colourful Friday market. Browse hand-painted ceramics, aromatic spices and woven textiles. Continue along the coast to Kelibia, dominated by a massive Byzantine fortress perched on cliffs above turquoise waters.

At the tip of the peninsula, El Haouaria is known for its ancient Roman quarry caves carved into the clifftops and the annual falconry festival (May–June). On a clear day, you can see Sicily from here.

On the return leg, stop at Kerkouane — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only purely Punic city ever discovered, destroyed by Rome in 146 BC and never rebuilt. Its ruins are hauntingly beautiful.

Highlights: Nabeul pottery, Kelibia fortress, El Haouaria caves, Kerkouane UNESCO Punic ruins, vineyards

Tozeur → Douz → Matmata → Djerba

Star Wars filming sites, salt lakes, desert camps and island life

This is the route that made Tunisia famous in cinema. Begin in Tozeur, an oasis town sheltering over 400,000 palm trees. Explore the labyrinthine old quarter built of distinctive golden bricks and take a 4x4 excursion into the nearby mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides.

Cross the otherworldly Chott el Jerid, a vast salt lake that shimmers with mirages under the desert sun. This was one of George Lucas's key filming locations for Star Wars. Continue to Douz, the “Gateway to the Sahara”, where you can join a camel trek into the Grand Erg Oriental and spend a night in a desert camp under a sky ablaze with stars.

Head east to Matmata, where Berber families have lived in underground troglodyte houses for centuries. The Hotel Sidi Driss here served as Luke Skywalker's childhood home in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Finish on Djerba, the island of legend — said to be Homer's Land of the Lotus Eaters. White-washed villages, the ancient El Ghriba synagogue, street art in Erriadh and endless sandy beaches make the perfect place to decompress after the desert.

Highlights: Tozeur palm oasis, Chott el Jerid salt lake, Star Wars filming sites, Douz camel treks, Matmata troglodyte houses, Djerba island

Tunis → Cap Bon → Sahel → South → Djerba

The ultimate Tunisia experience — all highlights in one epic trip

If you have 10 days or more, this is the road trip of a lifetime. Combine all four routes above into one unforgettable journey from the capital to the desert and everything in between.

Suggested itinerary: Start in Tunis (Day 1–2) to explore the medina, Bardo Museum and Sidi Bou Said. Drive the Cap Bon peninsula (Day 3–4) through Nabeul, Kelibia and Kerkouane. Continue south along the Sahel coast (Day 5–6) through Sousse, El Jem and Mahdia. Head inland to Tozeur and cross the Chott el Jerid to Douz (Day 7–8) for desert experiences. Drive through Matmata (Day 9) and finish on Djerba (Day 10) for a relaxing end to your adventure.

With a one-way rental from 3A Rent Car, you can pick up in Tunis and drop off in Djerba — no backtracking needed. An SUV is recommended if you plan to explore the Saharan sections.

Highlights: All highlights from the 4 routes above — the ultimate Tunisia experience