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العربية Planning a trip to Tunisia and wondering how to make the most of your time? You are in the right place. Tunisia is a surprisingly compact country — you can drive from the Mediterranean north to the edge of the Sahara in under five hours — but it packs in more diversity per square kilometre than almost anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
We have designed four itineraries that scale to your available time: a focused 3-day city break, a balanced 5-day sampler, a comprehensive 7-day highlights tour, and an epic 14-day grand loop. Each one includes specific activities, realistic driving times, and where to sleep each night. Pick the one that fits, then adjust it to your own pace and interests.
Getting around: All itineraries assume you have a rental car. 3A Rent Car delivers to Tunis-Carthage Airport with unlimited mileage and full insurance, so you can hit the road the moment you land.
Which Itinerary Is Right for You?
3 Days — Capital Escape
Perfect for a long weekend or a stopover. Covers Tunis, Carthage, and Sidi Bou Said — the cultural heart of the country in three packed but manageable days.
Best for: First-timers with limited time, history and culture lovers, city-break enthusiasts.
5 Days — Coast & Culture
Adds the beach resort of Hammamet, the Sahel coastline of Sousse, and the holy city of Kairouan to the capital programme. A balanced mix of coast and inland heritage.
Best for: Couples, families wanting beach time plus sightseeing, mid-length holidays.
7 Days — Essential Tunisia
The ideal first-visit itinerary. Extends south to the El Jem amphitheatre and the island of Djerba, covering every UNESCO site accessible by road in a single week.
Best for: First-time visitors wanting the complete picture, road-trip lovers, photographers.
14 Days — Grand Loop
The ultimate Tunisia experience. A full country circuit including the Sahara, Star Wars sets, mountain oases, the Coral Coast of Tabarka, and Roman ruins at Dougga.
Best for: Deep travellers, returning visitors, anyone who wants to see it all.
3-Day Itinerary: The Capital Escape
Three days in Tunis and its immediate surroundings give you a concentrated dose of three thousand years of history, from Punic Carthage to the Ottoman medina to French Art Deco boulevards. You will not need to drive more than 30 minutes between any two stops.
3-Day Route Overview
Arrive in Tunis & Explore the Medina
Pick up your rental car at Tunis-Carthage Airport and drive 10 minutes to the city centre. Check into your hotel, then walk to the Medina of Tunis (UNESCO). Start at Bab el-Bahr (the Sea Gate), wind through the perfume souk (Souk el-Attarine), and visit the Zitouna Mosque. In the afternoon, explore Dar Ben Abdallah palace museum. End with a traditional Tunisian dinner in the medina — try a brik a l'oeuf (crispy pastry with egg) and couscous.
Carthage & Sidi Bou Said
Drive 20 minutes to Carthage. Start at Byrsa Hill for panoramic views and the national museum, then walk down to the Antonine Baths overlooking the sea. Visit the Tophet and the Roman theatre. After lunch, continue 5 minutes to Sidi Bou Said. Wander the blue-and-white streets, visit the Ennejma Ezzahra palace, and settle into Cafe des Nattes for mint tea with pine nuts. Watch the sunset from the clifftop viewpoint before heading back.
Bardo Museum & Departure
Spend the morning at the Bardo National Museum, home to the world's finest Roman mosaic collection, displayed in a former Ottoman palace. Allow at least two hours for the highlights. If time permits, stroll Avenue Habib Bourguiba for coffee at one of the grand boulevard cafes, browse the Art Deco facades, and pick up last-minute souvenirs at a patisserie (grab some makroudh pastries for the flight). Return the car at the airport.
3-Day budget estimate: Accommodation 120–250 TND/night, meals 30–60 TND/day, car rental from 80 TND/day with 3A Rent Car, museum entries 10–15 TND each. Total: approximately 600–1,200 TND per person.
5-Day Itinerary: Coast & Culture
Five days open up Tunisia's Sahel coastline and the spiritual interior. You will add beach time in Hammamet, the UNESCO medina of Sousse, and the holy city of Kairouan — three contrasting experiences that round out the Tunis-area highlights of the first two days.
5-Day Route Overview
Tunis: Medina, Bardo & Bab Souika
Arrive at Tunis-Carthage Airport, pick up your car, and head straight to the Medina. Combine the highlights of Days 1 and 3 from the 3-day itinerary: the Zitouna Mosque, Souk el-Attarine, and the Bardo Museum in a single full day. This compressed schedule works because the Bardo is only 15 minutes from the medina by car. In the evening, explore the Bab Souika quarter north of the medina for street food and a more local atmosphere.
Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Drive to Hammamet
Morning: explore Carthage (Byrsa Hill, Antonine Baths, Tophet). Midday: Sidi Bou Said for lunch and the blue streets. Afternoon: drive one hour south to Hammamet via the A1 motorway. Check in, then take an evening stroll through the Hammamet medina and kasbah, watching the sun set from the fortress walls over the bay.
Hammamet Beach Day & Drive to Sousse
Spend the morning on Hammamet's golden beach or visit the George Sebastian Villa and its gardens. After an early lunch of fresh grilled fish at the port, drive 1 hour 15 minutes south to Sousse. In the afternoon, explore the UNESCO-listed medina: the Ribat, the Great Mosque, and the Kasbah museum. The Sousse waterfront comes alive at night — perfect for a seafood dinner with harbour views.
Kairouan: The Holy City
Drive 1 hour 15 minutes inland to Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam. Visit the Great Mosque (one of the oldest in the Muslim world), the Mosque of the Three Doors, and the Aghlabid Basins. Explore the medina's carpet quarter and taste makroudh, the city's famous date pastry. Return to Sousse in the late afternoon for a relaxed evening on the coast.
Return to Tunis & Departure
Drive back to Tunis (1 hr 45 min via A1). If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, stop at La Marsa or Gammarth on the northern coast for a final seafront lunch. Browse the upmarket boutiques in La Marsa Village or simply relax on the beach before heading to the airport. Return the car and fly home with a suitcase full of memories (and probably some harissa).
7-Day Itinerary: Essential Tunisia
Seven days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Tunisia. This itinerary builds on the 5-day route and pushes further south to the staggering Roman amphitheatre of El Jem and the laid-back island of Djerba. You will cover every major highlight between Tunis and the southern coast, with enough breathing room to actually enjoy each stop.
7-Day Route Overview
Arrive in Tunis & Medina Discovery
Pick up your car at Tunis-Carthage Airport. Spend the afternoon and evening deep in the Medina of Tunis: Zitouna Mosque, Dar Ben Abdallah, Souk el-Attarine, and a traditional dinner. If energy permits, walk to the Bardo Museum (open until 5 PM).
Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Hammamet
Morning at Carthage (Byrsa Hill, Antonine Baths). Lunch in Sidi Bou Said. Afternoon drive to Hammamet (1 hr). Evening walk through the medina and kasbah, followed by dinner overlooking the bay.
Sousse & Its Medina
Enjoy a morning swim or beach walk in Hammamet, then drive 1 hr 15 min to Sousse. Explore the Ribat, Great Mosque, and the Kasbah Museum with its extraordinary mosaics. Wander the souk alleys and try traditional fricassee sandwiches for lunch. Evening at Port El Kantaoui marina for dinner.
Kairouan & El Jem
Morning: drive to Kairouan (1 hr 15 min). Visit the Great Mosque, Aghlabid Basins, and the medina carpet quarter. After lunch, drive 1 hr south to El Jem. Explore the amphitheatre — the third largest in the Roman world — and the nearby museum. The late-afternoon light inside the colosseum is spectacular for photos.
Drive to Djerba Island
A scenic 3-hour drive south takes you to the Roman causeway linking Djerba to the mainland. Cross onto the island and check in. Spend the afternoon at Houmt Souk, the island's main town: visit the Borj el-Kebir fortress, browse the fondouk (caravanserai), and have fresh fish at the harbour. If time allows, drive to the Djerbahood street-art village in Erriadh.
Djerba Full Day
A full day to soak in island life. Morning: visit El Ghriba Synagogue, one of the oldest in the world. Then head to the northeast beaches for swimming and relaxation. Afternoon: explore the pottery village of Guellala and its underground museum, or take a boat trip to Ras Rmel sandbar to see flamingos. Evening: sunset dinner on the beach.
Return to Tunis & Departure
Option A: Fly direct from Djerba-Zarzis Airport (check international connections). Option B: Drive back to Tunis (5 hr 30 min via the A1) with a stop in Sfax for lunch and a quick walk through its own remarkable medina. Return the car at Tunis-Carthage Airport.
Tip: If you can stretch to 8 days, add Monastir between Sousse and El Jem. The Ribat of Monastir and Bourguiba Mausoleum are worth a half-day, and the drive is only 20 minutes from Sousse.
14-Day Itinerary: The Grand Tunisia Loop
Two weeks give you time to see practically everything Tunisia has to offer. This route forms a grand clockwise loop: north along the Mediterranean, south through the Sahel, deep into the Sahara, then back via the mountainous northwest. It is the ultimate Tunisian road trip, covering around 2,200 km total.
14-Day Route Overview
Tunis: Medina & Bardo Museum
Arrive, pick up your car, and immerse yourself in the capital. Full afternoon in the Medina of Tunis, followed by the Bardo Museum. Traditional dinner in the medina.
Carthage & Sidi Bou Said
Full morning at Carthage (all major sites). Afternoon in Sidi Bou Said: Ennejma Ezzahra palace, galleries, Cafe des Nattes. Sunset from the cliff. No rushing today — savour the details.
Cap Bon: Nabeul, Kerkouane & El Haouaria
Drive east to the Cap Bon peninsula (1 hr 15 min). Visit the Nabeul Friday market (if timing aligns), then continue to the UNESCO site of Kerkouane. Lunch in El Haouaria at the cape's tip, with a visit to the Roman quarries. Return via the eastern coast road.
Hammamet & Drive to Sousse
Morning on Hammamet beach or at the kasbah. After lunch, drive to Sousse (1 hr 15 min). Explore the Ribat, Great Mosque, and medina. Evening at Port El Kantaoui marina.
Monastir & Kairouan
Quick 20-minute drive to Monastir for the Ribat, Bourguiba Mausoleum, and corniche walk. Then 1 hr 15 min inland to Kairouan. Full afternoon exploring the Great Mosque, carpet souks, and Aghlabid Basins. Overnight in Kairouan for the evocative evening atmosphere.
El Jem & Sfax
Drive 1 hr south to El Jem. Spend the morning exploring the amphitheatre and museum. Continue 1 hr to Sfax, Tunisia's second city. Walk through Sfax's impressive medina (less touristy than Tunis) and lunch in the old town. The Dar Jallouli ethnographic museum is a gem.
Djerba Island
Drive 3 hours to Djerba via the causeway. Afternoon at Houmt Souk, Djerbahood street-art village, and the El Ghriba Synagogue. Fresh seafood dinner at the harbour.
Djerba Beach Day
A full rest day on the island. Northeast beaches for swimming, boat trip to Ras Rmel for flamingos, or explore Guellala pottery village. Recharge for the Saharan leg ahead.
Matmata & Douz (Gateway to the Sahara)
Leave Djerba and drive 2 hr 30 min to Matmata, where Berber communities built extraordinary troglodyte homes underground. Visit the Hotel Sidi Driss (Luke Skywalker's home in Star Wars). Continue 1 hr to Douz, the “Gateway to the Sahara.” Late-afternoon camel ride into the dunes.
Chott el Jerid & Tozeur
Drive across the Chott el Jerid salt lake (1 hr 30 min) — a surreal flat expanse of white crust and shimmering mirages. Arrive in Tozeur and explore the Ouled el-Hadef medina with its unique geometric brickwork. Afternoon palm-grove walk or bike ride through the oasis. Evening on the terrace watching the desert sunset.
Mountain Oases & Star Wars Sets
Full-day excursion from Tozeur. Visit the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides — stunning canyon villages with waterfalls and palm gorges. Then drive to the Mos Espa Star Wars set near Nefta and see the Ong Jemal rock formation. A 4x4 is recommended for the desert tracks (or book a local guide).
Drive North via Sbeitla to Ain Draham
Begin the return leg heading north. Stop at Sbeitla (2 hr 30 min) to explore the remarkably complete Roman forum with its three temples. Continue through increasingly green countryside to Ain Draham (3 hr), a mountain village surrounded by cork-oak forests. The climate shift from Sahara to misty hillside is dramatic.
Tabarka, Bulla Regia & the Coral Coast
Explore Tabarka's Genoese fortress, Les Aiguilles rock formations, and coral-diving opportunities. Drive 1 hr inland to Bulla Regia for its unique underground Roman villas with in-situ mosaics. Return to the coast and drive east along the Coral Coast, one of the Mediterranean's most unspoilt stretches.
Dougga & Return to Tunis
Drive 2 hr east to Dougga, arguably the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa (UNESCO). The hilltop theatre, Capitol temple, and Libyo-Punic mausoleum are spectacular. After lunch in nearby Le Kef or Teboursouk, drive 1 hr 30 min back to Tunis. Drop off the car and bid farewell to an extraordinary two weeks.
Practical Planning Tips
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Book your car early. Peak season (June–September) and holidays can sell out. 3A Rent Car offers free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, so there is no risk in reserving ahead.
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Fuel is affordable. A full tank costs a fraction of European prices. Fill up in cities before heading into remote southern areas where stations are sparser.
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Start desert days early. In the Sahara leg (Days 9–11 of the 14-day route), aim to be on the road by 7 AM. Midday heat can top 45 °C in summer.
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Carry cash in rural areas. While ATMs exist in every city, smaller villages, desert camps, and roadside stalls operate on cash only. Tunisian Dinar cannot be obtained abroad, so exchange at the airport on arrival.
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Get a local SIM for GPS. Ooredoo or Orange Tunisia offer data SIMs for around 10 TND at the airport. Google Maps and Maps.me both work well for navigation, including in the south.
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Golden hour is magic. The best photography light in Tunisia is the first and last hour of daylight. The El Jem amphitheatre, Sidi Bou Said, and the desert all transform at these times.