A Weekend in Northern Tunisia

48 Hours to Fall in Love with Northern Tunisia

Northern Tunisia packs a remarkable density of cultural, historical and natural treasures into a compact stretch of coastline that rivals the most celebrated destinations in the Mediterranean. In just two days, you can journey through three thousand years of history — from the Tunis medina, founded in the 7th century, to the Punic ruins of Carthage — while soaking in the intoxicating atmosphere of Sidi Bou Said, the iconic blue-and-white village perched on its cliff above the gulf.

What makes this itinerary so compelling is the sheer variety of experiences packed into a remarkably small area. In the morning, you wander medieval alleyways where artisans carry on centuries-old crafts. In the afternoon, you stand before the monumental columns of the Antonine Baths overlooking the sea. By evening, you are savouring seafood on a Gammarth terrace as the sun sinks into the Mediterranean. And for those who want to push further, the Kroumirie mountains, diving sites and the vineyards of Cap Bon are never far away.

This guide was put together by the 3A Rent Car team to give you an optimised itinerary, day by day, hour by hour. With a rental car picked up in Tunis, you have all the freedom you need to set your own pace and explore every corner of northern Tunisia without constraints.

Day 2 — Archaeology and Coastal Villages

Morning: Carthage — 3,000 Years Facing the Sea

A twenty-minute drive from central Tunis — ideally in your 3A Rent Car rental so you can park freely between the various sites — the archaeological park of Carthage transports you across the millennia. Start at the Byrsa Hill, the acropolis of the Punic city, which commands sweeping views over the Gulf of Tunis and houses a museum displaying remarkable Phoenician and Roman artefacts.

Next, head down to the Antonine Baths, the largest Roman baths ever built outside Italy. Their colossal columns rising against the Mediterranean make for one of the most photographed scenes in Tunisia. Between the two, do not miss the Cathedral of Saint Louis, a 19th-century neo-Byzantine building perched atop Byrsa Hill, its architecture a striking contrast to the ancient ruins around it. Allow two to three hours to cover the archaeological park at a comfortable pace.

Afternoon: Sidi Bou Said — The Blue-and-White Village

A five-minute drive from Carthage, the village of Sidi Bou Said is one of the most enchanting places in the entire Mediterranean. Clinging to a cliff overlooking the gulf, the village is famous for its dazzling white facades accented by doors, windows and mashrabiya screens in deep cobalt blue — a colour scheme protected by decree since 1915.

Stroll the cobbled lanes to the Cafe des Nattes, a century-old institution where you sip mint tea topped with pine nuts while gazing out over the bay. For lunch, the Dar Zarrouk restaurant — set in a former palace with a panoramic terrace — serves impeccably fresh seafood. Before you leave, bite into a bambalouni, a golden doughnut dusted with sugar that street vendors fry before your eyes. Art and history lovers should visit the Dar El Annabi museum, a traditional 18th-century home that recreates the daily life of a bourgeois Tunis family.

Evening: Gammarth and the Waterfront Nightlife

End your weekend on the northern coast of Tunis at Gammarth, a seaside resort beloved by locals for its sandy beaches and lively atmosphere after sunset. Beach bars and restaurants here serve cocktails with your feet in the sand, platters of seafood and live music in a laid-back yet elegant setting. It is the perfect place to cap off a weekend of discovery with an unforgettable Mediterranean evening before heading back to your accommodation in Tunis or La Marsa.

Top Diving Sites in Northern Tunisia

If your weekend allows time for an underwater excursion — or if you decide to extend your stay by a few days — northern Tunisia is home to some of the most spectacular diving spots in the western Mediterranean. Three areas stand out in particular.

Tabarka and the Coral Coast, a three-hour drive from Tunis, is a paradise for experienced divers. Its seabed harbours precious red coral (Corallium rubrum), underwater caves draped in sea fans, and sheer drop-offs where visibility can reach thirty metres. Several PADI-certified centres offer introductory dives and guided outings throughout the season, from May to October.

To the south-east, the waters off Hammamet conceal World War II shipwrecks resting at depths of 20 to 40 metres, forming artificial reefs colonised by abundant marine life — grouper, moray eels, barracuda and clouds of damselfish. It is a fascinating playground for intermediate and advanced divers.

For beginners, the site at Al Huwariyah (El Haouaria) on Cap Bon offers ideal conditions: calm, shallow waters, rocky seabeds teeming with marine life, and patient, welcoming dive centres. The drive from Tunis along the Cap Bon coast in a 3A Rent Car vehicle is itself a feast for the eyes.