Tunisia wasn’t a destination I thought I had fully understood before arriving. As with any trip, I had a mental image of places to visit in Tunisia, shaped by fragments: beaches, resorts, sunshine, maybe a few historical sites if time allowed. What I didn’t expect was how deeply layered the experience would be, or how often Tunisia would challenge the way I think about travel itself.
This journey wasn’t about ticking off attractions or rushing from one landmark to another. It was about walking slowly, paying attention, and letting places reveal themselves in their own time. From coastal cities to ancient ruins, holy sites to quiet medinas, Tunisia unfolded in ways I didn’t plan, and that’s exactly why it stayed with me.
Below are places to visit in Tunisia, as I share my personal experiences, what you can do in each one, and how each experience genuinely made me feel.
You can also watch my full Tunisia Travel Vlog below or on my Sabirul On The Move YouTube channel
Sousse, Tunisia: First Impressions Beyond the Resort
Sousse was my introduction to Tunisia, and first impressions matter. Out of all the places to visit in Tunisia, Sousse, for some reason, had a strong appeal for me.
I arrived tired, carrying expectations I hadn’t fully questioned yet. On paper, Sousse is often described as a resort destination — all-inclusive hotels, coastal views, and relaxed holidays. And yes, the resort offered comfort, good food, and a sense of ease after a long journey.
But what stayed with me most wasn’t the hotel. It was what existed just beyond it.
Quiet streets, the wind rolling in from the sea, people moving through their daily routines. Sousse didn’t feel like a place trying to impress visitors. It felt lived-in, steady, and unapologetically itself as a holiday destination is probably no.1 when it comes to the best places to visit in Tunisia.
What You Can Do in Sousse, Tunisia
- Stay near the coast, but don’t confine yourself to the resort
- Walk the Corniche during the day
- Explore the city centre at a relaxed pace
- Observe everyday life rather than rushing through sights
Sousse didn’t overwhelm me. It eased me in. And that felt intentional.
Sousse at Night: What to Do After Dark
Sousse changes when the sun goes down, and it is probably one of the most rewarding experiences and places to visit in Tunisia.
What felt calm and measured during the day becomes social, energetic, and unexpectedly warm at night. What started as a simple trip outside the hotel to exchange money turned into wandering, conversations, and moments I hadn’t planned for.
Tea stalls along the Corniche, locals gathering, laughter, movement, this wasn’t nightlife defined by clubs or bars. It was community-led, human, and unpolished.
I remember standing with a cup of strong tea mixed with nuts and mint, surrounded by sound and life, realising I felt present rather than like a visitor passing through.
Things to Do in Sousse at Night
- Walk the Corniche after sunset
- Try local tea stalls
- Sit, observe, and talk to people
- Let the evening unfold naturally
This was one of the first moments in Tunisia where I stopped filming briefly, just to take it in. With Sousse being one of the best places to visit in Tunisia, the nightlife experience added that extra wow factor that made it all worth it.
Walking Through Sousse Medina – Tunisia’s Living History
The Sousse Medina is easy to overlook, and that’s exactly why it matters. It is probably one of the most overlooked places to visit in Tunisia, as you can easily walk past without noticing.
At first glance, it feels modest. Narrow streets, everyday commerce, people simply getting on with life. But the longer I walked, the more I realised this was a place shaped by centuries of footsteps.
With no map and no plan, I wandered through the souk, climbed the Ribat, and stood inside structures built over a thousand years ago. Standing at the top of the Ribat tower, looking out across Sousse, something shifted.
This wasn’t about learning history — it was about feeling it.
What to Do in Sousse Medina
- Walk without a fixed route
- Visit the Ribat of Sousse
- Explore the souk slowly
- Look up, not just ahead
The Medina rewards patience. It humbles you quietly.
Kairouan, Tunisia – Visiting One of Islam’s Holiest Cities
Kairouan doesn’t compete for attention. It is one of the most underrated places to visit in Tunisia.
There are no resorts here, no polished experiences designed for visitors. Instead, there is faith, history, and a deep sense of reverence that shapes the city’s rhythm.
As one of the most important cities in Islamic history, Kairouan felt different the moment I arrived. Covering up before entering sacred spaces, listening more than speaking, and observing rather than documenting — this place asked something different of me as a traveller.
It reminded me that travel isn’t always about enjoyment. Sometimes it’s about respect and reflection.
What You Can Do in Kairouan
- Visit religious landmarks respectfully
- Learn about Islamic history
- Walk the streets without rushing
- Accept the slower pace
Kairouan didn’t entertain me. It grounded me.
El Jem, Tunisia: Exploring the Roman Amphitheatre
I’ve seen Roman ruins before, or at least I thought I had, but this place is probably one of the best & most jaw-dropping places to visit in Tunisia.
Standing inside the El Jem Amphitheatre stopped me in my tracks. Built almost entirely from local stone, massive in scale, and remarkably well preserved, it felt as powerful as any ancient structure I’ve seen in Europe.
What surprised me most wasn’t just its size. It was how quietly it exists, despite its global significance.
Walking through the underground tunnels and standing in the arena, I felt small in a way that put things into perspective.
What You Can Do in El Jem
- Explore the amphitheatre inside and out
- Walk through underground chambers
- Sit and absorb the scale of the space
- Visit the nearby town for context
El Jem reminded me that some of the world’s greatest places don’t shout for attention.
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia: The Blue and White Coastal Village
Sidi Bou Said is often compared to Santorini, and visually, I understand why. It is probably one of the most Instagrammable places to visit in Tunisia.
Blue and white buildings, Mediterranean views, winding streets — it’s undeniably beautiful. But what interested me most wasn’t how it looked in photos. It was how it felt when I slowed down and paid attention.
Walking through homes open to visitors, watching everyday life unfold behind the postcard aesthetic, and seeing how locals coexist with tourism added depth to the beauty.
What You Can Do in Sidi Bou Said
- Walk the streets slowly
- Visit traditional homes
- Take in the views, but notice the details
- Ask questions instead of only taking photos
Beauty alone doesn’t make a place meaningful. Context does.
Carthage & Tunis, Tunisia – Roman History in the Capital
I came to Tunis expecting a capital city. What I didn’t expect was to walk through places that once shaped the ancient world.
Carthage, with its layers of Phoenician and Roman history, felt vast and complex. Standing at the Antonine Baths overlooking the sea was one of those moments where history feels alive rather than distant.
Later, walking through the Medina of Tunis, I felt the contrast between ancient ruins and everyday city life. Markets, movement, conversations. This was history and modern life existing side by side. Personally, for me it was one of the most breathtaking places to visit in Tunisia.
By the end of the day, I genuinely felt different walking out than I did walking in.
What You Can Do in Carthage & Tunis
- Visit the ruins of ancient Carthage
- Explore the Antonine Baths
- Walk through the Medina of Tunis
- Let the city reveal its layers naturally
This wasn’t just sightseeing. It was understanding.
Final Thoughts: Why Tunisia Stayed With Me
Tunisia isn’t a single story as there are many places to visit in Tunisia, and tonnes of things to do enjoy and have fun.
It’s coastal and historic. Quiet and lively. Sacred and social. What made this journey meaningful wasn’t just the places I visited, it was how often Tunisia asked me to slow down, reflect, and rethink what travel really means.
If you’re planning a trip to Tunisia, my advice is simple:
Don’t rush it. Don’t stay only where it’s comfortable. Walk. Listen. Let places reveal themselves.
That’s where the real journey begins.
Want to have fun in Tunisia? Try this…
Don’t forget to check out my Bangladesh Vlog
I visited Sylhet, Bangladesh, and explored rural village life, Bangladeshi food and its famous tea gardens. Check out the blog post here.
