Tunis is a treasure, filled with exotic influences from the Middle East, Northern Africa and Mediterranean. The ancient history still lives on there through the Medina of Tunis, a World Heritage Site with more than 700 monuments. Plus, the Bardo Museum is the largest mosaic museum in the world. I absolutely loved my time in Tunis and love sharing my tips. So, read on to learn more about Tunis medina highlights tour and Bardo Museum in one day.
About Tunis
Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia on the Gulf of Tunis, near the port of La Goulette. At
the center is the medina or old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 19th century, the French built the modern part of the city “Ville Nouvelle,” lying east of the medina outside the Bab el Bhar, aka Porte de France or Sea Gate. The Avenue Habib Bourguiba, referred to as the “Tunisian Champs-Elysees” stretches from the Sea Gate into the modern city with its colonial architecture and charming cafes and restaurants.
Bardo National Museum, in the suburbs of Tunis, is the largest mosaic museum in the world. The Carthage archeological site and Sidi Bou Said are popular tourist destinations on the coast east of Tunis.
About Medina of Tunis
The Medina of Tunis became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It displays more than 700 monuments, such as, mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fountains and madrasas (schools). Founded in 698, it developed throughout the Middle Ages. During the Hafsid Dynasty (1230 – 1574), it became the religious and economic center of Tunisia and developed into what we see today. Later, the medina of Tunis became part of the Ottoman empire. The Ottomans built several mosques and palaces. Later, the medina acquired Asian, Roman and Byzantine influences and monuments.
Today, the medina is a maze compact with a cacophony of sites, such as, souks (shops), colorful Arabic doors, hookah bars, perfumeries, cafes, street food and restaurants, herbs, spices, teas, mosques and fountains.
Check out my YouTube Video!
Tunis Medina Highlights Tour
& Bardo Museum
with Top Things to Do
If you only have a day in Tunis, you must see the medina or old town and the Bardo Museum. The medina can be confusing because it is such a labyrinth. So, it’s important to plan for what you want to see here. I suggest starting off in the morning and spending half a day in the Medina with lunch. Then, in the afternoon visit the Bardo Museum, the largest mosaic museum in the world.
TIPS ON MEDINA DIRECTIONS: I took a picture on my phone of the Place De La Victoire. Then, when I got lost, I showed the picture to locals asking where it was located. Most sites are along the central “Rue Sidi Ben Arous” and “Rue Dar El Jeld.” GPS works most of the time in the medina.
Stroll Along Avenue Habib Bourguiba
The dramatic entrance to the Tunis medina is an interesting way to start the walking tour. At the eastern end of Avenue Habib Bourguiba is the Bab al-Bhar, the entry gate to the medina. On the west end of the avenue is the Habib Bourguiba Clocktower with fountain. Strolling along the Avenue Habib Bourguiba is a nice way to experience the French influences and colonial architecture. This long avenue is lined on both sides with tall trees and charming cafes and restaurants. Also, along this avenue is the Cathedral of St. Vincent.
Walk Through the Bab al-Bhar into the Place De La Victoire
The Bab al-Bhar entry gate is a remnant of the medina wall, which is mostly gone. Walking through the gate transports you back in time to the Place De La Victoire. In the center of the plaza is a fountain, surrounded by street performers and cafes. Keep in mind, the medina is one of the oldest bazaars in the world, dating back to 698. The opulent Royal Victoria Hotel stands at the square.
Stroll the Alleyways to Shop in Souks
Tunis Medina Highlights Tour
The shops inside the medina are called “souks.” Eclectic souks offer a wide variety of souvenirs, food, clothing and art. For example, you can shop for Arabic clothing, medicinal herbs, desserts, teas, jewelry, rugs, perfumes, hookahs, hats, textiles and beauty products. Also, you can’t miss the Arabic blue doors in the medina.
Being an herbalist, my favorite souk is the Souq el Blat, where they sell medicinal herbs, such as, sage, calyptus, garlic and wild thyme. It’s over 700 years old with ancient knowledge passed down from generations. The Souk el Berka sells jewelry and gold. However, on a sad note, it used to be the slave market where slaves from West Africa were sold. The Souq el Attarine offers perfume and beauty products, such as rose water, henna and jasmine.
Mosques in the Medina
The Al Zaytouna Mosque is the oldest mosque in the medina of Tunis. Legends say
that it was built over a Byzantine church dedicated to St. Olivia. She was a Christian Saint from Sicily that performed miracles in Tunis and converted people to Christianity. Sadly, she was arrested and beheaded. Even more, legends say her tomb is under the mosque and if moved, something bad will happen.
When I was there it was closed. However, I got a great panoramic view of the mosque from above, as explained below.
Other mosques in the medina include, Hammouda Pasha Mosque and Sidi Youssef Dey Mosque.
Take in Panoramic Views of Tunis and Al Zaytouna Mosque
There are 3 rooftop locations that offer incredible panoramic views of Tunis and the Al Zaytouna Mosque. I went to the souvenir shop rooftop, but got photos of the cafe rooftop next door, the mosque and medina.
Ste’ Groupement Artisanal – This is a souvenir shop called “Magasin Recommande/Recommanded Shop.” I darted in here and avoided sales spiels on carpets. The rooftop is stunning with amazing views of the medina and the minaret of the Al Zaytouna Mosque. Also, there are colorful Arabic arches and tiles to frame good photos.
Café Panorama – Around the corner from Café Panorama, this is on the rooftop of a carpet shop. The entrance sign says Café La Medina. The cafe offer views of the medina with walls covered in colorful tiles.
Café du Souk – Around the corner from Café Panorama, walk into the café and take the stairs in the back to the rooftop for fantastic views.
Visit Other Historic Monuments in Medina
Tunis Medina Highlights Tour
Hammam Al Kacharina is one of the few original bathhouses in the medina of Tunis that still offers services. The entrance door is hard to miss with its bright red and yellow entrance door.
Tourbet el Bey is the mausoleum for the Ottoman Bey of the Husainid Dynasty. The rooms display marble tombs with ornate walls and colorful tiles.
Madrassa Slemania was the first Islamic school to study Quran built in the medina by the Ottomans.
Zaoquia of Sidi Mehrez is the mausoleum for the patron saint of Tunis, Sidi Mehrez. He wrote books about Islam and was a teacher. This mausoleum attracts women who visit the tomb to pray for a happy marriage with children.
Explore the Tunisian Cuisine, Spices & Tea
Tunisia is a delicious place to explore unique cuisines, blending the Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern flavors. Similar to Morocco, mint tea is a specialty here to not be missed that is refreshing on a hot day. Tunisian dishes include herbs and spices, such as, saffron, cinnamon, paprika, cumin and coriander. Harissa is also popular, a spicy chili paste with garlic, olive oil and spices. It’s often served with bread.
The medina of Tunis is a great place to sample street food. For example, you can find Bambalouni, a deep-fried doughnut sprinkled with powdered sugar. Malfouf is a flatbread served with harissa and egg. The Lalabi is a popular chickpea soup with garlic, olive oil and cumin. Brik is a deep-fried pastry with a crunchy exterior and a filling of egg, potato and parsley.
Visit the Bardo National Museum
Tunis Medina Highlights Tour
Bardo National Museum (Largest Mosaic Museum in World)
Open 9 am to 5 pm (closed Mondays)
The Bardo is one of the most important museums in the Mediterranean and the second largest in Africa after the Egyptian Museum. It recounts the history of Tunisia over several millennia through archeological pieces. The Bardo’s building is a 15th century Hafsid palace located in the suburbs of Tunis.
The Bardo Museum is the largest collection of Roman and Carthaginian mosaics in the world. Many of the mosaics were taken from Carthage archeological site, covering the walls and floors. This is a wonderful opportunity to see more artistic details after visiting the archeological site nearby.
Unfortunately, this time around, I didn’t have time to go to the Bardo Museum. However, this gives me a great reason to go back to Tunisia! I would definitely visit this museum and revisit the medina.
If you have another day, don’t miss Sidi Bou Said and Carthage Archeological Site. Check out my blogpost on this daytrip!
Fascinating Tunisia Two Day Itinerary – Carthage, Sid Bou Said, Tunis Medina & Bardo Museum
Enjoy Medina of Tunis and Bardo Museum!
Tunis is an exotic destination full of surprises. If you only have one day in Tunis, I suggest going to the medina and Bardo Museum. Overall, the city offers one of the most ancient and interesting medinas in the world and the largest mosaic museum in the world. It feels like I only scratched the surface and can’t wait to go back. If your travels bring you to Tunis, please leave tips below on how best to enjoy Tunisia.
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