{"id":8009,"date":"2024-03-25T11:29:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T10:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jupetteetsalopette.fr\/non-classe\/tunis-my-five-must-sees\/"},"modified":"2024-03-25T11:29:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T10:29:29","slug":"tunis-my-five-must-sees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jupetteetsalopette.fr\/en\/globe-trotter\/tunis-my-five-must-sees\/","title":{"rendered":"Tunis: my five must-sees"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was by pure chance that I found myself discovering the capital of Tunisia.<\/p>\n

My boyfriend surprised me for my birthday with an unknown destination. We flew out of Nantes and it was only at the boarding gate that I saw we were going to Tunis. To complete the surprise, I discovered that my brother was also on the trip! A lovely long weekend shared together. <\/p>\n

Although I’d often heard about this destination a few years ago from colleagues in Paris, I’d never really wanted to visit the country.<\/p>\n

It has to be said that, unlike Morocco<\/a>, which we know well, Tunisia seems to have remained “in its juice”. The economic and social development of these two Maghreb countries has not been at all the same. Life seems harder for Tunisians. And this is reflected in the morale of the locals. On the streets, in the shops and on the transport network, despair and despair are on many faces. And let’s talk about transport. It’s in a sorry state, even in the capital, with random timetables and ageing vehicles. <\/p>\n

Yet the town and its surrounding villages are well worth a visit. For a few days, it’s a nice destination.<\/strong> The coast from Carthage to Marsa, via Sidi Bou Sa\u00efd, is very pleasant.<\/strong><\/p>\n

That’s why I’ve decided to share my five favorites with you, as well as my feedback, to ensure that these days are nothing but fond memories.<\/p>\n

Practical information before departure<\/h2>\n

From Nantes, departures are possible with the low-cost airline Transavia<\/a>. It’s very convenient. Apparently, from June 3, 2024<\/strong>, Tunisair flights will resume from Nantes every Monday, but reviews are very poor and as I haven’t tested it, I can’t tell you about it. <\/p>\n

The local currency is the dinar. You can exchange euros for dinars at the airport, but BE CAREFUL! <\/strong>We were tricked, so I’ll pass on the advice here to prevent this from happening to you. When you go to exchange your banknotes, ask for a receipt and keep this precious piece of paper<\/strong> if you still have banknotes at the end of the trip, so that you can exchange them for euros. Without this document, no bank will accept your dinars. And you won’t even be able to use them in the airport’s Duty Free stores, which (conveniently) only accept euros or dollars. <\/p>\n

Also note: if you’re leaving Tunis airport at the same time as work starts and stops, you’ll need to allow extra time. The<\/strong> airport area is congested. Make sure you leave well in advance and use the Bolt app (tested and approved) or In Drive to find an independent cab.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a final word of caution, beware of airport cabs. <\/strong>As in many countries, they don’t hesitate to charge prohibitive rates. Don’t pay more than 25 dinars a ride to the city center, or if you can, leave the airport and use the Bolt or In Drive applications<\/strong> (buy a local sim card to get a connection). There is also a bus service to the city center. <\/p>\n

Depending on the weather, organize your days. Reserve beautiful days for walks, and save museum visits and hammams\/massages for overcast or rainy days. <\/p>\n

1st must-see: visit the medina and its souks<\/h2>\n

Visiting the big cities of the Maghreb always means venturing into the medina and its souks, to get a feel for the atmosphere in its alleyways and its history, and to rediscover the authentic Tunis, this beautiful city that has preserved its charm of yesteryear<\/strong> sheltered from the wear and tear of time.<\/p>\n

The Tunis medina<\/strong>: nothing beats discovering the medina on foot. Take the plunge, give in to your curiosity and explore the narrow streets, stopping to look at the beautiful, typical doorways. Settle down to sip a lemonade at the caf\u00e9… In short, experience the real Tunis! As you stroll around, you’ll discover a number of monuments, the most beautiful of which is surely the great Zitouna mosque<\/strong>. Also known as the Olive Tree Mosque, this edifice is the heart of the medina. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult for non-Muslims to visit. Remember to respect customs and traditions if you wish to visit the interior. For girls, you’ll need to cover your hair and wear pants. If you can’t get in, you can still see the beauty of the architecture from the outside, which is well worth a visit. <\/p>\n

\"Zitouna<\/p>\n

The souks: a<\/strong> must in Tunis, not only for shopping but also to discover the life of the people of the medina. Entrance is via the “Porte de France”.<\/strong> Stroll along the narrow streets and discover the colorful handicrafts. You’ll be stopped by vendors, hear children laughing and men at the caf\u00e9. <\/p>\n

\"Porte<\/p>\n

\"Porte<\/p>\n

To round off your day in style, I suggest two options:<\/p>\n