Practical information : Sightseeing Tunisia
Timetable
Unlike some Muslim countries where the day off is Friday, the day of the High Prayer, in Tunisia the day off is Sunday.
Stores are generally open Monday to Friday from 8am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 6pm, and from 8am to midday on Saturdays. In summer, stores only open from 8am to 1pm, due to the heat; this is known as the "one-shot" rule. However, you'll find a number of small independent boutiques open very late at night and very early in the morning. In July and August, offices close at 1.30pm.
Please note that during the month of Ramadan (lunar calendar), opening times are subject to change.
To be booked
For your desert getaways, it's best to organize your excursions in advance, so don't hesitate to contact guides or agencies at least three weeks before your arrival!
Budget & Tips
Entrance to a museum costs around 8 DT, and there are sometimes combined tickets for several sites in the same city, as in Carthage, where for 12 DT you can visit the city's main sites.
Main events
Among the events organized in Tunisia, here are the three not-to-be-missed festivals if you're in the region at that time: in July, the Festival International de Carthage, where dance, music and theater take center stage; in August, the Tabarka Jazz Festival, which takes place in this beautiful town in the north of the country; and finally, in December, Douz hosts the Festival International du Sahara, where you'll discover a whole range of nomadic culture...
Guided tours
Discovering Tunisia with a guide will take you beyond the clichés. In the Sahara, it's more than recommended, and even compulsory in certain areas, but we also recommend the presence of a local guide in the Dahar region, in cities with a strong history, such as Tunis or Carthage, or on important archaeological sites. We recommend some of these guides, whose services we have tested and approved!
Smokers
Tunisia is a smoker's paradise. Smoking is common everywhere, including in restaurants, much to the annoyance of non-smokers.
What's very local
When visiting mosques, there are certain dress code rules that must be followed out of respect for those practicing their religion. Men are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts and long pants. Women are asked to wear clothes covering their shoulders and legs, and a headscarf. Before entering the premises, you'll need to remove your shoes. There are usually places to leave them at the entrance to the mosque. Some mosques can be visited by everyone, Muslims or non-Muslims, especially the courtyards and common areas, while others cannot. If a visit is possible, it is usually mentioned in this guide.