Search Amazon.com for Travel assistanceMany veteran travelers often avoid capital cities because they tend to be noisy and crowded, with nothing much to offer. However, the same is not the case with the capital city of Tunisia.
Tunis has so much to offer and always proves to be an interesting base to explore this enchanting country. Whether you are looking for exciting souk scenes, impressive architecture and museums, beautiful gardens, golden sand beaches or ancient ruins, Tunisia has it all in store for you.
When in Tunis, visitors may have a difficult time deciding whether to stay in the Medina section or the Ville Nouvelle area. The same dilemma I encountered on my first visit.
The Medina is the Old Quarter of the city which is perfect for total cultural immersion. It provides easy access to the souks (markets) and centuries-old buildings and palaces. The flip side of the coin is the Ville Nouvelle area in what the locals refer to as the modern Tunis - where top of the line hotels, restaurants and boutiques abound. Once in the middle of it all, it won't take long for you to realize that you can stay wherever you think is most comfortable because moving around the city is fairly easy with a reliable transportation system and numerous taxis.
Strolling around is one of the best ways to discover the city. You can always hail a cab at any point if you get exhausted from your walk. The best place to start is from the monument of November 7 which commemorates Tunisia's shift to modernity. From there, follow the tree-lined Habib Bourguiba Avenue and enjoy pretty flower stalls along the way, and many bookstores and galleries. Continue up north and discover Belvedere Park designed after the many great French Gardens. Inside is the Tunis Zoo with its African-inspired fauna that are certainly going to be a big hit for kids and adults alike.
I'm glad I allotted plenty of time to explore the Medina. There was just so much to see and do. There are more than 700 mosques, palaces and madrasas in the area - all begging to be seen and admired. Don't miss the Great Mosque with its notable University and Library. There is also the Mosque of the Olive or Zitouna Mosque that dates back to 732 where its courtyard inspires reflection.
For a buffet of several architecture and decorative designs of Andalusian, Byzantine and Arab styles, the Dar-al-Bey or Bey's Palace is a must visit. The oldest parts of the Medina looks exactly as in the Middle Ages, thanks to the absence of destructive human and natural forces that tend to reduce civilizations into rubble. Also, not to be missed is the Bardo Museum. It is not only renowned for its remarkable collection of antiquities but also for the very building that houses it them - a Hafsid palace dating back to 13th century.
No matter how many souks you've been to, the souks of Tunis has a charm all their own. It is huge and can get a little too overwhelming for the uninitiated. But be a little patient, for it is a treasure chest of exquisite trinkets, carpets, fabrics and everything you can possibly imagine. To give you an idea, the El Attarine souk near the Zitouna Mosque sells essences and perfumes. If you explore farther in the nearby attached souks of El Kmach, you will discover spectacularly designed fabrics in all vibrant hues, while its neighboring El Birka souk tempts with its display of fabulous jewelry.
If you want some beach action or some ancient ruins to explore, a few hours drive away from Tunis will lead you to Roman ruins and golden sand beaches. Both provide perfect holiday breaks from the buzz and excitement of Tunis.
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