Tunisia sits where the Mediterranean meets the Sahara, a crossroads that has lured Phoenicians, Romans, Ottomans, and French. In one compact week you can trace 3,000 years—from Carthaginian harbors to Roman baths and dazzling Islamic medinas—then unwind on soft-sand beaches with mint tea in hand.

Expect contrasts: blue-and-white cliff villages peering over turquoise coves, spice-laden souks that scent the labyrinth, and desert tracks that lead to oasis palms and ancient ksour granaries. Tunisia’s cuisine is bold and comforting—brik à l’œuf, grilled sea bream, couscous, and harissa that warms without overwhelming.

Practical notes: The currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND). ATMs are common and cards are increasingly accepted in cities. Dress modestly at religious sites; ask before photographing people. If visiting during Ramadan, many restaurants still serve, but plan for adjusted hours. For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Tunis

Tunisia’s capital is equal parts Parisian boulevard and medieval medina. Wander the UNESCO-listed old city crowned by the Zitouna Mosque, then ride the seaside TGM tram to Carthage’s ruins and the clifftop village of Sidi Bou Saïd—an artist’s muse for a century.

Don’t miss the Bardo National Museum, home to one of the world’s finest Roman mosaic collections, and the Antonine Baths at Carthage—once the largest in Africa. Evenings hum along Avenue Habib Bourguiba with cafés, patisseries, and locals strolling.

Where to stay: Base yourself in the medina (character) or along the northern suburbs (La Marsa, Sidi Bou Saïd) for sea air.

• Browse Tunis stays on VRBO (riads in the medina, sea-view apartments in La Marsa).
• See hotels in Tunis on Hotels.com (boutique riads, business-class downtown, seaside resorts).

Getting in: Fly into Tunis–Carthage (TUN). Compare fares and routes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Metered taxis from the airport to downtown typically run 10–20 TND in daytime.

Day 1: Arrival, the “Champs-Élysées” of Tunis, and dinner downtown

Morning: Fly to Tunis. If arriving early, power up with a light airport snack and water—you’ll be walking later.

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the French-era spine of the city lined with cafés and Art Deco facades. Pop into the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul for a quick look at colonial history. Coffee break at Le Grand Café du Théâtre or grab a pistachio mille-feuille at local favorite Pâtisserie Gourmandise.

Evening: Dinner at Chez Slah (reservation recommended) for impeccably fresh seafood—think grilled sea bass with lemon and local olive oil—or brik starter. Nightcap mint tea with pine nuts at El Ali’s rooftop in the medina, where the call to prayer echoes off honeyed stone.

Day 2: UNESCO Tunis medina and the Bardo’s mosaics

Morning: Breakfast of bambalouni (sugar-dusted Tunisian doughnut) at a street stand, then explore the medina’s souks: Souk el Attarine (perfumes), Souk des Chechias (traditional caps). Visit Zitouna Mosque’s courtyard (modest dress; non-Muslim visitors welcome to the exterior areas). Peek into historic caravanserais (fondouks) that once hosted Saharan traders.

Afternoon: Lunch at Fondouk El Attarine—set in a restored caravansary serving couscous, tajines, and salads under carved wooden galleries. Taxi to the Bardo National Museum (about 20–30 minutes; 7–12 TND). Marvel at the 3rd-century “Virgil Mosaic” and sprawling hunting scenes; allow 1.5–2 hours. Entry is roughly 13–15 TND.

Evening: Dine at Dar El Jeld Restaurant & Spa for refined takes on classics—brik with tuna and egg, lamb with fig jus—in a candlelit 18th-century mansion. For a casual alternative, La Mamma (since the 1970s) plates comforting oven-baked pastas and Tunisian-Italian mashups popular with locals.

Day 3: Carthage ruins and Sidi Bou Saïd’s blue-and-white terraces

Morning: Ride the vintage TGM light rail from Tunis Marine to Carthage (20–30 mins; ~1–2 TND). Start at the Antonine Baths, the seaside Roman complex that hints at imperial scale. Continue to the Punic Ports and the Tophet for Carthage’s oldest layers. A combined ticket (~15 TND) covers multiple sites.

Afternoon: Head up to Sidi Bou Saïd, where cobalt doors and bougainvillea frame the sea. Lunch at Dar Zarrouk (sea views; try the grilled octopus or couscous aux fruits de mer) or Au Bon Vieux Temps for a romantic, tile-lined dining room. Snack on warm bambalouni from a street vendor by the cliff path.

Evening: Sunset tea at Café des Nattes or a citronnade at Café des Délices with the gulf unfurling below. Dinner by the water at Le Golfe in La Marsa—tuck into seared seabream or prawns while waves lap the terrace. Taxi back (15–25 TND).

Day 4: Hammamet day trip—sandstone kasbahs and seaside lunches

Morning: After a quick pastry and espresso, day-trip south to Hammamet (about 1–1.5 hours by car; consider hiring a driver 120–160 USD round-trip). Walk the compact medina and climb the 15th-century Kasbah ramparts for sweeping sea views.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Le Barberousse, perched over the water—order grilled dorade, octopus salad, and a chilled citronnade. If time allows, detour to Nabeul (20 minutes) to browse hand-painted ceramics; many workshops welcome visitors.

Evening: Return to Tunis. Casual dinner near Bourguiba Avenue—Le Capitole for brik and mechouia salad—or try modern bistro plates at a neighborhood spot before turning in. Pack for tomorrow’s island hop.

Djerba

Djerba is Tunisia’s laid-back island: palm groves, low-rise white villages, and long beaches where the sea turns glass-clear. Phoenician legend says Ulysses was tempted here by the Lotus-Eaters; today, travelers linger for calm, thalasso spas, and honest, seafood-forward cuisine.

Culture runs deep. Visit the historic El Ghriba Synagogue in Erriadh, wander Djerbahood’s open-air street art galleries, and explore Guellala’s pottery traditions and the excellent Lalla Hadria Museum’s sweep of Tunisian art and crafts.

Where to stay: Choose beachfront resorts along Sidi Mahrez for easy sand-and-sea days, or atmospheric guesthouses in Erriadh/Houmt Souk for culture and dining.

• Browse Djerba villas and apartments on VRBO (pool villas near Midoun, riad-style homes in Erriadh).
• See Djerba hotels on Hotels.com (beach resorts, boutique guesthouses, thalasso spas).

Getting there from Tunis: Fly TUN→DJE (about 1h15; typical one-way 50–120 USD depending on season). Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overland alternatives include a louage (shared minivan) via the mainland and short ferry (8–9 hours total; budget ~35–45 TND).

Day 5: Fly to Djerba, beach time, and seafood on the harbor

Morning: Morning flight to Djerba–Zarzis Airport. Pick up a rental car or arrange hotel transfer; taxis on the island are affordable for short hops. Check in and drop your bags.

Afternoon: Lunch in Houmt Souk at Essofra, beloved for home-style couscous (lamb or fish) and ojja (spiced tomato and egg skillet). Beach time on Plage Sidi Mahrez—calm waters and long, walkable sands.

Evening: Sunset stroll around the harbor, then dinner at Restaurant Haroun, a long-running institution for grilled fish, squid, and briq. For dessert, hunt down bambalouni or a pistachio ice cream along the promenade.

Day 6: El Ghriba, Djerbahood street art, and Lalla Hadria Museum

Morning: Coffee and pastries at a local pâtisserie (many branches of Gourmandise on the island), then visit El Ghriba Synagogue in Erriadh, a pilgrimage site with ornate tilework and a storied Jewish community. Dress modestly; small donations appreciated.

Afternoon: Explore Djerbahood, a permanent open-air street art project that turned Erriadh’s walls into canvases—perfect for a slow, photo-rich wander. Lunch in a palm-shaded courtyard at Dar Dhiafa’s restaurant; try meze-style salads and seafood couscous. Continue to Djerba Explore Park to tour the Lalla Hadria Museum (allow 60–90 minutes) showcasing ceramics, jewelry, and textiles from across centuries.

Evening: Dinner in Houmt Souk at La Taverna (Mediterranean plates—fresh pasta, grilled prawns—and a cozy bistro vibe). Nightcap along the marina or an early night before tomorrow’s desert foray.

Day 7: Sahara and ksour—Chenini, Ksar Hadada, and Matmata cave lunch

Morning: Early 4x4 pickup for a full-day southern Tunisia circuit (plan 8–10 hours). Head toward Tataouine to visit a ksar (fortified granary) such as Ksar Hadada or Ksar Ouled Soltane—honeycomb vaults once used to store grain along caravan routes.

Afternoon: Continue to the hill village of Chenini for panoramic views and a short walk. Drive to Matmata to tour troglodyte (cave) homes; many families still inhabit these cool, dugout dwellings. Lunch at Hotel-Restaurant Sidi Driss, famous as Luke Skywalker’s homestead in the original Star Wars—kitschy, yes, but the underground courtyards are unforgettable.

Evening: Return to Djerba by sunset. Farewell dinner back at Dar Dhiafa or seaside grills near Sidi Mahrez Beach. Pack for your afternoon departure tomorrow; most flights connect via Tunis—check times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Practical extras and local gems

• Transit tips: The TGM links central Tunis with La Goulette, Carthage, and Sidi Bou Saïd (cheap, scenic). Taxis are metered; short city rides are often 5–10 TND. For day trips beyond cities, hire a driver for comfort and time savings.
• Costs: Museum entries are generally 10–15 TND; Carthage multi-site ticket ~15 TND; Djerba Explore ~25 TND. Private desert 4x4 day tours from Djerba typically run 120–180 USD per vehicle; shared options cost less.
• Food to try: Brik à l’œuf, merguez, mloukhia (slow-cooked greens), ojja with merguez, and fish couscous. For sweets, corne de gazelle and rosewater-scented pastries.
• Etiquette: Ask before photographing people or religious interiors. Alcohol is available in many restaurants and hotels, but not all serve it.

In one week, Tunisia gifts you Roman mosaics and Phoenician harbors, whitewashed villages and citrus groves, and a taste of the Sahara’s vastness. You’ll leave with the scent of jasmine and spices in your luggage—and good reason to return for the south’s oases and more coastal time.