How to Visit Tunisia in 3 Days

Can you experience Tunisia in just 3 days? Absolutely. If you are short on time, Tunis makes a great base for exploring some of northern and central Tunisia. Instead of changing hotels every night, I stayed in Tunis for all three nights and used a mix of group tours, louages and local buses to explore beyond the capital.

This was my 3-day Tunisia itinerary, covering ancient Roman history, UNESCO sites, colourful medinas, coastal towns and some of Tunisia’s most iconic landmarks.

DAY 1: Tunis → Carthage → Sidi Bou Said → Tunis

I started the trip with a half-day tour covering three of the must-see sights around Tunis: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and the Tunis Medina.

1100H: Carthage & Sidi Bou Said Tour

Sidi Bou Said : First stop was Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia’s famous blue-and-white village overlooking the Mediterranean. Wander through the narrow streets, admire the distinctive blue doors and windows, and stop for a traditional Tunisian tea while enjoying the views.

Carthage: From Sidi Bou Said, continue to ancient Carthage. The ruins are a fascinating reminder of the city’s importance during the ancient Mediterranean world, with archaeological remains spread across a large area.

Bardo Museum: If your schedule allows, include the Bardo Museum, particularly if you are interested in Tunisia’s Roman and ancient history.

Tunis Medina: Back in central Tunis, explore the UNESCO-listed Medina of Tunis. Do not rush it. This is the kind of place where wandering is part of the experience. Some stops worth looking out for: Zaytuna Mosque, Traditional souks, Local shops, Tunisian tea, Historic architecture. Tip: When visiting Zaytuna Mosque, dress respectfully. Long trousers and a scarf are recommended.

1800H: Head to Tunis Clock Tower. End the day around Tunis Clock Tower and explore the city as it starts to come alive in the evening.

DAY 2 : Tunis → Hammamet → Nabeul → Tunis

Day 2 was my do it yourself travel day. Instead of booking another organised excursion, I used Tunisia’s local louage system.

0830H: Tunis → Hammamet. Head to Bab Alioua Louage Station and look for a louage heading towards Hammamet. Louages do not operate like a normal scheduled bus. They generally leave once the vehicle is full, typically 8 persons. The journey from Tunis to Hammamet takes approximately 1 hour. 

1000H: Hammamet. Arrive around Hammamet Ville. The station is conveniently located near the old town, making it easy to explore on foot. Spend the morning wandering through: Hammamet Fort / Kasbah , Medina of Hammamet, Traditional shops, Fishing harbour, Mediterranean seafront, Local cafés. Hammamet has a completely different atmosphere from Tunis — more relaxed, coastal and easy-going.

1300H: Lunch in Hammamet. Have lunch around the Medina or seafront before continuing to Nabeul.

1400H: Hammamet → Nabeul

Take a local bus from Hammamet to Nabeul.

The journey is only around 15 minutes, with direct services available. For current transport information, check the regional transport network before travelling.

1430H: Explore Nabeul. Nabeul is known for its traditional handicrafts and ceramics. Spend a couple of hours exploring: Nabeul Medina, Local souks, Ceramic shops, Handicraft stores, Avenue Habib Bourguiba & Traditional market. This was one of the more local-feeling parts of my trip.

1730H: Head to the Nabeul Louage Station and take a louage directly back to Tunis. Reference fare: approximately 6–7 TND.

1830H: Arrive back in Tunis and enjoy a relaxed evening.

DAY 3 : Tunis → Kairouan → El Jem → Tunis

For my final day, I decided to go further inland and visit two of Tunisia’s major historical sites. Rather than using public transport, I arranged a private day trip from Tunis. The tour included approximately 8 hours of sightseeing, with pickup and drop-off in Tunis. Cost:€155 for 2 people. Lunch and entrance fees were not included.

0800H: Depart Tunis

First stop: Kairouan, one of Tunisia’s most important historic cities. The highlight was the Great Mosque of Kairouan, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most significant Islamic monuments in North Africa. Take some time to explore the old city and soak up the atmosphere before continuing towards El Jem.

Next stop: El Jem Amphitheatre. This enormous Roman amphitheatre is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Standing inside the arena gives you a real sense of the scale of the Roman city that once existed here. After exploring El Jem, it was time to head back to Tunis.

Next Stop: Sousse. This is a coastal town, renowned for it s resort vibes and charm. It is where nightlife comes to live. Recommend to stay overnight otherwise head back to Tunis. 

My 3-Day Tunisia Travel Style

What I liked about this itinerary was that I did not need to constantly pack and unpack. Base yourself in Tunis for 3 nights and explore outwards. I combined organised tour — Carthage & Sidi Bou Said. Private tour — Kairouan & El Jem. Taking local transport of Louage where the route I took is Tunis ↔ Hammamet/Nabeul. Local bus — Hammamet ↔ Nabeul. Walking — Tunis, Hammamet & Nabeul. It gave me a good balance between convenience and experiencing Tunisia more independently.

3 Days Itinerary a Glance

DAY 1: Tunis → Carthage → Sidi Bou Said → Tunis

DAY 2: Tunis → Hammamet → Nabeul → Tunis

DAY 3: Tunis → Kairouan → El Jem → Tunis

Three days is not enough to see everything Tunisia has to offer , but it is enough to get a taste of its history, culture, coastline and local life. And that is exactly what I wanted. Tunisia in 3 days. No rushing from hotel to hotel. Just one base, a few good day trips, and plenty of places to discover!

Categories: Africa Region