Tunisia - Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go?

Late spring or early autumn are the best times to visit Tunisia when the weather is balmy but comfortable enough for sightseeing. In the peak holiday season, between July and August, the country can experience desert and inland temperatures beyond 40 degrees Celsius making sightseeing difficult and desert safaris impossible. The coast is protected from the scorching desert heat by mountains, and cooled by sea breezes, making beach holidays viable any time between April and October. If you travel either side of peak season, resorts will be quieter and you may pay less for your holiday.

Do you need a visa?
British citizens do not need a visa to enter Tunisia and stay for up to three months.

How can I get there?

There are many direct flights to Tunisia from all over the UK with Monarch, Tunisair, Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways. The main entry point is Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN), near the country's capital, Tunis. But many Europeans travel to Enfidha (NBE) on budget charter flights because it's closer to the popular east coast resorts. Opened in December 2009, Enfidha has been gradually replacing Habib Bourguiba, Skanes-Monastir (MIR) airport as the main package tourism portal. From Enfidha, there is a free shuttle bus to the nearby resort town of Hammamet. The flight time between the UK and Tunisia is around three hours, depending on the airports you are flying into and out of.

What is the local currency and what currency should I take?

The local currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). Notes come in 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5 dinars. Each dinar is divided into 1000 millimes and coins come in 5, 1 and 1/2 dinars (500 millimes), as well as 100 millimes and other small coins. Prices tend to be marked in dinars and millimes, with a decimal point, such as 10.600 or 0.900. Travellers should be aware that the Tunisian Dinar is a closed currency, which means it is only available inside the country, so you will have to change your currency there. Dinars cannot be imported or exported and the exchange rate is determined by the Tunisian treasury and not influenced by international monetary fluctuation. The easiest currencies to exchange are British Pounds, Euros and US Dollars and the exchange rate hovers at around 2 dinars to the pound. Keep the receipt every time you change money so it will be easier to convert any leftover dinars back into pounds before you leave the country. It is actually prohibited to take dinars out of Tunisia an

What is there to see and do?

Aside from miles of golden sand beaches along its Mediterranean coastline and a whole host of water-sports on offer, Tunisia is chock-full of fascinating cultural treasures. These include fantastically well-preserved ruins left behind by the Romans . El Djem's impressive amphitheatre of Thysdrus, the unusual subterranean homes of Bulla Regia and, of course, the remains of the legendary city of ancient Carthage. The country is also blessed with two beautiful UNESCO-listed medinas . one in the capital Tunis and another in the seaside town of Sousse . that are perfect to explore on foot. Visiting the souks, exploring the labyrinthine alleys and haggling for a bargain in the Aladdin's Cave-like shops is another unmissable experience. The fantastical architecture of Berber buildings, used in the Star Wars films, is also well worth a look. Varied landscapes that include palm oases, desert canyons and even rolling green hills make this a scenic country to explore too . boarding the vintage re

When is Ramadan in Tunisia?

Tunisia is predominantly an Arab Muslim country. The date of Ramadan changes each year because Islam uses a lunar calendar determined by the moon's cycle. Special committees decide the precise dates of Ramadan each year and they may vary by a day or two according to the first sight of the new moon. Ramadan lasts for around 29 to 30 days each year. During this period, many businesses, shops and restaurants are closed during daylight hours.

Is it safe for female travellers?

Tunisia is safe for solo female travellers, though it is true that western women sometimes attract unwanted attention. As Tunisia is predominantly a Muslim country, ladies can minimise male attention by dressing modestly and respecting local traditions by selecting clothing that reduces the amount of skin on show. Female tourists should be wary of local casanovas, but if you make it clear you wish to be left alone, Tunisian men will listen. It is reportedly safe for female travellers to use the cheap public shared taxis (louages), which are also used by Tunisian women.

Is it safe to drink the tap water?

It is advisable to avoid drinking tap water in Tunisia. Bottled water is very cheap and available almost everywhere.