Car Hire Tunisia

Mini guide to Tunisia

Tunisia has become an increasingly popular North African destination with its beautiful beaches on the Mediterranean, many and varied archaeological treasures and curious culture.

One of Tunisia’s most fascinating sites is the ruin of ancient Rome’s one-time arch enemy, Carthage. Though not much remains of old Carthage, the staging ground for Hannibal’s famous invasion of Roman Europe, there are many Roman structures of interest. Some sites include a Roman amphitheatre and an ancient religious sacrificial site, the Sanctuary of Tophet. The National Museum is also at this site and provides a historical background for the sites around it.

Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, is fascinating and easily navigable. Its two most toured areas, the old Medina area and the French built Ville Nouvelle, offer an interesting contrast between the old North African and the newer French colonial world. In the Medina area and worth a look is the Zitouna Mosque, which was built from the ruins of Roman Carthage. This area also contains the Souq el-Attarine - the Perfume Makers' Souq. Here you can purchase original essences before the perfume companies doctor them. In the Ville Nouvelle are the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul and the Bardo Museum. The Cathedral incorporates a strange mix of Gothic, Byzantine and North African styles. The Museum has a fascinating array of relics from the Cathaginian, Roman, early Christian and Islamic eras.

For entertainment, dining and accommodation, both the Medina area and the Ville Nouvelle in Tunis will fill all of your needs. Also, the Cap Bon Peninsula has many good beaches, accommodation and restaurants.

Further afield but easy to reach by car are many other interesting areas. The Roman ruins of Dougga are the best preserved in the country. Here can be seen a 3500 seat theatre built in 188 AD. Near the theatre are the magnificent Temple of Saturn and the Square of the Winds. In the square the streets are laid out like a giant compass and each lists a name of one of the 12 winds. In El-Jem is a very well preserved Roman colosseum, almost as big as the one in Rome. In Tozeur is the Dar Charait Museum. It contains an extensive collection of relics from the country’s past.

To reach Tunisia by air you can fly into Tunis, Carthage, Monistir or Jerba. Tunis Air flies to a number of destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.