30 Jul 2027
Twin share
£3,045pp
Single from £3,570
Escorted tour
Tunisia Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Carthage & the Coast – 10 Days
The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 from the beach at Sfax, with El Djem, Kairouan, Dougga, the Bardo Museum and Carthage.
10 days
From £2,895
Tour overview
This 10-day small-group tour of Tunisia is built around a once-in-a-lifetime event: the total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027, one of the longest of the century. You watch it from Chafar beach at Sfax, on the east coast, with a local astronomer, eclipse glasses and meteorological support. Around it, the trip takes in Tunisia's Roman ruins, holy cities and coast. A tour leader travels with you throughout, and you stay in comfortable hotels, ending with four nights at a beach resort near Tunis. Breakfast is included daily, with three lunches. The trip is land-only.
From Tunis you drive down the Gulf of Hammamet to Sousse for a walk through its UNESCO-listed medina, and to Monastir for the ribat fortress and the Bourguiba mausoleum, before reaching Sfax. On eclipse day the moon's shadow sweeps across the city in the morning, with totality reached high in the sky, giving excellent viewing.
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The next day you visit Mahdia, once the Fatimid capital, with its fortified gate, the Skifa Kahla, and the Ottoman fortress of Borj el Kebir. You then spend the night beside El Djem, one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the world. In Kairouan, the fourth holiest city of Islam, you see the Aghlabid pools and the Great Mosque, then explore the medina. A day inland takes you through Testour, founded by Andalusian refugees, to Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa, set among olive groves.
The final days are based at a beach resort on the Côte de Carthage. You walk through the souks of the Tunis medina early in the day and visit the Bardo Museum, with one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics. You also see the lesser-known Roman site of Uthina, founded for veterans of Augustus's legions, with the Zaghouan aqueduct on the way. The trip ends with ancient Carthage and the blue-and-white clifftop village of Sidi Bou Said.
Expect intense summer heat, especially at Dougga, and a lot of walking on uneven ground. It suits travellers who want to see the eclipse in good conditions, with a rich cultural tour around it.
Trip highlights
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The total solar eclipse of 2 August 2027 at Chafar beach, Sfax, with a local astronomer
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The medina of Sousse and the ribat of Monastir (Day 2)
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The Roman amphitheatre of El Djem and Fatimid Mahdia (Day 4)
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The Great Mosque and medina of Kairouan (Day 5)
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The Roman town of Dougga (Day 6)
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The Bardo Museum's mosaics, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said (Days 7 and 9)
Your route
11 stops from Tunis to Carthage
- Tunis Days 1 & 6–9
- Monastir Day 2
- Sousse Day 2
- Sfax Days 2–3
- Mahdia Day 4
- El Jem Day 4
- Kairouan Day 5
- Testour Day 6
- Dougga Day 6
- Uthina Day 8
- Carthage Day 9
Why choose this tour
The eclipse is watched from a well-placed beach on Tunisia's east coast, with an astronomer, eclipse glasses and weather support. Around the eclipse, the trip covers Tunisia's finest Roman and Islamic sites, ending with four relaxing nights at a beach resort.
Best suited to
- Anyone who wants to see a total solar eclipse in good conditions
- Travellers interested in Roman history and archaeology
- First-time visitors to Tunisia
- Travellers happy with summer heat and plenty of walking
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Tunis, Tunisia to Tunis, Tunisia
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Day 1 · Tunis Arrive in Tunis
The trip starts in Tunis, the busy capital. There are no activities today, so you can arrive at any time. Tunis airport is about 30 minutes from the hotel, and if you arrive before 7pm you can join the group for an optional dinner.
- Hotel
- Carlton Tunis Hotel or similar
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Day 2 · Sousse, Monastir, Sfax Sousse and Monastir to Sfax
Drive down the Gulf of Hammamet coast, with a walking tour of the UNESCO-listed medina of Sousse. In Monastir, visit the ribat fortress and the mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, then continue south to Sfax, ready for the eclipse.
- Hotel
- Business Hotel Sfax or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Sfax, Chafar Beach Eclipse day
On 2 August 2027, a total eclipse of the sun crosses Sfax in mid-morning, with the sun high in the sky. Watch from the beach at Chafar with a local astronomer, eclipse glasses and extra equipment, with weather support to help the viewing.
- Hotel
- Business Hotel Sfax or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Mahdia, El Djem Mahdia and El Djem
Visit Mahdia, founded by the Fatimids in 916, with its fortified gate, the Skifa Kahla, the Great Mosque and the Ottoman fortress of Borj el Kebir. Continue to El Djem and stay beside its vast Roman amphitheatre.
- Hotel
- Dar Ammar El Jem or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 5 · Kairouan, Great Mosque of Kairouan Kairouan
Drive about 90 minutes to Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam. See the Aghlabid pools and the Abou Zomaa mosque, then visit the Great Mosque, first built in the 7th century, and explore the old medina.
- Hotel
- Hotel La Kasbah or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Testour, Dougga Testour and Dougga
Visit Testour, a town founded by Andalusian refugees, then Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman sites in North Africa, with its theatre, temples and streets among olive groves. Continue to your beach resort near Tunis.
- Hotel
- Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · Tunis medina, Bardo Museum Tunis medina and the Bardo
Start early to beat the heat with a walk through the Tunis medina and its souks of crafts, spices and baklava. Then visit the Bardo Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Roman mosaics.
- Hotel
- Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Uthina, Zaghouan Aqueduct Uthina
Visit Uthina, a lesser-known but impressive Roman site founded by Augustus for veterans of the Third Legion, with an amphitheatre and baths. You pass the Roman aqueduct of Zaghouan on the way.
- Hotel
- Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Carthage, Sidi Bou Said Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
Explore ancient Carthage, once the most powerful trading city in the Mediterranean, then wander the blue-and-white clifftop lanes and cafés of Sidi Bou Said.
- Hotel
- Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Tunis Trip ends in Tunis
The trip ends after breakfast at the hotel, and you can leave at any time. Tunis airport is just over 30 minutes away, and transfers can be arranged.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Tunis (1 night) Carlton Tunis Hotel or similar
- Sfax (2 nights) Business Hotel Sfax or similar
- El Djem (1 night) Dar Ammar El Jem or similar
- Kairouan (1 night) Hotel La Kasbah or similar
- Côte de Carthage (4 nights) Verdi Tunis Beach Resort or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in comfortable hotels, including 4 nights at a beach resort
- Meals 9 breakfasts and 3 lunches
- Transport all ground transport in the itinerary
- Eclipse support a local astronomer, eclipse glasses and extra viewing equipment
- Guided visits Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, El Djem, Kairouan, Testour, Dougga, the Bardo Museum, the Tunis medina, Uthina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights to and from Tunis
- Airport transfers, available on request
- Dinners and meals not listed
- Tunisian visa, if required
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You dislike heat — this is a midsummer trip with little shade at some sites
- You want dinners included — breakfast daily and three lunches only
- You want flexible dates — the trip runs only around the eclipse
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Tunisia
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,895 per person, twin share, tour only. 2 upcoming departures.
31 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,895pp
Single from £3,420
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
When is the eclipse?
On 2 August 2027. Totality is reached mid-morning over Sfax, with the sun high in the sky. Both departures, on 30 and 31 July 2027, are timed around it.
How do I watch the eclipse safely?
Eclipse glasses are provided. Use them whenever any part of the sun is visible, and follow the guidance of the local astronomer.
Are flights included?
No. You fly to and from Tunis. Airport transfers are not included but can be arranged.
How hot will it be?
Very hot. It is midsummer, and Dougga has little shade. Bring a hat and high-factor sun cream and drink plenty of water. Some visits start early to avoid the midday heat.
What should I wear?
Sturdy shoes for ruins and cobbles, and modest clothes covering shoulders and knees for mosque visits. Women should bring a headscarf.
Can I swim?
Yes. The last four nights are at a beach resort near Tunis, with a large pool and beach access.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary