Tour overview

This 9-day premium small-group tour makes a loop around Tunisia, from the medinas of Tunis to the Sahara's edge and back along the coast. Groups have no more than 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout and specialist local guides at the main sites. You travel by private vehicle and stay in comfortable hotels, including two nights in a design hotel in the oasis of Tozeur. Breakfast is included daily, with 4 lunches, a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner, and an arrival transfer is included. The trip is land-only, starting and ending in Tunis.

Tunis opens the trip with a guided tour of its UNESCO-listed medina, full of palaces, mosques and fountains, and a calligraphy experience. You then visit the ruins of Carthage, once Rome's great rival, and the blue-and-white clifftop village of Sidi Bou Said. Heading inland, you walk through Testour, a town founded by Andalusian refugees, and explore Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa, with a specialist guide.

Read more

Kairouan, the holiest city in Tunisia, has a city tour of its Great Mosque, the Aghlabid Basins and the old medina, with a chance to make makroudh, the local date pastry. Two nights in Tozeur bring a tour of its brick-patterned medina and palm-filled oasis, with the option of a 4×4 trip into the desert. A long, varied day then crosses the salt flats of Chott el Jerid, stops for lunch with a family in a traditional underground home in Matmata, and visits El Jem, one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the world.

In Sousse you explore the UNESCO-listed medina, its Ribat fortress and Great Mosque, with free time by the sea. On the way back to Tunis you visit the Roman Water Temple at Zaghouan, built at the spring that once supplied Carthage, before a farewell dinner.

The physical rating is low, with some long driving days. This trip suits travellers who want to see Tunisia's Roman sites, Islamic cities and desert landscapes in comfort, in a small group.

Trip highlights

  • The medina of Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said (Day 2)
  • The Roman town of Dougga (Day 3)
  • Kairouan's Great Mosque and a makroudh-making session (Day 4)
  • The oasis and medina of Tozeur (Day 5)
  • Chott el Jerid, a Matmata cave home and El Jem's amphitheatre (Day 6)
  • The medina of Sousse and the Water Temple at Zaghouan (Days 7–8)

Your route

11 stops from Tunis to Zaghouan

9-day route: Tunis – Carthage – Dougga – Kairouan – Tozeur – Matmata – El Jem – Sousse – Tunis
  1. Tunis Days 1–2 & 8–9
  2. Carthage Day 2
  3. Testour Day 3
  4. Dougga Day 3
  5. Kairouan Day 3
  6. Tozeur Days 4–5
  7. Chott El Jerid Day 6
  8. Matmata Day 6
  9. El Jem Day 6
  10. Sousse Days 6–7
  11. Zaghouan Day 8

Why choose this tour

Tunisia's Roman ruins, holy cities, oases and coast in nine days, with specialist guides at the main sites. Premium hotels, a lunch in a troglodyte home and an arrival transfer included.

Best suited to

  • Travellers interested in Roman history and archaeology
  • Anyone curious about North African culture
  • Travellers who like comfortable hotels and a small group
  • First-time visitors to Tunisia
The Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, Tunisia

Day-by-day itinerary

9 days from Tunis, Tunisia to Tunis, Tunisia

  1. Day 1 · Tunis Arrive in Tunis

    On arrival at Tunis-Carthage airport, you are met and taken to your hotel. Meet your leader and fellow travellers at 6pm, followed by a welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    Royal Victoria Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Tunis medina, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said Tunis medina, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said

    Explore the UNESCO-listed medina of Tunis, with its palaces, mosques, mausoleums and fountains, and try your hand at Arabic calligraphy. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Carthage and wander the blue-and-white lanes of Sidi Bou Said.

    Hotel
    Royal Victoria Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Testour, Dougga, Kairouan Testour and Dougga to Kairouan

    Stop in Testour, founded by Andalusian refugees, for a walk and a visit to its tiled Great Mosque. Explore Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa, with a specialist guide, then continue to Kairouan.

    Hotel
    Kasbah Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Kairouan, Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tozeur Kairouan to Tozeur

    Tour Kairouan, Tunisia's holiest city, including the Great Mosque, the Aghlabid Basins and the old medina, and learn to make makroudh, the local date pastry. Continue to the desert oasis of Tozeur.

    Hotel
    Dar Hi Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Tozeur medina, Tozeur oasis Tozeur

    Tour Tozeur's medina, one of the best preserved in Tunisia, with its patterned brick walls, and its vast palm oasis. The afternoon is free, or join an optional 4x4 trip into the desert.

    Hotel
    Dar Hi Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Chott el Jerid, Matmata, El Jem, Sousse Chott el Jerid, Matmata and El Jem

    An early start for a long, varied day. Cross the salt flats of Chott el Jerid, share lunch with a family in a traditional underground home in Matmata, and visit El Jem, one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in the world, before reaching Sousse.

    Hotel
    Dar Antonia or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Sousse medina, Ribat of Sousse Sousse

    After a slow breakfast, explore the UNESCO-listed medina of Sousse with your leader, including the Ribat fortress and the Great Mosque. The rest of the day is free by the sea.

    Hotel
    Dar Antonia or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Zaghouan Water Temple, Tunis Zaghouan and back to Tunis

    Visit the Water Temple at Zaghouan, a Roman monument at the spring that once supplied Carthage with water. Continue to Tunis for a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    Royal Victoria Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Tunis Trip ends in Tunis

    The trip ends after breakfast. Extra nights in Tunis can be arranged when you book, perhaps to visit the Bardo Museum and its Roman mosaics.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The ruins of ancient Carthage, Tunisia

Where you stay

  • Tunis (2 nights) Royal Victoria Hotel or similar
  • Kairouan (1 night) Kasbah Hotel or similar
  • Tozeur (2 nights) Dar Hi Hotel or similar
  • Sousse (2 nights) Dar Antonia or similar
  • Tunis (1 night) Royal Victoria Hotel or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 8 nights in hotels, including 2 in a design hotel in Tozeur
  • Meals 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners, including lunch with a family in Matmata
  • Transport private vehicle throughout, and an arrival airport transfer in Tunis
  • Guided visits the Tunis medina, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Testour, Dougga, Kairouan, Tozeur, Chott el Jerid, Matmata, El Jem, Sousse and Zaghouan
  • A calligraphy experience and a makroudh-making session
  • Local leader throughout, with specialist local guides

Not included

  • International flights to and from Tunis
  • Departure transfer
  • Meals not listed
  • Optional activities, such as the Bardo Museum and a 4x4 desert trip from Tozeur
  • Single supplement, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
The minaret of the Al-Zaytuna Mosque in the Tunis medina at dusk

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want flights included — they are not
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
  • You dislike long drives — Day 6 is a long travel day
  • You want a desert camping trip — nights are in hotels

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Tunisia
The Roman ruins of Dougga, Tunisia

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,595 per person, twin share, tour only. 14 upcoming departures.

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.

Is the airport transfer included?

Yes. An arrival transfer from Tunis-Carthage airport is included if you arrive on Day 1, or with pre-tour nights booked, provided flight details are sent at least 14 days before travel.

Which Roman sites do we visit?

Carthage, Dougga, the amphitheatre of El Jem and the Water Temple at Zaghouan, with specialist local guides at the main sites.

What is the lunch in Matmata?

You share lunch with a local family in a traditional troglodyte home, dug into the ground around a courtyard, as people in Matmata have lived for centuries.

How active is the trip?

The physical rating is low. Expect walking around ruins and medinas, with some long driving days, especially Day 6.

What meals are included?

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners, including a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner and lunch with a family in Matmata.

What should I wear?

Light, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for mosques and medinas, comfortable walking shoes for the ruins, and a warm layer for cooler evenings in the desert.

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

Similar routes

10 days · 2 departure dates

Tunisia Total Solar Eclipse 2027: Carthage & the Coast – 10 Days

From £2,895

Combine with

Tours in neighbouring countries.

8 days · 85 departure dates

Self-Guided Walking on Gozo, Malta: Calypso’s Isle – 8 Days

Tour only or with flights From £909
15 days · 80 departure dates

Madrid to Marrakech: Lisbon, the Algarve, Seville & Fes – 15 Days

From £2,845
25 days · 67 departure dates

Spain, Portugal & Morocco: Madrid to Marrakech – 25 Days

From £3,350
14 days · 28 departure dates

Switzerland: Lucerne, Zermatt, St Moritz & Glacier Express – 14 Days

From £5,198

Explore more

From £2,595
See dates & prices