Tunisia is a very popular touristic destination and loads of people are heading there to have fun and enjoy but it is still not the same as a holiday in Thailand, Spain, or Mexico. There are still differences that are good to be aware of when planning the trip. Might be that especially smoking, drinking, and partying is raising some questions. So, without further ado let’s get started! Here are a couple of guidelines that might be handy when traveling to Tunisia. Any other questions or comments?

Drinking By The Beach

Can I smoke while I am in Tunisia? Where can I smoke?

In Tunisia, you can smoke cigarettes and basically, you can smoke everywhere you want: cafés, lounges, nightclubs, beaches, restaurants, hotel rooms, inside cars and houses. Even if there is a sign which forbids smoking, you can still see people doing it. Smoking is not allowed in government facilities, offices, public transportation, and malls. In Tunisia “everybody” smokes and they smoke a lot. You can buy a pack of cigarettes with 4-10 DT. which is about 1,20-3 € depending on the brand, sometimes all the cigarette brands aren’t available. The cigarettes are sold in kiosks and some bars or nightclubs sell as well.

There are a couple of things you should know. Weed and all kinds of drugs are illegal. Also, cigarette tubes and cigars aren’t sold anywhere, if you feel like smoking cigars on your holiday then I advise you to buy those from a duty-free store before entering the country. In addition, you won’t see Tunisian women smoking on the streets but for a female tourist that is totally acceptable.

Shisha Smoking

Smoking shisha

Water pipe smoking known as shisha or hookah is a very common free time activity in Tunisia and all over the Arab world. A lot of tourists are willing to try this almost traditional and very communal activity. Just be aware that shisha is very harmful to your health, it is actually much more harmful than smoking cigarettes. Smoking shisha for one hour equals about smoking 100 cigarettes. Flavored shishas are not any safer, so do not let sweet smell mislead you.

If you are still willing to try smoking shisha you will find it in all kinds of cafes, salons de thé, lounges, and nightclubs. Also, a lot of Tunisian people have shisha pipes at home. There are different flavors to try as mint, apple, lemon, kiwi, cherry, peach, pineapple. One session which lasts about an hour costs 5 DT which is about 1,50€ in a normal café. In nightclubs and in other fancier places you might need to pay about 30 DT.

A lot of stores are selling different sizes of water pipes and flavored tobaccos. These are some of the most common souvenirs to buy from Tunisia.

Can I drink alcohol and party in Tunisia?

In Tunisia, alcohol is legal, and the legal drinking age is 18. Alcohol should not be consumed in public. So don’t buy alcoholic beverages and drink those by the beach, parks, or streets. If you are on the beach where the alcohol is sold by the restaurant or bar then it’s perfectly fine to drink. Alcoholic drinks are sold in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. There are also specific stores that sell alcoholic beverages, you can’t buy alcohol from supermarkets or grocery stores.

When it comes to nightlife, Tunisia has a lot to offer. The places to party, dance, and have fun are limitless. Real party destinations are Hammamet and Sousse, but you find also very good parties from the capital area. There is a great range of lounges, bars, and nightclubs: relaxed and bohemian ones, fancy and very fancy ones, live music, Arabic discos, more western-styled nightclubs, and places inside, outside, and by the beach. To make sure that you can enter the place, might be clever to make a table reservation and find out about possible dress code. Normally entry into clubs is for free except during special events.

partying outside

Smoking and drinking during the holy month of Ramadan

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. At the time of daylight is forbidden to drink, eat and smoke. If visiting Tunisia during the holy month, beware of adapting to a new kind of living. During the fasting hours, cafes and restaurants are closed but you will find some places with covered windows where you can eat and drink. Also, many of the larger hotels are offering screened-off places for customers to eat and drink. Might be easier to rent an Airbnb where you can more freely eat and drink. From the tourist resorts, you can still find restaurants that are open normally even during the daylight.

When walking on the streets remember to respect the people who are fasting. In brief: tourists are allowed to drink, eat and smoke in public but this is something you should consider. Dressing more conservatively is advisable. Also, note to yourself that during Ramadan clubs and bars are closed.

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