Hesitating which historic buildings and sites to visit in Tunis? In this post, I have listed the worth-visiting historic buildings and sites in Tunis, that you shouldn’t miss. Or what do you think about the old palace, Medina of Tunis, or the ruins of Carthage? I would say, definitely worth visiting. See the full list below, and don’t forget to check the previous lists of the best art galleries and museums in Tunis.
The list of historic buildings and sites in Tunis
- Carthage
- Old Medina of Tunis
- Dar Bach Hamba
- Bab El Bhar
- Clocktower
Carthage - historic buildings and sites in Tunis
Carthage, the old capital of ancient Carthaginian was an important trading spot in the Mediterranean sea. Nowadays this historical site is a popular tourist attraction. Carthage is located about a 20-minute drive from Tunis.
Carthage has a lot to offer if you are interested in historical sites, buildings, and landmarks: ruins of Carthage, Roman Amphitheater, Antonine baths, L’Acropolium, Byrsa Hill, and National Museum. All of these are located close to each other, which makes discovering easier. Once you get into Carthage, I suggest discovering everything you are interested in. One day should be enough for exploring all.
Old Medina of Tunis
Old Medina is one of my favorite places in Tunis. In case you have a limited amount of time, I advise you to visit Old Medina as it’s a must-thing to do in Tunis. Many tourists come from other cities to Tunis just to visit the Old Medina. So you don’t want to miss this place.
Old Medina is a maze of ancient streets and a home to hundreds of souks (=small boutiques). It’s time to fill up your bags with the most beautiful souvenirs: carpets, shoes, sweets, jewelry, ceramics, and clothing. Read my post about 13 things to buy from Tunisia. It will help you choose the greatest souvenirs for you and your loved ones. The souks have their own atmosphere that is worth experiencing, even if you are not planning to buy anything.
A couple of handy pieces of advice before you are heading to the Old Medina. The best time to visit the Old Medina of Tunis is in the morning as there are fewer people, and the temperature is more pleasant. During the daytime be prepared for a crowd, and the weather might be unpleasantly hot. In addition, most of the shops are closed on Sundays and Friday afternoons. It’s also good to know that this area is empty in the evenings.
In Medina, I recommend eating in beautiful restaurants, Fondouk El Attarine and Dar El Jeld. I suggest Panoramic café for coffee and admire a stunning view. Also, the famous Zaytuna Mosque is in Medina. Check the list of the hotels here, if you are looking for accommodation in this area.
Dar Bach Hamba
Looking for a palace to visit in the Medina of Tunis? Dar Bach Hamba is an old palace estimated to be built in the 17th century. The palace is in the southern part of the Medina, about 500 meters away from the city gate Bab El Bhar.
The palace has a long and interesting history that includes various renovations and several changes in ownership. The name Dar Bach Hamba has its roots in the 17-18th century when Haj Ahmed Bach Hamba bought or occupied the palace.
Dar Bach Hamba is one of the most beautiful palaces in Tunis. If you are interested to learn more about the area’s history, I highly recommend visiting Dar Bach Hamba. In addition, the palace is nowadays a cultural center organizing art exhibitions.
Bab El Bhar
Bab El Bhar, a city gate, is a monument in Tunis. Before, this city gate was an eastern entrance to Medina that was attached to surrounding walls. The surrounding walls aren’t existing anymore, but the city gate still stands.
You can combine visiting the Old Medina and Bab El Bhar on the same day as the city gate is still the main entrance to the Old Medina.
Clocktower
Clocktower, known also as Big Ben, is a historical landmark built by the president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The clocktower itself is just a landmark, so discovering it takes a couple of minutes, but historically the clocktower and the square are important landmarks.
This clocktower isn’t the first statue at this spot. In the beginning, there was a statue of Jules Ferry, a man who colonized Tunisia. Jules Ferry’s statue was replaced with a statue of the first president of the Tunisian Republic, Habib Bourguiba. And at the end, Ben Ali replaced the statue with a clocktower.
That was my list of the worth-visiting historic buildings and sites in Tunis. Which one would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments. Recently I have written about all kinds of cultural attractions in Tunis, museums, art galleries, and this time historic sites. Next week, I am sharing the best spots for shopping in Tunis. Meanwhile, take care and see you again next week.