Tunisia Coast & Sahara

Eight days from the ruins of Carthage and the blue-and-white lanes of Sidi Bou Said to El Jem's Roman amphitheater, holy Kairouan, mountain oases, a night in the Sahara and the island of Djerba. A private road journey we tailor to you.

Every journey is customizable. Use our featured journeys as inspiration. We'll tailor the dates, hotels, activities, pace and budget around you.

Highlights

• Carthage and the Bardo

  Punic and Roman Carthage with a licensed guide, plus some of the finest Roman mosaics anywhere.

• Sidi Bou Said at sunset

  Blue doors, whitewashed walls and mint tea overlooking the Gulf of Tunis.

• The amphitheater of El Jem

  Walk the arena and tunnels of a vast Roman amphitheater recognized by UNESCO.

• Oases and a night in the Sahara

  Mountain oases by 4x4, the Chott el Djerid salt flat and a desert camp near Douz.

• Island days on Djerba

  Markets, street art in Erriadh, historic sites and beach time to finish.

Suggested day-by-day

A starting point, not a fixed schedule — we adjust every day to suit you.

1. 1
   Day 1Arrive in TunisTunis and Sidi Bou Said+

   You are met at Tunis-Carthage International Airport and driven to your hotel in or near Sidi Bou Said. Stroll the blue-and-white lanes at sunset and stop for mint tea with pine nuts overlooking the Gulf of Tunis.

   • Private airport transfer
   • Sunset walk in Sidi Bou Said
   • Mint tea with a view

   Boutique hotel or traditional guesthouse, or similar · Sidi Bou Said or Tunis
2. 2
   Day 2Carthage, the Bardo and the medinaTunis and Carthage+

   With a licensed guide, explore the remains of Carthage, from the seaside Antonine Baths to the view from Byrsa Hill. Continue to the Bardo National Museum and its Roman mosaics (we confirm opening times before your visit), then wander the souks of the Tunis medina.

   • Guided visit to Carthage
   • Bardo National Museum
   • Tunis medina and souks
   • Lunch in the medina

   Boutique hotel or traditional guesthouse, or similar · Sidi Bou Said or TunisBreakfast, Lunch
3. 3
   Day 3El Jem and KairouanEl Jem and Kairouan+

   Drive south to El Jem, where a vast Roman amphitheater rises above the modern town. Continue to Kairouan, a holy city whose Great Mosque is among the oldest in North Africa, and spend the evening in its quiet medina.

   • Roman amphitheater at El Jem
   • Drive to Kairouan
   • Evening walk in the medina

   Comfortable boutique hotel or similar · KairouanBreakfast, Dinner
4. 4
   Day 4Kairouan to the oasis of TozeurKairouan, Sbeitla and Tozeur+

   Visit the courtyard of Kairouan's Great Mosque and the ancient water basins in the morning. Then drive southwest via the Roman ruins of Sbeitla to Tozeur, an oasis town known for its decorative brickwork and vast palm grove.

   • Great Mosque of Kairouan (courtyard)
   • Roman ruins of Sbeitla
   • Walk in the old quarter of Tozeur

   Boutique hotel or similar · TozeurBreakfast, Dinner
5. 5
   Day 5Mountain oases and the SaharaChebika, Tamerza and Douz+

   Set off by 4x4 to the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza, with their palm-shaded springs and canyon walks. In the afternoon, cross the vast Chott el Djerid salt flat to Douz and ride a camel into the dunes at sunset before a night at a desert camp.

   • 4x4 excursion to the mountain oases
   • Crossing the Chott el Djerid salt flat
   • Sunset camel ride near Douz
   • Dinner and stargazing at camp

   Upscale desert camp or similar · Desert camp near DouzBreakfast, Dinner
6. 6
   Day 6Matmata and on to DjerbaMatmata and Djerba+

   Drive east to Matmata to see traditional troglodyte homes dug into the earth. Continue to the coast and cross the causeway to Djerba, an island of whitewashed villages, olive groves and long beaches.

   • Troglodyte houses of Matmata
   • Drive to Djerba
   • Evening at leisure

   Upscale beach hotel or boutique guesthouse, or similar · DjerbaBreakfast, Dinner
7. 7
   Day 7Island life on DjerbaDjerba+

   Explore the markets of Houmt Souk, the open-air street art of Djerbahood in the village of Erriadh and, when it is open to visitors, the historic El Ghriba synagogue. Spend the afternoon on the beach.

   • Houmt Souk market
   • Djerbahood street art in Erriadh
   • El Ghriba synagogue (when open to visitors)
   • Afternoon on the beach

   Upscale beach hotel or boutique guesthouse, or similar · DjerbaBreakfast, Dinner
8. 8
   Day 8Depart from DjerbaDjerba+

   Enjoy a final morning on the island. Then transfer to Djerba–Zarzis International Airport for your onward flight, usually connecting via Tunis or a European hub.

   • Leisurely final morning
   • Private airport transfer

   Breakfast

Make it yours

A few of the ways travelers tailor this journey:

• Stay in the Tunis medina

  Swap the coastal hotel for a restored traditional house inside the old city walls.

• Add Dougga

  Visit one of the best-preserved Roman towns in North Africa, a day trip from Tunis.

• Go deeper into the dunes

  Spend a night at Ksar Ghilane, an oasis with a warm spring on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental.

• Explore the ksour

  Add the fortified granaries around Tataouine, with their honeycomb of vaulted storage rooms.

• Extend the beach time

  Add nights on Djerba or on the coast near Hammamet to finish at a slower pace.

Best months

1. Jan
2. Feb
3. ✓ Mar
4. ✓ Apr
5. ✓ May
6. Jun
7. Jul
8. Aug
9. ✓ Sep
10. ✓ Oct
11. ✓ Nov
12. Dec