Tunis & the Coast

A relatively small country by African standards, Tunisia boasts more than 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline, much of it studded with resorts. All-inclusive beach package holidays are the order of the day here, with the likes of Cap Serrat, Tabarka and Bizerte matching anything on the European Mediterranean except that they are far less crowded. The coast also offers some superb cultural and historical sightseeing. On the island of Djerba, for instance, classy beach resorts can be found alongside some of the country's most interesting Islamic architectural artifacts: beautiful whitewashed mosques whose curvaceous lines recall their ...

A relatively small country by African standards, Tunisia boasts more than 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline, much of it studded with resorts. All-inclusive beach package holidays are the order of the day here, with the likes of Cap Serrat, Tabarka and Bizerte matching anything on the European Mediterranean except that they are far less crowded. The coast also offers some superb cultural and historical sightseeing. On the island of Djerba, for instance, classy beach resorts can be found alongside some of the country's most interesting Islamic architectural artifacts: beautiful whitewashed mosques whose curvaceous lines recall their Sahelian counterparts. Tunis, the capital, has a historic walled medina, reliably bustling with commercial activity, as well as being the site of the Bardo Museum, which houses some fine examples of mosaics dating back to the Roman occupation. Tunis also lies a short drive from ancient Carthage, though little of this historic old city remains today. Another port that combines a typical beachfront "zone touristique" with less frivolous historical attractions is Monastir, site of an Islamic fortress used as the setting for several scenes in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

About the Expert

Philip Briggs has written or contributed to 50-plus editions of Bradt, Insight, AA and Berlitz guidebooks to African destinations.