Tunis (La Goulette), Tunisia
Tunis is a vibrant mix of North African tradition and French influences. The modern city revolves around Avenue Habib Bourguiba, affectionately called the “Champs-Élysées” for its colonial buildings, shops and cafés. A drive along this lively tree-lined boulevard and a walk through the passageways of the city’s souks reveal contrasting views of ancient and modern Tunisia. The nearby ancient city of Carthage was the capital of the Carthaginian Republic, a powerhouse in the Mediterranean for centuries. A stroll around this UNESCO site opens a window to antiquity.
Tunis is a vibrant mix of North African tradition and French influences. The modern city revolves around Avenue Habib Bourguiba, affectionately called the “Champs-Élysées” for its colonial buildings, shops and cafés. A drive along this lively tree-lined boulevard and a walk through the passageways of the city’s souks reveal contrasting views of ancient and modern Tunisia. The nearby ancient city of Carthage was the capital of the Carthaginian Republic, a powerhouse in the Mediterranean for centuries. A stroll around this UNESCO site opens a window to antiquity.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Sidi Bou Said on Foot
Explore some of Tunis’s most iconic sites during a drive past ancient ruins and a guided walk through Sidi Bou Said.
Discover Historic Sites and Colorful Streets
Explore some of Tunis’s most iconic sites during a drive past ancient ruins and a guided walk through Sidi Bou Said. Board your motor coach and set off for a panoramic drive past the remnants of the once-remarkable city of Carthage. Pass by principal sites such as the Roman Amphitheater and the Antonine Baths, each reflecting more than 3 millennia of history. Disembark your coach beneath Sidi Bou Said and embark on a short uphill walk to reach the town, where you will have a guided tour through its Moorish streets. Soak up the beauty of your surroundings as you stroll past homes painted a traditional blue-and-white and take in the views of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. After, enjoy free time to explore more on your own, perhaps having a cup of mint tea at a local café, then return to your awaiting ship.
Leisurely Sidi Bou Said on Foot
Discover the sites of Tunis at a leisurely pace, from ancient Carthage to picturesque Sidi Bou Said.
Explore Tunis’s Past and Present
Discover the sites of Tunis at a leisurely pace, from ancient Carthage to picturesque Sidi Bou Said. Board your motor coach and set off for a panoramic drive past the remnants of the once-remarkable city of Carthage. Pass by principal sites such as the Roman Amphitheater and the Antonine Baths, each reflecting more than 3 millennia of history. Disembark your coach beneath Sidi Bou Said and embark on a short uphill walk to reach the town, where you will have a guided tour through its Moorish streets. Soak up the beauty of your surroundings as you stroll past homes painted a traditional blue-and-white and take in the views of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. After, enjoy free time to explore more on your own, perhaps having a cup of mint tea at a local café, then return to your awaiting ship.
Ancient Carthage & the Moorish Village of Sidi Bou Said
Experience Tunisia from different perspectives during visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Explore Ancient Ruins and Quaint Village Life
Experience Tunisia from different perspectives during visits to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Carthage, discover the magnificent ruins of a once-great city. Established over 3,000 years ago, Carthage was the powerful capital of the Carthaginian Republic. Walk with your guide past fine Punic and Roman remains, including the amphitheater. The city’s maritime power is evident in the vast port, where more than 200 warships once docked. You can view the admiral’s island, the center of the port. High on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Tunis, explore the enchanting streets of the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said. Admire houses painted in the region’s typical white and blue. It is easy to see how the aesthetic of this seaside haven has attracted artists, including Paul Klee. At tour’s end, you can perhaps relax with a mint tea at a local café or enjoy the views.
Best of Tunis
Enjoy a full-day guided excursion to help you make the most of your time in Tunis by exploring the city’s main highlights.
A Comprehensive Tour of the Treasures of Tunis
Enjoy a full-day guided excursion to help you make the most of your time in Tunis by exploring the city’s main highlights. At Tunis’s Bardo National Museum, housed in the palace of a former bey, or chieftain, browse a fine collection of mosaics and artifacts from Carthage. Explore a living museum in the Medina of Tunis, an entrancing maze-like district of shops, mosques, palaces and residences. You will have free time to peruse the many stalls of this souk. In ancient Carthage, stroll among the remarkable Punic and Roman ruins of the 3,000-year-old capital of the Carthaginian Republic. Its vast port was once crowded with 200 warships. You will also journey to the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said, perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Tunis. Enjoy a guided walk among its houses painted in white and blue, and perhaps sip a mint tea at a local café or enjoy the panoramic views.
Berber Village Life by 4x4
Witness Berber village life in hidden pockets of Mt. Zaghwān and the Dorsale Mountains by 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
Off the Beaten Path and Into Berber Culture
Witness Berber village life in hidden pockets of Mt. Zaghwān and the Dorsale Mountains by 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Join your guide for a drive up Mt. Zaghwān. Here, you will discover the ancient Temple des Eaux, or “Temple of Water.” This Roman-era aqueduct, marked by 12 niches designed to house life-sized statues representing each month of the year, was part of a system that carried water to Carthage. In the Dorsale range, follow a single-lane road through olive groves. You will stop to explore the mountaintop Berber village of Zriba Olia, strolling its centuries-old ruins. Another scenic drive leads to the village of Sidi Jedidi, famed for the thermal waters that bubble up from deep inside the earth. You will visit a local farmhouse for a tasting of bread and olive oil, before returning to your ship.
Bardo Museum & Ancient Carthage
Discover the heritage of Tunis through historic and contemporary artifacts and a visit to the ruins of Carthage.
Immerse Yourself in Tunis’s Rich History
Discover the heritage of Tunis through historic and contemporary artifacts and a visit to the ruins of Carthage. Visit the renowned Bardo National Museum, housed in a former 19th-century Beylic palace. With your guide, walk through a collection of Roman mosaics and ancient Carthaginian artifacts, all offering insight into Tunisia’s layered past. Continue to the ancient city of Carthage itself, once the capital of the powerful Carthaginian Empire and a UNESCO-listed Site. En route, pass the Tophet before stopping at the Punic Ports for a sweeping view over the sea and the harbor that recalls the city’s naval strength. Head to the Antonine Baths, one of the largest Roman bath complexes in Africa. Here, set out on foot with your guide to explore the remarkable Punic and Roman remains and gain a deeper understanding of the ancient civilizations that once commanded the Mediterranean.
Dougga & Testour
Visit two historic sites, each offering a distinct perspective into Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage.
Explore Tunisia’s Diverse Roots
Visit two historic sites, each offering a distinct perspective into Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage. Journey from Tunis to Dougga, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site and one of the best preserved Roman towns in North Africa. Here, walk through its ancient streets with your guide, passing the remnants of temples, baths, a forum and a theater to gain insight into daily life on the fringes of the Roman Empire. See the towering Libyan Punic Mausoleum, a vestige of the town’s Numidian roots, before enjoying a lunch of local favorites. As you begin your return to Tunis, pause in the Andalusian village of Testour, originally established by Jewish and Muslim communities who escaped the Spanish Inquisition. Walk with your guide to see how these diverse influences have shaped its architecture, including the Great Mosque and its impressive minaret, before returning to Tunis.
Private Excursion: Best of Tunis
Set out on a full-day exploration of Tunis to immerse yourself in its cultural roots and contemporary life.
Discover Ancient Sites and Modern Traditions
Set out on a full-day exploration of Tunis to immerse yourself in its cultural roots and contemporary life. Head to the Bardo National Museum, home to a vast collection of Roman mosaics and Carthaginian artifacts. Here, explore with your guide, gaining insight into these ancient civilizations. Continue to the Tunis Medina, a vibrant UNESCO-listed district of souks, mosques and palaces, where you will have free time to browse its stalls before enjoying a lunch of local dishes. Next, travel to Carthage to walk through the Punic and Roman ruins of this 3,000-year-old city and former capital of the Carthaginian Empire. After, pause at the Punic Ports, once a testament to the empire’s naval prowess. Conclude in Sidi Bou Said, a scenic village perched on the cliffs above the Gulf of Tunis, to see its blue-and-white streets that have inspired countless artists, including Paul Klee.
Please note: a single booking for this excursion includes a chauffeured vehicle and a private guide for up to a maximum of 6 guests.
Once booked, the excursion is non-refundable.
