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Day trips and tours in Tunisia

Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, the El Jem amphitheatre, Kairouan or a night in the Sahara: the most popular trips from your hotel or cruise ship, with current prices and what to check before you book.

Updated October 2026 · sources at the bottom of the page

White house in Sidi Bou Said overlooking the sea, near Tunis

Key facts at a glance

Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said
1 dayFrom Tunis, Hammamet or La Goulette cruise port
Kairouan and El Jem
≈ 8 hFrom ≈ €85 per person in a group, lunch and entry fees included
The Sahara
2 daysNight in a tent, from Djerba, Sousse or Hammamet
Private shore excursion
From ≈ €500Per group, back before your ship leaves
Cancellation
Often freeUp to 24 h before on most online offers

The most popular trips

  • Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said (one day): the ruins of Carthage, the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said above the sea, then the souks of the Tunis medina. Often with the Bardo Museum and its Roman mosaics.
  • Kairouan and El Jem (about 8 hours from Hammamet or Sousse): the Great Mosque of the holy city of Kairouan and the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, one of the best preserved in the world. In a group, from £72 (≈ €85) per person with lunch and entry fees.
  • The Sahara in 2 days (from Djerba, Sousse or Hammamet): Matmata and its cave houses, the Ksar Ghilane oasis, the dunes and a night in a Bedouin tent. Camel rides or quad bikes are usually extra.
  • Djerba (half a day): Houmt Souk, the Ghriba synagogue and the potters of Guellala.
  • Hammamet and Nabeul (half a day): the Hammamet medina, Nabeul's ceramics and its big Friday market.

On a rainy day, go for indoor visits: the Bardo Museum, the covered souks of the Tunis medina, the Sousse Archaeological Museum or a traditional hammam.

Cruise stop at La Goulette

Cruise ships dock at La Goulette, 20 minutes from Tunis. A private tour with a driver and guide costs from about €500 for the whole group (up to 15 people): around 7.5 hours, pickup at the port timed to your call, lunch and entry fees extra.

  • Keep a margin: ask to be back at the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
  • Private tour or ship excursion? The ship's excursion often costs more per person, but the ship waits for you if you're late.
  • Wheelchair users: Sidi Bou Said is steep and cobbled, and the medina alleys are narrow. An electric wheelchair can't be folded, so you need a vehicle with a ramp. These are rare in Tunisia, so book early.

Booking a tour

Compare recent reviews, what's included (lunch, entry fees, hotel pickup) and the cancellation terms. These platforms bring together local guides and agencies, with secure payment:

  • GetYourGuideDay trips and guided tours in Tunisia, with verified reviews and often free cancellation.See offers
  • WeGoTripAudio guides on your phone to explore Carthage or the Tunis medina at your own pace.See offers

Prefer to set your own pace? For a family, a hire car often works out cheaper, if you choose it well: see our car hire guide.

Traps to avoid

  • Shopping stops: many group tours stop at carpet or jewellery shops. You don't have to buy anything.
  • Prices without entry fees: check whether the sites (Carthage, El Jem, Bardo) are included.
  • Dress code: for mosques and the Kairouan medina, cover your shoulders and knees.
  • The desert in summer: from June to August it's very hot in the south. Spring and autumn are the best seasons.
  • Offers on the beach: prefer guides or agencies with verifiable reviews and a receipt.

“From” prices noted in November 2026 on booking platforms; they vary with the season, group size and what's included.

Sources