Since the Arab Spring (which started in Tunisia in 2011), the capital of Tunis has made remarkable progress. This has always been an inclusive, relatively progressive country, and the road to democracy has largely been a resounding success. The tourists haven’t quite returned in healthy numbers yet, but there is much to see, and not just in the resort-heavy seafront a few kilometres away.

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing code: +216

Telephone

Public phones are found widely, with some shops also offering the service. Using Skype in an internet café though, is usually the more cost-effective option.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies exist. You can buy a local SIM card at Tunisie Telecom offices if you provide appropriate identification.

Key Areas

The medina is full of shops and stalls selling cheap souvenirs, traditional crafts and clothing. Be sure to bag yourself a pair of babouche slippers, but get ready to haggle Maghreb-style! For a wider range of shopping options, head to Ville Nouvelle, the New Town, which is full of shops and boutiques.

Markets

The souks in the medina of Tunis are some of the oldest in North Africa, particularly the spice market. The Souk El-Trouk is great for antiques and tailored clothing.

Social Conventions

Arabic in culture and tradition, Tunisia is a liberal and tolerant Muslim society with many equality laws enshrined in the Tunisian Constitution brought in by the country’s first president Habib Bourguiba. Polygamy is outlawed, women are free to choose whether to wear the headscarf, and have the right to ask for divorce, work, run their own businesses, and have access to abortion and birth control.

Although cities like Tunis, Sfax and Sousse can seem extremely liberal and modern, it is important to remember that in more rural areas local life is much more traditional. Outside of resort areas visitors should dress modestly out of respect for this. Most Tunisian men would not be caught dead wearing shorts once off the beach and in the countryside it is practically unheard of. Likewise, once away from touristy areas, women should avoid wearing skimpy, revealing clothing. When visiting mosques and other religious buildings, both sexes should make sure their clothing covers their upper arms and knees, and women should wear a headscarf. On a separate note, Tunisians take a lot of pride in their dress and although informal clothing is now very acceptable among younger Tunisians, visitors will garner more respect if they don’t dress scruffily.

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting.

Food & Drink

Mains water is normally chlorinated in urban areas, and whilst safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. It is advisable to only drink bottled water during your stay, which is widely available everywhere. It’s worth also noting that ice is rarely made from bottled water (even in resort areas) and should be avoided altogether. Milk should be boiled when unpasteurised. UHT milk is available and is advised.

Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled before eating. When choosing where to eat, look for popular places which have a high turnover of food meaning food will be fresher and will not have been sitting around for a long time. Avoid ice cream being sold on the street, which might have melted and been refrozen.

IATA Travel Centre

The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.

IATA Travel CentreIATA Travel Centre