- Package holidays fly direct from many UK airports to Enfidha and Monastir
- British visitors can usually stay up to 90 days without a visa
- Combine a beach base with Carthage, El Jem and a night in the Sahara
- The dinar is a closed currency, so change money on arrival
- Airports
- Enfidha-Hammamet (NBE), Monastir (MIR), Tunis-Carthage (TUN), Djerba-Zarzis (DJE)
- Flight time
- about 3h direct from London to Tunisia
- Best time to go
- May-June and September-October; July-August for hot beach weather
- Currency
- Tunisian dinar (TND)
Tunisia has been a favourite of British sun-seekers for decades, and it is easy to see why. Fine sandy beaches run along much of the Mediterranean coast, all-inclusive hotels are often cheaper than in Spain or Greece, and the flight is only about three hours. Step away from the resorts and you find a remarkable depth of history: the ruins of Carthage, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world at El Jem, holy Kairouan and the troglodyte homes and dunes of the south.
Tunisia runs on Central European Time all year (UTC+1), so it is one hour ahead of the UK in winter and the same in summer. Plugs are the two-pin European type, so pack an adapter, and traffic drives on the right. This Africa guide covers the main resorts and sights, when to go and what a trip costs in 2026. If you are weighing up North Africa, compare it with Morocco and Egypt.
Where to go in Tunisia
Hammamet and Yasmine Hammamet
Tunisia's best-known resort has a long sandy beach, a small walled medina by the sea and the purpose-built marina of Yasmine Hammamet, lined with large hotels. It is about 40 minutes from Enfidha airport and a good base for day trips to Tunis and Carthage.
Sousse, Port El Kantaoui and Monastir
Sousse has a lively UNESCO-listed medina with a fortified ribat, and Port El Kantaoui next door is a tidy marina resort popular with families and golfers. Monastir, with its own airport, is quieter, with the Ribat of Monastir and a pleasant seafront.
Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
The capital's medina is a maze of souks and mosques, and the Bardo Museum holds one of the world's great collections of Roman mosaics. Just north, the ruins of Carthage are spread across a leafy suburb, and blue-and-white Sidi Bou Said, perched above the sea, is the most photographed village in the country.
Djerba
This flat, palm-dotted island in the south has wide beaches, a reliable climate well into autumn, the old town of Houmt Souk and the El Ghriba synagogue.
El Jem and Kairouan
The Roman amphitheatre at El Jem could seat around 35,000 people and is an easy day trip from Sousse or Monastir. Kairouan, one of Islam's holiest cities, has the Great Mosque and a well-kept medina known for carpets.
The Sahara: Tozeur, Douz and Matmata
Tozeur is an oasis town of palm groves and patterned brickwork, close to the salt lake of Chott el Djerid. Douz is the gateway to the dunes for camel rides and desert camps, and Matmata's underground houses featured in Star Wars.
Best time to visit Tunisia
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | Warm, green and ideal for sightseeing and the desert; sea still cool |
| Summer (June-August) | Hot and dry, often 30-35 °C on the coast and hotter inland; peak beach season |
| Autumn (September-October) | Warm sea, fewer crowds, a great time for beach and culture together |
| Winter (November-February) | Mild on the coast (around 15-18 °C), cooler nights, best for the Sahara |
Getting to Tunisia from the UK
Flights take about three hours. Most holidaymakers fly into Enfidha-Hammamet (NBE) or Monastir (MIR) with Jet2 and TUI, which between them usually fly direct from many UK airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol, East Midlands and Glasgow, although some routes are seasonal. Tunisair flies to Tunis-Carthage (TUN), and there are one-stop connections via Paris, Rome or Istanbul.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Tunisia without a visa for up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for the length of your stay, and many tour operators ask for at least six months' validity. FCDO advises against all travel to some military zones and mountain areas near the Algerian border and to areas close to the Libyan border, and against all but essential travel to some other border regions; the main resorts, Tunis and the usual desert tour routes are not normally covered. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Louages (shared minibuses) link almost every town cheaply and leave when full. SNCFT trains run along the coast between Tunis, Sousse, Monastir, Sfax and Gabès, and are slow but comfortable. Petit taxis in towns are metered and cheap. Car hire is possible, but city driving is hectic; many visitors book excursions from their hotel instead, particularly for the Sahara.
Ask for the meter to be switched on when you get into a town taxi, as it usually works out far cheaper than agreeing a fixed price.
Money and costs
The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency, so you can't buy it in the UK; change cash or use ATMs on arrival, keep your exchange receipts, and spend or change back your dinars before you leave. Tunisia is good value: a mid-range independent trip costs around 150-250 TND (roughly £40-70) per person per day plus accommodation, and all-inclusive packages are often very competitive. Haggling is normal in the souks, and a tip of around 10% is appreciated in restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tunisia safe for tourists?
Millions of visitors holiday in Tunisia each year without problems, and resorts have visible security. FCDO advises against travel to some border areas, so check the current advice and follow local guidance.
Do I need a visa for Tunisia?
Usually not. British passport holders can normally stay up to 90 days without a visa, but check the latest rules before you travel.
What is the best resort in Tunisia for families?
Port El Kantaoui, Yasmine Hammamet and Djerba all have sandy beaches, shallow water and plenty of family-friendly hotels.
Can you visit the Sahara from the beach resorts?
Yes. Two- and three-day tours to Douz, Tozeur and Matmata run from Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir and Djerba, often with a night in a desert camp.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
