Tunis Vacation Packages and Tours

Overview

Tunis is the country's largest and capital city on a Tunisia vacation, found on a large Mediterranean Sea gulf (the Gulf of Tunis). The city serves as the country’s political, administrative and commercial centre.

Tunis has origins dating as far back as the 4th century BC while the Berbers founded a town called Tunes in the second millennium BC. Tunis achieved a level of importance under the Arabs during the 7th century and became the Arab’s naval base in the western Mediterranean. It came under the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century and was a French protectorate from 1881 to 1956. Under French rule, the city experienced rapid development, benefiting greatly from French design and infrastructure.

Today Tunis is divided in two, the villa nouvelle (new city) that represents French colonial rule and the old city known as the medina. The medina dates back to the 8th century and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to it being a fine example of an Arab-Muslim city. Many people come to Tunis to visit Carthage, a suburb that has existed for nearly 3,000 years. It began as a Phoenician colony and grew into the capital of an ancient empire. This famous archaeological site allows visitors on a Tunisia vacation the opportunity to walk through the acropolis of Byrsa, necropolises, theatres, basilicas and Antonine baths.