Things to do in the city of Tunis:
The modern Tunisia is picture of both European and North African cultures. It also familiarizes the tourists with the contrasts between the Medina and the modish metropolis.
Tunis Suuqs or Souks
Tunis is a perfect place for the shoppers who want to enjoy the activity to the extreme level. Souks once occupied the smaller part of medina but now it has spread to a larger area. The souks may enchant you with its traditional and modern objects which it displays in its shops. Moving around in souks can give you a unique Arabic feel. The goods and items in the souks are overprized and thus it is required to be an ace haggler to purchase any good.
The Souks, though, appear to be busy and chaotic but they are well arranged in traditionally with clean shops. To reach the souks, you can head to Bab-el-Bahr and take the left entrance which leads you to the souks. It is lies at a close distance to the Zitouna. There are separate alleys for different businesses. You can wander in the Souk de la Laine, which is the souk for weavers, in Souk des Chechias which is famous for shops making woolen caps or in Souk des Orfèvres which is famous for gold works. Each souk has its own specialty and you can bargain for your favourite products in the souks.
Zitouna Mosque
Zitouna Mosque is the main mosque in Tunis and has its presence since the complete transformation of Tunis into Islamic city. Practically speaking, Tunis City has evolved around the Zitouna Mosque. The structure of the mosque was built in the 9th century by Emir Aghlabide Abou Il Abbés Mohamed and the minaret was added to the it in the 19th century. Earlier the mosque functioned as a worship place as well as an educational centre. The teacher used to sit next to his own column surrounded by his students which clearly defines the close relationship between teachers and students.
Zitouna is open to the non-Muslim from 8 o’ clock in the morning till the noon every day except on Fridays and Islamic holidays. The entry fee to Zitouna is 2 Dinars. However, your entry is restricted to the gallery. But if you want to have a good look of the mosque, the rooftops of the neighborhood houses offer you a lot to see.
Sidi Yousef Mosque
The Sidi Yousef Mosque is a 17th century mosque and claims to be the first mosque which features octagonal minaret. Later the style of the minaret was adopted by many other Turkish mosques.
Café M’Rabet
Café M’Rabet is one of the popular cafés of the medieval period. The café lies in the centre of medina and is open from 2:00pm to 10:00pm. The café not only entertains its visitors with foods and drinks but it gives them an opportunity to experience the Turkish night-out. The structure of the café stands over the tomb of three holy men. The interior of the café is ethnic and you might have to take off your footwear on entering the café. You can rest yourself on wide platforms cushioned with tatties. You can enjoy belly dancing, live music, Turkish coffee and hookahs which become the major elements to make your Arabian nights highly spirited. In the daytime, you can enjoy the mint tea to brighten up your day.
Bab-el-Bahr
The Bab-el-Bahr is the entrance to the Medina and lies on the Avenue de France. Bab-el-Bahr means “Gate to the Sea,” and lies close to the Place de l’Indépendance. In the ancient period, the gate only opened to a huge ground and ahead of it laid the Lake of Tunis. When the French came to this place in the 19th century, the name of it was name was changed to Porte de France as it opened to the Ville Nouvelle.
At present the walls though have deteriorated, the main gate still stands and has remained the same since its establishment in 1848. Rue Charles de Gaulle, which is on the left side of the gate. In the present day Tunisia, the Head Post Office is located here.
Halfaouine
Halfaouine is the famous Tunisian block which is home to one of the popular food markets. In Halfaouine, you can get variety of herbs and spices used for the preparation of Mediterranean and Arabic foods. This place also offers some traditional Tunisian cookware for purchase.
Bab Souika
Bab Souika lies in the centre of Halfaouine and souks of the Medina. The original town quarter was destroyed in 1980’s fire which occurred due to Islamist clashes. After the fire, the town was again rebuilt and the existing structures were constructed and some were upgraded. The newly designed area is now more popular among Tunisians.
Place Halfaouine
In 18th century, Place Halfaouine was famous as a fashionable locale but now it is poorer part of the town. Even before the advent of the Europeans, the place boasted of buildings of European style. One of the most notable examples of such buildings is the mosque of Youssef Sahib at Taba’s which was built in 1812. The materials used in the construction of the Place Halfaouine like the marbles, columns and wrought iron railings were completely Italian. The minaret of the mosque was completed in the year 1970. In the modern times, Place Halfaouine does not have the same glory as the past. The place only houses a grocery market as most of the parts of it have been torn down.
Bab el Khadra
The Bab-el-Khadra is one of the gates which are used as an entrance to the Medina. The architecture of this part is very unique and is not expected in this part of the Northern Africa. The architecture is uniquely European and manages to appear similar to the looks of gates of a European castle. The 14th century gate was again rebuilt in the year 1881.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral lies on Place de l’Indépendence which is labeled after the name of Vincent De Paul who had come to Tunis as a slave and had helped other Christians to earn freedom. The cathedral was built in the year 1882 by a French person who had been staying at the Islamic country for longer times. The Cathedral gives an antic look and at present is one of the largest evidences of the colonial era. The cathedral also has a tomb of an unknown soldier and also has National Archaeological Museum which houses a collection of Roman artworks.
Bardo Museum
The Bardo Museum is the most prominent building in Tunis. The museum was once the abode of Husaynid Beys, a Tunisian Governor. The interior of the palace is spectacular and has incredible collection of statues, frescos and Roman mosaics. The three-floor museum which was once 18th century palace is amuses the tourists visiting Tunis. The museum also showcases some of the objects of the royal inhabitants of Tunisia which also includes the sleeping bed. There are also statues hailing from Punic times which were discovered in Carthage, Dougga, El Jem, Sousse, Thubrubo Majus and also from Mahdia. The second floor of the museum houses two fresco rooms.
The beautiful gardens of Bardo Museum are visible from the Bardo Metro Station which is situated just opposite to the museum.
Dar Hussein
Dar Hussein is an Arab house which displays numerous charming Islamic artifacts including some valuable manuscripts from Qur’an. The interior of Dar Hussein astonishes tourists with beautifully decorated rich-colored tiles and plastered lacework.
Getting Around
Being the capital of Tunisia, Tunis offers great transport system like the shared taxis, rented cars, metro, trains and buses. The Tunis Airport offers regular flights to international destinations and also to other cities in Tunisia. If you are planning for a trip to other Tunisian cities it is better to take hired cars, bus or Tunisian railways.
For the sub-urban tours, you can take trains, trams or a metro. It is not wise to hire a car in Tunis. If you want to explore the city centre and the Medina area, the best option is to walk down through the streets.
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