Are you a classics nerd like me? If the answer is resounding yes, check out the itinerary below for an ideal whistle-stop tour taking in the Roman and Punic highlights that Tunisia has to offer.

The theatre at Dougga

Tunisia is not always the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Roman ruins but the country is home to some of the most magnificent classical sites around and, best of all, most of the sites are virtually deserted meaning you can easily avoid the tourist hordes and explore at your own leisure. Tunisia was the home of the Carthaginian empire which was later conquered and absorbed by the Romans, adding and extra layer to the history here.

For this itinerary, it’s best to base yourself in Tunis for the whole duration, except when visiting El Jem which is most easily accessed from Sousse. This tour would be best completed by renting a car or using your own vehicle to visit the sites, however it is possible to access all of these sites by public transport (we did). You could do all of this itinerary in one go, or break things up as part of a wider trip.

Day 1: Arrive into Tunis. Stroll around the Medina and try to get your bearings.

Day 2: Visit the Bardo Museum in Tunis and catch up on some history before you hit the archaeological sites. 

Magnificent mosaics in the Bardo

Day 3: Spend the day in Carthage, you can either join an organised tour or use GPSmycity for a self-guided tour like we did. The main sites to visit are the Museum (you might only be able to visit the gardens like we did), Roman Villas, Theatre, Baths of Antoninus & Punic Port. After visiting Carthage, head to Sousse in the evening and stay overnight. 

The Baths of Antoninus at Carthage

Day 4: On today’s to-do list is a visit to El Jem, spend a couple of hours mooching around the amphitheatre and then head back to Sousse to visit the Archaeological Museum.

The amphitheatre at El Jem – the second biggest in the world after the Colosseum in Rome!

Day 5: Head back to Tunis with an optional visit to Kerkouane – Kerkouane is the only Punic site in Tunisia that wasn’t repurposed by the Romans. It’s optional as it’s not the largest site and quite far from Tunis. 

Punic ruins at Kerkouane – the only site of its kind!

Day 6 & 7: Bulla Regia & Dougga – both can be visited on the same day if you have your own vehicle. If you don’t have your own vehicle, then I’d recommend visiting Dougga on one day and Bulla Regia the next day. 

Ruins at Dougga, one of Tunisia’s most impressive classical sites

If all this traveling leaves you longing for a couple of days on the beach, a beach break at either Sousse or Monastir can be added into the itinerary after Day 3. 

For more information about how to get to these sites by public transport click here, or click here for more Tunisia content!