General Information

Tunis … Tunisia

  • Capital of the Tunisian Republic
  • Tunisia’s largest city, with a population of 2,256,320 as of 2011
  • Situated in North Africa and on a large Mediterranean Sea gulf and lies the suburbs of the old medina, Carthage, SidiBouSaid, and Bardo Museum
  • The medina of Tunis and the site of Carthage are 2 from 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Tunisia
  • In 2011, a revolution resulted in the overthrow of an autocratic President and the first free elections in the country were held. Since then, Tunisia has been consolidating its young democracy
  • The 2011 Tunisian Jasmin revolution is internationally recognized to be a unique peaceful revolution
  • Tunisia is now a democratic modern country in which liberty, peaceand safety are guaranteed
  • Europeancitizens and thosefromother countries in Eastern Europe do not need an entry visa to Tunisia for a stay not exceeding 90 days. A validpassportissufficient or an identitycard no olderthan 10 yearswith a reservationat the hotel as part of a tour

Vaccinations & Health

  • No vaccinations are necessary to enter Tunisia. Please consult your doctor for up to date information.
  • Bottled water is highly recommended over tap water due to its high-level of minerals.

Currency

The National currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND).

It is a fixed and partially-convertible currency, prohibited from being imported and exported. This means that you must wait to exchange until arrival in Tunisia.

You may convert your money at the airport– there are several kiosks open. Any extra dinars you may have when leaving Tunisia must be exchanged, and you must have your original receipt of exchange.

The Dinar is broken down into 1,000 “millimes” or thousandths.

One US Dollar is equivalent to about 2 TND <BCT web site>. A 1.5 liter bottle of water can be purchased for 1 TND.

It is reasonable to purchase items in souks, hotels, and some stores with foreign currency (Pounds, Dollars, Euros), however at a substantial amount (over 100 TND).

Credit cards are accepted in the majority of the hotels of a certain standing, the large restaurants like in almost all the stores for tourists. In all the important cities, one will find slot-machines allowing to carry out withdrawals, with the Visa cards and Mastercard.

Tourism Offices

In each major city (Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, Monastir, Nabeul, Hammamet, Tozeur, etc), you will find the National Tunisia Tourism Office (ONTT) branch office. These offices are open during regular working hours, as well as Saturdays and Sundays. They can help you with any information you need, excluding tour and excursion information.

Emergency Info

  • Police: 197
  • Ambulance: 190
  • Fire Department: 198
  • Medical List in Tunisia <link>.

Where & What to Buy

What to Buy:

Tunisia’s artisan work is exquisite and full of quality. Of the items you can find in Tunisia, here are some of the most popular:

  • Carpets (berber style and arab style)
  • Ceramics and pottery
  • Bird Cages
  • Jewelry
  • Coral
  • Olive woodwork
  • Leather (shoes, wallets, belts, etc)

Where to Buy:

  • Gabès: Henna
  • Guellala, Djerba: Pottery
  • Kairouan: Carpets and Makrouds (a sweet delicacy covered with honey and filled with dates)
  • Tabarka: Coral
  • Nabeul: Pottery and Orange flowers
  • Tozeur: Dates and Palm-tree straw hats and bags

In each city there is a SOCOPA store that is managed by the ONAT (National Office of Tunisian Artisanwork) and has fixed labeled prices on all products.

Many of the goods can also be found in the souks, medinas, and center-towns across Tunisia.

Voltage

  • 220 V and 50 Hz
  • Electrical plugs type C and E (same round plugs like in Western Europe.)
  • Make sure to bring a converter for your hair-dryer and other powerful electronics.

Climate & Weather

Tunisia’s Mediterranean climate means that it is a beautiful land of constant sunshine and warm waters, with gentle sea breezes. Summers are warm and dry, while winters are wetter, and the inland regions tend to experience higher temperatures in summer and more rain in winter, with the cooler season falling between October and May. July and August are the height of summer and so a more comfortable time for travelling to Tunisia is in the cooler months, where temperatures range between 54°F and 82°F (12°C and 28°C). The capital city, Tunis, experiences an average temperature range of 43°F to 57°F (6°C to 14°C) in January, to between 70°F and 91°F (21°C and 33°C) in August. March to May (spring) brings a gorgeous display of wild flowers spread throughout the countryside.

For more information about the weather conditions in Tunisia, visit <meteo.tn> <weather.com>

Time Zone

Tunisia is at UTC/GMT +1. Check time and date.com for further information about time zones.

Useful links