Why visit
Tunisia packs Roman Carthage, Phoenician ruins, Star Wars desert sets, and Mediterranean beaches into a country small enough to cover in ten days.
Country - Africa
Tunisia
beachhistoryculturefood
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Tunisia works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Tunis as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Tunisia.
At a glance
Location
34.0°, 9.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
163,610 km²
63,170 mi²
Country population
12.5 million
76/km²
Subregion
Northern Africa
Currency
Tunisian dinar (د.ت)
TND
Dial
+216
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Tunisian
Internet
.tn
UN
Member state
ISO code
TN / TUN
Where in the world
34.0° - 9.0°
Tunisia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Tunisia is Africa's smallest country in North Africa, but it contains the ruins of Carthage: Rome's greatest historical rival.
- The Star Wars Tatooine scenes were filmed in Tunisia: Luke Skywalker's home is still standing in the desert.
- It was the first Arab-Spring country and the only one that successfully transitioned to democracy.
Bordering Tunisia
Traveler notes
- El Djem amphitheater rivals the Colosseum at a fraction of the crowd
- Sidi Bou Saïd offers a Santorini-style blue-and-white experience
- Visa-free for most European, UK, and US passports
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Tunis, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Tunisia
What is the capital of Tunisia?
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia.
What currency does Tunisia use?
Tunisia uses the Tunisian dinar (د.ت), ISO code TND.
What languages are spoken in Tunisia?
The primary language is Arabic.
Is Tunisia landlocked?
No, Tunisia has a coastline.
What countries border Tunisia?
Tunisia borders Algeria, Libya.
What is the international calling code for Tunisia?
The calling code is +216.
When is the best time to visit Tunisia?
Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other Africa destinations
Angola
Angola pairs an Atlantic coastline with Kalandula Falls, the giant sable antelope, and Luanda's oil-boom skyline. Tourism infrastructure is young, which keeps the main sights uncrowded.
Benin
Benin is the historic heart of vodun (voodoo) and the former Dahomey kingdom. Ouidah's Door of No Return, the royal palaces of Abomey, and the stilt village of Ganvié carry serious history within a compact coastal country.
Botswana
Botswana is the Okavango Delta, Chobe's elephant herds, and the Makgadikgadi salt pans. It deliberately runs low-volume, high-value safari tourism, so camps are remote and wildlife densities are exceptional.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is known for the Gorom-Gorom market, the painted houses of Tiebele, and FESPACO in Ouagadougou, Africa's biggest film festival. Security conditions have curtailed most travel in recent years; check current conditions carefully.
Burundi
Burundi sits on the northeast shore of Lake Tanganyika, the world's second-deepest lake. Drumming is the cultural signature: the ritual dance of the royal drum is UNESCO-listed. Tourism remains small-scale.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is ten volcanic islands off West Africa with a Creole culture closer to Brazil than to the mainland. Sal and Boa Vista carry the beach resorts, Santo Antão has the canyon hiking, and Fogo is an active volcano you can climb.