TunisTraveller.info

Tunis City Guide

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:36:47 +0000

Close to the ruins of the legendary Carthage, the Heart and Brain of Tunisia, with roughly a fifth of the whole country’s population, Tunis is a city with many facets.

Both the Ottoman and french influence can still be felt in the city, and there are still many beautiful building from colonial time.

The medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must see as it contains an incredible number of nice piece of architecture, an exotic atmosphere and as this is the place to buy yours quality souvenirs (don’t forget to bargain )

You’ll also find the famous Bardo Museum a little bit outside the city, especially famous for housing vast roman collections from the Carthaginian time.

ONAT

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:13:02 +0000

The showrooms of ONAT (Organization Nationale de l’Artisanat Tunisien) in Tunis, display a wide range of Tunisian craft products for sale. Here too are three popular Tunis rendezvous, the Cafe de Paris, Cafe de Tunis and Brasserie Tunisia International.

Fondouk el Ghalla

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:12:02 +0000

At the intersection of the Rue Charles de Gaulle in Tunis with Rue d’Allemagne is the Fondouk el Ghalla, a large colonial-style market hall, where a lively and colorful foodstuffs market is held in the morning.

Avenue de Paris

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:11:09 +0000

Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis bisects Avenue de Paris, which runs north, lined by modern shops, into Avenue de la Liberté and so to the Parc du Belvédère, and Avenue de Carthage, which runs south, passing the railroad station in Place Barcelone, to the Djellaz cemetery.

Souk des Chechias

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:10:16 +0000

On the east side of Dar el Bey in Tunis is the Souk el Bey, off which opens the Souk des Chechias (Souk ech Chaouachiya), occupied since time immemorial by the makers of the woolen caps known as chechias. The craft was brought to Tunisia by Muslim refugees from Andalusia in the early 17th century. The Souk des Chechias leads to Rue Sidi Ben Arous, named after the founder of a puritanical brotherhood who after his death in 1463 was buried in the zaouia at No. 23.

Rue Djemaa ez Zitouna

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:08:34 +0000

From Place de la Victoire, formerly the hub of the French quarter of Tunis, the Medina is entered through the Bab el Bahr. Straight ahead are the two main streets of the souk quarter, Rue Djemaa ez Zitouna to the left and Rue de la Kasbah to the right. The tour described in this section begins by going along Rue Djemaa ez Zitouna and ends by way of Rue de la Kasbah. The shops in this quarter are exclusively targeted on tourists, and prices are correspondingly high. With a modicum of skill in haggling it should be possible to bring them down to a more reasonable level.

Il Capricho

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:05:15 +0000

Il Capricho at isle de jerba near the shopping area, it was one of the few restaurant or coffeshops that is liked by everyone. It is clean, the food is nice and is full of people of the village, not just for tourist.

Mahdoui

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:02:42 +0000

On our first day in Tunis we went for a very late lunch while exploring the medina. No matter what drink you order, even if it’s not on the menu or served in the restaurant, you’ll get it. If you order the fish, there’s a good chance it will be served with head attached. If you’re the squeamish type order something else. Mahdoui is open from 11-4 but if you want a good choice of main courses I’d advise getting there early. Very good value and delicious food.

Sfaxian Restaurant

admin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:58:44 +0000

It’s an extremely friendly place and even though you won’t be the only non-locals there you will be made very welcome. They serve olives, bread and harissa as an appetizer - but they do not serve any alcohol. The service is great and you may even get complimentary mint teas by the owner.

Carthage

admin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:56:29 +0000

Carthage is a lovely restaurant on a quiet street near Avenue Bourguiba. Carthage is more expensive than your average Tunisian restaurant. It also serves alcohol which you only find in touristy type places or more expensive local places. This was one of the latter. The 12 Dinar set menu plus a bottle of red wine (Terrale - one of the famous names in Tunisian wines). The food is delicious and is quite a novelty.

Little did I know you get this in practically every restaurant in the country. Among the dishes to have are Salade de Tomates, Salade Tunisien, Wiener Schnitzel and Tagine. The service here is most excellent.