Travel Guide
This Affordable Mediterranean Country With Pristine Beaches Is Breaking All Time Tourism Records
Jan
Last Updated
We said affordable.
It’s not Italy and its glitzy Amalfi Coast, not Spain and its sun-drenched Costa Del Sol, and certainly not Greece and its overpriced, jam-packed Cycladic islands: the Mediterranean treasure stealing all the limelight right now is Tunisia.
Straddling the ancient sea, it officially tallied 10 million visitors in 2024 for the first time second records began, 250,000 entrants ahead of a previous record-setting 2019, and it’s past time we looked into some of the main reasons why:
What’s So Special About Tunisia After All?
First of all, where even is Tunisia?
Contrary to what many Americans may think, the Mediterranean Sea doesn’t exclusively hug Europe’s southern shores: it also bathes Western Asia––hello, Turkey?––and the North African coast, which is where the offbeat country in question sits.
Before you start conjuring up images of rustic huts in a savannah and scarring rituals, however, let us remind you that it is a very different Africa:
Tunisia is only 61 nautical miles from Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost island, and if you were to take a dinghy boat and journey on a straight line north across the sea, starting from the port in Bizerte, you’d be likely to reach Sardinia.
It’s not like it hasn’t been attempted before, mind you.
In other words, Tunisia lines the Mediterranean and partakes in that wider, ancient Greco-Roman culture––albeit with Arab influences, after all, it is a Muslim-majority country.
So what is it about Tunisia that has got Westerners this hooked, and why should it be on your bucket list for 2025?
It Has Gorgeous Nature
Excluding large islands like Djerba, the Tunisian mainland coastline stretches for a whopping 713 miles along turquoise waters, and surprise, surprise, most of it lies largely undiscovered by foreign tourists.
Take a look at Sidi Bou Said, for instance: it is perched on a promontory overlooking the ocean, it is criss-crossed with cobbled streets, and dominated by a blue-and-white townscape.
It feels almost… Santorini-like, minus the crowds.
Then there’s a vibrant Monastir, packed full of cozy Tunisian eateries, ornately-decorated madrasas, and dotted with Tunisia’s characteristic squared minarets, and only half an hour west, Sousse is the country’s third-largest city, and a bustling coastal resort:
Famous for its long white-sand beaches, most notably a postcard-ready Bou Jaafar, and hotel-lined waterfront, it offers some of that laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere without the usual hectic scenes associated with Italy in summer.
If you’re looking for those lesser-known spots, Hergla is a must-visit, with its whitewashed low houses, brightly-painted blue shutters, and landmark amphitheater that leads down to translucent seas––and there’s a big choice of charming, family-run boutique hotels, like Dar Khadija.
Ancient Culture Just About Everywhere You Look
It’s not a Mediterranean getaway without its fair share of ruin-exploring, and we’re glad to report that, all along its coast, where many a civilization developed and met their tragic demise, there are numerous ancient wonders to be found.
This includes the Amphitheater of El Jem, perhaps the second-most impressive Roman arena after the Roman Colosseum, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Though only partially preserved, with part of its oval structure having collapsed, it offers a rare glimpse into what life was like in a Roman province of Africa, and for the cinephiles out there, it is where some gladiatorial scenes from Ridley Scott’s Gladiator were shot.
Over in Dougga, backed by the verdant countryside, you’ll find a sprawling Roman settlement littered with near-intact temples, bathhouses, and even a 3500-seat theater.
Of course, let’s not forget the ruined city of Carthage, currently located within the municipality of modern-day Tunis, the Tunisian capital:
The former capital of the Punic Empire and later a Roman-controlled territory, it has a vast collection of theaters, villas, and columned temples, and it’s arguably one of the most scenic archeological zones in the Mediterranean basin, as it faces the Gulf of Tunis.
Cheap Prices, Of Course
Tunisia seems to tick all the boxes for what makes a Mediterranean escape great, but what about prices?
Whether it’s a one-week stay on Djerba, an up-and-coming island destination for resort-goers, or a cultural expedition through the Tunisian Coast, you’ll see that swapping Southern Europe for this North African gem won’t hurt your wallet.
An overnight at a Radisson Blu in Houmt Souk, with its own private beach and world-class amenities, will set you back by $64, while the all-inclusive, families and couples-only Al Jazira Beach & Spa costs a surprisingly affordable $94 to book per night for 2 adults.
In Tunis, the sprawling capital and gateway to the Carthage ruins, staying in a luxurious dar in the heart of the Medina (the oldest, most historical part of town) will run you up $87 as a couple, and you can get it much cheaper even in Sousse, with centrally-located, 2-star hotels starting from only $14 per adult.
Food is also incredibly inexpensive by Western standards:
According to Numbeo, the average price of a three-course meal is $18.67 in a local restaurant, and that is if you manage not to get ripped off as a result of the widespread scamming practices in the medina.
Just saying.
Here’s How You Can Get To Tunisia This Year
The last point, and one that cannot be so easily understated, is that Tunisia’s visa-friendly policies make it a no-brainer for budget travelers dreaming of a Mediterranean summer this year.
Compared to neighboring Algeria, where Americans can only enter if applying for a visa at a consulate beforehand and submitting a whole stack of documents, Tunisia allows most Westerners to enter visa-free.
This includes the United States, Canada, European Union (with the exception of Cyprus), and United Kingdom passport holders, who are allowed to enter the country without previous visa applications and to remain for up to 3 months.
There are no forms, no digital travel authorization systems, and no complicated rules upon landing: just present your passport at the immigration booth and tell them you’re coming as a tourist.
You’ll be issued a 90-day stamp, easy as that.
Though Canadians can fly nonstop to Tunis-Carthage (TUN) from Montreal, believe it or not, Americans do not enjoy direct links to the North African state, so in most cases, getting there will involve a layover in Europe.
The good news is, if you’re booking roundtrip flights for Europe and fitting in a side trip to Tunisia, there are flights from as cheap as $58 one-way from a number of European metropolises, most notably London, Paris, and Rome.
The lack of nonstop Transatlantic flights does not mean you can’t go; you just have to be clever about it.
And hey, have you thought that this is part of the reason why Tunisia remains mostly unspoiled?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
