Holidays 
Cruises 
Hotel Only 
Flights 
Deals 
Destinations 
Extras
Travel InformationLa Goulette (for Tunis) Cruises, Tunisia
;img.crop(width:658%2Cheight:370))
Enter the city of Tunis via this northern gateway – the port city of La Goulette. This place puts you a half-an-hour drive away from Tunisia’s capital, which is decked out with mosques, Islamic schools called medersas, and Tunis’ Great Souk – a spice-scented medina. Here, you can weave your way around stalls piled high with carpets, lanterns, shisha pipes and tea sets. Don’t miss a visit to the Bardo National Museum, too – it’s chock-a-block with exhibitions dedicated to Tunisian history. Other standout parts of the city include the ancient Roman city of Carthage, and the Ville Nouvelle, where art nouveau architecture nods to the time the city spent under a period of French rule.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
Carthage & Sidi Bou Said
Who hasn’t heard of Hannibal and this city that dared brave the might of Rome? Nowadays the ruins of both these great empires lay open to the sun and wild flowers. Declared a National Monument, the town of Carthage is packed with temples, shrines and Roman baths. This tour introduces you to the breathtakingly beautiful site of Carthage and sights like the theatre, the ruined amphitheatre, the Antonine thermal baths and Mount Byrsa. From here, carry on by coach to Sidi Bou Said, a splendid Moorish village on a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean. It’s fronted hundreds of postcards from Tunisia, thanks to its charming corners and typical blue doors and shutters that contrast beautifully against white facades and colourful geraniums. A meeting place for artists, the village is full of architectural treasures and art galleries you’ll love to explore.
Carthage & Sidi Bou Said with Folklore Show
This trip is a showcase of Tunisian culture. You’ll begin the day in Carthage, a city that blurs the line between fact and fiction. It’s known this city was once as powerful as Sparta and Rome. But most of the historical records were lost at the end of the Third Punic War, so there’s not a lot of evidence to separate myth from fact. Legend has it the city was founded by the goddess Dido, who became a mortal queen in the 5th century BC. On this trip, you’ll get to make up your own mind. Among the ruins here, you’ll see the Tophet, a place where human sacrifices were offered to the gods. You’ll also see the site where the Antonine Baths once stood. When you’ve finished exploring here, you’ll get to see a traditional folklore show. This break will be a feast for the stomach as well as the eyes, because you’ll be served traditional mint tea and a Tunisian pastry while you watch the acts. The last stop of the day will be Sidi Bou Saïd. Perched on a cliff top, overlooking the sea, this whitewashed village has long been a muse to artists and writers from all over Europe.
Sidi Bou Said & Medina
The medina of Tunis is your first stop on this half-day trip. Set off on a guided tour through the maze-like streets of the old town. This is where the city’s artisans show off their finest handiwork. Head for the souk and you’ll see it’s like an enormous shopping centre - with more than a touch of traditional North Africa about it. Stalls are weighed down with everything from ceramics to some of Tunisia's finest fashions and the smell of spice fills the air. The layout’s really interesting, too. It’s like an old-world department store. There’s a section devoted to metalwork, another to dyed fabrics. One for weaving, another for jewellery. You could easily put a dent in your holiday budget here. Once you’ve had a look around, you’ll set off for the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said. If it looks familiar it’s probably because it fronts postcards all over Tunisia. How you spend your time here is up to you. Wander round, admiring the white houses with their bright blue doors and shutters. Or call into a café for a glass of sweet mint tea. Just remember to save some time for the scenery. This sleepy little village gazes out on the Bay of Tunis and the view is definitely worth writing home about.