If you’re after a mix of beach, desert adventures and rich culture, Tunisia is waiting to surprise you.
Think golden sands, ancient ruins, camel rides and visiting real movie sets from Star Wars, The English Patient, Indiana Jones and The Life of Brian. Children will love the medinas that feel like an adventure maze, the water parks in the hotels will keep them occupied for hours and for the little explorers, there are many ancient Roman sites in the towns and mountains.
It’s affordable, superfriendly, just a 3.5-hour flight from Dublin and a refreshing change from the usual Mediterranean spots.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the warm welcome really stood out.
The country is 99 per cent Muslim but it’s not overly strict and is more culturally Islamic than religiously enforced. There’s no need to cover up, just dress respectfully outside the resorts.
I felt very safe at all times and there is some visible security at checkpoints, museums and attractions.
HAMMAMET
This was our first stop, and it set the tone perfectly. The TUI Blue Palm Beach hotel is close to the town, where you can explore the medina inside a scenic old fort near the beach. The newly renovated, family-friendly resort right on the coast has spacious rooms and suites that can sleep a family of four comfortably, multiple pools (including indoor), a kids’ club and a relaxing spa.
One of my favourite things was how tranquil the whole resort felt, with lots of quiet corners, quirky fixtures scattered throughout and a pathway past the beach bar – make sure you grab a Palm Beach spritz – leading you straight to a private beach.
The buffet offers a great mix of local and familiar dishes, plus there’s an à la carte option too. From here there are many sightseeing places to visit including the capital, Tunis.
TUNIS
From the hotel, you can easily book day trips to Tunis or nearby Moorish villages such as Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. The capital is a vibrant mix of English, French and Mediterranean influences, with a Unescolisted medina that’s split between tourist and local shops. You’ll find everything from handmade slippers and jewellery to spices and mosaics.
Medina sellers love a haggle, even though prices are low. They’re friendly, not pushy, and even know the difference between Irish and English – one even greeted me with ‘conas atá tú?’ The Bardo Museum is a must for history lovers, with stunning artefacts and many historical pieces on display and very much intact.
The quirky café inside the museum is a must for a coffee break.
Carthage is about 30 minutes from Tunis and is another Unesco site and well worth a visit.
It’s best known for its fierce rivalry with Rome, but the main highlight now is the impressive ruins of the Baths of Antoninus.
Nearby is the stunning Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said, which has very Greek vibes. With its blue doors, cobbled streets and marina views, it feels like a slice of Santorini. While there, try some local ‘Bambalouni’, a popular Tunisian street food, fluffy, deep-fried doughnuts, sugar-coated and best enjoyed hot.
Like most towns in Tunisia, it has beautiful brightcoloured doors and Sidi Bou said is renowned for its blue ones.
NABEUL
Next stop is a visit to Nabeul, known for its pottery, rush mats and its flower essences. We visited a local business which makes natural rose water and traditional ‘harissa’, a hot chili pepper paste, from homegrown ingredients.
The Nabeul Archaeological Museum is a small, fascinating spot showcasing Tunisia’s ancient history.
It features Roman mosaics, Punic statues and everyday artefacts from the old city of Neapolis – perfect for a quick cultural adventure with the family before heading off ‘ceramic’ shopping in the local medina.
If you like traditional cuisine, sample the local produce from the vegetable and fish market. There is also a unique boutique hotel in the heart of Nabeul called Dar el Gaied, an exquisite place to completely switch off and a must-stay for any curious traveller.
ZAGHOUAN
An abandoned Berber village is the highlight here – Zriba El Alia. A mountainside historical gem, I felt lost in time, it’s so wonderfully authentic. Also nearby, the ancient remnants of a Roman baths, Les Temples des Eaux, is still impressively in good condition. There is such a deep birthright to the Roman times and it is very apparent in the towns.
If you like somewhere a bit different, Dar Zaghouan is tucked away in the Tunisian countryside. This ecofriendly farmhouse – you can also stay here – has rusticchic vibes with mountain views, almond trees and the best homemade pastries. It’s the kind of place where the kids can run wild, adults can unwind in a traditional hammam (Turkish bath) and everyone can get a little taste of rural, Tunisian life.
From hikes and horse rides, quad bikes to homemade food and even a farm museum, this is laid-back, local and just the right mix of adventure in the hillside.
SOUSSE
This is the third largest city in Tunisia after Tunis and Sfax, and is hailed as the ‘Ibiza of Tunisia’ because of its bustling nightlife and atmosphere. It has a more cosmopolitan vibe and also plenty to do and see.
For contemporary art lovers, there’s a quirky museum, Dar am Taieb, dedicated to local artist Taieb Ben Hadj Ahmed. The museum is his home and gives a real glimpse into his world. His sculptures and art, made from all sorts of recycled materials, are full of character and imagination.
The town of Monastir is about an hour from Sousse and is famous as the location of The Life Of Brian movie. It is a beautiful seaside town with a marina and plenty of coffee shops.
The main visitor attraction here for locals and tourists is the Bourguiba Mausoleum, where the Tunisian former president Habib Bourguiba is actually buried. He was known as the father of Tunisian independence and died in 2000. You can go into the mausoleum and the interior is as magnificent as the exterior.
I stayed at the TUI Suneo Royal Kenz in Sousse. Despite having 900 rooms, it never felt overcrowded – most hotels here sprawl outwards, not upwards. The hotel has two great pools, plenty of bars and dining spots and a lovely Moorish café for a chilled, Tunisian style siesta.
It’s located in the beautiful Port El Kantaoui area, with white buildings, cobbled streets, chic cafés and a marina. There’s even a PGA golf course and a gorgeous beach where you can stroll back to the hotel. The spa treatments in both hotels are amazing – and way cheaper than at home. One guest had 15 in two weeks, so of course, I had to try too.
MAHDIA
This area is super relaxed and non-touristy – a favourite with locals for a beach day. The sea feels endless and the sand stretches out like a magic carpet. The town has a mix of Greek and Tunisian vibes.
About an hour away is El Jem, which was a real highlight for me. I had no idea there was a Roman amphitheatre in Tunisia and this Colosseum is, in my opinion, even more impressive than the one in Rome – and without the crowds.
If you’re like me and love a bit of craft shopping, the medinas are full of quirky ornaments and handmade mosaics – beautiful, affordable and always worth a haggle. I lost count of how many times I was called ‘princess’ or ‘beautiful’ – especially after I’d bought something!
Tunisia has loads to offer Irish holidaymakers – a short direct flight from Dublin and you’re stepping into sunshine, culture and serious value for money.
Think easy, cheap taxi rides to stunning resorts, bustling medinas for a spot of haggling, delicious local food and wine and every kind of day trip you can imagine – camel rides in the desert, hot air ballooning, Roman ruins or even horse riding along the beach.
North Africa suddenly doesn’t feel so far away and the warm welcome from locals makes it all the better. You might just come home with a few rugs and a heart full of Tunisian magic.
TRAVEL FACTS
TUI Holidays offers packages including flights (every Monday), hotels and transfers from Enfidha airport in July 2025 for approximately €894pp allinclusive, tuiholidays.ie.
Hammamet and Sousse are both about 40 minutes from Enfidha airport – taxis cost around €20 to €30. Yvonne was a guest of the Tunisian National Tourist Office.
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