Tunis Centre is alive with history, culture and cuisine. The district is the beating heart of the Tunisian capital and showcases a fascinating blend of North African, Arabic and European heritage. Admire the grand architecture, visit world-class museums and get lost in maze-like markets and medinas.
Things to do in Tunis Centre
Tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba cuts through Tunis Centre. Elegant buildings line the famous boulevard and house a mix of cafes, bistros and boutiques. Venture down side streets to admire handsome colonial-era townhouses and discover hidden teahouses, patisseries and cocktail bars.
Get lost in the sprawling Medina. It’s one of the largest markets in North Africa and features a labyrinth of streets and alleys. Browse everything from rainbow-coloured spices and decorative shisha pipes to shimmering lamps and hand-dyed textiles.
Experience Tunis through a local lens at Marché Centrale. The market opened in the 1890s and is a hive of activity. Walk through the cavernous main hall and see stands piled high with olives, cheese and bright-red harissa chili paste. Bouquets of roses, geraniums and “bigardier” orange blossoms fill the flower hall with an intoxicating scent.
Learn about the country’s ancient past at the Bardo Museum. The museum is housed in a magnificent 13th-century palace and showcases one of the most impressive collections of Roman mosaics in North Africa. Other highlights include terracotta statues, marble busts and prehistoric jewellery.
Tunis Centre is a great place to try the country’s flavour-packed cuisine. Start your day with “chakchouka” baked eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce. For lunch and dinner, order specialties like couscous served with spicy stew and “brik” filo pastry stuffed with tuna, parsley and harissa spice.
Getting around Tunis Centre
Parts of Tunis Centre are pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot, while taxis are a fast and affordable way to get around the city. Buses operate across Tunis Centre but can be difficult to navigate. Gare de Tunis is in the heart of Tunis Centre and the city’s main railway hub. Tunis-Carthage International Airport is a 15-minute drive away.