15 Things to Do in Mahdia: Tunisia’s Stunning Seaside Town

This ultimate Mahdia guide will help you discover this Mediterranean gem along Tunisia’s coastline.

Mahdia is one of the best cities to visit in Tunisia if you’re looking for a beachy holiday that combines a little history and culture. While this is quite a small town, with a population of 40,000, there are still plenty of things to do in Mahdia. You can walk along the peninsula’s perimeter, catch amazing views of the Mahdia Medina and the sea from the Skifa el Kahla and the Borj el Kebir, and have tea in Place du Caire.

I went to Mahdia on a day trip from Sousse in March 2024. It’s a great beach location to add to your Tunisian road trip itinerary as well. The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed strolling the cobblestone-covered medina and breathing in the fresh sea air. Unfortunately, I went during Ramadan, which meant that all of the restaurants and cafes were closed. But I did have major FOMO for the tea I never got to have in the open-air cafes around town. However, I did get to experience the Friday markets in Mahdia, which was very neat.

In this Mahdia guide, I’ll tell you about the tourist attractions, historical sites, and things to see.

Read More: 21 Things to Know Before Visiting Tunisia

Where is Mahdia Located?

Mahdia is located on the east coast of Tunisia, a little over one house south of Sousse, and 3 hours south of Tunis. Mahdia lies along the Mediterranean coastline and has beautiful beaches. The old town of Mahdia is centered on a small peninsula sticking out into the sea. This is where you’ll spend your time if you come for a day trip.

When Should I visit Mahdia?

Because Mahdia is a beach destination, the high season is in the summer- July and August. This is also when it is the hottest in Mahdia, with temperatures reaching up to 32C/90F or more. Therefore, the best times to visit Mahdia are the shoulder seasons: Spring (April to June) and Fall (September to October).

The best day of the week to visit is Friday. Friday is the day of the big Mahdia Market down near the port. Try to plan your Tunisia itinerary around visiting Mahdia on a Friday if possible. That said, the market is pretty massive, so if you get overwhelmed easily, maybe skip Fridays.

The worst time to visit Mahdia is during Ramadan. During this month, many restaurants, cafes, and shops shut their doors while the owners focus on their fast, family and faith.

Read More: Tunisia’s 7 Best Beach Towns

What is Mahdia Known for?

Due to its strategic location along Tunisia’s coastline, Mahdia is known for fishing, silk weaving, and olive oil. It is known as one of Tunisia’s beach destinations, as there are wide, white-sand beaches to the northwest of the historic city center. Mahdia is also known as a scuba diving spot, as there are a few shipwrecks nearby.

Read More: 31 Things to Do in Tunisia

What is the History of Mahdia Tunisia?

Mahdia was the first capital of the Fatimid Dynasty and remained so from 921-923 CE. Afterwards, the Fatimid capital moved to Cairo, Egypt. Before that, there is indication that some Romans may have lived in the area. There is a shipwreck off the coast of Mahdia, full of Greek treasures, that dates back to 80 BC, which is during the Roman Rule over the region.

Obeid Allah al-Mahdi first founded the town of Mahdia (it’s named after him) and ordered construction to begin in 916. It was completed in 921, which marked the start of the Muslim reign in the area. The original construction of the city included Fatimid palaces, an artificial harbor, and the mosque that still stands today. Later, Mahdia was controlled by Christians, Normans, Spaniards, Ottomans, and even the Turks until the 19th Century.

What to See in Mahdia

Mahdia is not that big. You can easily see all the best places to visit in Mahdia in one afternoon.

1. Take a Photo With the I Love Mahdia Sign

At the start of the old town, right along the water, you can find the I ❤️ MAHDIA sign. Just about every town in Tunisia has one, you might as well collect a photo from each one. This sign is very beautiful because the green and blue waters stand out in the background.

2. Wander the Mahdia Medina

The Medina of Mahdia is located in the city’s old town, on the peninsula. Thick walls along the sea once surrounded the entire peninsula. You can still see remnants of those walls along the coastline today. In the area closer to the Skifa el Kahla, you can find many small shops, street markets, and cafes.

The roads are full of cobblestones, but be careful because they are very slippery. While there are several shopping areas within the medina, it is also a very residential place. The best time to wander through the medina is in the morning. Around 2 pm, the city starts to slow down and get very quiet.

3. Go Back in History at the Bordj el Kebir

The Bordj el Kebir is the old fortress in Mahdia. Kebir means big in Arabic. This was the big fortress in town, whereas the Skifa el Kahla was the small one. It is located near the tip of the peninsula, next to the cemetery. It was constructed by the Ottomans in the 16th Century atop the original Fatimid Palace that stood in this spot.

The ticket to enter costs 8 TND (3 USD). It is open every day from 9 am to 4 pm. It is less exciting than the ribats in Sousse and Monastir, yet it has its charm. There is one large square courtyard opening in the main area. The second floor is a perimeter around the large square. In each corner, you can find a small lookout tower.

While the architecture is more simplistic than other fortresses around Tunisia, the sea views are pretty amazing from up here. You can see over the cemetery, the old port, and to the end of the peninsula. On the other side, you can see back to the Medina.

4. Walk Through the Skifa el Kahla (Black Gate)

The Skifa el Kahla was built as a small fortress at the start of town around the same time as the Borj el Kebir byt the Ottomans. It was once connected to the old city walls that went around the entire town.

It is a major landmark of the city. When you take a taxi from the loauge station, this is the destination you want to tell them to take you. Just in front of the Skifa el Kahla is a taxi hub, and you’ll find many taxis hanging out there. This is also the place to come to find a taxi to take you back to the loauge station.

There is a long tunnel that goes through the center of the Skifa el Kahla. On Fridays, you’ll find market stalls set up in front of and inside the tunnel of many women selling traditional wedding outfits with golden sequins. You can go to the roof of the Skifa el Kahla via the museum next door. From the rooftop, you can get an entire view of the medina, and the sea that surrounds you on three sides.

5. See the mosaics at the Mahdia Museum

The Mahdia Museum entrance is to the right of the Skifa el Kahla. The museum costs 8 TND to enter. It is a very small museum with a few mosaics taken from El Jem, a room with traditional female costumes, and a few small scales made from cardboard. If you have seen the Bardo Museum in Tunis or the Sousse Archaeological Museum, you will probably not be that impressed by this much smaller version.

The most interesting thing about the museum is the access to the rooftop of the Skifa el Kaha. From the rooftop, you can look down at everything happening in the city. You can also see the water on all sides and all the way to the peninsula’s tip. You’ll be able to look down on the people coming and going through the Skifa el Kahla tunnel. Note the yellow taxis congregating at the roundabout. This is where you can find a taxi to take you back to the loauge station.

6. Have a Tea in the Cairo Square (Place du Caire)

The Place du Caire is a small plaza in the center of the Mahdia Medina. It is a very pleasant space full of trees and shade. I was there during Ramadan, so all I saw were stacks of chairs. But when it is not Ramadan, this is an open-air cafe where locals go to chat, smoke shisha, and drink tea. If it weren’t Ramadan, I would’ve loved to have a mint tea here.

7. Go Shopping at the Friday Mahdia Market

There are some small tourist shops inside the Medina that you can see every day, but there is also a massive Mahdia Market on Fridays. When I say massive, I mean it! The market stretches out from the Skifa el Kahla in all directions along the main roads. If take a taxi from the louage station, your driver may not be able to take you to the Skifa el Kahla because the roads are blocked for the market.

There are also markets inside the Medina, along the coast, near the mosque. These Friday markets are very local; you can find anything you need from clothes to kitchen supplies, and everything in between. You can also find women selling traditional clothing outfits inside the tunnel of the Skifa el Kahla. The markets occur in the mornings on Fridays, and the vendors will start packing things up around 2 pm.

The vegetable market between the loauge station and the new port occurs every Thursday and Friday.

8. View the Great Mosque

The town’s founder, Obeid Allah al-Mahdi, built this mosque in 921 CE. It is in the center of town and is one of the main tourist attractions in Mahdia. You should not enter during prayer time if you are not Muslim. The front of the mosque faces a small park and the outdoor dining space at the touristy and over-priced Cafe el-Medina.

9. Have a Meal on the Water

As you walk around the path on the southern coast of the peninsula, you can find a cute restaurant called Café Sidi Salem Elghar. The prices are very reasonable, and not on the typical tourist route. It’s a very peaceful setting. Unfortunately, this place was closed while I was visiting Mahdia due to Ramadan, which was very disappointing. If I ever come back to Mahdia, I’ll make a stop here first.

10. Take a Walk Around Mahdia’s Perimeter

One of the more unique things to do in Mahdia is to take a walk around the entire peninsula. This was the only Tunisian city I went to that existed on a small peninsula jutting out into the sea. There is a small path that allows you to walk the entire perimeter. Some parts are dirt, concrete, and gravel. But the trail easily allows you to walk around and see every historical attraction in the city. It doesn’t hurt that it is also incredibly beautiful. Even though the peninsula is not that big, you still get to see a varied landscape between wildflowers, ruins along the sea, and rocky cliffs.

11. Walk Through the Cimetière de Mahdia

Mahdia’s cemetery is sprawling. It is located between the sea and Borj el Kebir, and stretches from the Borj el Kebir all the way to the ancient port. This is a Muslim cemetery with several gravestones with Arabic carvings. The Cimetière de Mahdia is beautiful due to its location next to the blue water, and the yellow wildflowers surrounding it.

12. Frame the Sea at the Borj Errass

You can find the Borj Errass along the perimeter walk, close to the end of the peninsula. It is a large doorway, and a perfect photo framing you in the center with the blue sea behind you. There are large rocks in the water near the Borj Errass where people like to sit and stare at the water. It is a beautiful scene.

13. Mahdia Old Harbor (Ancien Port Fatimide)

This ancient port is from the Fatimide Period, which lasted from 909–1171 CE. It is no longer used as the city’s main port but as a hub for small fishing boats. There was once a large door that allowed for boats to pass under, though it is now in ruins. It was built big enough to house 30 boats.

The Ancient Port is located in the historic city center. The surrounding area is incredibly relaxing and peaceful. You can see this old harbor from the roof of the Borj el Kebir, like in the photo above to the right.

14. Check out the Tip of Mahdia at the Cap Afrique

Cap Afrique marks the very tip of the Mahdia peninsula. There are some crumbling ruins, as well as rocks and a small beach that creates a large puddle of water. You can’t easily walk out to the ruins because there is a break in the rocks. But if you’re feeling adventurous, it’s definitely possible to climb up and walk out to the ultimate tip. It’s a very peaceful place to sit and admire the sea. It is not crowded.

15. Relax at the Mahdia Beach

There is no real beach near the historic center of Mahdia. However, Mahdia is considered one of the major beach destinations in Tunisia. In order to find the wide white sand beaches of Mahdia, you’ll need to follow the coastline of the northern side of Mahdia up to the big hotel/resort area.

There you can find the Plage de Corniche Mahdia and the Plage Mahdia. These are beaches where you can relax on the sand and swim. If you’re planning to spend a few days in Mahdai for the beach, I suggest getting a hotel in this area.

You can easily take a taxi into town to see the historic city center in one afternoon. But if you’re mainly looking for relaxation, it is best to stay a bit closer to the beach area.

Day Trips from Mahdia

Here are a few great day trips from Mahdia, or inspiration to add to your Tunisian road trip itinerary:

Sousse

You can easily visit Mahdia from Sousse (and vice versa). Sousse is just one hour and a half north of Mahdia. It’s fully worth a day trip. If you’re basing yourself in Mahdia, you need to make a trip to visit Sousse at least once. Visit the Ribat, the Sousse Medina, the Dar Essid Museum, and more. You can take a louage to Sousse for 5.900 TND from the Mahdia louage station.

Read more: 21 Things to do in Sousse

Amphitheatre El Jem

El Jem is a Roman Amphitheatre still in relatively good shape. The entire front is still intact. You can climb to the third floor and look down on the center oval stage. You can also go underground in the tunnels beneath the oval stage. The cost to enter is 12 TND.

You can take a louage between Mahdia and El Jem from the Station Louage Mahdia. The louages start early and leave as soon as they are full.

Monastir

Monastir is just one hour north of Mahdia. It’s a small beachside town with plenty of things to do to fill a full day. You can visit the Ribat, the marina, walk the promenade, and have lunch with a beautiful view.

Read More: Visit Monastir Tunisia: Easy Sousse Day Trip

Excursions in Mahdia

Royal ATV Quad Tours

This is a 2-hour trip on quad bikes. You will have a chance to drive along beaches and the salt lake until you reach the fishing village of Bekalta. You can meet at the quad starting point or request a pick-up.

Cultural Experience of Bedouin Village in Mahdia

This 3-hour tour invited tourists to learn about and understand the Bedouin lifestyle in a traditional Bedouin village. You’ll take a trip with either horses or camels and venture into the countryside. You’ll have the chance to hear traditional folk music, try local Tunisian foods, and shop for local products and souvenirs. Transportation, snacks, drinks, and a guide are included in the price.

Getting to Mahdia

You have two main options to reach Mahdia by land: Train (from Tunis) and louage (from several cities including Tunis and Sousse).

Get to Mahdia by Plane

Tunisia is a small country and it is very easy to travel by train or louage. But if you prefer to fly, the main airport for the area is just outside Monastir, called the Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport. It is a one-hour taxi ride from the airport to the center of Mahdia.

Check Skyscanner to view flights to the Monastir airport.

Tunis to Mahdia by Train

No train goes between Sousse and Mahdia, but you can take the train from Tunis to Mahdia (It’s the same train line but it does not make a stop in Sousse). There is only one train per day from Tunis with a stop in Mahdia. The train leaves the Gare de Tunis at 5:20 pm and arrives in Mahdia at 9:15 pm. Click here to see the timetables of the trains leaving from Tunis for the winter 2023-2024. This is the main website for trains in Tunisia.

Get to Mahdia by louage

The best and easiest way to reach Mahdia is by louage. A louage is a shared taxi van. It leaves as soon as it’s full so there is no exact schedule. You rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes until the van leaves.

Tunis to Mahdia by louage

Tunis Louage Station: Station Louage Moncef Bey
Mahdia Louage Station: Station Louage Mahdia

The drive between Tunis and Mahdia takes about 3 hours. Note that there is no bus between Tunis and Mahdia.

Sousse to Mahdia by louage

It is easy to travel between Mahdia and Sousse by louage (shared taxi van). The cost is 5.900 TND (2 USD). You need to purchase your ticket from the ticket booth at the station. After that, someone will ask where you’re going and point you to the correct van to get in. The van will leave as soon as it’s full.

Here are the locations for the Louage stations in:

Sousse (photo top right): Al Lawajat Station
Mahdia (photo top left): Station Louage Mahdia

I’ll be honest, the Mahdia louage station is the sketchiest station I have seen in Tunisia. It’s not near the city center like many louage stations are. I don’t recommend walking between the station and the old town of Mahdia. It’s next to the port and a ton of car repair shops. This was the only place in Tunisia where I didn’t feel fully safe. I felt safe in the town of Mahdia, but not near the louage station.

Read more: How to Take a Louage in Tunisia

You should take a taxi between the Station Louage Mahdia and the historic city center. It will cost anywhere from 1-5 TND. The cost varies a lot because it seems to be very common in Mahdia to share taxis. Multiple times I opened the taxi door to find an entire family in there, willing to add one more commuter. They won’t use the meter here.

Read more: Complete Guide to Renting a Car in Tunisia 2024

Is Mahdia Worth Visiting?

Mahdia is worth a visit. There is a lot of history here. It is also very beautiful. One of my favorite things to do in Mahdia was to walk around the perimeter of the peninsula. You can see a lot of the old city by doing this. I was able to see everything I wanted to see in Mahdia in about 3-4 hours. I would have spent more time there if it were not Ramadan, as I would have had lunch there. If you’re staying at a hotel or resort near the beach, then it is worth it to head to the historic city center for a day. If you’re staying in Sousse, it is worth spending a day visiting a new town. It is just 1.5 hours south of Sousse, though it may take slightly longer if there is traffic.

Read more: All blog posts about Tunisia

Where to Stay in Mahdia

Hotel Dar Al Madina

This beautiful hotel is located in the center of town in the heart of the medina. Breakfast, parking, and wifi are included. An airport shuttle is available. The rooms are beautiful, clean, and well-maintained. Very reasonable prices. There is also a rooftop terrace with great sunlight. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Check rates and availability for this hotel in the Mahdia Medina HERE

Dar Jamila

This is a beautiful old traditional Tunisian home near the medina, with coastal views. There are free parking spots right out front. Breakfast is included, and it is a beautiful experience here. Some rooms have a private balcony that overlooks the sea.

Book this traditional Tunisian home HERE

Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour

If you’re coming to Mahdia for the beach, this is the ideal location. This beautiful, high-quality hotel has great prices available. Not only can you see the sea from the hotel’s property, but there is also a beautiful swimming pool available. There is also a fitness room, a bar, a restaurant, and breakfast included.

Check availability for this beautiful hotel NOW

Is Mahdia Tunisia Safe?

The town of Mahdia is safe, as is the old town center, and the beach area. The only place I didn’t feel safe in Mahdia was near the louage station. It’s quite far away from everything you’ll want to visit. The station itself felt fine, it was just the surrounding area that did not. But if you take a taxi between the louage station and where you’re going, you’ll be fine. Apart from the louage area, everything else felt safe. It was a very relaxed town along the sea.

Things to do in Mahdia Final Thoughts

Even though it is quite a small seaside town, there are still several things to do in Mahdia. Mahdia has a lot to offer a visitor from a peaceful lunch along the coast to incredible views atop the Borj el Kebir and the Skifa el Kahla. Visiting Mahdia is a perfect way to spend a day.

Pin for your next trip to Tunisia!

TRAVELING SOON?

INSURANCE: Cover yourself with travel medical insurance by SafetyWing.

FLIGHTS: Get the best flight deals with Skyscanner and set flight alerts with Hopper.

STAYS: Check out hotels and apartments with Booking.com and Vrbo.

RENTAL CARS: Get the best deal on rental cars with Discover Cars or RentalCars.

GOING HIKING? Get a 30% discount off your yearly AllTrails+ Account (code: nickiposts30)

eSIM: Get an international eSim with Airalo.

CITY GUIDES: Save time and purchase pre-made city guides with Thatch.

CITY TOURS: Book your tour with GetYourGuide and Viator

LUGGAGE: Get the best carry-on suitcase here.

CREDIT CARD: Start earning travel points with the best travel credit card.

BUENOS AIRES GUIDE: Purchase my Buenos Aires travel companion here.

CONSULTATION: Book a 1:1 travel consultation with Nicki here.

SUBSCRIBE: Get the Nicki Posts Travel Stuff newsletter every month.

TRAVEL BETTER: Check out my Travel Tips and best Travel Resources pages.

MORE? Check out more on my LINKS page to find me in more places!