Tunisia Road Trip: The BEST 10 Day Driving Itinerary 2025
If you’re planning a Tunisia road trip, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can find the best itinerary for 10 days in Tunisia.
I spent two months in Tunisia and fell in love with its nature, people, culture, and customs. Tunisia is not a very commonly traveled country, which made it all the more exciting, with many authentic experiences. Within those two months in the country, I went on a one-week Tunisia road trip from Tunis to the northern tip of Africa to the southern deserts of Tozeur and Tatooine.
In This blog post, I’ll create the ideal Tunisia road trip itinerary for you. You’ll learn about not only the best cities to visit (Sousse, Chebika Oasis, Bizerte, etc.), but also where to eat, what to do in each place, and which stops to make along the way. This Tunisia itinerary is varied and will bring you to old Roman ruins, amphitheaters, desert oases, Star Wars filming locations, and small coastal towns along the Mediterranean.
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Map of the Ultimate Tunisian Road Trip
Here is a map of the ultimate 10-day Tunisia road trip itinerary. The purple line shows the route, and the blue and green rectangles show the several stops along the way.
Tunisia Road Trip
In this Tunisia road trip itinerary, you’ll find info on renting a car, driving tips, and of course where to visit. This Tunisia itinerary will take you outside of Tunis to explore the varied regions of the country including beaches, deserts, and the 4th holiest city in the world for Muslims.
This itinerary does not include activities within the capital city of Tunis, such as visiting the Carthage archaeological site. However, this Tunisia road trip itinerary will begin and end at the Tunis-Carthage airport for ease.
Read More: 25 Things to do in Tunis
While this Tunisia road trip itinerary is for 10 days, you can easily alter it to create your own itinerary for 5 days in Tunisia, or one week in Tunisia, depending on your interests, and how much time you have.
Tunisia Road Trip Itinerary Overview: 10 Days
➡️ Day 1: Tunis – Bizerte – Ras Angela – Testour
➡️ Day 2: Testour – Dougga – Bulla Regia – El Kef
➡️ Day 3: El Kef – Subaytilah – Tozeur
➡️ Day 4: Tozeur – Mides Oasis – Chebika Oasis – Tamerza – Mos Espa – Lars Homestead
➡️ Day 5: Tozeur – Chott el Djerid – Sidi Idriss Hotel – Toujane
➡️ Day 6: Toujane – Ksar Hallouf – Ksar Hadada – Ghomrassen – Tatouine
➡️ Day 7: Tatouine – Ksar Ouled Soltane – Douiret – Chenini – Tatouine
➡️ Day 8: Tatouine – El Djem – Mahdia
➡️ Day 9: Mahdia – Kairouan – Sousse
➡️ Day 10: Sousse – Hammamet – Tunis
Read More: 31 Things to Do in Tunisia
📍Road Trip Day 1: Tunis – Bizerte – Ras Angela – Testour
- Total hours driving: 3 hours and 40 minutes
- Total kilometers driven: 212 kilometers
- Overview: We will begin the road trip by picking up the rental car at the Tunis-Carthage airport as early as possible. From Tunis, drive north to Bizerte. Spend the morning in Bizerte before heading to Ras Angela, the most northern tip of Africa. Once you’re done, you’ll pass through Bizerte on the way to Testour, where you’ll sleep for the night.
Looking for a Tunis guide? Check out my Tunis guide on the Thatch app.
Morning: Bizerte
Bizerte is only 50 minutes north of Tunis. It’s best to leave Tunis before rush hour (8 am). Bizerte is the most northern city in the entire continent of Africa. Technically it is a city, but the city center is very approachable and easy to walk around. I suggest parking the car for a few hours and walking around town on foot.
What to eat in Bizerte
Bizerte is well known for lablebi sandwiches. You can learn all about Tunisia street food here. There are a ton of small street-side stands for lablebi sandwiches, either in a mobile cart or a fixed location. We chose the place with the longest line and we weren’t disappointed. It was just 3 TND (1 USD) for a lablebi sandwich.
What to do in Bizerte
The Bizerte city center has a great market that spans several blocks. Take a stroll through the market to smell the incense, see the live chickens, and buy some pottery. Bizerte is the best city in Tunisia to purchase traditional pottery as you can find the lowest prices here.
After the market, make your way to the old port of Bizerte. There you can find an enclosed waterway full of small boats. On each side of the port, you can find brightly colored buildings, reminiscent of Burano in Venice.
The port has cafes, restaurants, tea stands (make sure to add nuts to your tea), and street musicians all around. The vibe is lively. Have a coffee or a snack in this area to soak up the atmosphere.
Once you’ve seen the port, head inside the old medina. The medina of Bizerte is much more chill and residential than that of Tunis or Sousse. There is no souk inside this medina. It is more for everyday living. But the small alleyways painted blue and white are inspiring.
Afternoon: Ras Angela
When you’re ready to leave Bizerte, head to Ras Angela (also seen as Cap Angela). This is the most northern point in the entire continent of Africa. It’s about 30 minutes north of Bizerte, along mostly paved roads. The last 5-10 minutes are along dirt roads.
There were a lot of puddles and potholes, so we parked our car on the side of the dirt road and walked the rest of the way.
Marking the official spot of the northern point, you can find a large silver sculpture of the map of Africa. However, you can explore all around the area along the cliffs of the coastline. We saw many people in trucks offroading here. Visiting Ras Angela was one of my favorite stops on this Tunisia road trip.
Evening: Testour
In order to reach Testour from Ras Angela, you’ll need to pass through Bizerte once more. From Bizerte, the drive to Testour takes 2 hours. Testour is a small town so it can easily be seen in just a few hours.
What Testour is known for
Testour is famous for 3 things: pomegranates, dairy, and the mosque. You can get amazingly fresh pomegranate juice, various kinds of cheese, and kinds of butter (goat and cow) at nearly every store front you pass on the main street. Make sure to try them all.
As you walk down the main street, you’ll eventually come to a large plaza where men sit in the sunshine drinking mint tea and coffee. Have a seat here and enjoy the local atmosphere.
After your warm beverage, head over to the mosque, which you can see from the plaza. This mosque is famous for a few reasons. The minaret was created with traditional Andalusian architecture. It has both Islamic symbols on it, as well as the star of David for the Jewish religion.
The minaret also has a clock that functions in the reverse order, going counterclockwise. Testour is one of the best small towns along this Tunisia road trip itinerary.
Where to stay in Testour
There are no guesthouses in Testour on booking.com or Vrbo. However, you can search Google Maps for “Dar,” and several guesthouses will show up. You can go directly to the guesthouse to inquire about vacancies. If it is off-season, you can probably negotiate the price.
The one that seems to be the most legit is called Sabih’s House Testour (+21621097755).
Going to Tunisia soon? Get Ready at a glance:
Get travel medical insurance with SafeyWing.
Book your stay with Booking.com.
Check Flights with Skyscanner or Hopper.
Rent a car with RentalCars.com.
Download the Airalo app and get a Tunisian eSIM.
Take a tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Have a 1:1 consultation with me in advance!
📍Road Trip Day 2: Testour – Dougga – Bulla Regia – El Kef
- Total hours driving: 3 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 161 kilometers
- Overview: Today we leave Testour in the morning and head out on a day of old Roman Ruins and villages. You’ll visit both Dougga and Bulla Regia. Then you’ll end the day in El Kef, where you’ll spend the night.
Morning: Dougga
The drive from Testour to Dougga is just 30 minutes. The entrance price to the Dougga Ruins is 8 TND (3 USD). Allow 2-3 hours here.
Dougga is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Tunisia’s best-preserved Roman Ruins sites. Dougga was originally the capital of the Numidian kingdom, but was eventually taken over by the Romans.
The Roman-style architecture is present everywhere you look, with the arched porticos and columns. You can find the old town hall, which is still pretty intact, as well as the site of the old market and living quarters, amphitheater, etc.
The Dougga area is spread over several acres, but the main section is on top of a hill. It feels like going back in time as you make your way up the large cobblestone passageways and walk past ancient stone structures.
All information at the site of Dougga states it was a Roman village, and all information online states the same. However, if you post about Dougga on TikTok, expect random users to get upset at you because “it is Carthaginian, not Roman.”
Afternoon: Bulla Regia
The drive from Dougga to Bulla Regia takes just over one hour. Bulla Regia is another site where you can find Roman Ruins. This area was originally a Punic and Berber town but was annexed by the Romans after they conquered Carthage. Here you can find several old structures very much intact still.
Bulla Regia is smaller than Dougga and much flatter. Several of the mosaics that were originally found in Bulla Regia are now stored in the Bardo Museum in Tunis.
If you are not in the mood to see multiple archeological sites today, you can skip this one and go straight to El Kef. Bulla Regia is beautiful but the size and quality of the structures in Dougga make it slightly more impressive.
Evening: El Kef
El Kef lies one hour south of Bulla Regia and one hour southwest of Dougga. El Kef is a fairly small town, and you can see everything important to see in just a few hours.
What is El Kef known for
El Kef is known for olive oil. It is in the center of the olive-producing region, and you can find bottles of homemade olive oil in recycled bottles at many shops.
What to do in El Kef
Walk around El Kef’s cobblestone streets and see the life happening. It is not a big town, but there are several shops, cafes, and restaurants. Because El Kef is not super large, you can easily get around on foot to visit the church, mosque, one small plot of land with some Roman ruins, and best of all, the Kasbah of El Kef.
The Kasbah is free to enter and if you speak French or Arabic, the man at the front gate will take you around the fortress for a free tour. Fortunately, we had our French Canadian friend with us to translate.
The kasbah has seen many changes over the centuries. It was once an Ottoman fort, a French fortress, a prison, etc. There are incredible views of the area from up here. We went at sunset and it was ideal.
Where to eat in El Kef
When you go to El Kef, you absolutely must eat at Chez Fatima. But the important thing to remember is that you need to make reservations in advance. Fatima is a kind woman who cooks delicious traditional meals in her home, so she needs to know how many people to cook for in advance. You can contact her on Instagram or call her: +21655020479.
If you’re unable to eat at Chez Fatima, a good local restaurant is Kachkech. You can get delicious, traditional meals at a simple restaurant. This may be one of your best meals along this Tunisia road trip.
Where to stay in El Kef
Because you are driving, it will not be difficult to find housing in El Kef. We stopped at several hotels on the main road entering El Kef to check prices and see what the places looked like. You have options both outside the city center and right in the center. The hotel below is the best we found.
Maison D’hôte Dar Saida
We stayed in this guesthouse and loved it. You can go to the rooftop to catch the sunset and have an amazing city view. The owners are a local married couple, and the guesthouse is cozy. They served a beautiful breakfast in the morning. They were very accommodating and helped us with everything we needed. Everything was within walking distance and we could find street parking easily.
Book NOW to stay in El Kef’s BEST guesthouse
📍Road Trip Day 3: El Kef – Subaytilah – Tozeur
- Total hours driving: 5 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 342 kilometers
- Overview: Today is a longer driving day, with a stop at one more ancient Roman village called Subaytilah. From there we’ll head to Tozeur, our first desert stop along our Tunisia road trip itinerary. You’ll spend 2 days in Tozeur and use it as a base to explore the area. If you’re a big Star Wars fan, make sure to read the Star Wars Filming Guide in Tunisia, as you may want to add some extra stops in this area.
Morning: Subaytilah
Subaytilah (or Sbeitla) is 2 hours south of El Kef, so make sure you leave in the morning to get an early start on the day. In Subaytilah, you can find the Byzantine ruins of Sufetula. Hundreds of years before the Byzantines arrived, it was a Roman state, and you can see the ruins of a Roman forum. The temples and forums here are very well preserved.
Afternoon/Evening: Tozeur
After visiting the Byzantine/Roman ruins of Subaytilah, head further south to Tozeur. The drive between the two cities is 3 hours so get your drinks and snacks prepared as you enter the desert on this long stretch of road.
Tozeur is one of the main cities of the deserts in Southern Tunisia. It’s the perfect place to base yourself to visit the surrounding area. You’ll be spending two nights in Tozeur on this Tunisia road trip.
What to do in Tozeur
The appeal of Tozeur is not so much what is inside the city, but what you can see outside of the city. That said, Tozeur has a covered market where you can find jalabas (desert clothing), carpets, pottery, etc. I purchased 2 carpets in Tozeur and I love them. The market is not inside the medina like it is in many Tunisian cities. The medina in Tozeur is mostly residential with a few shops.
The best place to visit inside the Tozeur Medina is a place called Café Berbère ⵜⴰⴱⴰⵔⵏⴻⵜ ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ (those characters are from the Berber script). At this cafe, you can relax after the long drive, have some mint tea with nuts, and try out the sheesha. There is a large outdoor patio, as well as a cute indoor space with a large window overlooking a palm tree garden.
Outside of Tozeur, you can visit several oases and Star Wars filming locations (on the itinerary for tomorrow).
Where to stay in Tozeur
Tozeur is one of the larger cities in the desert, so there are several options for sleeping. The center of Tozeur can be a bit hectic. We stayed outside the main city center in a quiet neighborhood because it had loads of parking, and it was just a 5-minute drive to the center.
Résidence El Arich
This is one of the more affordable options for hotels in Tozeur. You can park your car here, and it’s only a 5-minute drive from the town center. Breakfast is included.
BOOK NOW for your stay at this BUDGET hotel in Tozeur
Dar Yomma
This is an amazingly beautiful place to stay that feels like a retreat in the desert, while still being within walking distance to everything you need. There is an outdoor swimming pool and breakfast is included.
TREAT YOURSELF at this stunning desert oasis hotel
Dar Saida Beya
The Dar Saida Beya is pure luxury in the heart of the desert. There is a spa, hammam, restaurant, and lounge. Unfortunately, there is no parking on site. Breakfast is included.
BOOK NOW as rooms go FAST at the Dar Saida Beya
📍Road Trip Day 4: Tozeur – Mides Oasis – Chebika Oasis – Tamerza – Mos Espa – Lars Homestead (optional)
- Total hours driving: 4 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 237 kilometers
- Overview: Today our Tunisia road trip brings us a day of oases and deserts. First head to Mides Oasis, near the Algerian border. From there you’ll make your way back towards Tozeur with stops at the Chebika Oasis and Tamerza. Then loop around and head towards Mos Espa, which is one of the Star Wars film sets. If you still want more adventure, you can head further out to the Lars Homestead, another Star Wars filming location. End the night back in Tozeur.
Morning: Mides Oasis
The Mides Oasis is the closest you can get to the Algerian border in this area. The drive from Tozeur takes just over one hour. The main attraction at the Mides Oasis is the massive canyon that crosses through the area.
You can walk along the edge of the canyon and see its depths. There are vendors selling stones and Tuareg jewelry in this area, as well as a few cafes along the cliffs. You can also take a stroll through the date tree gardens.
You will see the remnants of the old town of Mides, which was relocated in 1969 after a massive flood passed through the region, destroying homes and killing many people.
You can spend 1-2 hours here.
Morning: Chebika Oasis
The Chebika Oasis is 30 minutes south of Mides along the same road. You will pass by Chebika on your way to Mides Oasis. Several viewing points along this road are worthy of a stop.
At the Chebika Oasis, you can find a big contrast between greenery and desert land. Once you park, you can walk the large loop that takes you through the entire area. You’ll first walk along a passageway with several green palm and date trees.
A river bed is running through this section, though we were told it hasn’t rained there for several years, so it’s all dried out. The rainy season here is December, January, and February. Keep following the path to reach a small waterfall and pond.
If you continue along the path, you’ll cross over a small river, and eventually start going uphill to the top of the mountain overlooking the entire oasis. Below this mountaintop, you’ll be able to look down and see the remnants of the old village of Chebika that was destroyed during the flood of 1969.
Continue along this loop and you’ll go right through the old village and end up back where you started at the parking lot. You can spend 1-2 hours here.
You don’t need a guide as you can walk the trail alone. But if you want, you can hire a local guide to provide extra information. There will most likely be someone to greet you in the parking lot to ask if you want a guide.
Afternoon: Tamerza (Tamaghza)
After Chebika, continue backtracking on the main road you took to reach the other oases. Tamaghza (or Tamerza) is 20 minutes south of Chebika. You can visit both the Tamerza Oasis and the Tamerza Cascade. The cascade is not that big, but it’s nice to see. If you’re keen, you can take a walk into the canyon as well.
In the parking area, there are several shops and a cafe. This is where I tried Berber pizza and juice from palm trees (not coconut juice), and they were both delicious. A great place to have a quick, good, and affordable lunch.
Late Afternoon: Mos Espa
After lunch near the Tamerza waterfall, we’re going to make a big loop around the salt flats, and head one hour away to Mos Espa, one of the Star Wars filming locations. There is a paved road all the way there, but you will be driving through the middle of the desert for the second half of the drive. Eventually, you’ll arrive at what feels like the middle of nowhere. The Mos Espa site was a filming location only and has no connection with Tunisian history or culture.
Mos Espa is a small village in the middle of the desert, made up of several small structures made of wood and what feels like thick paper mache. There are several men of business here, selling dolls, stones, toys, camel rides, and quad rides into the desert. They can be pushy, so you should be prepared for this.
One guy followed me around the site and even pushed me against his sitting camel to take a photo. I can only assume he would have asked for money to take the photo if my friend hadn’t rushed over and told him in French to leave me alone.
If you do want to go deeper into the Ong Jemal desert, then feel free to hire these guys on camels or quads to do just that. I wasn’t a huge Star Wars fan before going to Mos Espa, but I still really enjoyed seeing it.
Mos Espa Parking area
The parking area of Mos Espa is marked by short grey poles. The majority of these poles are either missing or broken, so it can be difficult to assess exactly where they are when leaving the parking area. For this reason, I accidentally hit one and damaged our rental car. Fortunately, we had rental car insurance so it worked out in the end.
Evening: (if time allows) Lars Homestead
If you feel tired at this point, just head back to Tozeur to relax for the evening. But if you’re looking for some more adventure, or you’re a Star Wars nerd, head next to the Lars Homestead.
The Lars Homestead is located just 25 minutes south of Mos Espa, along the edge of the Chott el Djerid salt flat. The Lars Homestead is where Shmi Skywalker lived when she remarried Lars, and where Luke Skywalker grew up with his aunt and uncle.
Night: Tozeur
Head back to your accommodation in Tozeur for the evening to relax and have dinner. Tomorrow you’ll cross the Chott el Djerid desert/salt flats.
📍Road Trip Day 5: Tozeur – Chott el Djerid – Sidi Idriss Hotel – Toujane
- Total hours driving: 3 hours and 45 minutes
- Total kilometers driven: 255 kilometers
- Overview: Today on the Tunisia road trip, we will leave Tozeur and cross the Chott el Djerid desert/salt flat, make a stop at the Sidi Idriss Hotel to see Luke Skywalker’s childhood home. Then you will spend the night in Toujane, an ancient Amazigh village.
Morning: Chott el Djerid
If you look on Google Maps, Chott el Djerid looks like a large blue lake. In reality, there is no water here. It is a large desert/salt flat. There is one main road that passes through the center of Chott el Djerid, connecting Tozeur and Douz. Along this highway, you’ll see many kitschy roadside attractions, such as hills of salt with international flags on them, or punny jokes.
I don’t suggest driving out into the smaller roads unless you have an SUV as it is possible to get stuck. It is an interesting drive across the desert. The day we went was cold, windy, and rainy, but we still enjoyed the adventure.
We stopped for lunch at a cute little food stand on the edge of Douz, called Le_Bon_Jour_12. It’s right off the main road, so you won’t be adding too much extra time to your drive.
Afternoon: Sidi Idriss Hotel
The Sidi Idriss Hotel is the location of the Lars Homestead interior from Star Wars, where Luke Skywalker grew up. Visitors are allowed to enter, even if they don’t plan to sleep at the hotel.
There are some gimmicky Star Wars decorations around but it’s cool to be able to look down into these old Troglodyte dwellings. If you’re a big Star Wars fan, you also have the option to sleep here for a night.
Evening: Toujane
For the sake of fitting more into this Tunisian road trip, we’re going to continue 35 minutes east from the Sidi Idriss Hotel to the town of Toujane. Toujane is a village built into the mountainside that was once occupied by Berber tribes. There was also significance during WWII, as it was a German-held village.
Where to stay in Toujane
There are not an abundance of hotel options, but there are a few locally-owned guest houses, so you have the opportunity to support the local people.
Dar Fatma Toujane
Here you can stay inside of the traditional Berber cave homes on the side of the mountain. This is an interesting cultural experience. Breakfast is included. The rooms are cozy, and there is a terrace that allows you to look out into the surrounding nature. Prices are very reasonable.
Stay in this traditional Berber home, BOOK NOW
Going to Tunisia soon? Get Ready at a glance:
Get travel medical insurance with SafeyWing.
Book your stay with Booking.com.
Check Flights with Skyscanner or Hopper.
Rent a car with RentalCars.com.
Download the Airalo app and get a Tunisian eSIM.
Take a tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Have a 1:1 consultation with me in advance!
📍Road Trip Day 6: Toujane – Ksar Hallouf – Ksar Hadada – Ghomrassen – Tatouine
- Total hours driving: 2 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 98 kilometers
- Overview: Day 6 of the Tunisia road trip is a day spent visiting ancient grain storage facilities (ghorfas) that were owned by the nomadic Berber people in the region. Many of these ksars (fortified structures) inspired the planet Tatooine in Star Wars. You’ll spend the night in the town of Tatouine, where you’ll stay for two nights. As you drive through the desert roads in this area, keep in mind that it is common for sand to blow over the roads. Sometimes there are large sand piles in the middle of the road, so stay alert.
Morning: Ksar Hallouf
Ksar Hallouf is only 45 minutes south of Toujane. This was the first ksar that I visited during my road trip in Tunisia, and I was completely in awe. Ksara Hallouf sits at the top of a small hill. There is parking at the top next to the entrance, which is completely free. When you walk in, you’ll find yourself inside a small village, surrounded on all side by the ghorfa structures, which the Berbers used to store grain.
There is a bathroom and a small cafe inside the area. These ghorfas have not been renovated like some in other areas, but they are still intact, and you can climb on them and go up the stairs. The day we arrived, it was windy and rainy, but when we went inside the structures, it was actually warm and completely blocked out the wind and cold. Plan to spend 30-60 minutes here.
Late Morning: Ksar Hadada Historic Ghorfa Village
Ksar Hadada is another ancient Berber grain storage site, however, this one is not free to enter. It costs 2 TND (0.60 USD) per person. The front half of Ksar Hadada has been renovated and the small rooms have been converted into a hotel. You don’t have to pay the 2 TND if you stay at the hotel.
There were several scenes from Star Wars filmed here, as it was the slave quarters on Planet Tatouine where Shmi and Anakin Skywalker lived. The area is quite large, and you’re free to wander around. The back half of Ksar Hadada looks older and is not renovated like the front section. There is a cafe and bathroom inside you can use. Plan to spend 45-60 minutes here.
Afternoon: Ghomrassen
Fifty minutes south of Ksar Hadada, you’ll find Ghomrassen. This is a small desert town in the governate of Tataouine. You can see remnants of an old village in and on top of the plateau at Ghomrassen Ancienne. If you’re feeling tired or not in the mood, this is the place you could skip and go directly to the town of Tataouine. It’s interesting, but not as cool as Ksar Hallouf and Ksar Hadada if I’m being honest.
Evening: Tataouine
Tataouine is the capital city of the governate of Tataouine and lies 30 minutes south of Ghomrassen. It is a great place to base yourself to see the surrounding area and monuments, but the town itself doesn’t have much to offer. It is dusty and the traffic gets pretty bad during rush hour.
Where to eat in Tataouine
We accidentally stumbled upon a place called Pizzeria Lela Meriem, that had the best chicken escalope I had in all of Tunisia. It is just a “fast food Tunisian restaurant,” but the food was fresh, delicious, and affordable.
Where to stay in Tataouine
The city of Tataouine is not beautiful. It is busy, chaotic, and dusty. We stayed in a family home just outside of the city center and loved it. I suggest staying outside of the center to have a calm and peaceful time.
Dar Ettawfik
This is a family-owned guesthouse outside the center of town. Make reservations in advance so they have time to prepare dinner for you. Tawfik and Karima have three children, and everyone is lovely and social. You will have an authentic experience here and have the chance to meet a lovely local family. There is parking inside the fence so your car will be safe. The family lives upstairs, and you will have the entire bottom apartment which includes a kitchen, bathroom, and several beds.
Have an authentic local experience and stay at Dar Ettawfik
📍Road Trip Day 7: Tatouine – Ksar Ouled Soltane – Douiret – Chenini – Tatouine
- Total hours driving: 2 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 100 kilometers
- Overview: This is another day spent around the governate of Tatouine, exploring more ksars and ancient Amazigh villages. You’ll return to Tatouine once more at the end of the day. The map below shows the itinerary for the day with each stop marked. There is also a shortcut between Ksar Ouled Soltane and Douiret, so you don’t have to return to Tataouine on the main roads. It is marked on the map.
Morning: Ksar Ouled Soltane
It only takes 30 minutes to reach Ksar Ouled Soltane from the town of Tataouine. Ksar Ouled Soltane is easily the coolest and best-preserved Berber ghorfa village that I have seen in all of Tunisia. You can park on the street next to the entrance.
When you first enter, you will see very tall ghorfas with stairs leading to the top that you can climb on. When you push through the large wooden doors, you will enter a massive courtyard, surrounded by tall ghorfa structures on all sides.
It is completely free to enter Ksar Ouled Soltane. There is a small Star Wars-themed cafe and a few guys selling paintings. We were the only tourists there so we had the place to ourselves, to look around and take photos. Expect to stay for at least an hour.
Late Morning: Douiret
To reach Douiret, head back north in the direction of Tataouine. There is a shortcut at Ksar Daghara, so you don’t need to return all the way to Tataouine. The turn for the shortcut in Ksar Daghara is at 32°50’47.2″N 10°28’34.3″E. After a couple of minutes, you’ll pass by the small Ksar Daghara. You can stop here if you want.
The small scenic detour ends at Ksar Ouled Debbab, which is another small ksar that you can make a quick stop at. Then continue southwest on the small road towards Douiret.
The area of Douiret is an ancient Berber village that was built on top of a hill. It is now mostly in ruins, but there is still a lot to see. You can climb on top of the rocks until you reach the peak, which has a small path in a circle with many small rooms off of it. The views of the surrounding nature is incredible from the top of Douiret.
Where to stay in Douiret
If you want to stay in an alternative location in this area, I suggest staying a night in Douiret. There are a couple of renovated hotels built into the side of the mountain from the old structures. It is a very peaceful place, and if you want something calm, this is a great place to stay to find silence.
BOOK NOW and stay in an ancient Berber village at Gîte Douiret or Chez Raouf
Afternoon: Chenini
To reach Chenini from Douiret, continue along the small road for about 30 minutes and drive through some incredible desert scenery. You do not need to return to Tatouine first like Google Maps will guide you to.
Chenini is an ancient Amazigh village that is built into the side of a mountain. It is very impressive. There is a white mosque at the top of the hill that is a newer addition to the town in the past few decades.
The entrance is free, and you can park anywhere you find a space. But be aware that the locals can be pushy about providing a guided service. It is your choice whether you want to use a guide or not, but know that they might be a little aggressive at first.
You can easily spend 1-2 hours here walking around. The town stretches around the sides of the winding mountain and there are several paths to walk on, views to see, and staircases to climb up. Chenini is one of the coolest desert villages along the Tunisia road trip.
Evening: Tatouine
After visiting the ancient Berber sites of this area, head back to Tatouine for the night. Enjoy dinner with the family at Dar Ettawfik, or around the Tataouine town center.
📍Road Trip Day 8: Tatouine – El Djem – Mahdia
- Total hours driving: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Total kilometers driven: 422 kilometers
- Overview: Today will be another long driving day as we head back north and leave the southern Tunisian deserts and land of Tataouine behind us. We’ll stop at the El Jem amphitheater and finish the day at our first coastal town of Mahdia.
Morning: El Djem
I suggest leaving Tataouine early in the morning as it is a 4-hour drive to El Djem (El Jem) Amphitheater. El Jem is the name of the town where this famous amphitheater resides. The town of El Jem doesn’t have much to offer, and the theater is the main attraction. It costs 12 TND (4 USD) to enter.
There is a free parking lot on the opposite side of the main entrance. Park your car and follow the restaurant-lined path to the entrance.
This amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was built in 238 AD by the Roman Empire, just over 300 years after the largest and most famous coliseum of Rome (built in 72 BC), which it was modeled after. El Jem is the largest amphitheater in North Africa and the second largest in the world.
If you mention on social media that El Jem is Roman, expect lots of pushback from internet warriors “informing” you that it is Carthaginian. This is despite all available information both online and on the site stating it is indeed Roman. The movie Gladiator was filmed here.
Where to eat in El Djem
There are several restaurants all around the perimeter of the amphitheater. Directly in front is a more expensive restaurant geared towards tourists, called Restaurant El Hana, with a great view of the amphitheater. If you’re looking for something more affordable, there are several Tunisian fast food restaurants all around the perimeter selling chapatis, mlawi, etc.
Afternoon/Evening: Mahdia
Mahdia lies 45 minutes northeast of El Djem, along Tunisia’s coastline. There are two parts of Mahdia: the newer hotels along the beach, and the old town inside the medina walls in a small peninsula. I suggest visiting the old part as it is much more cultural and interesting.
You can easily see the interesting parts of Mahdia within a few hours. Everything is easily walkable.
What to do in Mahdia
The main monument is the Skifa el Kahla which is the entrance to the old city. You can go up to the rooftop via the museum next door. From the terrace, you have a great view of the entire old city and the sea on 3 sides.
There is a path that goes around the perimeter of the peninsula. Along this path, you can see the ribat, the old cemetery, crumbling city walls, the peak at Cap Afrique, and the I ❤️ MAHDIA sign. Inside the medina, you can visit the many shops, restaurants, and the main mosque. There is a massive market on Fridays.
Read More: What to do in Mahdia
Where to stay in Mahdia
There are a few areas to stay in Mahdia. You can stay in the more modern beachy area to the north of the old town, or you can stay in the center of the old town. I think the small boutique hotels in the center are cute and worth it, especially if you have just one night here.
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. Free parking nearby.
Check rates and availability for this hotel in the Mahdia Medina HERE
📍Road Trip Day 9: Mahdia – Kairouan – Sousse
- Total hours driving: 2 hours 34 minutes
- Total kilometers driven: 157 kilometers
- Overview: We will start and end the day at a Tunisian coastal town, with a visit to a holy city in between. The total drive time is only 2.5 hours, but I suggest getting an early start if possible because there is a lot to see and do in Kairouan.
Morning: Kairouan
Kairouan is 1.5 hours to the west of Mahdia. It is Tunisia’s holiest city and the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. This is a city known for its handmade copper goods (trays, cups, etc.), as well as the filming location in Indiana Jones that was meant to represent Cairo.
What to do in Kairouan
You can see the majority of things to see in Kairouan in about 3-4 hours, including the basins, Grand Mosque, souk, etc.
Read More: What to do in a day in Kairouan
Afternoon/Evening: Sousse
After Kairouan, head back to the coastline. This time to Tunisia’s third largest city, Sousse. I spent one month in Sousse and got to know it pretty well. While it is a large city, the majority of things to see are in the old city walls and can be seen within a few hours.
What to do in Sousse
There are 2 great museums in Sousse, a large souk inside the medina, a beautiful ribat, and a walk along the sea, plus much more.
If you’re looking for a great meal, Restaurant Café Seles is Sousse’s top-rated place to eat. It is inside the medina, near the archaeological museum, with great views of the city walls and the old town.
Read more: What to do in Sousse
Where to stay in Sousse
There are two main areas to stay in Sousse- inside the medina in traditional guesthouses, or along the beach. Many of the beach hotels and resorts are further up north in the Khazema neighborhood. For just one night, I suggest staying in the Medina.
Résidence Le Monaco Sousse
This guesthouse is located directly on the beach with many rooms with a sea view. It is a short walk to the Medina and city center. The rooms are clean and spacious, and many rooms even have a kitchen. There is also a swimming pool.
Rooms go fast! Click here to book the Résidence Le Monaco Sousse ASAP!
Dar Badiaa
This guesthouse is located in the center of the Sousse Medina. It’s a perfect location to explore the area. It is inside a typical Tunisian home with amazing decorations and walls covered in tile. Breakfast is included.
Click HERE to check availability for the Dar Badiaa. Rooms go fast so book soon!
📍Road Trip Day 10: Sousse – Hammamet – Tunis
- Total hours driving: 2 hours
- Total kilometers driven: 162 kilometers
- Overview: This is the last day of the 10-day Tunisia road trip, but we’ll fill it with one more stop to Hammamet, Tunisia’s most touristed beach town. Then you will drive back to Tunis to return your Tunisian rental car at the Tunis-Carthage airport.
Morning: Hammamet
Hammamet is one of the most visited beach towns in Tunisia. Because of this, several hotels and restaurants cater to foreign guests. Many Tunisians also holiday here.
What to do in Hammamet
The majority of things to see in Hammamet can be found near the water surrounding the medina. You can take a walk along the coastline, visit the beach, have a mint tea on top of the ribat, or go shopping in the souk. can easily see everything in Hammamet in just a few hours.
Read More: What to do in Hammamet
Afternoon/Evening: Tunis
Once you’re ready to leave Hammamet, head back towards Tunis, Tunisia’s capital city. It is just a 50-minute drive if you’re able to avoid rush hour traffic in Tunis. Return your Tunisian rental car to the airport.
If you have a flight today, make sure to give yourself additional time at the airport to return your car just in case. If you have a few more days in Tunis, you can easily take a Bolt/yellow taxi to your Tunis accommodation.
Read More: Check out this complete guide for what to do in Tunis.
Extend your Road Trip to Tunisia
I tried to include all the major cities and sites to visit in this 10-day Tunisian road trip. However, if you have more than 10 days, you may want to extend your trip. If that’s the case, I suggest spending a few days on the island of Djerba. This island is famous for having a large Jewish population, as well as beautiful holiday hotels and guesthouses.
Beyond Djerba, I suggest these other Tunisia beach towns:
Read More: Tunisia’s 7 Best Beach Towns
If you’re looking for cities in the northern mountainous region, I suggest:
- Tabarka
- Ayn Darahim
- Bni Mtir
- Houichette Beach
- Zaghouan
- Zriba Olya ⵣⵔⵉⴱⴰ ⴰⵎⵇⵔⴰⵏ (ancient ksar)
- Takrouna (ancient village)
For more Tunisian desert locations, I suggest:
- Douze
- Matmata
- Medenine
- Jebil National Park
Renting a Car in Tunisia
I spent two months in the country, and the one week that we rented a car for a Tunisian road trip, was my favorite week. We had so much freedom to go where we wanted, see what we wanted, and spend as much or as little time as we wanted at each place.
I wish that we had more time because there is so much to see in Tunisia. Renting a car in Tunisia is well worth the money. I suggest using the company RentalCars.com as we had a really good experience with them.
Read more: The complete guide to renting a car in Tunisia in 2024
Tunisia Road Trip Tips
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while on your Tunisian road trip. We learned these tips along the way, but it would have been helpful to know them in advance to prepare ourselves.
- Get car insurance (it’s worth it)
- There are lots of potholes and some dirt roads along the path
- Many police checkpoints, but they usually waved us by
- Bring your passports (for checkpoints and hotels)
- Make sure you have cash. It’s not always easy to find an ATM in the south and many places will not accept credit cards.
- Nobody asked for my driver’s license and I was never asked for my international license
- It gets cold at night in the desert
- It can get rainy in the winter, so make sure to bring a rain jacket
- It’s hard to find alcohol– bring from the bigger cities if it matters to you (we found beer/wine in Carrefour in Tozeur)
- There is less fresh food the more south you, with not as many veggies
- Don’t go on sand without an off-road car
- Tunisians often straddle both lanes at once, not allowing you to pass them
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Road Trip Tunisia FAQs
If you still have a few more questions about the Tunisia road trip, you can find the answers below. These are many questions I received from friends and family, as well as others who were planning to visit Tunisia.
What is driving like in Tunisia?
Driving is safe, especially outside of the major cities. It can be a challenge to drive in the larger cities during rush hour as Tunisians don’t often use blinkers, and drive in the middle of the road, straddling both lanes at once. But once you are in the countryside and desert, driving is easy and safe. There are several checkpoints along the way.
Is it safe to rent a car in Tunisia?
Tunisia is very safe for tourists. There was a shooting in Sousse several years ago which has scared some of the tourism off, but it was an isolated incident. Tunisia felt incredibly safe and I would absolutely return to see more of the country. I felt comfortable and safe renting a car in Tunisia, especially because we had rental car insurance, which we ended up using.
Renting a car gives you so much freedom to move around as you wish. That said, if you don’t want to rent a car, then the next best option for traveling around Tunisia is to use a louage. It is a shared taxi van that departs as soon as it is full.
Read More: How to take a louage in Tunisia
Are solo female travelers safe in Tunisia?
Like any place in the world, safety is subjective. There are creepy men all over the entire world, and Tunisia is no exception. The majority of men that I encountered in Tunisia were respectful, kind, and considerate. However, in many of the coastal towns (Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, and Hammamet), I did receive certain levels of harassment, catcalls, obnoxious men who felt entitled to my time, and some men who followed me. It was nothing compared to Egypt or Morocco, but it did occur. That said, it wasn’t so bad that I wouldn’t return, because I would absolutely return to Tunisia again.
How many days are enough in Tunisia?
Even though Tunisia is a small country, there is so much to see and do. You can easily fill up a Tunisian itinerary of 3 days, 7 days, or 30 days. You just need to realize you can’t see everything, and prioritize what is most important to you. That said, you will be able to see a large chunk of the country if you follow this 10-day Tunisian road trip itinerary.
Is Tunisia worth visiting?
Big time, yes. Tunisia is now one of my favorite countries in the entire world after spending two months there in early 2024. The culture, language, food, people, etc. make this country worth visiting. I highly recommend a visit to Tunisia.
Do you need a visa to visit Tunisia?
Most nationalities do not need a visa to visit Tunisia. US citizens, along with citizens from 95 other countries do NOT need a visa to visit Tunisia for tourism purposes. You can stay for up to 90 days.
Read more: 21 Things to Know Before Visiting Tunisia
What is the best month to visit Tunisia?
If you’re looking for an affordable beach holiday, then the best time to visit is summer. That said, summer will also be more crowded with tourism which will also increase prices. I was in Tunisia for the end of winter and the beginning of spring. For the most part, the weather was great, especially in March and April. It was never too hot or too cold, and tourism did not feel overwhelming.
Tunisia Road Trip Final Thoughts
Doing a 7-day Tunisia road trip was my favorite week out of two months in Tunisia. I only wish I had more days to see more places. I tried to include all of the most interesting places in this 10-day itinerary so you get a very good variety of city, desert, beach, culture, etc. I really hope you’ll rent a car in Tunisia and have the time of your life, like I did.
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