Where to Stay in Tunis: Best Neighborhood Guide
Wondering where to stay in Tunis? This Tunis neighborhood guide will help you find your ideal location in Tunisia’s capital city.
I spent one month in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, in 2024, and I’m here to tell you about the best neighborhoods in the city. Because Tunisia is not a common tourist destination, it was more difficult to find information about it before I went. Because I was planning to stay for one entire month, I wanted to ensure I chose the right spot.
In this blog post, I’ll describe the vibe and what to do in each neighborhood, so you will have full confidence when choosing where to stay in Tunis. I will be discussing what to do and where to stay in these neighborhoods: The Tunis Medina, Centreville, La Marsa, Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, and La Goulette.
Short on time? Where to Stay in Tunis Map
Are you in a hurry and want to know the best places to stay in Tunis?
- La Marsa: Dar el Marsa Hotel & Spa
- Carthage: La Villa Didon
- Side Bou Said: Maison Dedine- Small Luxury Hotel
- La Goulette: La Gouletta
- Centreville: Radisson Hotel Tunis
- Medina of Tunis: Dar El Jeld Hotel &I Spa
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Where to Stay in Tunis
In this blog post, I’ll detail the vibe of each neighborhood, the best restaurants, what to do, and where to stay in Tunis. During my one month in Tunis, I explored the various neighborhoods of the country’s capital city quite a bit.
I stayed in the neighborhood of La Marsa which was perfect for my needs. I wanted to spend a month in a relaxing environment near the sea. But if you only have a few days in Tunis, you may want to stay closer to the center and/or the medina of Tunis.
Whatever your needs, I hope this blog post can help solve your big, burning question: Where should I stay in Tunis?
Read More: 25 Things to do in Tunis
Centreville
Centreville is the newer, more French-inspired part of Tunis. This area is located just a 10-15 minute drive from the airport. There are a ton of both local and European stores along the main road, such as Stradivarius, LC Waikiki, Bershka, etc. There are also several sidewalk cafes and restaurants along Av. Habib Bourgiba and Ave. de France.
Neighborhood Vibe
This area of Tunis feels like a place where people like to be seen. Restaurants and cafes are more expensive in this area. Many people stroll up and down the center path that lies between both sides of Avenue Habib Bourgiba with their European shopping bags. This area feels a mix of wealth and tradition.
What to do in Centreville
- Stroll along Habib Bourgiba Avenue
- Check the time at the Avenue Habib Bourguiba Clocktower
- Look up at the Cathedral of St Vincent
- Take a Photo with the I ❤️ TUNIS Sign
Where to Eat in Centreville
- Restaurant Neptune
- This local restaurant
One of my favorite local places to eat in the center only has a name in Arabic. You can find it on Google Maps here: Q5XG+5FW. You can get Lablebi for 5 TND, or a chicken plate with salad for 8 TND. It is just a half block from Cafeteria Ben Yedder. It looks like this:
Where to Stay in Centreville
Radisson Hotel Tunis
The Radisson experience you know and love, but this time in Tunis. There are air-conditioned rooms, a fitness center, free WiFi, a restaurant, and a bar. The property provides room service, luggage storage space, and currency exchange.
BOOK NOW to stay in the classy Radisson Hotel Tunis
Medina of Tunis
The Medina of Tunis is the old town that can be found inside the old city walls. The main entrance connecting the medina to Centreville is called Bab al Bahr. Here you’ll find a large fountain, some shops, and several cafes and restaurants. This is one of the best places to stay in Tunisia if you only have a few days.
Neighborhood Vibe
Go back in time as you wander the alleyways of the Tunis Medina. The vendors in the souk (market) expect you to haggle and negotiate prices, so don’t be afraid to jump right in and do what locals would do. On weekends, this area gets extremely crowded, but weekdays are pretty relaxed.
If you only have a few days or a weekend in Tunis, this is a great area to spend a lot of your time. Walking around the medina will feel like the most authentic Tunisian experience you can get in the capital city. It can get hectic at times, but it is nothing compared to Morocco or Egypt.
What to do in the Medina of Tunis
- Walk through the Bab al Bahr gate
- Have tea at an outdoor cafe near the Bab al Bahr gate
- Get lost in the alleyways of the Medina of Tunis
- Check out the views from the best rooftops
- Visit the Great Mosque
- See the Monument Place de la Kasbah
Where to Eat in the Medina of Tunis
- Many small restaurants inside the medina to try Tunisian street food.
There are several small restaurants inside the Medina where you can try local foods such as chevrette, mlawi, chapati, and maghloub, etc. These will have the most affordable prices, for around 6-8 TND per item. - Café des Turcs
- Cafe du Souk
- Dar el Jeld
We were told this was the best restaurant in all of Tunisia. It is inside a hotel in the center of Tunis. It also has a hammam (traditional spa). You need to make reservations a day or two in advance. They are closed on Sundays.
Reservations: +216 71 560 916.
The restaurant has specific hours:
Lunch: 12 pm – 3 pm
Dinner: 7 pm – 11 pm
Where to Stay in Medina of Tunis
Dar Ben Gacem Kahia
This hotel is in a traditional Tunisian home with a central courtyard and a rooftop terrace. Rooms are clean and modern. Breakfast is included. Beautiful design.
Stay in this traditional Tunisian home. BOOK HERE.
Dar El Jeld Hotel and Spa
This beautiful hotel has a garden, spa, terrace, bar, and restaurant. We were told that this is the best restaurant in all of Tunisia. It is located in a calm and peaceful part of the Medina.
Check availability for the best hotel in Tunis Medina. BOOK HERE
Auberge El Medina
This youth hostel is near the Tunis Medina. It is inside a traditional Tunisian home with beautiful tile decorations.
Check availability for this Youth Hostel near the Tunis Medina
Nomads Hostel
This is the most affordable youth hostel option in the city. There are private rooms and mixed dorm rooms. There is a garden and two rooftop terraces. It is 3.8 kilometers from downtown, so you’ll need to take a taxi to reach the center.
Book now for the most affordable hostel in Tunis
La Marsa
La Marsa lies along the coast, to the northeast of Centreville. There is a main center area where you can find several restaurants and street food vendors and a path that goes along the water. The beach will likely be within walking distance of anywhere you stay in La Marsa.
The last stop of the TGM (Tunis-Goulette-Marsa) train line is here, making it very easy and affordable to travel between the beach and the center.
Neighborhood Vibe
La Marsa is known to be the most “French” of all the Tunisian neighborhoods. While you can hear both Arabic and French around the entire city, I heard the most French spoken in La Marsa.
I felt like everything was close and accessible. The supermarket, shopping, restaurants, food, beach, transportation, etc. I easily found an affordable haircut and a manicure on my first day. Perhaps because of the French influence, La Marsa tends to be seen as one of the richer and more posh neighborhoods of the capital city.
I felt it was posh but humble. Pockets of tradition can be found within pockets of modernity.
Read More: 7 Best Tunisian Beach Towns
What to Do in La Marsa
- Relax at La Marsa Beach
- See the landscape at the at the Marsa Incredible View
- Get a Tattoo from Tunisia’s First Tattoo Shop
- Stroll along the boardwalk
Where to Eat in La Marsa
La Marsa has some of the best eatery options in the entire city.
Hipster Options
- North Shore Coffee and Snacks (coffee with a sea view)
- Ivy Coffee Shop & Restaurant (best western breakfast)
- Nanoosh (Lebanese and Syrian food)
- Au Bon Vieux Temps (Italian food and beer)
If you want to eat dinner here, you need to make a dinner reservation in advance (+216 71 749 060). There are Mostly Italian options. Plates tend to be on the more expensive side for Tunisia. Large beers cost 13 TND each, and a full meal was 40-50 TND.
Local Options
- Restaurant el Hana (food stand in the SafSaf area)
- El SafSaf (open-air restaurant with a camel inside)
- Oueld El bey (Excellent kafteji sandwiches)
- Lablebi Chez Hattab (Great kafteji and lablebi)
- La Dokkana House (seafood with a view)
Where to go out at night in La Marsa
Le Central Sports Bar
This is a good place to grab a beer and watch sports. It’s a large, modern-looking space. Not Tunisian style. There are several TVs all around the perimeter of the bar. You can sit at the bar or one of the many high-top tables. Most of the people here are men. I was 1 of 3 women in the entire bar that was full of men.
Tunisia allows smoking indoors, so there is a cloud of smoke hanging around everywhere you look. They have several beer options and many food options too. It’s a bit far from the beach. Take a taxi to reach this destination.
Where to Stay in La Marsa
Dar El Marsa Hotel & Spa
This hotel is perfectly located in the center of town. You can walk easily to the beach, the train station, or the restaurants. Many rooms have a sea view. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and a wellness center. Breakfast is included.
Check availability and BOOK this hotel in the perfect location.
Dar Corniche La Marsa (Adults Only)
This is the perfect location for a relaxing beach vacation. It is away from the center of La Marsa, but easily walkable to both La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said. Rooms are clean and modern with a sea view. There is a swimming pool and a rooftop terrace. Breakfast is included.
BOOK NOW for this beautiful seaside hotel in La Marsa.
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is perhaps one of the most well-known and most photographed neighborhoods of Tunis. The main part of the neighborhood sits on top of a cliff with views looking down over the ocean.
The buildings are white and blue which often brings the comparison to Greece (though Sidi Bou Said was one of the first cities to start this color trend). There is one main street that passes through Sidi Bou Said with several shops and overpriced restaurants.
Neighborhood Vibe
Sidi Bou Said is a cool place to visit for an afternoon, but I personally don’t think it’s an ideal location to stay. This is because it is extremely touristy every day of the week. We found the vendors in Sidi Bou Said to be far more aggressive than anywhere else in the city. I found Sidi Bou Said to be overrated and underwhelming.
Because it is such a popular hot spot for tourists and travelers, prices for nearly everything in Sidi Bou Said are exaggerated. Food is more expensive. Shopping is more expensive. Accommodation is more expensive. But if you’re looking for a luxury experience, then this could be the right spot for you.
What to Do in Sidi Bou Said
- Do Stand-Up Paddle at the Beach
- Check out the markets and shops selling souvenirs
- Have a meal with a view
Where to Eat in Sidi Bou Said
Because of Sidi Bou Said’s reputation and popularity among tourists, restaurant prices are elevated in this neighborhood. Here are the best restaurants to eat at in Sidi Bou Said:
- Café des Délices (great view overlooking the sea on the edge of a cliff)
- Hôtel Sidi Bou Said (have beers on the patio with an amazing view of the city)
- Dar Zarrouk (classic Tunisian dishes in the Sidi Bou Said center)
Where to Stay in Sidi Bou Said
Maison Dedine- Small Luxury Hotel
This is a beautiful boutique hotel right on the water in Sidi Bou Said, just two minutes from the beach. This small boutique hotel is stylish and beautiful, with great decor. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Check availability for this LUXURY HOTEL in Sidi Bou Said
Carthage
Carthage is the most historical area of the entire city. Within the center of the neighborhood, you’ll find remnants of a time past when the Carthage Empire reigned, and also when it was destroyed and taken over by the Romans. There are pockets of history hidden and spread out within the entire area.
Neighborhood Vibe
There are several large houses found within the Carthage neighborhood, as well as areas that feel much poorer. This is not a common area for tourists to stay overnight, as they generally visit the area just for a one-day visit. Because of this, there are fewer hotel options. However, there are a few private homes for rent.
I found that this area didn’t have much more to offer a visitor beyond its historical importance. We found a few good food options along the way, but it didn’t seem like a place to go out at night or meet for social gatherings.
What to Do in Carthage
Visit these sites within the Carthage archaeological zone:
- Amphitheatre
- Villas Romaines
- Theatre Romain
- Tophet de Salambo
- Thermes d’Antonin
Read More: The Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary in Carthage Tunisia
Where to Eat in Carthage
Where to Stay in Carthage
La Villa Didon
This is a private 3-bedroom apartment within the Carthage area of Tunis. There is free parking onsite. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen. It’s conveniently located near several archaeological sites and is a great place to stay if you plan to spend a lot of time going back in history.
Book now to stay at La Villa Didon in the center of Carthage.
La Goulette
La Goulette is another one of Tunis’ coastal neighborhoods. It is not as posh as La Marsa, or well-known as Sidi Bou Said, but it does have a certain charm. There is one main street that runs parallel to the sea. Along that street, you can find several seafood restaurants and cafes.
Neighborhood Vibe
Walking around La Goulette, I get the impression that it was once a favorite beachside holiday destination, but its glory days have passed. Many of the buildings and structures along the beach feel old and crumbling, in need of paint jobs and love.
That said, I also really liked La Goulette. It feels like an underrated neighborhood in Tunis with an alternative vibe. If you’re looking for a more local experience, this would be a good place to find that.
There is not a whole lot going on here except seaside cafes, the divey Rock’n’Rolla bar, and a great “underground” (but on the second story) club called O Club La Goulette. Going to O Club was honestly one of my favorite experiences in Tunis. My good Tunisian friend took us to see the great Tunisian band, Gultrah Sound System, live.
What to Do in La Goulette
- Stroll along the boardwalk
- Have some local seafood at one of the many restaurants
- Get a tan at the La Goulette Plage
Where to Eat in La Goulette
La Goulette is full of well-known seafood restaurants and cafes. Here are the places where I ate, or that were suggested to me by my local friends:
Where to go out at night in La Goulette
O Club La Goulette
My local friend brought me here for one of my best nights in Tunis. It’s an above-ground ‘underground’ club. They have live music very often. The night I went, there was a famous Tunisian artist named Gultrah Sound System.
If you go before 10 pm, it costs 10 TND to enter ($3). If you go after 10 pm, it costs 20 TND ($6). This is one of the best things to do in Tunis at night. But you should be aware that smoking is allowed indoors here and you will smell like smoke afterwards.
Rock n Rolla La Goulette
This is a Western-style dive bar. You can get alcoholic drinks here but expect a lot of smoke.
Where to Stay in La Goulette
La Gouletta
This is a private 1-bedroom apartment in the center of La Goulette, just a few minutes walk to the sea. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen and 1 bathroom.
Stay in this private apartment in La Gouletta near the sea.
Best Time To Visit Tunisia
The best time to visit any place is during the shoulder seasons. Tunisia is no different. January and February will be quite rainy in Tunisia, especially in the capital city. July and August will be extremely hot, not to mention crowded with beach-goers. Because of the increased tourism, prices will also inflate along with the tourists.
Therefore, the best times to visit Tunisia are April-May and September-October. The weather will still be nice during those months, but you won’t be overwhelmed with the number of other foreign visitors.
I arrived to Tunisia in early February. I needed a warmer coat in the evenings, and it rained quite a lot. But during the day, the weather felt very moderate. I left Tunisia in early April. By the time I left, the weather was hot, enough to wear shorts to the beach.
Read More: Tunisia Road Trip: The BEST 10-Day Driving Itinerary
Getting Around Tunis
Before going to Tunisia, my Tunisian friends warned me that it’s a very car-centric country. I was told more than once I should rent a car for the entire two months. This was hyperbolic and absolutely not necessary. We were able to easily get around Tunis using public transportation: taxi, Bolt, walking, TGM train, etc.
However, if you plan to leave the capital city often, or do a Tunisian road trip, then I do suggest renting a car. It is worth it.
Read More: Ultimate Guide for Renting a Car in Tunisia
Use a taxi or Bolt
You can flag a yellow taxi, or use the Bolt app (like Uber). Bolt drivers are taxi drivers, but it can be easy if you need to get picked up at a specific place and/or dropped off at a specific place. Bolts tend to be slightly more expensive than the meter, but not by much. If you don’t want to use a Bolt, insist that the driver use the meter.
For the most part, taxi drivers will automatically turn on the meter and charge you the real price. In areas that are a bit more touristy, taxi drivers will tell you a price several times more expensive than it should be and pretend their meter is broken. Insist on the meter, or go to the next taxi.
Walk
Tunis is a walkable city in certain parts. You can easily walk around Centreville and see everything in that area. However, it would be impossible to walk from Centre Ville to La Marsa, for example.
It is easier to walk more if you’re staying in the eastern neighborhoods along the coast. I walked several times between La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said, for example. You could also walk between Carthage and La Goulette.
Metro
Six metro lines pass through the center of town. While they are called a ‘metro,’ they are more like a light rail system, as they are above ground. The payment system is a bit unclear to ride the metro. I never saw a ticket counter.
The cars also get super packed, so make sure you have a hold of your belongings. I had my phone out on the platform and someone told me to be careful or it would get stolen. I’ve heard that someone comes around to check tickets every once in a while, but I never saw that happen. If you get caught without a ticket, the fee is 20 TND (7 USD).
Train (TGM)
The TGM train line runs between Centreville and La Marsa, making several stops including Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, and La Goulette. It’s important to note that the TGM is currently under construction between the stops of Khereddine and Le Casino.
This means that you’ll have to get off at that stop, walk to the next station, and get back on to continue your journey. From end to end, the journey takes about 40 minutes.
Read More: 31 Things to Do in Tunisia
Day Trips from Tunis
Tunisia is not a big country which makes day trips an easy and valuable experience. There are several great destinations from Tunis within just an hour or two, sometimes even less. If you don’t have a car, the best way to travel around Tunisia is via a loauge.
Read More: How to Take a Louage in Tunisia
Bizerte/Ras Angela
Bizerte is the most northern city of Tunisia, located just under one hour from the country’s capital. We found the best prices on hand-painted pottery here. The city center is easy to navigate as wander into the market, old medina walls, and old port where you can have a coffee with a great view.
Thirty minutes north of Bizerte is Ras Angela, the most northern point on the entire African continent. You will need a car to reach Ras Angela as there is no public transportation that will bring you to this point. Ras Angela was one of my favorite places to visit in Tunisia.
Hammamet
Hammamet is just 50 minutes south of Tunis in the Nabeul Peninsula, along the water. It’s a popular beach destination. There are a ton of restaurant options, shopping, cafes, beaches, and tourist attractions. It’s the most popular beach destination in Tunisia, but my personal least favorite.
Read More: 20 Things to Do in Hammamet
Hergla
Hergla is a small coastal town far off the beaten path. It’s known for its goods made from Halfa grass. There is a beautiful walkway along the sea. It’s the perfect place to come to escape the crowds.
Read More: What to See and Do in Hergla
Sousse
Sousse is Tunisia’s third-largest city and one of the top beach destinations in Tunisia. You can reach Sousse easily by louage or train, and it takes about 3 hours. Even though it is the 3rd largest city, you can easily see the majority of attractions inside the medina within one day. The entire length of the city is along the coastline.
Read More: 21 Things to do in Sousse
Kairouan
Kairouan is Tunisia’s ‘holiest’ city and is famous for carpets, scenes from Indiana Jones, and makdroudh (a Tunisian sweet). There are a number of things to see in Kairouan, and you can easily see the majority of attractions in one day.
Read More: 13 Things to Do in Kairouan
Where to Stay in Tunis FAQs
Have more questions about where to stay in Tunis? I got you covered.
How many days should I stay in Tunis?
I believe you can see the majority of interesting things to do in Tunis in three days. Spend the first day visiting Centreville and the Medina of Tunis. Spend the second day visiting the Carthage archaeological site and the Bardo Museum (one of the best things to do in Tunis). On the third day, you can visit the coastal neighborhoods of Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa.
If you have more days to spare, then you will have a more relaxed visit without feeling pressure to see so much on the same day. But if you’re limited on time, I believe you can see quite a lot in just 3 days in Tunis.
Where do tourists stay in Tunis?
The majority of tourists stay in/near the Medina of Tunis or in Sidi Bou Said. As you walk around those areas, you will see how there are more foreigners in these areas. Some tourists stay in La Marsa (like me!), but not as much in Sidi Bou Said and the Medina of Tunis.
Is Tunis walkable?
Each separate neighborhood is walkable within itself. Some neighborhoods connect easily enough by foot, but it is not possible to walk from one side of the city to the other.
For example, it is easy to walk between Medina and Centreville, but you cannot walk from Centreville to La Marsa. Likewise, it is easy to walk between La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said, but you cannot walk from there to the Medina.
Is Tunis worth visiting?
Yes, Tunis is very worth visiting. In my opinion, Tunis is one of the coolest capital cities I’ve ever been to. It is not overrun by tourists like in places such as Paris or Barcelona, so walking around the city feels like a very genuine and authentic experience.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Tunis
I hope this article about where to stay in Tunis was helpful, and that you now have a better idea of the main neighborhoods of Tunis and what they’re like. Regardless of where you decide to stay in Tunis, I guarantee you will have a great time. You have good food, great people, beaches, shopping, and fun to look forward to.
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