Busy streets, tiled courtyards, and the sound of café chatter shape Tunis, a capital where daily life plays out against a long historical backdrop. Set along the Mediterranean, the city shifts quickly from the maze-like Medina to wide, European-style boulevards and quieter coastal corners. You can spend the morning meandering through market lanes, pause for a coffee in the shade, and by afternoon you’re looking out over the sea. Tunis is an ideal destination if you like places that feel lived in and where history is embedded within the everyday hustle and bustle.

1. Wander Tunis’ Medina

The Medina is the heart of the city and a UNESCO-listed site filled with narrow alleys, hidden courtyards and centuries-old buildings. It’s dense and full of movement. As you walk through, you’ll pass mosques, madrasas and traditional houses tucked behind carved wooden doors. Spice-scented souks line the streets, creating a lively atmosphere that’s ideal for hunting down eye-catching trinkets, from metal lamps and leather goods to folded textiles and ceramics. You’ll hear shopkeepers calling out as haggling happens, while the scent of cumin and grilled food hangs in the air. It’s easy to lose your sense of direction, but that’s all part of the experience.

2. Visit Carthage and the Bardo Museum

A short drive out of the centre takes you to Carthage, where ruins sit scattered across open ground overlooking the sea. Unleash your inner archaeologist as you can walk between the remains of Roman baths and columns, with the coastline never far from view. Back in the city, the Bardo Museum offers a quieter contrast. Inside, detailed mosaics fill entire walls and floors, showing scenes of daily life, mythology and nature from centuries ago.

3. Tuck into the local food and café culture

Food in Tunis is simple but full of flavour. You might start with brik, a crisp pastry that breaks open to reveal a soft egg and tuna filling, or a plate of couscous topped with vegetables and slow-cooked meat. Harissa, a hot chilli paste, adds heat to a bunch of local dishes, while fresh bread is always close at hand. Cafés stay busy throughout the day and you’ll see locals gathering over strong coffee or mint tea, often lingering long after the cups are empty.