6 days in Tunisia in winter: a comprehensive guide

Tunisia was not really high on my list, but I had some free time and it was such an easy task to plan 6 days in Tunisia in winter for a quick trip.

As i get a lot of questions, mainly from women travelling solo, whether it’s worth or safe to travel to Tunisia, I prepared a comprehensive guide to help you plan a trip for 6 days in Tunisia in winter. Unlike Egypt, Tunisia was much easier to plan and visit hassle free.

Is it worth visiting Tunisia in winter?

That depends what you want to do. Tunisia in winter is a lovely destination. However, if you are mostly interested in the beach and swimming, winter might not be the best time unless you go very south, like Djerba, where the chances of warm weather are better. However, I’d say that you shouldn’t expect scorching weather, but something around 20C. For me, that’s way too cold for a swim.

However, if you are more interested in sightseeing, culture and historical places, winter is a great time. The prices of hotels are lower and there are no crowds.

I also know what summer feels like in this area, and believe me, it can be unbearable.

Is it safe to travel to Tunisia as a solo woman?

I think it is very safe for women to travel to Tunisia solo. Actually, the reason I chose Tunisia for that trip was the fact that I wanted a calm holiday without a hassle since my husband or nobody else could join me. I did a lot of research, abd Tunisia ticked most of the boxes. You might want to verify it for yourself, but I was informed that harassing tourists in punishable by law in Tunisia since tourism brings one of the biggest incomes to the country.

That being said, I felt very safe in Tunisia walking alone on the beach and in the cities. Not a single time I was catcalled or harasses in any way. People are so friendly and kind. Often, I had a nice chat with the locals and on markets. They would offer their products, smile, asked to enter theirs hop etc., but once I declined, they just smiled, thanked me or sometimes looked disappointed (which is understandable). Perhaps, sellers in Tunisia in winter are a bit more desperate to get customers as foreigners are more rare.

How to travel around Tunisia

Traveling around Tunisia in winter (or in summer, I guess) is relatively straightforward, especially for tourists on an itinerary like mine, which covers key cities and regions like Tunis, Gamrath, Sidi Bou Said, and Hammamet. I did a lot of research beforehand and during my visit I realized that Tunisia is a quite easy country to travel around. While I only travelled using prebooked drivers, taxis or tours, from what I’ve heard from others, public transportation is super convenient too.

Here are the options of transportation in Tunisia:

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in Tunisia, especially in cities like Tunis and Hammamet. They are an affordable option for getting from one place to another, and you can easily hail one from the street or ask your hotel to arrange one. In larger cities, you’ll also find shared taxis (called “louages”), which are slightly cheaper and can take multiple passengers heading in the same direction (but I would not choose it to ride with random people).

Tips for taxis:

Ensure the driver uses the meter, or agree on the fare before you get in.
For longer distances (like from Tunis to Hammamet), it’s recommended to arrange a taxi through your hotel or transfer websites to ensure fair pricing. This is what I did.

Louages (shared taxis)

Louages are shared taxis that operate along fixed routes between cities. They are a popular and inexpensive way to travel between major destinations. For example, you can take a louage from Tunis to Hammamet or from Tunis to Sidi Bou Said. They are efficient and affordable but may not be the most comfortable for those seeking privacy. I did not try this option myself, so cannot comment really on its safety, efficiency or comfort, but I’ve heard that it’s not bad.

Tips for louages:

Louages generally depart when full, which could mean a bit of waiting time.
It’s a good idea to check with locals or your hotel for the most reliable departure points.

Buses and trains

The cheapest option would be using buses and trains. The national bus service (SNTRI) and the Tunisian Railways (SNCFT) operate routes that connect various cities, including Tunis, Sidi Bou Said, and Hammamet. Trains tend to be more comfortable and reliable compared to buses, but bus routes are more extensive in rural areas, such as to Gamrath. Apparently, the trains are quite good in Tunisia, so if I had more time, probably I would had chosen this option.

Trains from Tunis to Hammamet or Sidi Bou Said are frequent, with stops in major towns along the way.
Intercity buses can be a great option if you are on a tighter budget and looking to explore more off-the-beaten-path locations.

Car rentals

I love road trip, so renting a car is a frequent thing for me when travelling, however, I wanted to have a hassle free trip and chose comfort this time.

Renting a car gives a lot of freedom in Tunisia. Roads are generally in good condition, and driving in the more urban areas (like Tunis or Hammamet) is manageable. However, be mindful of traffic, especially in Tunis, where it can be quite hectic.

Tips for car rentals:

Book your rental car in advance through international agencies (I love Discover Cars) or local agencies in Tunisia.
Ensure you have an international driving permit if required, though many rental agencies accept a regular driver’s license.
Check your car for damages before you leave the rental agency to avoid being held responsible for pre-existing issues (see my horror car rental story and learn from my mistakes).

Private tours

If you prefer convenience and local expertise, consider booking private tours for specific parts of your itinerary. Many tour operators in Tunisia offer day trips to places like Sidi Bou Said or Hammamet, including transportation, guides, and sometimes even meals. This can be a hassle-free way to enjoy the sights without worrying about navigation or transportation logistics.

Tips for private tours:

Look for reviews or ask your hotel for recommendations for trusted tour operators. I booked mine through GetYourGuide.
Private tours can be more expensive, but they often include expert guides who can help your understanding of the local culture and history. Sometimes, it’s a hit or miss, though.

What to see in Tunisia in winter in 6 days

Even though beach and suntanning is not really that doable, there’s plenty to see and do in Tunisia in winter (even when you travel solo, like me).

Here are the main places I visited during my 6-day trip to Tunisia in winter.

Hammamet

I started my trip from visiting Hammamet first, as it was the furthers destination on my itinerary. To save time, I preordered a transfer from the airport in Tunis to Hammamet. It’s not that far, maybe just over an hour of driving.

a popular coastal town located about an hour and a half from Tunis. Hammamet is famous for its long sandy beaches, clear waters, and lush gardens. Although it is a well-known summer destination, visiting Hammamet in winter offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, with fewer tourists and milder temperatures.

Start by exploring the old medina of Hammamet, a maze of narrow alleyways and whitewashed buildings, decorated with intricate blue and green doors. The medina is home to traditional shops selling local handicrafts, textiles, and ceramics. While here, make sure to stop by the Kasbah, a fortress that overlooks the bay and offers a panoramic view of the town and the Mediterranean Sea.

Kairouan holy city and El Jem

From Hammamet I took a day tour to two places that I really worth visiting: holy city of Kairouan and El Jem. I especially like the old amphitheatre in El Jem. On top of it was nearly empty, so I could enjoy it nearly all to myself.

Gamrath

Gamrath is a place of upscale hotels and beautiful beaches. This is a place where you can relax and have long beach walks, even in winter.

Abou Sidi Bou

This small town will steal your heart. It resembles Greek islands like Mykonos or Santorini (just a bit), so a trip to Tunisia cannot be without it. I stayed in Abou Sidi Bou for two nights, even though you don’t need more than a couple of hours there.

It is so picturesque and colourful that for me, it was a perfect base for day trips to Tunis and Carthage rather than the other way round.

Just stroll the nain street, visit the museums (that are located inside the historical houses, where people still live, actually) and chill in cafes. Tgere are a few very nice ones with terraces and are perfect for people watching. Even though it is such atouristic place, the food is nice and the staff lovely.

The only thing that was bothering, were massive tourist buses of organised groups.

If I could only give you one tip for this town, is to stay in this hotel. See the coffee photo below? That was from my window. I loved this boutique hotel so much. They gave me fresh fruit every day and unlimited coffee in my room. The views of sunsets were just breathtaking, not to mention their terrace, pool and just the whole decor in the hotel.

Tunis

In winter, Tunis offers a unique charm, with its historic sites often less crowded, allowing you to have a more serene experience. You can visit the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its narrow streets, vibrant souks, and landmarks like the Zitouna Mosque.

The Bardo Museum, home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Roman mosaics, is another must-see. To get from Sidi Bou Said or Carthage to central Tunis (or vice versa), you can take a taxi, which should take about 20-30 minutes, or use the TGM (Tunis-Goulette-Marsa) light rail, which is a scenic, inexpensive route into the heart of the city.

Carthage

Carthage you can easly visit from Abou Sidi Bou or Tunis. As I stayed in Abou Sidi Bou, I took a taxi to Carthage and walked to all the places or ordered a ride if there were to far apart or the walk was along a busy road. I also hired a guide in one of the sites to support them.

Carthage is a stop on most of the day trips from Tunis or Hammamet and it shouldn’t be missed.

I’m glad I visited Tunisia in winter. As Carthage is one of the most popular places in Tunisia, I’m sure it’s super crowded in summer months.

Money matters

While you can pay by card in many places, cash is still useful in Tunisia for taxis, markets, in small restaurants.

Make sure you spend all your local cash before going to the airport. I had plenty cash left and hoped to use it on a souvenir or even coffee at the airport, but I was told they only accept cards or Euros and Dollars.

See also:

Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Travel Payouts is my favourite platform for monetizing the blog.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Klook for all sorts of bookings- offers discounts.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money. You can even save 50%.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.