Tunis

Tunis is Tunisia's capital and largest city, a Mediterranean hub where a centuries-old medina, French colonial avenues and modern business districts sit side by side. Overlooking the shallow Lake of Tunis and the Gulf of Tunis, the city forms the core of a wider metropolitan area and serves as the country's political, economic and cultural centre.

The historic medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, is the heart of old Tunis, with its souks, mosques, palaces and the landmark Zitouna Mosque. Nearby, the Bardo National Museum holds one of the world's most important collections of Roman mosaics, while the ruins of ancient Carthage and the blue-and-white coastal village of Sidi Bou Said lie just to the northeast.

Central Tunis spreads out from Avenue Habib Bourguiba, a tree-lined boulevard framed by French colonial architecture, cafés and the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul. To the north, the residential suburbs of La Marsa, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said offer a quieter, seaside atmosphere, while newer districts such as Berges du Lac concentrate hotels, offices and embassies.

As the seat of government and a regional business hub, Tunis hosts major conferences, regional offices and a growing start-up scene. Its food culture ranges from street staples such as brik, lablabi and harissa-spiced dishes to fresh seafood in La Goulette and French-influenced cafés and patisseries.

For travellers, Tunis works equally well as a short city break and as a base for exploring Carthage, the northern coast and the rest of Tunisia, with direct airport links and a compact, walkable historic core.