D1–D2 Tunis and surrounding areas → D3 Sousse → D4 Kairouan → D5 Dougga → D6 Matmata and Djerba → D7 Tozeur and return. The northern and central sections are connected by train and louage minibuses, while the southern desert section is recommended for private car hire or joining a tour.
Enter the city from Tunis-Carthage International Airport and start with a visit to the Medina of Tunis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site): it fully reflects the traditional layout of an Arab city, with narrow alleys connecting the Great Mosque of Zitouna, the Souk, and numerous workshops where you can buy copperware, carpets, pottery, and spices. In the evening, take a stroll along Avenue Habib Bourguiba to feel the boundary between the new and old parts of the city.
In the morning, visit the Bardo Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Roman mosaics, notably the floor mosaic themed “Neptune Triumphant.” In the afternoon, take the TGM suburban train to the ruins of Carthage (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to explore the historical layers of the Phoenicians, Hannibal, and the Romans. In the evening, head to nearby Sidi Bou Said, where blue-and-white houses and the bay sunset create one of Tunisia’s most iconic scenes.
Take a train south to Sousse (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a coastal city that combines a medina old town, a ribat (Islamic fortification), and long sandy beaches. Visit the excellent mosaics at the Sousse Archaeological Museum, then wander freely between the old-town market and seaside promenade to enjoy the blend of vacation vibes and local life.
Depart from Sousse to inland Kairouan (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the birthplace of Islam in the Maghreb. Visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan (also known as the Mosque of Uqba), whose square minaret and colonnaded courtyard are classic examples of North African mosque architecture. Also see the Aghlabid Basins and the Mosque of the Three Gates, as well as craft workshops famous for their carpets.
Head to Dougga (El Jem) to see the grand Roman amphitheater (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators and is the third-largest Roman amphitheater in the world after the Colosseum in Rome and the Amphitheatre of Capua. It is remarkably well preserved, and standing in the stands gives you a sense of the scale and acoustics of ancient Rome.
Travel south into Matmata to visit cave dwellings (underground courtyard-style homes of the Berbers)—this area was also a filming location for the home planet of Tatooine in Star Wars. You can also stay in a cave hotel. Continue south to Djerba, the gateway to the Sahara, where you can experience camel rides and watch the sunset over the dunes, or join 4x4 desert tours and overnight camp experiences.
Head to Tozeur to see the crystallized salt surface and mirages of Chott el Jerid, the vast salt lake. The date palm oases and mountainous green spots offer unique scenery, and there are also remnants of Star Wars filming locations nearby. Later, depart from Tozeur or return to Tunis to catch your flight. The southern desert section has challenging road conditions and changeable weather—private car hire or joining a tour is strongly advised.