
Monument visits in Hammamet
Full-day Carthage ruins and Sidi Bou Said tour from Hammamet
Swap the beach and lounger for a day in the world of legends, political power struggles and ancient rivalries as you travel through the heart of Tunisia's historic north coast. After being picked up from your hotel, you'll head straight to the ancient ruins of Carthage, where mighty generals, Roman emperors and Phoenician traders once shaped the Mediterranean world. As local guide Sami, puts it, “Carthage is much more than a ruin – every stone here tells the story of empires, ambition and survival.” As you look around the Baths of Antoninus, the amphitheatre and the mysterious Tophet, your expert guide will share centuries-old stories of the region. Top of that pile is the tale about legendary leader of Carthage, Hannibal, who crossed the Alps with a fleet of war elephants to invade Rome. These scattered ruins come with incredible sea views, so take time to pause and look out to the Mediterranean over the stone courtyards and tumble-down columns. After exploring the ancient ruins of Carthage, settle in for a relaxed local lunch before continuing to Sidi Bou Said. Perched high above the Bay of Tunis, this clifftop village is famous for its bright whitewashed walls, cobalt-blue shutters and laidback café culture. Use your free time here to lose yourself in winding streets lined with bougainvillea, browse artisan shops or sip mint tea while overlooking the sparkling coastline. From the ruins of ancient Carthage to a 20th-century, insta-friendly village, this tour beautifully shows off Tunisia's balance of old and new.
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Ancient Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and Bardo Museum tour with lunch
Carthage was the capital of ancient Rome's greatest rival and the site of a titanic clash of civilisations. Today, its ruins bear testament to Rome's ultimate victory, as you'll discover during this tour, which also takes in Sidi Bou Said and a stop at the Bardo Museum. Mariam, one of our expert local guides, says "a good place to get your bearings in ancient Carthage is Byrsa Hill. It's a bit of a climb but the view over the archaeological site, the city and the bay are absolutely worth it."You'll start the morning with a visit to the Bardo Museum, home to a magnificent collection of mosaics recovered from Roman villas across the region. Then, it's off to Carthage. Under renowned military leaders such as Hannibal, this site was one of the greatest powers of the classical world. Exploring with a guide gives you the historical background and the local perspective on the story of Carthage. Begin with a panoramic view of the Amphitheatre of Carthage, before continuing to Byrsa Hill, the ancient heart of the Punic city – this is where you'll catch those epic views Mariam mentioned. Then, it's on to see the Baths of Antoninus, which were among the largest thermal baths in the Roman Empire.After a traditional Tunisian lunch, you'll visit Sidi Bou Said, a clifftop village of cobbled alleys, whitewashed houses and famous sky-blue doors and window shutters. The blue and white colour scheme has echoes of the Greek islands, and contrasts with the Mediterranean Sea beyond. You'll discover the village's history and find out why so many artists have been inspired by it over the years. What is the itinerary for this experience? The itinerary for this experience is... - 7:20am – departure from the first hotel - 10:00am – arrival at the Carthage archaeological site - 12:30pm – lunch - 3:00pm – visit to the village of Sidi Bou Said - 4:30pm – departure from Tunis to Hammamet - 6:00pm – return to the last hotels Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day
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Tunisian Sahara two-day tour of Hollywood film hotspots
Imagine a place where the sands of the desert have been touched by the magic of Hollywood stardust. You've found it with this two-day tour, which'll show you some of Tunisia's most famous film locations. You'll visit a Roman amphitheatre, explore underground cave homes, cross a vast salt lake and discover a legendary film set on the fringes of the Sahara. Hamdi, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Between Matmata and Douz, there are endless "ergs" – sand dunes – in the restless desert. This desert is not a dead entity, it's even cultivated in places by those who inhabit it. The sands come alive according to the seasons.'Embark on your sandy adventure at El Djem Amphitheatre. One of the best-preserved Roman arenas in the world, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was featured in Gladiator and once held crowds of 35,000 spectators for gladiatorial contests. You'll then head to Matmata, where you'll have lunch and visit the underground cave homes that starred as Luke Skywalker's home in the Star Wars saga. Finish the day in the oasis town of Douz, known as the gateway to the Sahara, for an overnight stay. This is a great spot to take an optional camel or carriage ride in the desert.After breakfast, you'll cross Chott el Jerid, Tunisia's largest salt lake, where shimmering white salt crystals create a surreal landscape. Then, jump into a 4x4 for a ride to Onk Jemal, where you'll discover the Star Wars film set city still standing among the desert dunes. After lunch in Gafsa, you'll round off the tour with a photo stop overlooking Kairouan's Great Mosque, where you can admire the distinctive skyline of one of Islam's holiest cities.
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El Jem Colosseum Tour with Pirate Boat Cruise
Prepare for an adventure that takes in Tunisia's Roman roots and pirate past. You'll visit an amphitheatre to rival that of Rome with a tour of El Jem – an ancient colosseum where gladiator games once took place. Then, take to the waves for a swashbuckling afternoon at sea that includes swim stops, lunch and snacks aboard a replica pirate galley.This UNESCO World-Heritage site of El Jem is soaked in history. You'll be captivated by its stone-cut walls, fine-tuned archways and three-floor facade, a testament of glory to what was the Roman Empire. Take a seat in the age-old stadium and admire the arena below, just like they did in times gone by.Then, we'll cast off from Monastir harbour into the Mediterranean, just as the Barbary pirates did for centuries. But while they struck fear into European coastal communities as far afield as Iceland, we'll be going out to have wholehearted fun. There'll be stops to dive into the sea for swimming and plenty of time to dry off on-board while chillin' with water drinks and munching on snacks.
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Kairouan Holy City and El Jem tour from Hammamet
Kairouan's old town echoes Tunisia's past, with a peaceful air that hasn't changed much in centuries. On this tour, you'll discover history-drenched locations such as the Roman colosseum of El Djem, Africa's second-oldest mosque and the medina of Kairouan. Karim, one of our expert local guides, says "Kairouan is Tunisia's holiest destination, renowned for its fine Islamic architecture. The interior of the Great Mosque is all endless pillars and arches, colourful carpets, and chandeliers shaped like pine trees that add to the beauty of the space. Even the drains are decorated with intricate stonework."We'll start off in the walled city of Kairouan. Protected by sandstone walls, the old town offers medina is a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses with brightly painted shutters and brick-laid archways, perfect for exploring. Then you'll visit Kairouan's unmissable Great Mosque - considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the region. As well as the mosque's splendid interior, the complex also features a large prayer hall, an arcaded courtyard, and a minaret.Another important site in Kairouan is the Sidi Sahbi mausoleum, known for its beautiful tilework and stucco decorations – it's a popular site for pilgrimages. Next, there's a stop for lunch before visiting El Djem amphitheatre, the third-largest built by the Romans. During its heyday, up to 35,000 spectators would pack its steep stands to watch gladiatorial fights.
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