Day trip to Dougga & Bulla Régia from Tunis: Roman ruins

Two Roman sites in one day: villas built half-underground to escape the heat, then a theatre and temples that still stand.

A full-day tour from Tunis to two major Roman archaeological sites in Tunisia: Bulla Régia, where seven excavated villas showcase intricate mosaics, and Dougga, home to some of North Africa's largest ruins including a theatre from the II Century, the Capitoline Temple, and the Forum. The tour includes private transport, lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, and a guide in your choice of language. Eight hours total, departing and returning to Tunis.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Bulla Regia and Dougga ruins

• Depart from Tunis to Bulla Régia
• Explore Roman villas at Bulla Régia
• Travel to Dougga
• Tour Dougga Roman ruins and theatre
• Visit Place des Roses de Vent and Market Place
• See Capitoline Temple and Forum
• Explore Public Licinius Baths and House of Trifolium
• View Cyclopes therms and twelve-seat latrines
• Lunch at local restaurant

The experience

If you have a free day in Tunis and want to see Roman ruins without arranging a car, this tour handles the route and the driving. You start at Bulla Régia, 160 km away, where the Romans built villas with two levels (one above ground and one below) to keep cool in the heat. Seven of these villas have been excavated and named for the mosaics found inside them. From there, you drive another 65 km to Dougga, which holds some of the largest Roman remains in North Africa.

At Dougga, the tour moves through a sequence of sites: the theatre built in the II Century and donated by the Gracchus family; the Place des Roses de Vent, the old market dominated by a statue of Mercury, god of commerce; the Capitoline Temple, one of the best-preserved structures, dedicated to three Roman deities; the Forum; the Public licinius Baths; and finally the House of Trifolium, the Cyclopes therms, and the twelve-seat latrines. Lunch happens at a local restaurant partway through the day.

Transport is private, so you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with the same driver and guide for the full eight hours. Bottled water and coffee or tea are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and several other languages. You choose when you book.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Tunis.
• bottled water, coffee and tea throughout the day.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• entrance fees and taxes.
• a live guide in your choice of language.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by AOUES TRAVEL AND EVENTS

Is this one for you?Book this as a private tour if you're traveling as a couple or small group and want the flexibility of your own vehicle and guide for the full eight hours. The fixed itinerary covers both sites in one day, so you see the villas and the major ruins without splitting the trip across two visits.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the villas at Bulla Régia like?

Seven villas have been excavated at Bulla Régia, each built with one floor above ground and another below ground to avoid the heat. Each villa is named after the beautiful mosaics discovered inside it, which are still visible.

How much of the day is spent at Dougga itself?

Dougga is the second and larger site, and the tour spends the bulk of the afternoon there, moving through the theatre, market, temples, forum, baths and residential structures. The full day is eight hours from Tunis and back.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is at a local restaurant during the tour. Bottled water, coffee and tea are also provided throughout the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Tunis?

No. Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle is included, with pickup from your hotel or a central meeting point in Tunis and return at the end of the day.