Sousse Private Day Trip: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Medina

Three centuries of Tunisia in one guided day: from Roman Carthage to the blue-and-white streets of Sidi Bou Said

A private guided day trip from Sousse to Tunis, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, with hotel pickup and entrance fees to the Roman ruins and baths. The itinerary moves through three distinct sites (the excavated remains of ancient Carthage, a hilltop village overlooking the Mediterranean, and the narrow streets of the UNESCO-listed medina) with a guide who speaks your language and returns you to your hotel by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tunis, Carthage, and Sidi Bou Said

• Depart from Sousse to Tunis
• Explore Carthage ruins with guide
• Visit Sidi Bou Said village
• Tour Medina of Tunis with guide
• Return from Tunis to Sousse

The experience

If you're staying in Sousse and want to see Tunis without arranging transport yourself, this tour picks you up from your hotel and handles the driving. The route covers roughly 120 kilometers round-trip, so expect to spend most of the day moving between sites and exploring them with a guide. You'll start with Carthage, where the guide walks you through the Roman ruins (the Antonine Baths, the remains of five-storey houses, and the Presidential Palace), and explains how the city was destroyed in 146 BC and what archaeologists have since uncovered. The air-conditioned vehicle moves you on to Sidi Bou Said next, a village built on a hillside with white and blue houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and cafes where you can pause and look out over the Mediterranean.

The final stop is the Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO site where the guide leads you through the craft markets and past the Zitouna Mosque, pointing out the architecture and the layers of Tunisian history embedded in the narrow streets. The scent of spices and the activity of local vendors fill the space. It's the working heart of the old city, not a museum. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language depending on your booking, so the commentary is in your own words. Entrance fees to Carthage and the Roman Baths are included. You'll walk through both sites with the group. The tour wraps around eight to ten hours total, including the drive back to your hotel.

Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. You'll be on your feet for stretches at each stop, especially in the medina where the streets are uneven. The guide will point out where to rest and which cafes are worth a stop, but lunch is on your own. The vehicle is air-conditioned and spacious, and the driver knows the route well enough that you won't spend time lost or waiting at unclear meeting points.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Carthage and the Roman Baths.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• guided tour in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• hotel pickup and return to your hotel in Sousse, Hammamet or Tunis.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Ôthentic Travel & Services

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Sousse or Hammamet and want to see Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and Tunis's medina in one day with hotel pickup included: otherwise, you'll need to arrange your own transport between sites.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic.

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 exactly is left to see at Carthage after the Romans destroyed it?

Carthage holds the Antonine Baths, one of the largest Roman bath complexes ever built, along with the remains of five-storey residential houses and ancient sewage systems that archaeologists have excavated. The Presidential Palace and St. Louis Cathedral also stand on the site, and the guide will walk you through the ruins and explain what each structure tells about Roman life and the city's history before its destruction in 146 BC.

How much time do I actually spend walking around in Sidi Bou Said?

Sidi Bou Said is a small hilltop village, so you'll have time to walk the cobblestone streets, visit the cafes and art galleries, and take in the Mediterranean views from the heights. The guide will show you the white and blue houses and the romantic corners of the village, but it's not a long, strenuous walk. The village itself is compact and built on a slope, so pacing is relaxed.

Is the Medina of Tunis crowded, and will I get lost in it?

The Medina of Tunis is a working market and residential neighborhood, so it's busy during the day, especially in the craft sections. Your guide walks with you through the narrow streets, points out the Zitouna Mosque and the architecture, and navigates the layout so you won't wander aimlessly. The guide also knows which sections are worth lingering in and which cafes offer a quiet moment.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Entrance fees to Carthage and the Roman Baths, the guided tour, hotel pickup and return, and the air-conditioned vehicle are all included. Lunch, coffee, tea and gratuities are not included, so budget for a meal at one of the stops: the medina and Sidi Bou Said both have local restaurants and cafes.

How early does the tour start, and when will I be back at my hotel?

The tour runs eight to ten hours total, including travel time. Pickup happens from your hotel in Sousse, Hammamet or Tunis, and the return follows the same route. The exact start time depends on your hotel location and the guide's schedule, so confirm the pickup window when you book.