Tunis: Medina, Carthage & Sidi Bou Said Private Tour with Lunch

Summary

Wander the Medina’s alleys, ancient Carthage ruins & Sidi Bou Said’s cliffside streets

You’ll wind through Tunis’ labyrinthine Medina with a local guide, taste classic brik at lunch by the sea in La Goulette, stand among Carthage’s ancient ruins overlooking blue water, then wander Sidi Bou Said’s cliffside lanes as sunlight fades. Expect moments that linger long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember ducking under that low archway in the Tunis Medina — it was just after 9am and already the air was thick with the smell of baking bread and something spiced I couldn’t quite place. Our guide, Sami, kept pausing to greet shopkeepers (everyone seemed to know him) and pointed out these impossibly detailed tiles on a doorway. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t do justice to the colors or how cool the stone felt when I leaned against it for a second. There’s this constant hum in the souks — not loud exactly, but alive.

After the maze of old streets, we drove out toward La Goulette. The sea breeze hit as soon as we opened the car door — salty and almost sweet? Cafés spilled onto the sidewalk and you could hear people laughing over tiny glasses of mint tea. Lunch was at some place Sami picked; he ordered for us in rapid-fire Arabic (I caught “brik” and “couscous,” that’s about it). The brik was so hot I nearly dropped it, but worth it — crispy outside, soft egg inside. It’s funny how food sticks in your memory more than facts sometimes.

Carthage came next. You read about history in school but standing by those toppled columns with the Mediterranean behind you is something else entirely. Sami told stories about Dido and Hannibal — half-legend, half-history. The sun was sharp off the marble; I squinted a lot. Then we ended up in Sidi Bou Said just as afternoon light turned everything gold. Blue doors everywhere, cats sleeping on steps, teenagers playing music near a lookout. I tried to say “Sidi Bou Said” properly; Sami laughed — apparently my accent is hopeless.

By sunset my feet hurt but I wasn’t ready to leave yet. There’s something about seeing all these places in one day — old stones, busy markets, sea air — that makes Tunis feel bigger than you expect. Even now if I close my eyes I can hear that first morning in the Medina.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Tunis Medina and Surroundings

• Visit Medina of Tunis
• Explore La Goulette district
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Visit archaeological site of Carthage
• Tour Sidi Bou Said village

Top questions

How long does this private day trip from Tunis last?

The tour is a full-day experience including all four main stops plus lunch.

Is hotel pickup included for this Tunis tour?

Yes, round-trip transport from your hotel is included.

What sites are visited on this private tour?

The itinerary covers the Medina of Tunis, La Goulette district, Carthage archaeological site, and Sidi Bou Said village.

Are entry fees included for Carthage?

Yes, admission to the ruins of Carthage is included in your booking.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Lunch at a local restaurant is included as part of the tour.

Can infants join this private tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infant seats are available.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; public transportation options are nearby if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water throughout, entry fees for Carthage’s ruins and all sites visited, plus a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Tunis.