Tunisia Family Holidays

Overview

Tunisia is a wonderful destination for family holidays, with an interesting mix of attractions that would do justice to a country twice its size. You can sunbathe, sail and dive at the popular resorts on the Mediterranean coast, visit ancient ports and medinas, or take a trip to Carthage, to stand on the spot where Hannibal departed to take on the might of the Roman Empire. Younger kids love being let loose on the beautiful beaches, while older children might enjoy an adventure trip into the Sahara Desert to ride camels and see the sets of the Star Wars films.

On top of all this, the food is fabulous, the people are friendly, and the weather is hot most of the year. Remember this is traditional Islamic country: cover up and be respectful.

For safety advice on travel to Tunisia, refer to the latest FCO advice.

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Things to do with kids in Tunisia

Entertain little ones in one of the many resorts along the Mediterranean coast. Head to Hammamet for kilometres of clean beaches, a small medina and plenty of family-friendly hotels and resorts. The town also has lots of restaurants and bars.

Venture south of Hammamet to the purpose-built resort of Port El Kantaoui for luxurious hotels and Tunisia’s answer to the posh marinas of the south of France, or, for a more authentic experience, to neighbouring Sousse, where you can explore the markets and allow yourself to get lost in the alleyways of the old walled medina.

Sousse is a great option for a beach holiday with character, as well as a popular stop-off point for many family adventure trips – worth considering as a way of experiencing some of Tunisia’s most interesting sights with kids. A typical itinerary will head north to take in the ruins of Hannibal’s Carthage and the seaside town of Sidi Bou Said before moving on to Sousse and the impressive coliseum at El Djem, where little gladiators can fight it out before heading off to explore the lions’ lair beneath the coliseum floor. From here, most trips head inland to the Sahara and the desert capital of Tozeur, where Skywalker fans young and old can visit the expanses of the Chott el Djerid salt flats and film sets from the first Star Wars film and The English Patient. Quad-biking, camel rides and a night sleeping under the stars in a Bedouin tent are guaranteed to keep all ages occupied.

If you can squeeze it in, no visit to central Tunisia is complete without a ride on the Red Lizard Train to take in the breathtaking views of the Seldja Gorge. The train departs daily from the station at Metlaoui not far from Tozeur. Most adventure trips round off with another dose of Star Wars trivia and a trip to the troglodyte homes in the village of Matmata (used as the location for Luke Skywalker’s home planet), before winding up with a stay by the beach at Djerba.

For those travelling with younger children or opting for a stay by the beach, check out one of the many tour operators that offer excursions from major resorts to sites including Carthage, El Djem and Tozeur. But when booking such trips, do take into account the travelling times to and from sites to avoid long days with tired children.

Salt sculpture at Chott el Djerid.

Eat

Tunisian food has been influenced by the influx of different inhabitants over the years and remains essentially a mixture of Mediterranean (French, Spanish and Italian) and traditional Tunisian recipes. Many meals include olives, flat bread and harissa, a very hot sauce that can be left out on request. Couscous is the national dish, often served with vegetables, lamb or poultry. Grilled fish is also abundant due to the long coastline. Other popular dishes include brik, a snack consisting of an egg fried in a thin pastry envelope, sometimes made with a savoury filling. Don’t leave without sampling sweet delights including loukoum (Turkish delight), baklava and marzipan-filled dates.

International cuisine is also widely available, especially in resort hotels.

Beach scene.

When to go to Tunisia

The ideal time for a family holiday in Tunisia is spring (March–May), before the summer heat kicks in, when temperatures are a pleasant 25°C. From June to September, temperatures along the coast hover around 27-30°C. Inland, summer temperatures can rocket, especially in the southern desert where they can reach a whopping 45°C. High temperatures inland mean many family adventure trips don't operate during these months.

Bear in mind that during Ramadan, sites and museums may have limited opening hours.

Sunset at Hammamet.

Cost

Tunisia can be a great-value destination for family holidays: expect to pay from around £550 per adult for a week half-board in a mid-range hotel at a popular resort such as Hammamet in peak season. For five-star luxury, prices range between £1000 and £3000 per adult for a week. Adventure trips start at around £1000pp for nine days.