Tunis Tunisia Cruise Port Guide

and the picturesque suburb of Sidi Bou Said, attracting more visitors than Tunis' French ville nouvelle (new city) centers around the wide, tree-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, terminating in the Place de la Victoire and the entrance to the old medina, containing most of the city's points of interest and shops.

A visit to the Bardo Museum is a must. Housed in an old palace, the museum is renowned as the best in the country. Organized in sections, it features an impressive display of artifacts covering the Carthaginian, Roman, Palaeo-Christian, and Arab-Islamic eras. The Roman mosaics comprise one of the finest collections in the world.

Tunis is a good 30-minute drive from the port of La Goulette.

Pier Information . The ship docks at La Goulette, about nine miles from the center of Tunis. Taxis are generally available at the pier. Agree on the fare before leaving.

Shopping . The shops in the medina offer a wide range of souvenir items and local crafts, including carpets, copper and brass ware, gold and silver jewelry, leather articles and the traditional red felt hats, called chechia. Bargaining is still an accepted practice in the shops here.

Cuisine . There is no shortage of restaurants, though many feature similar menus with a number of standard dishes, such as the local stable couscous, with lamb or grilled fish.

Kasbah Mosque. On a rise at the western edge of the medina, the 13th-century mosque stands on an Frormous open square beautifully paved with local granite.

Beaches. One of the best beaches is found at La Marsa. Others are at Amilcar and La Goulette. La Marsa is also one of the most exclusive residential suburbs, with upscale cafes and restaurants.

Golf . The 18-hole, par-66 Golf Course of Carthage sports hundred-year-old eucalyptus, pine, cypress, palm, and oak trees, as well as water hazards and bunkers.