Discover Tunisia: Beyond Beaches, Culture & History Await
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In the early morning hours, the sun’s rays gently slipped onto the beach of a hotel in the city of Yasmine Hammamet, as a French tourist visiting Tunisia for the third time captured her first picture of the day.
She smiled and told Annahar: “Every time I return to Tunisia, I discover something new. I love the sea and the weather here.” She continued: “After the beach, I wander through the old city, then end the evening with a musical concert or dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea.”
The French tourist’s words capture what the Tunisian tourism sector is betting on today: moving beyond the stereotype of Tunisia as merely a beach destination and instead offering a complete tourism experience where nature blends with history, and culture with entertainment.
This ambition is becoming increasingly evident this summer, with the strong return of European tourists, continued interest from Algeria and Libya, and a growing number of visitors from Gulf countries. Authorities hope the season will set a new record, surpassing 12 million tourists, despite the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
From North to South... Tunisia Tells Its Stories to Every Visitor
The secret behind Tunisia’s appeal, ranked by global specialized websites among the world’s top 25 tourist destinations for 2026, lies not only in its coastal strip stretching approximately 1,733 kilometers, but also in the countless details visitors can discover across its cities from north to south.
Each city’s diverse history, rich civilizations, and breathtaking landscapes give it a unique character, especially during the summer. In Hammamet, the atmosphere resembles an open-air seaside resort, with golden sands stretching alongside cafés, restaurants, and the marina, while activity continues late into the night.
A Tourist Discovers Tunisia from Its Small Details
Further inland, specifically in Sousse, known for its charming beaches, visitors also discover another side of the city in its old town. Between narrow alleyways and traditional markets, the scents of jasmine, spices, leather, and amber blend with the voices of vendors welcoming tourists in several languages.
There was Reem, an Algerian tourist who came to spend a week with her family, admiring pottery pieces in one of the traditional craft shops.
She told Annahar: “I came to Tunisia some time ago for treatment, but this time I returned with my family for a vacation. I loved wandering through the old city and sitting in the old cafés in the evening.”
In Monastir, the pace is calmer, where families and tourists stroll along the corniche at night. Young people take photos in front of the historic Ribat walls near the Bourguiba family mausoleum, where former Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba is buried, while seaside cafés welcome visitors until late hours, creating a scene that combines the serenity of the place with the energy of summer.
In the south, Djerba offers visitors a completely different experience. Beyond its peaceful beaches, the “Island of Dreams” preserves its whitewashed houses, traditional markets, craft workshops, and diverse Jewish and Amazigh cuisine, creating a unique blend of history and culture that has made it one of Tunisia’s and the world’s most prominent tourist destinations after its recent inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
When History Sings... The Nights of Tunisia Do Not Sleep
The Tunisian summer does not end with sunset. While beachgoers leave the shores, theaters and historical squares prepare to welcome a different audience.
At the Roman Theater in Carthage, which hosts Tunisia’s most famous and longstanding festivals, thousands of spectators gather every night for more than a month on ancient stone benches, waiting for artistic performances to begin. It is a scene where history and music merge in one of the region’s most distinctive cultural and historical venues.
On that stage, international artists have performed, and some of the biggest Arab stars have sung before audiences that still hold unforgettable memories of those nights.
The scene is no different at the Hammamet International Festival, held in a historic venue overlooking the sea, where musical performances have become an essential part of the city’s tourism program. The festival attracts tourists after long days spent on the beach, offering evenings that combine art with the beauty of the surroundings.
Hatim, an employee at a travel company in Nabeul, told Annahar that many visitors ask about the festival’s program before confirming their reservations, stressing that artistic evenings have become part of the travel experience in Tunisia, especially for tourists from neighboring countries.
Before leaving Hammamet, Reem had already decided to return once again, saying with a wide smile: “There are still many cities I want to discover.”
Perhaps the Algerian visitor’s words capture the secret behind Tunisia’s summer success. Tourists no longer leave the country with only beach photos and traces of sun on their skin, but also carry with them the sounds of its music, the aromas of its local cuisine, and the spirit of its ancient cities.
Discover more about the summer dossier and related stories:
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- South Lebanon’s heritage sites caught between war and closure
- The Ultimate Summer Travel Packing Guide: Everything You Need for a Stress Free Holiday
- Summer tourism: How Arab cities are redefining growth and resilience in 2026
- Syria Tourism Rebounds in 2025-2026 with Growing Visitor Numbers