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Is Tunisia really as bad as some say?

129 replies

MyNewRoom · 21/06/2025 21:13

I'm going to Tunisia next week with my 18 year old dd.
I've just made the mistake of searching old threads. It seems it's dirty and dangerous and we will be stalked and harassed everywhere we go.
We are in a nice hotel, all inclusive so don't necessarily need to leave the resort.
But I love exploring and would really like to leave the resort.
Is it really bad? Any tips please.

OP posts:
DiscoBeat · 21/06/2025 23:38

zaicandy · 21/06/2025 21:16

Unfortunately yes. Dressing modestly when outside is your best bet. Avoid going out at night just the two of you. Be cautious about wearing jewellery when out and about, even cheap stuff. Consider guided tours rather than exploring yourself and be very mindful of photography/ try not to get anyone in your photos as they can get v annoyed.

I know it sucks but if you choose to to somewhere like Tunisia you have to put up with it. Hopefully one day things will change.

I speak from recent (2024) experience.

also been to turkey more recently which is IMO a hell of a lot safer.

Edited

Ugh, I've never been but I definitely am not tempted!

FlamingoFloss · 21/06/2025 23:46

Worst holiday of our lives. If I won an all
expensive paid holiday to Tunisia I’d give it straight back. You literally couldn’t pay me to go there

Smidge001 · 21/06/2025 23:57

I've been and loved it, would definitely return. We did a trip to Dougga, which was absolutely amazing. Can't recommend it enough! Also the star wars sites. We had no issues.

MugsyBalonz · 22/06/2025 00:11

PoopingAllTheWay · 21/06/2025 21:18

I would stay in the hotel only

I was going to say this.

I've travelled a lot and Tunisia is the only place I've actually hated, I was relieved when it was time to go home and I would happily never go back. The hotel was beautiful, food amazing, weather perfect, scenery stunning but there was just an awful, hostile atmosphere almost everywhere. It's tricky to explain but that's the best way I can describe it, a horrible undercurrent of animosity. I didn't feel safe walking around and I'm not blonde, lots of unwanted touching particularly in the Medina despite having DH with me. Hassle included being yanked into shops while passing the doorway, being followed by men claiming to be the chef/barman/security guard at our hotel and asking us to come visit their brother's shop/cafe/tour agency, having my wrist grabbed and a bracelet forced onto it and then demands for a "tip" (attempts to immediately hand it back also met with demands for a tip), ditto flowers and fruit shoved at you with the words "here, a gift!" and then before you can say no because you know it's a scam there an immediate demand for money.

PluckyBamboo · 22/06/2025 00:47

I enjoyed my Tunisian holiday but wouldn't ever go back.

I went on an excursion and took cover up clothes with me for visiting religious buildings etc but it was boiling so while I was standing at the roadside next to a fruit/veg maket wearing a vest top some local men starting spitting on the ground next to me whilst having a very hypocritical ogle at my chest. Presume my western tourist 3/4 length trousers and vest top combo was too much for them.

Also, always assume anyone who speaks to you is trying to con you, including the staff in your hotel or the guy at the airport wearing e.g TUI coloured clothes with no logo trying to give you a first impression he's package holiday staff. It's not like e.g Greece where the locals will have a chat with you just because that's what us humans do. They come across as friendly but there's always an ulterior motive.

pnutter · 22/06/2025 00:49

I love Tunisia
I went solo in March and im going back in October
I first went 20 years ago

notacooldad · 22/06/2025 00:55

Tunisia was my first solo trip 41 years ago when I was 19!
I loved it then and I loved it when I went in January this year, ( again solo)
Keep your self covered in the towns and cities i felt safe to explore a d i also used platforms such as 'Get your Guide' to go on organised trips.
I found it less stressful than Marrakech or Egypt.to be honest and have no issues going back.
Just for context I'm female , blonde and older.

DemonsandMosquitoes · 22/06/2025 06:31

I preferred El Jem to the colosseum. Better preserved, extremely quiet, climbed all over it from top to bottom. Amazing place.

taptaroundtheworld · 22/06/2025 06:41

We’ve been, no issues. Hair tied back, hat, long skirt and a loose blouse with long wide sleeves and you are fine. Will protect you from the sun as well, so really the sensible thing to wear anyway.

KPPlumbing · 22/06/2025 06:54

I've never been, but having been to the Middle East and Egypt, I've sworn off holidaying in any Muslim country again. I want to walk around freely, as I do at home, without worrying that I've made someone sexually excited by exposing an inch of shoulder.

MammaTo · 22/06/2025 08:31

MyNewRoom · 21/06/2025 21:56

Thanks for the advice.
It was a spur of the moment decision, dd found a good deal and asked if I wanted to go with her.
We might brave a couple of guided tours but will save the exploration for another time.

I would honestly just stay in the hotel. We went as naive 19 year olds and done the guided tours to the collesium and “Star Wars” set and they were abysmal. The levels of animal cruelty we seen were awful and the tour guides were not bothered about anyone’s safety.

heartsinvisiblefury · 22/06/2025 08:33

Yes. Leering men who don’t leave you alone. It’s horrible.

Hoppinggreen · 22/06/2025 08:35

I hated it, it was the only place I have ever hated.
I am pretty well travelled and don't like AI's in general but apart from being letched at and my friend grabbed (our Husbands were only 10 ft away) most people we met were just really unpleasant and pushy
I have been to Morocco Turkey and The Far East so quite comfortable with haggling/being approached to buy things but this was a different level and we had "fuck you" shouted at us a few times when we politely said no thanks to things.

CoralOP · 22/06/2025 08:37

MugsyBalonz · 22/06/2025 00:11

I was going to say this.

I've travelled a lot and Tunisia is the only place I've actually hated, I was relieved when it was time to go home and I would happily never go back. The hotel was beautiful, food amazing, weather perfect, scenery stunning but there was just an awful, hostile atmosphere almost everywhere. It's tricky to explain but that's the best way I can describe it, a horrible undercurrent of animosity. I didn't feel safe walking around and I'm not blonde, lots of unwanted touching particularly in the Medina despite having DH with me. Hassle included being yanked into shops while passing the doorway, being followed by men claiming to be the chef/barman/security guard at our hotel and asking us to come visit their brother's shop/cafe/tour agency, having my wrist grabbed and a bracelet forced onto it and then demands for a "tip" (attempts to immediately hand it back also met with demands for a tip), ditto flowers and fruit shoved at you with the words "here, a gift!" and then before you can say no because you know it's a scam there an immediate demand for money.

This sums my experience up perfectly. Hard to put your finger on it but a feeling of everyone has bad intentions.
I've travelled all over the world and love unusual, not typical touristy places but theres something different when I visited Tunisia, a horrible, uneasy undertone.

I was actually pretty annoyed with the travel company that encouraged us to book. There was a stark difference between the lovely holiday they were selling and the reality of the people and behaviour there, I honestly don't think it should be promoted as a place to visit for regular family holidays.

ImWearingPantaloons · 22/06/2025 08:40

I went years ago with my then fiancée and couldn’t work out whether the bar men were trying to be friendly or creepy. Kept asking me if I was there with my boyfriend, made me feel rather uncomfortable.

feelingbleh · 22/06/2025 08:42

I wouldn't go again but you will be completely fine in the resort

MascaraGirl · 22/06/2025 08:48

arcticpandas · 21/06/2025 21:24

Been many times with family : Hammamet, Djerba etc. They are used to tourists so you won't have any problems. I wouldn't go into the non tourist zones though but those are further away so there is no reason for you to go there anyway.

This. I have been to Port el Kantoui and Jasmine Hammamet, you won’t have problems in the main tourist areas if you are sensible

GlomOfNit · 22/06/2025 08:51

Aichek · 21/06/2025 22:45

Djerba is lush!

I always come on these threads to mount a bit of a defence of Tunisia as we lived there for a number of years and I don't recognise the hell-hole other posters talk about.

It's a developing country in the middle of an economic crisis, and it's a Muslim majority country, although pretty liberal and relaxed by regional standards (separation of religion and state as well). So yes, a lot of the town outskirts are scruffy and full of litter, but the tourist beaches are generally totally immaculate and the water quality is brilliant. Some of the local wine is good and as long as you haven't got the cheapest hotel going, that will probably be fine too. Jamie Oliver had an episode in Tunisia in his most recent series, he went nuts for the food. The fish is great, usually grilled and very fresh.

It genuinely has some of the best roman sites in the world, and they are usually empty and are also dead cheap to get into. Do try and visit El Jem (the amphitheatre, also has a cool little museum) and Dougga is an amazing preserved roman town in a stunning location. You can have lots of fun in the desert (although best done over a few days), especially if you're a Star Wars fan. The roads are pretty good and most drivers are chill outside of the big cities.

The 'markets' in tourist resorts are pretty hassley. But also- it's a market, people go there to buy things, if you don't want to buy things, don't go. If you want to look at handicrafts there are good ones in museums or see if you can find someone to take you where the locals buy crafts and household goods. The ones in the tourist markets are usually a load of tat and overpriced anyway. And don't walk around town in 'beach clothes'- even in Tunis, which is pretty cosmopolitan, I wouldn't wear shorts off the beach. Maybe to a club.

I think it's also worth noting that lots of middle aged to older European women go to Tunisia to pick up younger men. So in some cases that market for men approaching you has been created in some tourist resorts. Do you speak any French? Younger people speak good English too but a choice swear in French usually works to get someone annoying to bugger off.

I am sure you'll have a lovely time, although it will be hot! I've got loads of lovely Tunisian friends and it's always sad when people diss the whole country. It's a very complex place, post revolution, but the history is fascinating. There are some fab independent hotels and guest houses as well as that part of the sector starts to grow.

OP, I was coming on here to see if you could find a forum where you could get opinions from posters who've lived or worked in Tunisia rather than just gone on a package holiday there for 10 days, and maybe not seen the best of the country. So this post by Aichek is great! Listen to her, not to people who've been to a resort for a week.

If you repeat the same old tourist well-trodden paths, then I'd imagine you'll replicate some of the same old experiences. So yes, expect hassle aimed at perceived wealthy Western tourists with money to spend in the obvious places. Who else are souk traders going to sell carpets, brass wear, leather etc to if not to hordes of tourists who want something 'authentic'? I bet the local consumers of such goods have long since deserted the heaving souks and prefer their own outlets - or reject those things entirely because they're 'old fashioned'.

Just be sensible. It's a Muslim country, so dress conservatively and respect local customs. Whatever you consider 'covering' clothing, I'd dial up a notch or two - so if you'd happily wear shorts or a shorter dress at home in the UK, I'd go for long trousers or a longer dress with sleeves or a wrap. Late June is going to be SO hot though!

I'd strongly consider hiring a guide and going away from the main touristy areas - get a guide who can take you to some amazing Roman archaeological sites. Having a guide will also protect you from an awful lot of the hassle and touting. Don't forget to visit museums, you'll see some of the best mosaics you can find, and they may well be nice and cool in there.

MascaraGirl · 22/06/2025 08:55

Just one thing though, after events in the Middle East last week, and the escalation overnight, can you still go to Tunisia? I know the FCO advice changed last week, I would check it again today.

HeatRain · 22/06/2025 08:57

We loved it couple of years back and will be going again.
Lots of the posts on various thereads about how terrible it is are based on 30 years ago...

HeatRain · 22/06/2025 08:59

MascaraGirl · 22/06/2025 08:55

Just one thing though, after events in the Middle East last week, and the escalation overnight, can you still go to Tunisia? I know the FCO advice changed last week, I would check it again today.

Why couldn't she go to country which is like 3000 km away from ME?

Badbadbunny · 22/06/2025 08:59

hyggetyggedotorg · 21/06/2025 21:28

Just be confident & immediately say no to any man who approaches you outside of the hotel.

No different from Morocco or Gambia in my experience.

The difference with Tunisia is the sexual abuse - in ThGambia, the locals are desperately poor and hassle for money or unwanted clothing with no sexual overtones but in Tunisia they’re more about wanting sex or trying to feel you up is what we found- more sordid. Completely different dynamic.

QuiteUnbelievable · 22/06/2025 09:02

@Hopingforanearlynight how utterly disgusting and some middle eastern countries have lowered child marriage age. Utterly bloody disgusting.
We are still so far behind in the west to get respect and equality for women but my god we are light years away from these places.
We are so naive it's hard to get our heads around just how backwards they are

QuiteUnbelievable · 22/06/2025 09:06

@KPPlumbing revolting

MascaraGirl · 22/06/2025 09:07

HeatRain · 22/06/2025 08:59

Why couldn't she go to country which is like 3000 km away from ME?

Your knowledge of world affairs is embarrassing