| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Tunis |
|---|---|
| Form of government | republic |
| currency | Tunisian Dinar (TND) |
| surface | 164,000 km² |
| population | 9.9 million (2003) |
| languages | Arabic (official), Tamazight, French |
| Religions | Islam 98%, Christians 1%, Jews and others 1% |
| Connector system | 220V, 50Hz (European plug) |
| Phone code | 216 |
| Internet TLD | .tn |
| Time zone | UTC 1 (no summer time) |
Tunisia (Arabic:تونس, Tūnis, officially République tunisienne (Al Joumhouria Attounisia), is the northernmost country Africa. It borders on Libya in the south East, Algeria in the west and ans Mediterranean Sea in the north and east. Of Germany from it can be reached in about 2.5 hours by flight; Italy (Lampedusa, the largest of the Pelagie Islands) is only 130 km away.
Regions
Tunisia is divided into 24 governorates:
- Northern Tunisia with
- Western Tunisia with
- El Kef, Siliana, Casserole and Gafsa and Sidi Bouzid
- Eastern Tunisia with
- as well as southern Tunisia with
Cities
Important travel destinations are Tunis, Nabeul, Hammamet, Kairouan, Sousse, Monastir and Tabarka.
Other goals
.jpg/200px-Chott_El_Djerid_(Tunisia).jpg)
Another important destination is the island Djerba.
Especially in the north you can see ruins of the Romans and Byzantines, e.g. Carthage (Carthage), Bulla Regia, Dougga. El Jem has the largest and best preserved Roman amphitheater.
Also worth seeing are the old towns (medinas) of many cities, such as Tunis, Sousse and Sfax, in addition to the traditional construction with their often narrow and winding streets, they also contain the Souk In Tozeur the architecture of the old houses is worth seeing, the sand-colored bricks were inserted into the walls in such a way that interesting patterns emerged. A "pearl" is also Sidi Bou Said near Tunis. The former artist village is located east of Tunis on a hill with the best view of the sea and impresses with the traditional construction of white houses with blue doors, shutters and window bars. A dream view! If you want to have a cup of tea, the Café des Nattes is a nice quaint Tunisian café. There you can also order a shisha, which is served oriental style.
In the south are the oases Nefta and Douz very attractive. The magic of the desert with the taste of fresh dates is always worth a trip.
In the south is the one mentioned in some Karl May novels Chott El Djerid. This salt desert stretches for over 200 kilometers from the Algerian border to almost the Mediterranean. Millions of years ago what is now the Sahara region was covered by ancient seas. When the mountains unfolded, most of the water flowed to the Mediterranean Sea, only in depressions without drainage to the sea remained water, this is how they came into being Chotts. Mirages, a deceptively shimmering water surface in all colors, it is pure fascination and that without any entrance fee.
There are various sights in Tunisia. In particular, original locations of scenes from the Star Wars films can be found all over the country. And also from Life of Brian.
background
The area of what is now Tunisia recently belonged to the Ottoman Empire. The dynasty of the governor there (Bey) was able to achieve more and more de facto independence in the late 18th century. The Husainids officiated 1705-1957, ultimately the area was under French control as a protectorate from 1881-1956, the Bey minimal rights remained. On November 9, 1942, German and Italian troops marched into Tunisia. On May 13, 1943, the Tunisian campaign ended with an Allied victory. France that im Algerian war bound was granted independence in 1956. The monarchy was abolished in July 1957. Habib Bourghiba ruled from 1959 (1903-2000) until 1987. Prime Minister Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali deposed Bourghiba, probably rightly, because of senility. However, his government was far less efficient.
With the self-immolation of a demonstrator in December 2010, the "Arab Spring," which led to the resignation of the president, began. First, Islamist forces came to power and plunged the country into chaos. Since a political consensus was reached in 2015, peace has reigned in the country.
getting there
Entry requirements
A passport that is still valid for six months is required to enter the country. As a package tourist, entry is even possible with an identity card if you arrive by air and bring documents for the package tour (hotel voucher) with you.[1]
All Europeans (except Cypriots), Turks and Russians are allowed to enter three months without a visa. Citizens of the former Soviet republics only without a visa if they have booked a package tour.
If you exceed the permitted length of stay, a penalty of 20 TDN / week is due. This must be shot by means of stamps.
The loss of the passport must be reported. You will receive an “attestation de perte,” which is necessary for issuing replacement papers and for border control.
Those who stay longer in the country or work here receive one Carte de Sejour, which serves as an identity card. The documents to be submitted include the rental and certified employment contract.
See also: List of Tunisia's diplomatic missions abroad
Customs regulations
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be imported, but must be reported from 10,000 TDN. On presentation of receipts, a maximum of 3000 TDN can be exchanged for value date. Their export is limited to 5000 dinars in the equivalent of the foreign currency, if the approval of the central bank is 30000 TDN. In principle, the export of the local currency is not permitted.
- Allowances
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco (these quantities also apply to exports!)
- 1 liter of schnapps (over 25%) or 2 liters of other alcohol
- 1 liter of Cologne water or 250 ml of perfume
Pets
Microchips for identification are not (yet) mandatory, but recommended. The European vaccination certificate is required ("EU pet passport"). Dogs must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to arrival.
By plane
There are international airports in
- Tunis (Tunis-Carthage)
- Enfidha, Envidhaville is between Hammamet and Sousse.
- Monastir (Monastir-Skanès or Habib Bourguiba)
- Djerba on the east coast and
- Tabarka in the North.
Other international airports are Sfax-Thyna and Tozeur-Nefta. Flight time Munich - Monastir: approx. 2:20 hours.
Tunisair is the national airline. It also flies from several European airports, e.g. Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, London or Madrid.
By train
An air-conditioned night train was scheduled to run between Algiers and Tunis from May 2017 Annaba, for the price of 5000 algD or 109 TDN and travel six hours including border formalities. Technical difficulties with the vehicles led to a postponement of the commissioning, which has still not taken place in August 2018.
Cross-border traffic takes place with a change in Annaba.
By bus
International bus routes are only available if the current political situation allows it. That means not to Libya in mid-2019, there is usually a daily bus Tripoli ↔ Gabès and Sfax ↔ Tripoli.
Algeria: Algiers and Annaba ↔ Tunis (Gare Routière Sud), theoretically daily, but due to the unsafe situation in Algeria, these buses are occasionally canceled. Price 2018: 3000 algD.
In the street
Petrol costs just under 2 TDN / l in 2019.
The following border crossings are available for entry:
- To Libya: 1 Ras Ajdir رأس جدير(33 ° 8 '53 "N.11 ° 33 ′ 31 ″ E). Closed at the beginning of 2019.
- To Algeria: Only the nearby Tabarca (طبرقة) Lying transition 2 PCT Oum-Tboul(36 ° 54 '52 "N.8 ° 39 ′ 1 ″ E) is 2019 for third country nationals without special permits, Algerian visa assuming passable. The first Algerian city is Souarekh.
- On Algeria: The cities of Souq Ahras (سوق أهراس, DZ) and El Kef (الكاف, TN) connecting 3 Transition Heddada / Sakiet Sidi Youssef(36 ° 13 '42 "N.8 ° 21 '3 "E) was modernized in 2017, which speeds up handling. The clearance takes place on both sides about 250 meters before the actual border.
Parts of the southern border area with Algeria and an approx. 20 km wide strip along the entire border with Libya are restricted military areas.
For entry with your own car by sea, see the following section.
By boat
Ferries
There are regular car and passenger ferries from France and Italy.
Car import: Temporary importation of your own vehicle is no problem for up to three months. The vehicle is entered in the passport. An EU driving license is sufficient for tourist stays. A Carnet de Passages is not necessary, the "green card" must be presented on arrival. In the event of theft or total loss, considerable bureaucratic effort and high fees can be expected. For permanent imports it should be noted that vehicles that are more than three years old are subject to more restrictive conditions.
Since experience has shown that many Tunisians living abroad want to visit their homeland during the summer, it is advisable to find a place early. Most of them arrive at the port of La Goulette in Tunis.
The tariffs and frequency of the ferries vary greatly from season to season. Many of the less important routes e.g. Trappani - Kélibia or to Sousse seem to have been discontinued. Malta and the pelagic island can only be reached in a rubber boat in 2019.
- France
Marseille and Tunis connect the cooperation partners Corsica Lines and the Tunisian Company tunisienne de navigation (CTN), whereby the service of the latter receives mixed assessments.
- Italy
The Italian GNV connects Tunis with:
- Genoa in 22½ hours.
- Cittavecchia in 32 hours - with a stop in Palermo from where you are on the road for 9½ hours.
Grimaldi Lines drives to / from in 22 hours Salerno as well as directly to Cittavecchia in 18-20 hours and to Palermo in around 12 hours.
Sports sailors
The Tunisian marinas are the best in North Africa. In the waters offshore, an increased naval presence is to be expected because of the numerous economic refugees who want to illegally enter the EU via the Pelagic Islands. For this reason, people do not like to be seen anchoring on the coast outside the harbors.
There are marinas in Sidi Bou Said (Tunis), Hammamet, Port Kantaoui and Monastir and Bizerte. The port of Ghannouch is not allowed to be used by pleasure craft. Larger repairs can also be carried out in Kélibia and Sfax.
Uniform formalities are: the pre-registration in the port on VHF 16, the payment of the fee in the harbor master's office Marine Marchande. Usually, border and customs officers are already waiting when you arrive. Customs expects a list of valuable, dutiable items (especially alcohol and weapons) and checks the insurance documents. Customs will issue a “libre pratique” valid for six months and a sailing permit that is normally valid for three months. The paperwork is free of charge, but is occasionally used cadeau (Baksheesh) requested. The permit is collected again when clearing out, the coast guard asks for information on the next destination.
Fuel in canisters must not be on board. The duty-free import of forwarded spare parts is possible if the shipping documents state “yacht in transit” and the address of the port. The extent to which this is implemented by the responsible customs officer in a bakshish-free manner depends on his form on the day.
mobility
By train
Tunisia has one of the better rail networks in Africa and the Arab countries. The approximately 2700 km long rail network has two gauges. In the north (Tunis - Ghardimaou / Bizerte) the standard gauge (1435 mm), the remaining lines from Tunis to the southwest and south meter gauge (1000 mm).
For tourists, the SNCFT offers a rail pass with the name Carte Bleue at. This pass is available for 7, 15 or 21 days for each of the three classes. The small surcharges for air conditioning always have to be paid additionally.
Rail traffic is operated by the Tunisian National Railway (SNCFT, Timetables).
Long-distance trains run from Tunis to:
- Jedida ↔ Mateur ↔ Tinja ↔ Bizerte (98 km; only 2nd class)
- Eachïda ↔ Béjà ↔ Jendouba ↔ Ghardimaou
- Pont du Fahs ↔ Gaafour ↔ Les Salines ↔ Dahmani ↔ Kalaa Kasbah
- Grombalia ↔ Bir Bou Regba ↔ Hammamet ↔ Nabeul
- Grombalia ↔ Bir Bou Regba ↔ Enfidha ↔ Sousse ↔ Monastir ↔ Mahdia
- Grombalia ↔ Bir Bou Regba ↔ Enfidha ↔ Sousse ↔ El Jem ↔ Sfax ↔ Mahrès ↔ Gabès (about 6 hours)
- Grombalia ↔ Bir Bou Regba ↔ Enfidha ↔ Sousse ↔ El Jem ↔ Sfax ↔ Mahrès ↔ Gafsa ↔ Metlaoui ↔ Tozeur
Each of these cities can be reached between one and ten times a day. 1st and 2nd class run on all trains, in the vast majority of cases with air-conditioned cars, many trains also have carriages from Grand confort-Class, which offer even more comfortable seats than in 1st class. 1st class costs around 50% more than 2nd, GC is another ten percent more expensive than 1st. A small surcharge has to be paid for all air-conditioned trains. The fares are quite cheap.
There is also always a sale of hot and cold drinks and snacks on the long-distance trains. There are overnight trains between Tunis and Tozeur and between Tunis and Gabès, but they only have seating cars. In addition, a local train runs once a day from Metlaoui via Tabeditt to Redeyef, this only with 2nd class.
S-Bahn trains run around Tunis.
The SNCFT probably operates the fastest trains on meter-gauge lines; in the Grombalia - Sousse section, the trains run in sections at more than 120 km / h. The fastest trains are the two express trains Tunis - Sfax (only 1st class and GC), which cover the 280 km in exactly three hours. The vehicle material is in fair condition.
The Tourist train Le Lézard Rouge ("Red lizard") consists of the saloon cars of the previous one Bey (Prince) of Tunis, the train runs from May to September from Monday to Saturday from Metlaoui 43 km to the imposing Gorge de Selja. Refreshments are served on board, multilingual tourist guides and photo stops are also offered.
In the street
Traveling in Tunisia on your own without a car is no problem at all. Local public transport is predominantly based on what are known as Louages, these are typically African shared taxis, a station wagon or mini bus with nine seats. In Tunisia, however, they are perfectly organized and really only take as many passengers with them as there are seats.
There is a real one in every big city Louage-Bahnhof, often even with signposted “platforms.” The drivers are always helpful and show you Louage in the desired direction. You rarely have to wait long until one is full and leaves. The tariffs are fixed, but it doesn't hurt to ask the driver about the price beforehand in order to avoid subsequent rip-offs. Getting off earlier is not a problem, but you then pay the price for the entire route.
In smaller places you stand by the street and wait for one Louage drives past that still has a seat free and takes you with her - but that's often a matter of luck. Those who get in later only pay for the part of the journey. Lots Louage-Drivers in sparsely populated areas are also willing to make appointments, e.g. to collect one at a certain point on the way back.
Between larger cities, e.g. Douz ↔ Gafsa ↔ Sfax ↔ Sousse, there are also express buses that pass through without stopping. They are a little more expensive, but you can get across the country in no time. The Sousse - Tunis route takes around 2 hours and the Douz ↔ Sousse route takes around 5 hours. The express buses also run to the LouageStations. The most important operator is the semi-public SNTRI.
- Rental car
Even with the rental car it is not a problem, rather an adventure at the beginning. The alcohol limit is 0.3 (novice drivers 0.0). Use of the motorway is subject to a toll and is paid in cash. You can rent a car, but you have to get used to the driving style of the Tunisians, which is relatively quick, as long as you don't take the German road traffic regulations with you on vacation and sometimes let five people go, driving the car is a nice experience. If the vehicle is towed, you have to release it again at the local "Fourrière".
The co-drivers also always have a lot to see when they watch the other drivers, such as loaded trucks and other road users. What you should urgently pay attention to is the STOP sign, there are usually police officers around the corner who you cannot see beforehand and they also like to stop vacationers. But my tip is… just ride with the traffic, that's the best way to drive.
language
The official language is Arabic (Tunisian dialect, which is different from other Arabic dialects). Often will too French spoken. Almost anyone who speaks French will have no trouble getting around Tunisia. In the tourist centers of Monastir and Djerba, many locals also speak German. In the desert, however, the Berber language becomes the Tuareg spoken.
activities
Sunbathing, swimming, diving, snorkeling, paragliding, golf, tennis, horse riding, hiking, camel riding, desert safari.
shop
Opening times follow French tradition, i.e. Sunday is the day of rest, there is hardly any long siesta, authorities and museums close at 4.30 / 5 p.m., at the latest 6 p.m., normal shops at 6 p.m., at the latest at 8 p.m.
The exchange rate of the Tunisian dinars to the euro (as of March 2021): 3.3 TDN = € 1. (Value loss in 2015-7 around 30%, stable since then; inflation rate almost 7%. Not freely convertible, import and export officially prohibited.)
The Tunisian dinar is made up of 1000 millièmes. In popular parlance, the Millièmes are called "Franc" after their predecessor currency.
Currency exchange takes place during the usual opening times in banks Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday a little shorter. Not all ATMs accept all cards commonly used in Europe, the maximum amounts are often low (300-600 TDN). V-Pay does not (yet) work in 2019.
Some hotels have their own bank counter; direct exchange at the reception is not permitted.
To put the local prices in relation: The monthly average income 2017/8 was a little under € 400.
In the case of food, there is usually no trading. The prices for souvenirs are often completely out of thin air, haggling and staying tough is the order of the day. First of all, stay well below the price you think is reasonable, otherwise you will be up in no time and actually can't go back. Rule of thumb (according to the tour guide): 20 percent of the first mentioned price. In some cases there are state shops with fixed prices (called Artisanat), which allow an orientation about the approximate price. In the Artisanats you only get tested goods, which are guaranteed to have been produced in Tunisia and no children under 16 years of age are involved in the production. In the case of carpets, for example, the prescribed number of knots is correct, etc. In the souks it is more and more common that imported goods (Tunisia now also has production in cheaper countries such as Senegal, Yemen, etc.) are offered, sometimes with false seals, or mostly without an indication of the origin.
In the meantime there are also shops with “Prix Fixe” (fixed prices). There you have more peace to just take a look than in the bazaars. The prices are okay. In some fixed-price shops you can also bargain, if not much.
In the bazaars, tourists are often lured with dumping prices or sayings just to enter the shop. This is a warning. The prices asked are totally excessive.
kitchen
The local dishes differ little from the other Maghreb countries. couscous with side dishes is the national dish. Harissa ensures a pleasant sharpness in many things. French influence is evident in the popularity of white bread. Are often eaten between meals Brik, Dumplings made from a kind of thin pancake batter with a wide variety of fillings.
A bottle of water is often ordered in the restaurants and cafés. However, if the food is too spicy for you, you shouldn't use the water, but rather the bread, which is served with every meal. Alcoholic beverages are available in hotels, but not in ordinary restaurants.
In Tunisia, well-seasoned food is always served outside of the hotels or tourist restaurants. Eating with children is also difficult with it. However, if you like spicy, you should also go to the local restaurants. There are now menus there that you can read in French, with luck also in English or German or with pictures.
alcohol is easily available in tourist hotels, elsewhere due to Muslim reservations it is not always expensive and for local conditions it is expensive. The few shops for alcohol are closed on Fridays and Ramadan. After a tax cut in 2016, a bottle of local wine, mainly rosé and red wine grown on Cap Bon, cost around 13 TDN; Pastis from 17 TDN. Boukha is brandy made from figs.
nightlife
Evening visits to shisha cafes are popular. Mint tea, coffee and freshly squeezed fruit juices are served there.
Tunisia offers night owls a wide range of cafes, restaurants, clubs and discos. Disco goers will find a particularly large selection in tourist centers such as Hammamet, Monastir, Djerba, Sousse or Tunis. Some discos belong to hotels that also operate bars and pubs. It is therefore advisable to go for a drink beforehand and not visit a disco until around midnight.
Since August 2006, a new regional law in the Nabeul / Hammamet region has prohibited the serving of alcohol in discos after 2 a.m. This regulation also affects discos in closed hotels or club resorts. Strangely enough, alcohol can still be served in the hotel bars after 2 a.m.
There is also a stricter youth protection law than e.g. in Germany. In Tunisia, young people under the age of 18 are generally not allowed to visit discos; here, too, hotel discos are also affected. Regular checks are carried out by civil officials Protection Civile carried out in the facilities and the operator threatens severe fines up to the temporary closure of the discotheque in case of non-compliance with the conditions! Some hotels with mainly German customers use a legal loophole here that the acquisition of tobacco and light alcoholic beverages (beer, wine) for young people from 16 Years with a written declaration of consent from the parents.
accommodation
Hotels can be found everywhere, from the simplest accommodations without private sanitary facilities to 1-star standard to luxury hostels. There is no “real” 5-star hotel anywhere in the country, even if the official classification indicates it. In the tourist centers, however, there are many good hotels at fair prices, and the cheapest are to book through the well-known portals on the Internet. Half board is usually only a little more expensive than bed and breakfast and is usually worthwhile. Outside of the holiday regions there are no accommodations of the European standard, only simple local hotels and pensions. Only for a few years there has been accommodation in the traditional style, usually called "Dar", where one or more houses, often in the medina, have been converted into a hotel. In the Sahara there are "campements" where you can spend the night in tents.
It happens that unmarried couples are not allowed to stay in a double room in a hotel. Sometimes it is said that this is “the law.” This rule is only used in exceptional cases for tourists.
There are five Youth hostels the Hostelling International: in Tunis, Djerba, Sfax, Rimel and Nabeul with prices converted between 5 euros (Djerba, Sfax, Nabeul) and 12 euros (Tunis, Rimel).
German package tour providers offer very cheap long-term stays (5 or 7 weeks) in the hotel complexes of Djerba, etc., especially in the winter months. However, it can be that one is then “barracked” in a comparatively remote location.
public holidays
| meeting | Surname | importance |
|---|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year | |
| January 14th | Revolution day | |
| March, 20th | independence Day | |
| 9th April | Day of the Martyrs | |
| 1st of May | Labor Day | |
| July 25th | day of the Republic | |
| 13 August | Womens day | |
| August 10, 2021 / July 30, 2022 | Ras el Am or Ras as-Sana | islamic new year celebration |
| April 12, 2021 - May 12, 2021 | Ramadan, the month of fasting | is based on the lunar calendar |
| May 13, 2021 | Aïd Fitr also Id al-Fitr | End of ramadan |
| July 19, 2021 | Aïd Kbir also Id al-Adha | Festival of Sacrifice |
| October 19, 2021 | Mouled also Mulid an-Nabi | Birthday of the prophet |
security
 | The Austrian Foreign Ministry has one for this country Travel warning released (Web link) Due to the terrorist attacks now also in tourist areas, an increased security risk must be expected throughout the country. Furthermore, there is an increased security risk in the center of Tunis, in other larger cities in the event of demonstrations and mass gatherings and in the central Tunisian parts of the country. Current safety information. Date of last travel warning: 04/26/2019. |
- Emergency calls
Fire department: ☎ 198
Emergency doctor: ☎ 190
Tourist Police: ☎ 197
Emergency number from the national tourist office: ☎ 216 71 105 405
Security in Tunisia is generally good. The crime rate is low, but it has increased, but as a tourist you don't have to be afraid. The government is aware of the economic importance of tourism, and during the high season the police presence is increased in the main travel destinations. Nevertheless, normal safety precautions should be observed, not walking around with jewelry, not carrying a wallet in your back pocket, not carrying large amounts of money, etc. with you. In the crime statistics, pickpocketing predominates with around 85%. As a woman, however, one should only walk through dark alleys and so on with a male company.
Homosexual acts are prohibited and punishable by the age of 3. Prostitution, which has been restricted even more since 2011, is permitted in licensed brothels (“maisons closes”) under strictly controlled conditions. Condoms are compulsory, the women undergo medical examinations twice a week. Anyone who offers such services without authorization, but also those who use them, can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 2 years.
The use of drones is prohibited. Military things shouldn't be photographed at all, people in uniform should only be photographed with permission.
In the southern parts of the country (desert), cell phone coverage is low. Car trips to remote areas should be registered with the gendarmerie.
health
According to the tour guide, the drinking water is drinkable everywhere, but it is heavily chlorinated. Please do not drink tap water in the coastal regions, even the Tunisians do not drink this water.
In addition to international drinks in cans and bottles, there is the excellent Tunisian mineral water Safia.
Attention when visiting and around Gafsa, the tap water here is mineral water from local sources, it is of top quality, but contains a lot of minerals and these in high doses, which is why it leads to stomach and intestinal problems in people who are not used to it can. The local pharmacies have appropriate means against it (e.g. Parégorique). But be careful, these drugs contain very small traces of opium and are therefore not allowed to be imported into Europe!
Health care in Tunisia is relatively good. The German-Tunisian social security agreement covers medical expenses, but this must still be requested from the German health insurance company Foreign health insurance certificate required (not the EHIC). In Tunisia he only covers the costs of state Hospitals.
It is advisable for Swiss and Austrians to take out health insurance abroad, even if the medical costs are quite moderate and the same applies to the drug prices.
Climate and travel time
At the end of October in Tunis 24 ° C air and water. At the beginning of April on Djerba or Zarzis approx. 22 ° C. The Tunisian is still wearing a winter coat and hat! It can get quite windy at times. If the wind comes from the south or west, it usually throws up a lot of sand.
Practical advice
There has been no summer time in Tunisia since 2009.
Rules and respect
One should have respect for the people and remember that Muslims think differently about dress codes, alcohol and tenderness in public than Central Europeans. They are very kind and generous. You come as a stranger and you leave as a friend. Before taking photos, please ask first, there are - apart from the tourist streams - strictly religious Muslims who do not want to be photographed. Mosques are normally not allowed to be entered by non-Muslims; for more important mosques there are exceptions outside of prayer times. Well-behaved clothing is then necessary.
In the hotel sector, however, the massive financial imbalance influences the encounter, you are always infinitely rich compared to the people who work there and possibly also want to earn money from you.
Especially in the Medina of the cities you can still find public baths Hammams (“Turkish bath”), which also had an important social function in traditional Arab society. Before visiting them, you should familiarize yourself with the customs there. It goes without saying that they are used separately by gender.
Much that in the article Moroccan customs and traditions mentioned also applies to Tunisia.
Post and Telecommunications
Country code: 216. Tunisian telephone numbers are eight-digit nationwide.
literature
- Anderson, Lisa; Demystifying the Arab Spring: Parsing the Differences Between Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya; Foreign Affirs, Vol. 90 (2001), No. 3, pp. 2-7 [Official American representation of the "Arab Spring."]
- Fendri, Mounir; Culture man in “barbaric” foreign lands: German travelers in Tunisia in the 19th century; Munich 1996 (Iudicium-Verl.); ISBN 389129266X
- Schetar-Köthe, Daniela; Köthe, Friedrich; Tunisia; Munich 2008 (ADAC)
- Schliebitz, Anja; Klinckmüller, Jochen; Tunisia: with a large travel map; discovery tours with a special guide; Ostfildern 102011 (Baedecker)
- Special Issue: Perspectives on the Arab Uprisings; Arab Studies Quarterly, Vol. 35 (2013), No. 3
Web links
- Tunisia Forum with travel info and members who have been traveling to Tunisia for decades and much more
- Current information about Tunisia
- Office National du Tourisme Tunisien (ONTT; ☎ 216 71 120 300; multilingual)
- inch, including with tariff calculator for vehicle import (French)
- Patrimoine de Tunisie State administration of antiquities, overview of museums (English, French)
- Tunisie advertisement Classified ads, lots of cars, rentals etc. (French)
