The Best Hotels To Book In Tunisias Historical Cities

Tunisia’s strategic importance has seen it become the object of conquest for many conquering powers; Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Spaniards, Turks, and the French all left an imprint on its storied terrain and well-preserved sites and ruins remain as monuments to this fractious history. This geographical guide includes the best hotels in Tunisia, bookable with Culture Trip.

Tunis

Once one of the Islamic world’s greatest and wealthiest cities, Tunis still contains over 700 monuments, including madrasas, palaces, grand residential quarters, crypts, mosques and fountains. The UNESCO listed area of Tunis is a fine example of an Arabo-Muslim city with its 8th century central medina, 13th century suburbs and imposing military barracks all intact. It is also possible to visit the world’s largest collection of Roman polychrome mosaics at Tunisia’s national museum and archaeological repository, The Bardo Museum.

1. Dar Ben Gacem

Hotel, Riad

A relaxing area with several coffee tables surrounded by sofas at Dar Ben Gacem

Situated in the cultural district of Tunis, Dar Ben Gacem is near to the Souk El Attarine, Zitouna Mosque, and Bab el Bahr. This riad is housed in a traditional building dating from the eighteenth century and features seven uniquely design rooms. The hotel has a central court yard known as a ‘Riyad’ and a roof terrace which overlooks the city. Most of the building’s original features have been restored including all the ancient poles, tiles and ceiling details. Furnishings are either vintage or handcrafted by Tunisian artisans and artists, representing different Tunisian ethnic groups and cultures.

2. Dar El Medina

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

A view from above of an outside seating area with a couple of tables and chairs at Dar El Medina

Located in the heart of Tunis’s medina, Dar El Medina is a hotel in a traditional 19th century building complete with a rooftop terrace offering a panoramic view of Tunis. This twelve room boutique has been run by the same family since it was built in 1825. Featuring whitewashed and tiled walls, with latticed windows, this unique mansion is a vast contrast to the narrow street outside, with inner courtyards providing light, space and shade. Its interior is decorated in sand and neutral colours, with deep rich textiles and modernist paintings in each room.

Sousse

Sousse is one of the older urban centres in Tunisia and has been described as of the country’s liveliest towns, boasting an authentic medina, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This medina stands in the centre, cordoned off from the rest of town by high, medieval fortifications. It is an hour away from El Jem, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman amphitheatres and is also conveniently located on the coast nearby attractive beaches and a clear turquoise sea.

3. Marhaba Beach

Resort, Hotel

A very large outdoor pool with sunloungers at Marhaba Beach Sousse

Situated on a private beach, Marhaba Beach is a stylish and popular hotel situated on the outskirts of Sousse, near to the resort of Port El Kantaoui and the historic Ribat of Sousse. Each room comes complete with a balcony where guests can view the surrounding gardens and also houses a grand buffet restaurant featuring a marble floor and arches.

4. Scheherazade Sousse

Hotel

A bright room with turquoise wallpaper and sliding doors leading out onto a patio area at Tui Blue for Two Scheherazade Sousse

Just a five minute drive from the centre of Sousse and the port town of Port el Kantoui, the newly restored ‘Couples’ Sousse Hotel has its own private sandy beach and beautiful gardens lined with palm trees. It houses two swimming pools, one in the main courtyard and another located in the palm groves, close to the beach. The hotel offers plenty of places to try local dishes including a buffet restaurant and two a la carte restaurants, which serve Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Tozeur

Located in the South West of Tunisia, Tozeur is an oasis known for its beige brick architecture and the 14th-century medina (Ouled El Hwadef) — the old quarter is a small maze of fascinating and intricate brickwork houses, arches and walls. Tozeur is close to the famous salt lake Chott el-Jerid, the largest of Tunisia’s salt lakes which is dry for ten months of the year and has a causeway running over it.

5. Palm Beach

Suite Hotel, Hotel

The front exterior of the peach-coloured Palm Beach Palace with two camels in the foreground

Palace Tozeur is located in the downtown area of the town close to the Dar Chrait Museum and the Tunisian desert. Surrounded by lush gardens this hotel has been designed in the classic Tunisian style offering 128 rooms and 7 suites overlooking the palm grove. The hotel has a restaurant offering international cuisine and a gourmet menu, two large heated pools, an indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, a hammam and jacuzzi.

6. Hotel Ras El Ain

Hotel, Spa Hotel

An outdoor pool with yellow sunloungers at Hotel Ras El Ain

Conveniently near the airport in Tozeur, the four star Hotel Ras El Ain is close to Chott el-Jerid and is situated in a magnificent garden. Next to the desert, each room is equipped with controlled air conditioning and heating and also houses an indoor and outdoor pool and a spa. Like many of the hotels in the area, the building has been furnished with traditional Tunisian decor and old world style.

Kairouan

The many attractions in the Muslim holy city of Kairouan include The Great Mosque, one of the finest Islamic buildings in North Africa, and the Bi’r Barouta Well — the spot where the city was founded which is reputedly linked to the ZamZam Well in Mecca. Kairouan’s grand mosques and cultural history have seen it added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

7. Hotel La Kasbah

Hotel

Hotel La Kasbah is a five star hotel which offers a unique blend of old and new. It features two outstanding restaurants serving local specialities and fine international cuisine and houses a steam room, a sauna, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Additional amenities include a nightclub, multilingual staff, and guest parking.

8. Continental Kairouan

Hotel

A large outdoor pool with the white-painted Continental Kairouan in the background

The Continental hotel is situated in front of the Aghlabid Basins, not far from The Great Mosque and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi. Set in the city centre, the Continental Kairouan is within walking distance of Kairouan’s popular shopping and sightseeing areas. The hotel’s on-site restaurant is an ideal option and the hotel lounge bar is recommended in evenings.

Nefta

With its abandoned hilltop villages and berber towns, Nefta has been a popular filming spot (notably for the original Star Wars films) and has recently become a popular destination for tourists. Located southwest of Tozeur, one of its main sights is The Corbeille (Basket) and the oasis.

9. Dar Hi

Eco Hotel, Hotel, Villa

A room with glass windows overlooking the city of Nefta at Dar Hi

Dar Hi, designed by Matali Crasset, is an eco-hotel located on the edge of the Sahara. Housing four types of accommodation, each room is actually a stand-alone, elevated structure, with the bathroom and bedroom situated atop an outdoor seating area. The walls are mostly made of glass, featuring panoramic views. Some open directly onto the sand, and allow guests to rearrange the furniture to suit their needs. In addition, the restaurant uses its own produce grown on site and serves local dishes.

10. The Villa Dar Zargouni

Guesthouse, Villa

A large room with brick-tiled flooring, double bed with wooden headboard and ensuite at Villa Dar Zargouni

Dar Zargouni is a unique guest house perched on a sand dune overlooking the oasis. The house is built around two courtyards surrounded by lush gardens and consists of four fully self-contained suites. Free bicycle hire is available to guests and there is also an outdoor pool and garden.

Looking for more great hotels in Tunisia? Check out our pick of the top cultural hotels in Hammamet, Tunisia, bookable on Culture Trip.

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