Tunisia: An Underrated Cruise Destination

Jun 26, 2026Olivia Edwardstunisia, cruise destination, luxury cruise

Why should I visit Tunisia?

Tunisia is a fairly small country on the north coast of Africa, in the Mediterranean, and is often overlooked when holidaymakers are planning their Mediterranean travels. In actual fact, Tunisia (and in particular Tunis) was an incredibly important location historically.

Trade was huge in Tunisia and its central location in the southern Mediterranean made it a desirable destination to import and export tropical goods from the African continent, as far back as the Roman Empire.

Not only is the country beautiful and a real adventure to explore, it’s also home to some of the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted! Combining Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, Tunisian delicacies are bursting with flavour. Cous cous with Tunisian tagine – different to the Moroccan variety – was one of my favourites. Brik, a thin fried pancake stuffed with potato and egg, was another interesting dish to try.

But the sweets… wow! Bambalouni are deep fried doughnuts coated in sugar or drizzled with honey. Makroudh looks a bit like Turkish baklava, but the consistency of the semolina dough is thicker and richer and the almond filling nuttier and less sweet.

So if you’re a traveller looking for a warm climate, beautiful beaches, historic cities, great food and somewhere a little off the beaten path and less crowded with tourists, Tunisia is a truly fascinating destination to explore.

When should I visit Tunisia on a cruise?

It’s best to visit Tunisia outside of the peak summer months as temperatures soar and the heat can make your visit less enjoyable. Visiting Tunisia on a Mediterranean cruise in either April-May or September-October is best for pleasantly warm temperatures and blue skies, perfect for exploring for a day or two.

Which cruise lines visit Tunisia?

A number of cruise lines offer itineraries which stop off in La Goulette which is the port for Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises, Viking, Azamara Cruises, Ponant, P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises – just to name a few! Whether you’re after a budget family cruise holiday or a more luxurious voyage, you’ve got plenty of choice when it comes to cruising to Tunisia.

Where should I explore in Tunisia?

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Tunisia that the list truly is endless! I personally spent one week there, based in Sousse on the east coast, and despite heading out on a number of day trips and activities, felt like I barely scratched the surface.

If you only have one day to explore Tunisia whilst on a cruise, here are my recommendations for easy shore excursions and day trips to get the most out of your experience.

Spend the day walking around the blue-roofed buildings of Sidi Bou Said and the ancient ruins of Carthage, the iconic archaeological site listed by UNESCO World Heritage. Some cruise lines even organise private or after-hours tours of Carthage to give guests an exclusive and immersive insight into this iconic historical marvel.
Head to the beach at Hammamet and cool down in the beautiful turquoise waters or give parasailing a go!
Go on a walking tour of Tunis Medina and sample Tunisian delicacies, haggle with market vendors, drink mint tea and photograph the beautiful white-washed buildings.
Visit the colosseum in El Jem – where Gladiator was filmed! This is a longer day out but if combined with a stop in Hammamet and/or Monastir, it’s well worth it.
Ride a camel or go quad biking in the desert – it’s a bit too far to get to the true Sahara desert from Tunis but there are some fantastic quad biking and camel riding activities out of the city which feel like you’re on another planet.