Visa requirements
Passport: is generally required when traveling in Tunisia, the passport must be valid during the stay (Austrian passports must be valid for at least 3 months upon entry).
Citizens of the following countries can also travel on a package tour (upon presentation of return tickets and hotel vouchers for the duration of their stay) with a valid identity card / ID card: Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, other EU countries and Switzerland.
Visa: Generally required, with the exception of citizens of EU countries for stays of up to 3 months and Switzerland, (exceptions: visas are required for nationals of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic and Cyprus). Citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany are exempt from the visa requirement for stays of up to 4 months.
The entry card Carte de visiteur non-résident issued by the Tunisian border authorities must be kept and presented when you return.
Transit: Transit travelers who travel within 48 hours, have valid documents for the onward journey and do not leave the transit room do not need a transit visa.
Validity: Tourist Visa: Up to 3 months. Transit Visa: 2 days.
Application: Consulate or consular section of the embassy.
Documents: – Valid passport and copies of the first five pages of the passport – 2 visa applications – 2 passport photos – Fee (postal order) – Travel confirmation.
When applying by post, a stamped, addressed envelope (registered mail) must be enclosed.
Processing time: 3 weeks.
Entry with children:
Germany: German children’s ID with photo or own passport (children’s passport or electronic passport).
Austrians: own passport for children.
Swiss: own passport for children.
The same visa requirements apply to the children as to their parents.
Minors traveling alone should have a legal power of attorney with them.
Entry with pets:
For pets, an official health certificate from the country of origin is required, which certifies that no contagious animal diseases occurred at the place of origin within the last 6 weeks before departure. Cats and dogs also need a rabies vaccination certificate, which was issued at least one and a maximum of 6 months before departure.
Money
National currency: 1 Tunisian dinar is divided into 1,000 millimes.
Currency abbreviation: TD, TND – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
Banknotes with a value of 30, 20, 10 and 5 TD are in circulation. Coins are issued in the values 5 and 1 TD as well as 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes.
Currency exchange: Currency exchange is possible in all banks and in many hotels. The receipt that you receive when you change money should be kept for a possible exchange. Currency exchange on the black market is prohibited.
Exchange rate Tunisian dinar:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Eurocard, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted almost everywhere. Duty freeshops only accept credit cards or foreign currency.
ATMs: There are ATMs in major cities and tourist areas where cash and credit cards can be used to withdraw cash in the local currency.
Travelers checks: Euro and travelers checks are only accepted in banks.
Foreign exchange regulations: The import and export of the national currency is prohibited. Foreign currencies can be imported in unlimited quantities. The export of foreign currencies is limited to the import volume. Up to 30% of the imported and exchanged amount can be exchanged again on presentation of the exchange receipts before departure, up to a maximum of 100 TD per person.
Bank opening times: Mon – Thu 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., Fri 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Health and Diseases
The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends a vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. In the case of special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging etc.), vaccination protection against rabies and / or typhoid can be useful in individual cases. These and other questions should be decided in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.
A valid yellow fever vaccination is required when entering a yellow fever area. HIV / AIDS is a problem worldwide and can be a danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can then pose a considerable life-threatening risk.
The medical care in the country is not quite comparable to Europe and may be technically, apparatusally and / or hygienically problematic in the country. Occasionally, European-trained English / French-speaking doctors are also missing in the periphery. In the event of illness, contact the nearest regional or local office of the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS). In all hospitals and doctors, treatment is only possible against cash payment. Sufficient global health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and should be protected according to the temperature (cold chain?). Here too, individual advice from a tropical doctor or travel doctor is useful.
Night pharmacies and the pharmacies open on Sundays are listed in the daily newspapers.
Care should be taken to ensure that reimbursement by German health insurers is only possible for treatments in state hospitals. You should therefore consult your health insurance provider before treatment in a private clinic.
Bilharzia germs can occur in some ponds and rivers, especially in Gafsa and Schott Djerit, swimming and paddling in fresh water should be avoided. Well-maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless.
Tap water is chlorinated and usually harmless, but it can cause slight stomach upset during the adjustment period, so bottled water is recommended for the first days of vacation. Drinking water outside of large cities is not always germ-free and should be boiled or sterilized. Milk is pasteurized. Mix dry and canned milk only with aseptic water. Meat and fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. The consumption of raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Presentation of the means of transport in Tunisia
Airplane: The flight network within Tunisia is operated by a subsidiary of Tunis Air (TU) – Tuninter (UG). Tickets for Tuninter can be bought at Tunis Air.
There is a daily flight from Tunis to Sfax, as well as several daily flights between Tunis and Djerba. Tozeur on the edge of the Sahara is approached several times a week from Tunis. Advance bookings are recommended as the flights are often fully booked due to the fairly low prices.
Ship: The largest ports in the country include La Goulette, Tunis, Sousse, Sfax and Gabès. Ferries connect Sfax to the Kerkennah Islands. There are all-day car ferries between Jorf on the mainland and Ajim on the island of Djerba (journey time around 15 minutes).
The SNCFT operates the rail network in Tunisia with long-distance trains and suburban trains in Tunis / Hammam Lif / Borj Dedria and Sousse / Monastir / Mahdia. The SNCFT long-distance trains are usually air-conditioned. Numerous holiday resorts in Tunisia can be reached directly by train, including Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Moknine and Gabès. The routes most used by travelers are Tunis – Sfax and Tunis – Sousse.
A trip with the Lézard Rouge through the Selja Gorge in the Atlas Mountains should be particularly interesting for railway fans. The train drawn by a diesel locomotive consists of historic and faithfully reproduced cars and runs several times a week during the tourist season.
Cars: Tunisia has a fairly well developed road network in the north. Petrol and diesel are relatively cheap, but unleaded petrol is not available at all petrol stations. The Garde Nationale (National Guard) can help with car breakdowns and notify the nearest workshop.
Buses operated by the national company Société Nationale du Transport Interurban (SNTRI) connect Tunis to most Tunisian cities, for example, the journey time between Tunis and Sousse is around 2 hours. The SNTRI buses are usually equipped with air conditioning. Private bus routes also go to smaller places. All buses are inexpensive and relatively comfortable.
Public transport in Tunisia is largely based on Louages. A louage is a typical African shared taxi, a large car or a 9-seat bus. They are easily recognized by their white color with red stripes on the side. In Tunisia (in contrast to West African local transport), only as many passengers are taken as there are seats. In every major city there is a Louage train station, often even with signposted “platforms”. The drivers and employees there are helpful and happy to show the Louagein the desired direction. The departure is when the Louage is full, which rarely takes a long time. The prices are set in tariffs, but you should inquire about the price with the driver beforehand in order to avoid any subsequent discussion. If you do not want to drive the entire route of the Louage, you can get off earlier, but the price must be paid for the full route. In smaller towns without fixed Loauge stations, you can stand on the street and wait until a louage that is not yet fully occupied – but this is a matter of luck. Those who board later only pay for the remaining section. Many louage– Drivers in sparsely populated areas are willing to make appointments and pick someone up at a specific point in time.
Rental cars are available in all tourist locations. In addition to the large international companies such as Hertz, Avis, Sixt and Europcar, there are also Tunisian car rental companies, which are usually cheaper. Drivers who rent vehicles must have been in the driver’s license for at least 21 years and for at least 12 months.
Bicycles and motorbikes can also be rented in larger cities.
Top speeds:
in cities: 50 km / h,
on country roads 90 km / h,
on expressways: 110 km / h.
Documents for trips in your own vehicle: registration, valid driver’s license and green insurance card. It is possible to take out insurance for 21 days at the border.
For safety reasons, it is not allowed to drive into the desert without telling the National Guard of the next town the exact route, planned duration and destination. Full catering, enough water, an absolutely roadworthy vehicle equipped for desert tours and an experienced guide are absolutely necessary.
City traffic: Public transport companies (SNT) supply all cities in Tunisia, but the vehicles are usually overcrowded. Tunis and Sousse have a tram network (Métro Léger), in Tunis there are also local trains to the outskirts of Goulette and La Marsa. There are countless taxis within Tunis and other cities, which can be recognized by the yellow color. You can drive individually or use a shared taxi, which can take up to four passengers to the desired destinations.
The most beautiful sights
Tunis, founded by the Phoenicians, is a modern metropolis that is influenced by European and Oriental influences. Modern office buildings are located here alongside winding souks (markets) and Arabic palaces. In the center is the medina (old town), one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in the Islamic world. The main entrance at Porte de France leads directly to Rue Djamaa Ez-Zitouna, the main street of the souks. Other souks, some of which specialize in certain products, branch off from this main street. Djamaa Ez-Zitouna, the great mosque, is a guide.
The Bardo Museum is housed in the former palace of the Bey and has Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine and Arabic treasures. The National Museum houses prehistoric, Punic, Roman and Byzantine exhibits.
The port and bathing resort of La Goulette is in the northeast of Tunis ; on warm summer nights you can sit here in front of the restaurants and cafes and enjoy fish specialties. Further along the coast you can visit the ruins of Carthage. Sidi-Bou Said and La Marsa are also worth a visit. Sidi-Bou Said is a headland overgrown with bougainvillea and geraniums with many villas with bright blue doors and shutters. Gammarth and Raouad are situated in a green landscape with wonderful sandy beaches and offer excellent hotels and international restaurants. Hammam-Lif
lies in the southern outskirts ,a small village on the beach dominated by Djebel Bou Kornine.
The north of the country is also known as “Green Tunisia”. It is a beautiful area with mountains and fertile plains. The weather here is somewhat more pleasant in summer than in the south. Bizerte was formerly known as the Roman city of Hippo Dyarrytus. The old fishing port, the kasbah (the Arab old quarter) and the Andalusian quarter are well preserved, wide avenues run through the city. The landscape of Cap Bizerte, Cap Blanc and Lake Ichkeul are ideal for excursions. The Ichkeul Lake is the habitat of many bird species. Utica, 32 km from Tunis, was a Phoenician settlement (see Historic Sites). Raf Raf nearby is an interesting hilltop village.
After Tabarka, a port and holiday town about 140 km west of Bizerte, you come across a road that leads through Teskraia and Djebel Aboid. The town of Tabarka has a Genoese fortress, the residents are fishermen (hake and mullet) or dive for corals. The coral banks are good for snorkeling.
Hammamet, 65 km from Tunis, lies in the south of Cap Bon and is one of the most popular vacation spots in Tunisia. The medina (Arab old town) surrounded by the sea is dominated by a golden brown kasbah, from the towers of which you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. The Turkish bath (Hammam) as well as the Kasbah and the mosque date from the 15th century.
Nabeul is a modern city about 10 km east of Hammamet. It stands on Punic and Roman foundations. To this day, clay pots and fine ceramics, perfume, lace and leather goods are made according to centuries-old tradition. Every Friday is market day.
Cap Bon has a mild sea climate all year round, an easily accessible coast and is very interesting in terms of landscape. Cap Bon is the promontory between the Gulf of Tunis and the Gulf of Hammamet and an important cultivation area in which figs, olives, oranges, lemons and cereals are grown in addition to wine. The islands of Zembra and Zembretta can be easily reached from the fishing town of Sidi Daoud. El Haouraria is on the edge of the Cape. Migratory birds fly over the village every year and there is a falcon festival every spring. Nearby the cliffs rise up to 400 m. Kerkouane has an important archaeological site from the Punic period.
Inland from Cap Bon are Zaghouan and Thuburba Majus.
The central coastal area consists of a hilly landscape covered with gardens and groves with olive, pomegranate and almond trees. The hills end in white sandy beaches. Collections of gold jewelry can be seen in small museums in the area. To date, many artisans in the cities practice goldsmithing. Many of the towns and villages stand on the ruins of Roman and Punic settlements. The museums of Sousse and El Djem show collections with mosaics that show the wealth of this area during the Roman rule. This wealth was one of the reasons that led the Arabs to found the then largest cities here: Mahdia and Kairouan. The city of Kairouan is still considered the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The Djama Sidi Oqba Mosque was built here in 672. The pulpit was brought from Bagad in 872 and is considered the oldest surviving Islamic pulpit in the world.
Sousse, now Tunisia’s third largest city, is an important port on the east coast. The sandy beaches reach Port el Kantaoui in the north, 7 km away. Impressive walkways surround the old town. The 8th century ribat belongs to a series of fortified monasteries that were built to defend North Africa against Christian attacks. Monastir is a small holiday resort and is known for its 10th century mosque. The city is a mix of old and modern. There are many festivals and horse races during the high season. There is also a museum for Islamic art.
The market town of Moknine is 21 km south .The population is partly Jewish and their traditional jewelry is one of the most interesting exhibits in the Volksmuseum.
The already in the 1st millennium BC. Djerba (or Djerba), populated by the Phoenicians, occupies an area of 514 sq km (largest island in North Africa) and is connected to the mainland by a 6 km long dam. You can also get to the island by ferry or plane. Houmt Souk is the largest market place on Djerba. Several villages in the area specialize in a specific product – ceramics are made in Guellala, for example, in Adjim you dive for natural sponges.
The oases and chotts (dried salt lakes) in Central Tunisia create a strange atmosphere. The chotts are crusted white in summer (but the roads are best accessible at this time of year) and give the impression of endless space. Countless date palms grow in the oases.
The easily accessible Gabès is an oasis by the sea in the south. Gabès has a harbor and is an ideal starting point for trips through the Chotts to the oases Gafsa, Tozeur and Douz or further south to the Sahara and the Matmata mountains (see The South). Tozeur is perhaps the greenest oasis in Tunisia. 200 springs water many of the best date palms. Nefta: The city consists of many sand-colored houses and covers a hill above the oasis. Despite a 4-star hotel, you feel like you are in a remote border town.
To the southeast is Douz on the Grand Erg Oriental, which is one of the large sandy areas of the Sahara. The camel market is held here on Thursdays. The Marhoul ceremony takes place near Douz every January; Here one celebrates the beginning of the seasonal migration of the nomads into the desert with rituals such as camel rings, poet tournaments and musical performances.
Every trip to the desert must be planned very carefully; A suitable vehicle, sufficient food, enough water and an experienced guide are recommended (see Tunisia – travel in the country).
Tunisia, especially the south, was often used as a backdrop for Hollywood films. For example, parts of the were here Star Wars films (Star Wars filmed). Organizers offer trips to the most famous filming locations. Matmata consists largely of depressions dug into the ground: the Berbers protected themselves against summer heat and winter winds.
The Matmatas landscape consists of weathered cone-shaped hills that are intersected by narrow gorges in which olive and fig trees can grow.
The road southeast of Gabès leads to Medenine. This market town has a fortified citadel (Ksar), that of granaries (Ghorfas) is surrounded. Some silos are 2-3 stories high and sometimes even inhabited. On a tour from Medenine to Foum Tataouine, you can see other Ksars, including Ksar Djouama (14th century), Beni Kheddache, Haddada, and Ghoumrassen. The road should be driven on with a jeep.
Perhaps the most beautiful mountain ksars are Ouled Soltane, south of Tataouine and Chenini in the west.
South of Tataouine, Remada and Borj Bourguiba are the foothills of the Sahara. Local travel companies run off-road vehicles. When touring on your own, strict precautionary measures should be taken, it is very easy to lose your bearings in the desert. Notifying the National Guard post in Medenine or the nearest town can be life-saving. The officer on duty must be informed of the route, duration and destination; an appropriately equipped vehicle must be equipped with sufficient water, food, repair and first aid equipment as well as a tent. Only an experienced guide should be taken, and accurate weather forecasts should be obtained, especially on long trips. The best thing to do is to set out with at least two people and leave the route at each guard post.
Tunisia has a large number of well-preserved remains of its Punic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic history.
Probably the most famous historical site is Carthage, the city that long struggled with Rome for dominance in the Mediterranean. This city, which was once the center of the Phoenician Mediterranean trade, has been exposed since 1974.
The symbol of the small town of El Djem (40 km from Mahdia) is the Colosseum. The outer walls are 35 m high, there was a capacity of 30,000 seats. Kairouan (50 km from Sousse) is the fourth most important city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. Seven visits to Kairouan are said to correspond to a trip to Mecca. The courtyard of the Great Mosque (which can also be visited by Christians) is said to accommodate up to 200,000 pilgrims. The prayer room is supported by columns from Roman, Byzantine and Arab times. The 5 m high wooden pulpit was built in the 9th century, as was the minaret with 128 steps. Utica was around 1100 BC. A Phoenician colony. It is therefore older than Carthage, its rival of later centuries. Dougga is 100 km away from Tunis. The Roman theater, built in AD 168, has 3,500 seats and is still used for performances today. The Capitol is one of the greatest in North Africa. In Bulla Regia, south of Tabarka, there are many sights from Roman, early Christian and Byzantine times. Sbeitla, 160 km from Sousse and Sfax, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. There are numerous ruins of Roman temples and baths, Christian churches and Byzantine forts.
Djerba in Tunisia
Djerba is a Mediterranean island that belongs to Tunisia and is located on the east coast of this country. This area is particularly popular with holidaymakers who want to treat themselves to a tropical bathing holiday, because the many exotic plants alone, which include palm trees and cacti, ensure that you immediately feel in Djerba as if you were in another world been transferred.
Due to the mild Mediterranean climate, nothing stands in the way of a beach holiday on the beautiful beaches, especially in the northeast of the island you will find long and beautiful sandy beaches.
Linguistically there are hardly any problems on the island of Djerba. Many locals who work in tourism speak French and sometimes English or German. Of course, it is always appreciated when you master and use some Arabic phrases.
Djerba has several famous synagogues that can be visited. Among them is the oldest synagogue in the world and an underground synagogue. Djerba also has the largest crocodile farm in North Africa, which is popular with holidaymakers.
The city of Misoun is a particularly beautiful, small place. Misoun is centrally located on the island of Djerba and offers numerous options for shopping, with both traditional bazaars and modern shops. Something suitable for every taste will surely be found here.
Even if Djerba is a relatively small island (but the largest island in North Africa) you can spend some very nice days here and enjoy the warm sea to your heart’s content.
Anyone who visits Djerba as a tourist will find numerous interesting sights on this island. One of them is the Römerdamm. The dam extends south and has a length of 7 kilometers. It is 10 meters wide and connected to the mainland of Tunisia. It got its name from the fact that it dates back to Roman times. Archaeologists assume, however, that the dam was even built in the Punic.
In 1551 the dam was broken. Security and caution were wanted, because Djerba was at the time in conflict with Spain. After the end of the Second World War, however, it was completely restored.