Tunis Cruise Holidays

The city of Tunis is the capital and largest city in the Republic of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the region and the great news for all of those wanting to visit the historic North African city is that it is relatively straightforward via the port of La Goulette, which is often referred to as the Port of Tunis or simply as Tunis by the cruise lines.
The city has a long history going all of the way back to ancient times when the city was known as Carthage as was one of the superpowers of the world in that era.
Some of the streets and buildings built during that heyday can still be enjoyed to this very day, whilst the Medina of Tunis is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There is a lot more to the city than its history however as thanks to its past as a superpower and a conquered city and it modern day location as an Araba nations in North Africa and its ties to Europe, it has a unique culture all of its own that can only be experienced by visiting.
There are lots of modern architecture and attractions to take in whilst in the city and thanks to that same location that made it a powerhouse of the past, it is now a cruise port of call for those exploring the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, and the Aegean Sea- amongst other areas.
The modern city centre and historic districts can be all visited on a tour of the city, with most cruise lines and lots of local companies offering a range of excursions and tours for those stopping at La Goulette, in the Gulf of Tunis, also known as the port of Tunis or as the catchier ‘the gateway to Tunis’.
Cruises To Tunis
Tunis Cruise Guide
If you have already booked a cruise to La Goulette and are researching what your options are for your day ashore, our guide brings you all of the information that you need to make the best of your time in the city of Tunis or elsewhere in Tunisia.
If you are yet to book a cruise of the region and are still deciding whether a stop at the port of La Goulette is the right decision for you, our guide gives you all of the information that you need to make an informed decision.
Type of Cruises Available
When it comes to cruises holidays to the port of Tunis (La Goulette) there are 3 different types of cruises that are on offer, although the type with the most options is by far flying to a number of cruise ports of departure in the Mediterranean and starting/ending your cruise there.
If you choose to start and end your holiday in a cruise port city such as Genoa, Barcelona, Marseille, or Civitavecchia (Rome), you will not only have a much wider choice of itineraries, ships, lines and perhaps most importantly budgets for a cruise holiday that offers the port of Tunis as a stopping off port.
By choosing the above option, you can also add on a few days either before or after your cruise and enjoy a land based short break in your chosen city.
If you prefer not to fly, there are a few options for cruises that start and end in the UK and that stop off at the port but these do tend to be few and far between, which often leaves to little choice of ships, lines and itineraries and often higher cruise fares.
The final option is to choose a repositioning cruise that is somewhat a hybrid of the 2 above, where you start your cruise in a port located abroad before cruising back to the United Kingdom, or vice versus, but there are a very limited number of these cruises each year, if at all.
Tunis Cruise Port Location
There is only one cruise ship port in Tunisia and that is located just outside of the capital city of Tunis.
Cruise ships dock in the port of La Goulette, which is known locally in Arabic as Halq al-Wadi, which is around 12km or 15 minutes by road to the centre of Tunis.
The cruise dock itself is relatively basic, as you would expect from just a cruise port of call dock and there is little around the dock.
Known as the Cruise Pirs La Goulette, the dock is part of a large working port so the only options are to either head off on an organised excursion or to take advantage of shuttle buses, that often need to be pre-booked dependent on your cruise line.
Tunis Attractions
When it comes to things to do in and around the city of Tunis, the vast majority are based on the history of the city or are simply great areas to walk around and take in the architecture and culture of the direct.
One of the most popular museum is the National Bardo Museum, which features a large collection of Roman mosaics and Punic artefacts amongst their collections.
The Medina of Tunis is the old town of Tunis and it is here where many tourists head too to roam around the narrow and winding streets to take in the sights and sounds of a traditional Tunis district.
Another great district for tourists in the Avenue Habib Bourguiba which is a key shopping and eating/drinking street, whilst the Bab El Bhar gateway makes for a popular photo stop.
The Marche central de Tunis, Fondouk El Ghala is always a hub of activity and is a great place to grab a bite to eat.
Tunis is home to many beautiful religious sites including the Zitouna Mosque, which is one of the oldest in the country and the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul.
Tunis Shorex
There are lots of options for those wanting to take an organised excursions from their ship to attractions and locations across the north of Tunisia but the most popular choice has to be to take a trip to the ruins of Carthage and walk around the ancient streets.
For those who have longer in the country, it is possible to head south to Kairouan and the incredible amphitheatre at El Jem whilst the remains at Dougga give an insight into Berber, Punic and Roman life in the country.
Best Time To Visit
Tunis enjoys year around warm weather and lots of sun but it can often get too hot for many visitors in July and August.
The main cruise season is April to October so to avoid the heat and crowds of summer and still have the widest range of options, it is arguably best to visit in either May-June or September-October.
Transport
Although a shuttle bus at least will be needed to get from the port to the city centre, for many Tunis is city where you simply walk around the streets and take in everything to come across.
For those wanting to see more of the city, there are numerous bus and tram routes but these are mainly used by locals and commuters and their could be language barrier issues.
Taxis are available around the city but prices should be negotiated before you set off.
Tunis Cruise From United Kingdom
If you would like to visit Tunisia on a cruise directly from the United Kingdom, the good news is that there plenty of options to do just that.
As a Mediterranean destination, it often gets overlooked by the bigger ports in the region and by a European bias of itineraries but there are a number of liens that call into the North African country.
Tunis Cruise From Southampton
If you would like to cruise to Tunis from the UK, it is the leading port of Southampton where you will find the widest range of ships, itineraries and lines offering a cruise to Tunis.