Tunisia has warm, sunny weather most of the year. Fall is an ideal time to visit; July and August can be very hot away from the coast, and winter brings occasional rain to the northern part of the country.
There are currently no direct flights to Tunis from the United States, but it is easy to connect from London, Paris, Frankfurt, or Casablanca.
Great Value: Dar Dhiafa Erriadh, Jerba; 216-75/671-166; hoteldar dhiafa.com; doubles from $130.
Great Value: Dar El Medina 64 Rue Sidi Ben Arous, Tunis; 216-71/563-022; darelmedina.com; doubles from $150.
Dar Saïd Rue Toumi, Sidi Bou Saïd; 216-71/729-666; darsaid.com; doubles from $212.
Pansea Ksar Ghilane Ksar Ghilane; 216-5/621-870; pansea.com; suites from $264.
Villa Didon Rue Mendès-France, Carthage Byrsa; 216-71/733-433; villadidon.com; doubles from $300.
Au Bon Vieux Temps A Sidi Bou Saïd institution. French and Tunisian dishes—with a view of the Mediterranean. 56 Rue Hedi Zarrouk, Sidi Bou Saïd; 216-71/744-788; dinner for two $68.
Café des Nattes Main Square, Sidi Bou Saïd; no phone.
Café Sidi Chebaane A popular hangout for mint tea and pastries. Rue Sidi Chebaane, Sidi Bou Saïd; no phone.
Dar El Jeld Tunisian cuisine, using old family recipes, in a stunning medina palace. 5–10 Rue Dar El Jeld, Tunis; 216-71/560-916; dareljeld.tourism.tn; dinner for two $20.
Dar Zarrouk Rue Hedi Zarrouk, Sidi Bou Saïd; 216-71/740-591; dinner for two $70.
Ed-Dar A treasure trove of antiques and contemporary North African art, pottery, jewelry, and carpets—housed in a 15th-century medina mansion. 8 Rue Sidi Ben Arous, Tunis; 216-71/561-732; ed-dar.com.
Bardo National Museum Bardo, Tunis; 216-71/513-650.
Historian Mme. Jamila Binous gives walking tours of the Tunis medina most Saturday mornings. 216-71/715-765.
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