Friguia Tierpark

Tunisian Sahara two-day tour of Hollywood film hotspots

Imagine a place where the sands of the desert have been touched by the magic of Hollywood stardust. You've found it with this two-day tour, which'll show you some of Tunisia's most famous film locations. You'll visit a Roman amphitheatre, explore underground cave houses, cross a vast salt lake and discover a secluded oasis at the fringes of the Sahara. Hamdi, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Between Matmata and Douz, there are endless “ergs” – sand dunes – in the restless desert. This desert is not a dead entity, it's even cultivated in places by those who inhabit it. The sands come alive according to the seasons.'Embark on your sandy adventure at El Jem Colosseum. This ancient Roman theatre would seat an audience of 35,000, entertained by gladiatorial fights and chariot races. You'll then head to Matmata, where you'll have lunch and visit the rock-cut cave homes that starred in two Star Wars films. Finish the day in the oasis town of Douz – surrounded with date palms – for an overnight stay. This is a great spot to take an optional camel or carriage ride in the desert.After breakfast, you'll cross Chott el Djerid, a mirage-filled salt lake, before jumping into a 4x4 for a ride to Onk Jemal, where you'll discover the film set city built for Star Wars. After lunch in Gafsa, you'll round off the tour with a photo stop in Kairouan, a great place to take lots of Instagram-worthy pictures of the intricately decorated Islamic architecture that the town is known for.

Kairouan Holy City and El Jem tour from Hammamet

Kairouan's old town echoes Tunisia's past, with a peaceful air that hasn't changed much in centuries. On this tour, you'll discover history-drenched locations such as the Roman colosseum of El Djem, Africa's second-oldest mosque and the medina of Kairouan. Karim, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Kairouan is Tunisia's holiest destination, renowned for its fine Islamic architecture. The interior of the Great Mosque is all endless pillars and arches, colourful carpets, and chandeliers shaped like pine trees that add to the beauty of the space. Even the drains are decorated with intricate stonework.'We'll start off in the walled city of Kairouan. Protected by sandstone walls, the old town offers medina is a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed houses with brightly painted shutters and brick-laid archways, perfect for exploring. Then you'll visit Kairouan's unmissable Great Mosque - considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the region. As well as the mosque's splendid interior, the complex also features a large prayer hall, an arcaded courtyard, and a minaret.Another important site in Kairouan is the Sidi Sahbi mausoleum, known for its beautiful tilework and stucco decorations – it's a popular site for pilgrimages. Next, there's a stop for lunch before visiting El Djem amphitheatre, the third-largest built by the Romans. During its heyday, up to 35,000 spectators would pack its steep stands to watch gladiatorial fights.

Ancient Carthage and Sidi Bou Said tour with lunch

Carthage was the capital of ancient Rome's greatest rival and the site of a titanic clash of civilisations. Today, its ruins bear testament to Rome's ultimate victory as you'll discover during this tour, which also takes in Sidi Bou Said. Mariam, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘A good place to get your bearings in ancient Carthage is Byrsa Hill. It's a bit of a climb but the view over the site, the city and the bay are absolutely worth it.'Under renowned military leaders such as Hannibal, Carthage was one of the greatest powers of the classical world. Exploring the site with a guide gives you the historical background and the local perspective on the story of Carthage. You'll see ruins such as the Baths of Antoninus, which were the largest thermal baths in the Roman Empire. It's a great spot to enjoy the thermal waters – right by the sea. Have a look around the amphitheatre and the Tophet sacrificial site before taking a break for lunch.After a traditional Tunisian local lunch, you'll visit Sidi Bou Said, a clifftop village of cobbled alleys fringed by whitewashed houses with sky-blue doors and window shutters. The blue and white colour scheme has echoes of the Greek islands, and contrasts nicely with the sea beyond. You'll discover the town's history and find out why so many artists have called it home over the years. Take a moment to visit local galleries and browse for handcrafted souvenirs. It's a delightful little place, and the views over Tunis Bay are the icing on the cake.

Nabeul Market

Nabeul Market sprawls through the coastal town of Nabeul, near Hammammet in Tunisia. It's one of North Africa's largest market and you can buy pretty much anything there. This authentic and vibrant shopping experience is renowned for traditional ceramics, leather goods, spices and textiles – it's a treasure trove of handicrafts and local artisanal products.As well as being a great place to pick up souvenirs, Nabeul market is also fantastic for trying the flavours of Tunisia. There's a large section for fresh produce and plenty of street foods to sample, so look out for treats like fresh local fruit, aromatic spices, olives, honey, traditional pastries and top quality Tunisian dates.You'll have the chance to engage with friendly local vendors at the market, who are always ready to share stories, traditions, and insights about their products. Feel free to haggle and negotiate prices, as it's all part of the fun. Nabeul market is also an immersive cultural experience, and you'll see lots of local people doing their shopping here, too.

Enfidha–Hammamet Airport VIP Lounge

Travel in style with the full VIP service at the airport. Avoid all the usual hassle as you're fast tracked through check in and security to enjoy unlimited drinks, snacks and more in the exclusive departure lounge. An altogether more relaxed way to round off your stay.

Friguia Tierpark

Friguia Park is more than a zoo – it's an animal kingdom where you can see and meet everything from antelopes to zebras. On this guided tour, you'll spend the morning getting up close to more than 60 species of animals – it's the perfect outing for all the family.Tunisia's first zoo, Friguia protects and preserves the most endangered species. Stroll along the elevated trails and learn about the park's well-cared-for animals, which are divided in spacious habitats per species. Over in the wetlands you can see pink flamingos and pelicans, while in the savannah you can observe zebras, elephants, tigers, lions and leopards.Take a break from exploring and let the cheeky sea lions entertain you during a live performance. What's more, there's a dolphin show where you can see the friendly mammal perform impressive tricks. If you're feeling peckish, grab a snack from the cafeteria and sit back and relax at the picnic area. All this in the space of a morning, meaning you'll be back at your hotel to spend the afternoon doing whatever you like.

Zulu Dinner Show

Look no further than the Zulu dinner show for an evening of Tunisian fun. Tribal groups, belly dancers and Berber drummers come together to deliver this entertainment extravaganza, which will have you on your feet. What's more, you'll tuck into a sumptuous banquet with free-flowing drinks. The tour has all the ingredients for an evening to remember.You'll be picked up from your hotel and transported to Friguia Animal Park, Tunisia's first zoo. On arrival, there's free time to explore the park and get up close to tigers, elephants, giraffes and more animals which roam around large, natural-style enclosures.Then, it's on to the main event. Take your seat in the Shaka restaurant, a circular thatched tent where you'll spend the rest of the evening. The show kicks off in style with a belly dance performance, followed by infectious drumming, tribal dances and melodic songs by African folklore groups. All this while you feast on hearty Tunisian cuisine, washed down with unlimited wine and soft drinks.

Hammamet Two Medinas Tour

Combining the best of the old and the new, this trip showcases Hammamet's abundant charm. Visit the historic medina for its tranquil maze of lanes that look and feel very much as they would have done centuries ago, before heading to the modern Yasmine Medina - Hammamet's shopping destination par excellence.First up, you'll visit the atmospheric old medina of Hammamet, which dates back to the 15th century. Here you'll have free time to wander its alleys of tightly packed whitewashed homes dominated by the Kabir Mosque minaret – made famous by Paul Klee in a painting. Everywhere you look you'll see Arabic detailing such as the keyhole shaped gateways and the colourful studded doors. The traditional, spice-scented souk is well worth a visit, so get your haggling skills ready.The next stop will be the Medina Yasmine, a much newer but equally appealing walled city built in the style of a traditional Tunisian village. You'll discover the local souks and shops, where you can find unique souvenirs and handicrafts. You'll also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful mosque and the Andalusian gardens, which provide a tranquil escape from the bustling streets.

Highlights of Sousse & Monastir

Like shimmering mirages on the desert horizon, Sousse, Port El Kantaoui and Monastir are a trio of Tunisia's must-sees. Explore ancient fortresses, atmospheric medinas and the magnificent Bourguiba Mausoleum on this full day tour.Your first stop is Monastir. Bring the past to life and admire ancient architecture in the old quarter, before seeing the intricate minarets, mosaics and archways beneath the golden dome of Bourguiba Mausoleum. The city's star turn however, is the Ribat Fortress – an early Islamic stronghold that has guarded the waterfront for over a thousand years.Next up is Sousse, a city where history is etched into every cobblestone. Wander through the bustling medina, a treasure trove of trinkets and handicraft, then make your way to the contemporary marina of Port El Kantaoui. Here, you'll round off the tour with some free time to meander among the luxury yachts dotting the harbour.

Sheherazade Dinner Show

Tunisia's culture and cuisine are as exotic as her spice-scented souks suggest. And with hospitality as friendly as this, you'll not want to leave.Experience an evening of traditional Tunisian food and entertainment, worthy of a sheikh's court. You'll start off with a guided tour of a reconstructed medina, where the cafes, market stalls and buildings have all been designed to showcase Arabian culture. From here, you'll head to the Museum of Religions and the Palace of the Thousand and One Nights, before hopping on a replica of the pirate ship Barberousse. The real vessel used to sail around in the 15th century. Afterwards, a meze of tasty local dishes will be waiting to warm up your appetite, courtesy of some of the country's best chefs. Quality live performances will accompany you across the evening as you embrace the arabesque atmosphere. The stars of the night are the storytelling sessions. Scheherazade will seduce you with a spellbinding show based on the classic Middle Eastern folk tale, One Thousand and One Nights.