Is Tunisia Good for a Family Holiday? Our Honest Guide
Sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches, family-friendly hotels, lots of activities, and low prices make Tunisia an attractive option for many UK families.
We look at why you might choose this unique North African nation this summer - and examine some of the risks you should be aware of.
What is there for families to do in Tunisia?
Tunisia boasts some of the best beach resorts in North Africa, with modern hotels and plenty for the whole family to enjoy. You'll find swimming pools, beach bars, kids' clubs, and watersports, not to mention ancient Roman ruins and charming mosques.
In summer, temperatures in Tunisia range from 27 to 35°C, although the coastal breeze will take the edge off the hottest days.
Tunisia's popularity as a holiday destination began in the 1960s, when the government recognised the huge opportunities tourism offered for the national economy and invested heavily into the sector.
That hard work has paid off: Tunisia has one of the best beach break offerings available.
Winter holidays to Tunisia
Winter holidays are within hopping distance with Tunisia.
If you’re considering a trip for later in the year, Tunisia is still a great option. Daytime temperatures in December can often reach 18°C, although this can dip with cloud cover.
With flight times of around three hours from London, Tunisia is one of the easiest places to reach for some winter sun. Additionally, flights are much cheaper than other sunny destinations like Thailand or Australia.
The relatively short flight time is also a big bonus for families travelling with young children; a three-hour flight is bearable for most kids.
Tunisia holiday resorts
Hammamet
Located on Tunisia's northeastern coast, Hammamet is Tunisia's prime beach holiday resort, and is particularly good for families. Long, flour-like sandy beaches, clean, azure-blue waters, and a range of hotels for different budgets make it a winner for both adults and kids.
The shallow waters also mean it's safe for children to enjoy the sea.
Hammamet's hotels maintain a laser-sharp focus on families, with many accommodation options featuring pools, kids' clubs, and entertainment programs.
The area also boasts numerous historical attractions, including the Kasbah (fortress) of Hammamet, the Great Mosque of Hammamet, the ancient Puppet Roman archaeological site, and the 13th century Hammamet Fort.
Hammamet's Medina (old town), meanwhile, features charming whitewashed houses and a bustling market where you can pick up souvenirs and visit local artisan workshops.
Sousse
Known for its fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, the resort of Sousse is around 100 km to the south of Hammamet.
One of the main beaches is Boujaffar, offering beach bars, restaurants, sunbed rentals and a range of watersports.
Another popular tourist resort, Port El Kantaoui lies just to the north of Sousse, and presents a number of more upmarket hotel options, sandy shores, and a charming marina.
While the resort caters to higher-budget travellers, there are plenty of more affordable options for young families.
Djerba island
With miles of white sandy beaches and some excellent resorts, Djerba island is another great option for a family beach break.
There's lots to do for all ages in Tunisia's Djerba: think swimming pools, water parks, kids' clubs, playgrounds and a whole range of organised evening entertainment.
There's also historical sites in the form of an underground mosque and ancient Roman ruins to explore. The ochre-coloured interior is covered in date palms and olive groves, enhancing the exotic North African vistas.
How much does a family holiday in Tunisia cost?
For families on a budget, Tunisia can offer great value. Package tour companies present some attractive deals.
A recent study by holiday firm LoveHolidays suggested Tunisia was the most budget-friendly package holiday destination, with a seven-night break averaging 576 per person.
You might also go for a build-your-own holiday.
Buying separate flights and accommodation can also be affordable, although you might not get the packaged food options available with some tour company deals.
Designing your own holiday could be substantially cheaper than booking a package holiday - especially if you're willing to stay in a hotel located away from the beach - although these accommodation options are less likely to offer things like swimming pools, kids clubs and entertainment.
Do note that Tunisia has not been immune from inflation pressures, so prices have increased in the last year or so.
Prices for restaurants, hotels and cafes, for instance, have seen a year-on-year increase of 10.2%.
What's the food like in Tunisia?
Like much of the Mediterranean basin, Tunisian food is based around meat, seafood, olive oil, tomatoes and an array of spices.
Must-try dishes of this North African country include couscous, chakchouka (poached eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce), and lablabi (chickpea soup).
That said, there's plenty of Western dishes available in the hotels and restaurants of the resorts - so don’t worry if you're travelling with some fussy eaters. Indeed, Western food is popular nationwide. While there's no McDonald's, there's the local version, Fatburger, plus KFC, Hard Rock Cafe and Papa-John’s pizza.
Is Tunisia safe for families?
TravelMadMum, who has travelled with children in Tunisia, had this to say about safety concerns:
"In my honest opinion I never felt unsafe when I was in Tunisia. We explored lots of the local area, people were friendly and inviting."
That said, safety is clearly a top concern for any family, so do check the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office for up-to-date information.
Violent acts do happen, and while most recent issues are related to internal political and religious tensions, there is still a threat to tourists and Western targets.
The terrorist attack in the resort of Sousse in 2015 prompted the UK government to work "closely with the Tunisian authorities to improve protective security in major cities and tourist resorts."
Women may attract unwanted attention from male Tunisians, although this is more likely in big cities like the capital, Tunis.
You should also be aware of tourist scams in Tunisia
Tunisia tourist scams
As is common with many popular tourist destinations, there are a few unscrupulous characters that you might encounter during you travel to Tunisia.
Here are some of the more common scams you may come across on your Tunisian holiday:
Are you paying too much?
When encountering tourists, some vendors, particularly in the markets and around tourist attractions will try their luck and ask more money for something than it is actually worth.
If you feel that a vendor is trying to overcharge you, the solution is to haggle. Start by offering 25% less than the asking price and be confident in your negotiation skills.
The same can apply with taxis. To avoid being overcharged, make sure to ask them to turn on the meter. It´s also a good idea to use an app such as Google maps to have an idea as to how long the journey should take, you can then ask the taxi drive prior to getting in, approximately how long the trip will take and cross reference this with what the app is saying.
Fake goods
You should also be wary of buying counterfeit goods.
Common as they are in many tourist markets in many countries, items such as clothing, watches, sun glasses and bags, but also cigarettes and cosmetic products are sold without the knowledge of the trademark owner.
As these items haven’t been controlled or checked, the safety of such goods cannot be guaranteed.
Other items to be cautious of buying in Tunisia are gold and spices.
Vendors in the markets and tourist areas are known to sell gold items, which are actually only, often low-quality, gold-plated articles.
If you want to buy gold jewelry in Tunisia, ensure you verify the product authenticity before buying and only purchase to reputable shops far from the tourist zones!
In the medinas you’ll often find “Tourist spice packs” on sale also. These are however, of low quality, so represent no better value than the spices you can buy back home in your local supermarket!
‘Fake’ people
Many hotels in Tunisia offer all inclusive options, which require guests to wear a hotel wristband. This has given rise to a common scam, which often occurs near the souks of Hammamet and Sousse.
Tourists will be approached by a local, and the conversation will always start ‘oh, do you remember me, I’m a waiter from your hotel!’ which of course is not true.
They hope that you will pretend to remember to strike up a conversation and will subsequently result in them leading you to an overpriced souvenir shop or tour.
Can I get travel insurance for Tunisia?
Yes, many travel insurers offer cover for Tunisia trips, including Start Travel.
The UK government strongly urges visitors to take out comprehensive travel insurance when visiting Tunisia.
Any good travel insurance policy for Tunisia will offer cover for a range of scenarios, including:
- Emergency medical and repatriation expenses
- Cancellation and curtailment
- Cover for lost, stolen or damaged possessions, passports and documents
- Missed departures
- Personal liability
The level of the cover provided will be dependent on the travel insurance policy you choose.
If you are looking to purchase a single trip travel insurance policy for your holiday to Tunisia, simply enter Tunisia in the destinations box when getting your quote.
For an annual multi-trip policy, to ensure you are covered for a holiday to Tunisia, select ‘Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean’ from the travel insurance options presented to you.
When planning any trip abroad, you should check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice on the FCDO website before you travel. If you visit an area against government advice, you’re unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Is Tunisia covered by GHIC?
It's particularly important to buy a policy with cover for medical expenses, since Tunisia is not covered by the UK's Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which offers free or reduced cost medical treatment.
Medical treatment isn’t free for foreign travellers in Tunisia. Any medical fees must be paid on the spot. This includes all doctors’ fees, medication, and hospital treatment in private clinics, which could work out to be very expensive.
With this in mind, making sure you have travel insurance for a Tunisia trip is important to avoid large medical bills should you need medical treatment while you’re away.
If you have any pre-medical health conditions, you should tell your travel insurance provider about this. Failure to do so, means you won’t be covered under your travel insurance, for anything that arises from, is related to, or has been caused by any pre-existing medical conditions.
Any medical fees must be paid on the spot.
So, is Tunisia good for families?
While being mindful of the potential risks, the exceptional beaches, well-equipped resorts, and affordable prices make Tunisia a great choice for a family break.
From the waterparks to boat trips, camel rides and the medinas, there really is something for all of the family to enjoy in Tunisia.
Plus, if you’re a movie buff, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Star Wars film set of Mos Espa, beautifully located amongst the Sahara dunes, or the incredible El Jem ampitheatre, the location where the film Gladiator was shot.
However you choose to spend you days during your trip to Tunisia, you’re sure to make some incredible family memories!
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