The Medina of Tunis

The Medina of Tunis is the ancient heart of the Tunisian capital, a UNESCO site and one of the best-preserved and most authentic medinas in the Arab world. Founded over a thousand years ago, its dense labyrinth of narrow lanes and covered souks, each traditionally devoted to a trade, winds past the great Zitouna Mosque, hidden palaces, madrasas, ornate doorways and shady courtyards, a living, working old town of craft, commerce and daily life at the centre of the modern city.

What you actually see

• The covered souks - the labyrinth of trade markets.
• The Zitouna Mosque - the great historic mosque at its heart.
• The palaces and doorways - the hidden mansions and ornate doors.
• The Bardo Museum - the superb Roman mosaic museum nearby.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather; the medina is a working old town, liveliest during the day when the souks are busy. It is best explored with time to wander and get pleasantly lost in the lanes.

Honest expectations

It is a genuine, working medina rather than a polished tourist showpiece, so it is atmospheric but can be chaotic, and touts and shopkeepers can be persistent, with haggling expected. It is easy to get lost, which is part of the fun. The superb Bardo Museum, with its world-class Roman mosaics, is a short trip away and unmissable.

Nearby

The Bardo Museum, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said are within reach.