Tunisia Classic North-South Loop
Head south from Tunis to the oases and the Sahara, then return north via El Jem, connecting major World Heritage sites.
The most popular route run by travel agencies for first-time visitors, covering ancient ruins, medinas, oases, and sand dunes. Heading south via Kairouan and Gafsa avoids Kasserine Governorate. Most days involve long drives, with Day 7 being the most tiring at around 400 km, making a chartered car with a driver more hassle-free than self-driving. The trade-off is that beaches and Djerba Island are excluded; if you want a beach vacation, you can add extra days at the end.
From June to August, temperatures in the south often exceed 40°C in the afternoon; in winter, desert nights can drop close to 5°C.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Tunis Medina
Tunis（Medina of Tunis、Al-Zaytuna Mosque、Avenue Habib Bourguiba）
Take a taxi from the airport to the city center (approx. 20 mins). Walk between the Medina and Avenue Habib Bourguiba.
Stay: New Town (Habib Bourguiba Avenue)
Day 2 · Bardo & Carthage
Tunis（Bardo National Museum、Carthage、Antonine Baths、Sidi Bou Said）
Take a taxi to the Bardo Museum, then transfer to the TGM light rail or hire a chartered car to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. Short-distance suburban travel for the day.
The Bardo Museum is closed on Mondays, and some exhibition halls are still undergoing renovation.
Stay: New Town (Habib Bourguiba Avenue)
Day 3 · Roman Ruins of Dougga & Transfer to Kairouan
Drive approx. 2 hours to Dougga by chartered car. In the afternoon, transfer to Kairouan via Thuburbo Majus, taking about 5 hours in total.
There is no shade in Dougga; bring water and a hat. Morning entry is more comfortable.
Stay: Medina of Kairouan
Day 4 · Holy City of Kairouan & South to Tozeur
Sousse, Kairouan & El Jem（Great Mosque of Kairouan、Aghlabid Basins、Mosque of the Barber (Zaouia of Sidi Sahab)） → Tozeur
Visit the historical sites in the city in the morning. After noon, drive to Tozeur via Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa, about 290 km and over 3.5 hours.
Non-Muslims can only enter the courtyard of the Great Mosque. Visit before 14:00, and even earlier on Fridays.
Stay: Chebbi Avenue Area
Day 5 · Mountain Oases & Star Wars Film Sets
Tozeur（Chebika Oasis、Tamerza Waterfall & Old Village、Midès Canyon、Ong Jemel (Camel's Neck)、Mos Espa Star Wars Set）
A full-day local 4x4 loop. Head north to the mountain oases in the morning, and drive to the sand dune film sets via the edge of the salt lake in the afternoon, about 250 km.
Tamerza and Mides are close to the border; check foreign ministry travel advisories before departure.
Stay: Chebbi Avenue Area
Day 6 · Crossing the Salt Lake to Douz
Tozeur（Medina of Tozeur (Ouled El Hadef)、Chott el Djerid） → Douz（Great Dune of Douz (Ofra)）
Explore the old town in the morning, then cross Chott el Djerid via the causeway to Douz (approx. 120 km, 2 hours). Ride camels at sunset.
Stay: Grand Dunes Area
Day 7 · Troglodyte Dwellings, Amphitheater & North to Sousse
Djerba（Matmata） → Sousse, Kairouan & El Jem（Amphitheatre of El Jem）
Drive from Douz to Matmata (approx. 2 hours), then take the highway to El Jem and Sousse. The total distance is about 400 km for the day, so an early departure is recommended.
This is the longest driving day of the trip; avoid driving on rural roads at night.
Stay: Boujaafar Beachfront
Day 8 · Sousse Medina & Return to Tunis
Sousse, Kairouan & El Jem（Medina of Sousse、Ribat of Sousse） → Hammamet（Hammamet Medina & Kasbah）
Explore the Medina of Sousse in the morning, then drive to the airport via Hammamet (approx. 150 km, 2 hours). Leave plenty of buffer time for your flight.