Tunis Part 2

Sat 13/5/23

Today we would be heading back to Tunis which is a 175km drive (about 2 hours). After a fulfilling buffet breakfast (included in hotel room price) which starts at 6.30am, we made our way to Tunis. We took the toll road. The toll cost TND 1 at Enfidra exit and another one near Tunis cost TND 1.9 We drove straightaway to the Carthage ruins, a Unesco World Heritage site as it was still early at 11am to check in our hotel

boiled eggs, bread and salad

omelette

croissant, pastry and cheese

We started with the Musee de Carthage Byrsa, although the museum was closed we could still take pictures of the sea and city view from Byrsa hill. The entrance fee to the Carthage ruins is TND 12 per person which gives access to 8 locations. We went to 5 out of the 8 locations. The parking is free at Musee de Carthage Byrsa.

Carthage ruins of Hannibal district at Byrssa hill overlooking the Gulf of Tunis

From the Unesco World Heritage site: Carthage was founded in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis by the Punic empire. It was then occupied by the Roman empire after the Punic wars, in 146 B.C. 

From Byrsa hill, we drove to Quartier Magon located by the Gulf of Tunis sea which houses the Punic quarters. We could use the same ticket that we purchased at Byrsa hill to enter here. The parking nearby is also free.

Quartier Magon ruins. Gulf of Tunis at the back

Gulf of Tunis. Cloudy today

Gulf of Tunis

We were told by the ticket counter attendant that the nearby Antonine baths is more interesting. So we didn't spend much time here and then walked to the 3rd location. The Antonine baths were built between 145 and 162 AD during the Roman empire occupation. There is a great view of the pillars with the sea as the background. 

Antonine baths

The 4th location is located a bit far, so we drove to the Theatre Romain. There is car park just outside and it is free. It is a smaller version amphitheatre and build in the 2nd century AD under the reign of Hadrian.

Theatre Romain

The 5th and last location of the Carthage ruins we visited today, a short walk from the car park at Theatre Romain was the Villas Romaines. Some of the monuments here are the Roman villa of the Aviary, public latrines, and a Punic necropolis.  

Villa Romaines

mosaic at Villa Romaines

After exploring the ruins, we drove to the neighbouring Sidi Bou Said, touted as the 'Santorini of Tunisia'. When we arrived there, it was chock full of people and there was no parking space available. We had to drive around 3 times until we found a parking spot at the base of the hilly area. There are parking meters around, we paid TND 2 by cash for 1 hour and displayed the ticket on the windscreen. 

We had lunch at Restaurant Chargui at the balcony area. The view of the sea from here was obstructed by the roof of other buildings. For lunch we had brik and couscous with barbecued lamb which cost TND 29. It was already 1 hour by the time we finished lunch and the parking ticket has expired. It was a mistake, as we should have allocated more than an hour. The place was further up and quite far from the parking, so it was a hassle to go back down and top up the parking ticket. So we mistakenly took the risk of not topping up the parking payment.

brik with bread and dipping sauce

couscous with barbecued lamb

We then walked further to the viewing point which is near the Café des Délices the 'Instagram famous' viewing point. There were so many people here on a Saturday afternoon, there was no more place to get an unobstructed view of the sea. We ordered mint tea and cappucino which cost TND 22. It wasn't really enjoyable as it was too crowded, so we made our way quickly after finishing our drinks and taking 'that famous view' picture.

the 'famous' view of Sidi Bou Said overlooking the Gulf of Tunis

cappucino and mint tea

touristy Sidi Bou Said

On the way down to our parking lot, we same some cars were clamped, we prayed hard that our car would be missed out. Unfortunately, it has been clamped. This is of course, our mistake. We paid TND 30 to a guy who didn't look like the municipal county officer (no uniform or name tag) who removed the clamp. 

On hindsight, we should have fallen into the tourist trap of Sidi Bou Said, and should just forego it, especially it was on a Saturday afternoon. 

We finally arrived at our Hotel Ibis Tunis and checked in just before 6pm. The room cost TND 227 per night per room with no breakfast. Free welcoming drinks is also provided, which we chose latte and capuccino. 

our room at Hotel Ibis Tunis

We walked to the nearby Carrefour to buy some mint tea and traditional biscuits, but unfortunately we couldn't pay by credit card this time. So we cancelled the purchase and decided to try again tomorrow. 

We were also short on cash, so we asked at the hotel reception where we could change EUR to TND. Luckily, the hotel said they could do it, so we changed EUR 50 to TND 160.