Lively souks are the places to hunt for handcrafted items, spices and Arabic CDs. You can shop for pottery, brassware, copperware, caftans, silverware, wood carvings (especially olive wood), gold items, geometric-patterned wool rugs and carpets, leather, traditional musical instruments, and CDs by local artists and musicians. Be sure to bargain in the souks (but only if you're seriously interested in something): Start off by offering a third to half the asking price and negotiate from there. Shoppers will also want to visit the fixed-price Office National de l'Artisanat (National Bureau for Handicrafts) in Tunis to both look and buy. Check to see if you're eligible for a 10% discount—usually for those who pay in foreign currency or with credit cards. Try to visit one of the weekly, small-town country markets to check out the goods (and local shoppers).
Or, you can visit the government-recommended shops (SOCOPA) available in the souks. Introduced a few years ago, these stores are recognized by the sign displayed outside. Prices are fixed and will be higher and the variety of products will be fewer than compared to the individual vendors outside.
For the best carpets, visit Kairouan, the town of weavers. For ceramic art, venture to Nabeul, the ceramic capital of the country. If you can't get to these places, many of the city centers carry items from these hubs.
Shopping Hours: Normally Monday-Saturday 8 am-noon and 4-7 pm (summer); Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-noon and 3-6 pm (winter).
Day By Day
The following itinerary is the minimum recommended for first-time visitors:
Day 1—Arrive Tunis. Tour the medina and visit the Bardo Museum.
Day 2—Tunis. Half-day trip to Carthage and Sidi Bou Said.
Day 3—Take the train to Sousse or fly to Jerba Island for a beach holiday.
Day 4—Tour the medina (Sousse) or Houmt Souk (Jerba) in the morning. Spend the afternoon at the beach.
Day 5—From Sousse, take a day trip to Monastir, Mahdia, Kairouan or El Jem. From Jerba, take a day trip to the ksour district.
Day 6—Relax at the beach or take another day trip.
Day 7—Return to Tunis.
Day 8—Depart Tunisia.
If you have a few more days, add Tozeur and Douz, or visit Dougga.
