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- •Tunisia
What currency is used in Tunisia and is it convenient to pay by card?
The Tunisian dinar (TND) is a closed currency: change euros on arrival and spend before departure. Visa/Mastercard work in hotels, chain shops and some restaurants; markets and taxis are cash-only. ATMs are everywhere but charge a 6–8 TND fee per withdrawal.
What typical gifts are worth bringing back (spices, handicrafts)?
Best-sellers: ras-el-hanout spice, harissa paste, olive-wood bowls, hand-painted ceramics from Nabeul, Berber silver and dates from Tozeur. Haggle 20–30 % off. For fixed prices visit government “Artisanat” stores, which issue export receipts helpful at customs.
Are any health certificates required related to COVID-19 or other diseases?
As of April 2025 no COVID-19 tests, vaccination proof or health forms are required for EU travellers. Yellow-fever certificate is needed only if you visited an endemic country in the last six days. Routine Hep A and typhoid shots are recommended but not checked.
How are desert excursions organised—are multi-day tours with camping possible?
Yes. Licensed tour companies run 2- to 4-day 4×4 trips from Douz or Tozeur into the Grand Erg Oriental with Bedouin guides, camel treks and tented camps. Packages (€250–350) include meals, mats and permits. Nights drop to 5 °C in winter—bring layers.
Are there restrictions on photographing local people or military sites?
Always ask before photographing Tunisians, especially women. Military zones, police checkpoints, ports and some government buildings are off-limits; cameras may be confiscated. Drones require advance permission from the Defence Ministry and are routinely held at customs without it.
Which Tunisian customs differ from European ones (dress code, politeness) and what should visitors know?
Away from beaches dress to cover shoulders and knees. Greet with “Salam alaykum” and accept mint tea if offered. Using the right hand for giving items is polite. Public displays of affection and loud bargaining inside mosques are frowned upon.
Is it safe to use taxis, how to recognise official cars and avoid scams?
Official taxis are beige (Tunis) or yellow (resorts) with a red roof light and meter. Insist the driver starts the meter (minimum fare 0.75 TND, night +50 %). Avoid unmarked cars at airports; use the pre-pay coupon stand or Bolt app in Tunis for transparent pricing.
Which Tunisian resorts are best for historic heritage and authenticity?
Hammamet mixes medina walls with Blue Flag beaches; Sousse offers an 8th-century ribat fortress; Mahdia remains quieter and more traditional. History buffs base in Sidi Bou Said near Carthage then day-trip to sites.
Is it possible to reach the Sahara region and what excursions are offered?
From coastal resorts a two-day coach/4×4 circuit visits Matmata troglodyte houses, Chott El Jerid salt lake and overnight camps at Douz dune fields. Private 4×4 charters allow sunrise sand-board sessions and star photography deep in the desert.
Which historic sites besides Carthage are culturally attractive?
Must-sees: the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, UNESCO Kairouan Grand Mosque, Dougga hilltop ruins and the mosaics of Bulla Regia. A two-day inland loop from Hammamet covers El Jem and Kairouan comfortably.
What dishes are typical of Tunisian cuisine (couscous, brik, harissa) and are they spicy?
National couscous comes with lamb or fish and mild vegetables; add harissa to raise heat. Try brik—egg and tuna in crispy feuille pastry—plus shakshuka and grilled merguez. Spice is adjustable; just ask for “moins piquant” if sensitive.
What desserts should you taste—any local sweets with honey or dates?
Sample makroud date semolina cakes, almond-filled baklava tounsi, rose-water zrir and honey-soaked yo-yo doughnuts. Café terraces serve them with pine-nut mint tea for about 2 TND per piece.
When does Tunisia have the most pleasant temperature for a seaside holiday?
Late April–mid-June and mid-September–October give 25–28 °C air, 23 °C sea and smaller crowds. July–August tops 34 °C with strong sun; book hotels with air-con and beach umbrellas if travelling then.
Which months are hottest, and when is the cooler season?
Peak heat mid-July to late August, especially inland (40 °C). December–February are mild on the coast (16 °C) and ideal for ruins; mountain nights can fall to 5 °C.
Which Tunisian resorts suit families wanting activities and comforts?
Yasmine Hammamet and Port El Kantaoui feature shallow beaches, pedestrian promenades, Friguia Zoo day-trips and nearby water parks. Many hotels let two kids under 12 stay free in the same room.
Do Tunisian hotels often provide kids’ clubs and animation programmes?
Four- and five-star resorts usually run mini-clubs (ages 4-12) and nightly mini-disco included in price. Babysitting costs about 20 TND/hour; reserve 24 h ahead during school holidays.
What’s the best way to reach Tunisia from Lithuania: direct flights or via other European capitals?
No direct Vilnius flights. Fastest route is Vilnius–Vienna–Tunis (Austrian) or Vilnius–Istanbul–Monastir (Turkish Airlines) in 6–7 h. Charter packages from Warsaw to Enfidha often undercut scheduled fares if you can start the trip in Poland.
Is it convenient to travel independently by train or bus, or is a tour package better?
SNCFT trains Tunis–Sousse €4 (2 h) are clean and air-conditioned. Louage shared taxis reach every town cheaply but leave when full. DIY travel is easy; choose a package only if you want fixed transfers and Russian-language guides.
Is a visa required for travel directly from an EU country?
Lithuanian citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Passport must be valid three months beyond departure, and hotel vouchers may be requested at immigration.
What documents are needed for stays longer than 90 days?
Apply for a residence card at the local police foreigners’ bureau within the first month: passport, four photos, lease contract, bank statement and fee (~150 TND). Processing takes three weeks; overstays incur daily fines at exit.