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Things to do in Mahdia Governorate

Our most recommended things to do in Mahdia Governorate

From Tunis/Hammamet: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day Trip

1. From Tunis/Hammamet: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day Trip

Discover the rich culture and history of Tunisia on our Tunis to Kairouan and El Jem Coliseum and Museum excursion. This activity takes you on a journey through the most significant monuments and landmarks of the region. Begin your adventure with a visit to the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of the oldest and most important Islamic monuments in North Africa. Explore the intricate details and stunning architecture of the mosque, while learning about its fascinating history from our knowledgeable guide. Next, head to the El Jem Coliseum and Museum to marvel at the impressive ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater. As you walk through the ruins, experience the grandeur and majesty of the Roman Empire and learn about the events that took place within the amphitheater. Throughout the excursion, our guide will share stories and insights about the culture, history, and significance of each monument. You'll have plenty of opportunities to take photos, ask questions, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Tunisia. The activity ends with drop-off at your hotel or a central location to explore more. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Tunisia's past and present.

From Tunis: Kairouan, El Jem, & Sousse Day Trip with Lunch

2. From Tunis: Kairouan, El Jem, & Sousse Day Trip with Lunch

After being picked up from your Tunis accommodation, set off for Kairouan. Start your tour with a visit to the last 2 9th-century Aghlabite Basins which were among the greatest waterworks of the Middle Ages. Witness the monuments from the top of the Tourist Information Building as you gain an introduction to the foundation of Kairouan and its glorious age. After this, continue the tour with a visit to the 7th-century Great Okba Mosque, the oldest mosque in North Africa. Appreciate the powerful and beautiful expression of faith inherent in the 9th-century architecture. Proceed to the nearby Sidi Sahbi, to visit the 17th-19th century building known for its minaret and beautiful courtyards lined with green-blue tile work and white plaster stucco. Then, arrive at the entrance to the Medina for a guided walk through the main street and up to the mystical "Bir Barrouta". Spend some free time strolling through the Medina and shopping. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.  Up next, climb back into the vehicle and be transferred to the El Jem amphitheater, one of Tunisia's most visited sites.  Discover all about this monument, built in the 3rd century and still the largest Roman monument left in Africa. Marvel at its architecture. Finally, visit the Sousse Old Medina and the Port of El Kantaoui. Head back to Tunis and be dropped off at your accommodation in the city.

From Tunis: 2 Day Sahara Express Experience

3. From Tunis: 2 Day Sahara Express Experience

Day 01 : Pick up from your place of residence and departure to El Jem, visit of its coliseum , measuring 148 meters long, 122 wide and 36 meters high, served during two centuries. Its capacity estimated at 35,000 spectators and its imposing size class unquestionably among the largest amphitheatres in the world. This building dating from the third century, shows the greatness of the Roman Empire. Continuation to Matmata located at 40 km west of Gabes, on a mountainside, it is a Berber village of 1800 inhabitants, at an altitude of 600 meters. The name Matmata came from a Berber tribe originating from Morocco, descendant of the Temzit. Matmata is very well known for its troglodyts houses. Troglodyte homes are homes built into the ground as a way to escape the heat of the summer sun, creating their own natural air conditioning. As you walk around on the surface of the ground, you can peer down into these craters, which are the courtyards of these homes. Some of the courtyards have sheer drops of up to 30 feet deep. These courtyards have rooms cut into the ground where residents live. Typical Tunisian lunch in Matmata Departure after the lunch towards Douz also called the desert gate, discovery of the city, check in at your hotel, dinner and accommodation Day 02 : Early breakfast and departure for Chott El Djerid to experience the sunrise on this beautiful salt lake, located between the Gulf of Gabes and the Algerian border, for nearly 300 km, the desert is covered with Chotts, desert areas covered with salt deposits that rest on a mass of mud. When it rains, the chott is covered with water and becomes a kind of inland sea. The mirages are frequent on this salted plain, of a brilliant whiteness. Departure for chebika via Dgueche, picturesque small village of the Tunisian south. Arrival in Chebika, discovery of this mountain oasis, formerly a Berber village that was washed away. Visit of Ong Jmal, known as the setting for the famous 'Star Wars' saga. But Ong Jmal is above all a magnificent place, completely disconnected from time and space. Visit of "Mos Espa" Proceed to Gafsa where you will have lunch On the way back to Tunis, panoramic visit of Kairouan a fascinating city still anchored in a distant past. One of Islam’s holy cities, it was the first capital of the Maghreb. Designated a Unesco World Heritage site, it conceals several marvels and it is also Known as Capital of traditional hand made Carpets Back to your place of Residence.

Tunisia: 5-Day Private Discovery Tour

4. Tunisia: 5-Day Private Discovery Tour

Discover the highlights of Tunisia in this comprehensive private 5-day tour. Relax, as your meals and accommodation throughout the tour are catered for including delicious traditional breakfasts and lunches and dinners in various stunning locations.  On the first day, you will be picked up from your hotel in Tunisia and will visit 'El Jem', a well-preserved Roman amphitheater. You will then head to Kairouan to visit the 9th century Aghlabid basins and then head on to marvel at the spectacular Grand Mosque, the oldest in North Africa. Your expert guide will provide an overview of the history and Tunisian traditions and you will spend the night in Tozeur.  On the second day, you will visit the breathtakingly beautiful Chebika and Tamerza waterfalls before heading to see the natural spectacle of the Mides Canyons. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour in the Palm Groves before heading to the desert, where you can see the movie set where they filmed star wars - perfect for any film fans! Afterward, you will head to Douz with a stop to view the salt lake on the way. At Douz, you can see the famous winding lanes of the souk markets and enjoy either a camel or quad bike tour through the desert sands.  The third day is for heading into the Sahara desert, an incredible arid landscape full of tall dunes. Enjoy lunch looking out over the plains before checking in to the luxury desert campsite. The evening here will be spent enjoying delicious traditional food and listening to drumming as you warm yourself around the campfire.  On the fourth day of the trip, you will head to Matmata to visit the 'Troglodyte' Berber town. Here you can see the famous underground structures where many people still reside today. Continue onwards to  Ksar Hadada to visit the ancient castle there before stopping by Chenini to visit the '7th Asleep' mosque and museum. You will then spend a restful evening in Tataouine.  The last day will involve you indulging in some shopping at the winding Jara Souk where you can purchase some souvenirs from this amazing trip. You will be dropped back at your hotel, satisfied in the knowledge that you have truly discovered the real Tunisia. 

From Tunis: Full-Day El Jem and Monastir Tour

5. From Tunis: Full-Day El Jem and Monastir Tour

Depart from your centrally-located accommodation in Tunis and head to El Jem. Begin your visit with El Jem’s amphitheater, the main attraction and one of Tunisia’s most-visited sites. This monumental amphitheater, built in the mid-third century AD (230-240 AD), is the largest Roman monument left in Africa and ranks third in the Empire after those in Rome and Verona. One of the last large amphitheaters built during the Roman era, its architectural design is an improvement of that of Rome's Colosseum. Continue your tour with an authentic lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to Monastir to visit the Ribat of Monastir, an Islamic defensive structure and the oldest ribat built by the Arab conquerors during the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb. It is also the most prominent monument in the city of Monastir. After the ribat, head to the Bourguiba Mausoleum, the final resting place of the first president of the Tunisian Republic. Explore at your own pace until it’s time to return to your hotel in Tunis.

From Tunis: Private North to South 3-Day Tour of Tunisia

6. From Tunis: Private North to South 3-Day Tour of Tunisia

Day 1:  Get picked up from your accommodation and head to Kairouan, the holy city. Visit the famous mosque of Okbaa Ibn Nafaa, the mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, and Aghlabide's Basins before continuing on to the Roman ruins of Sufetula. After touring the archeological site and having lunch, head to Tozeur, known as the oasis paradise. Stroll through the alleys of the old medina before checking in to a 4-star hotel for the night. Day 2 :  Head out in the morning to discover the incredible mountain oases of the area. Make a first stop at the village of Chebika, famous for its water source that springs from the side of the mountain. Afterwards, visit the gorgeous Tamerza Waterfall and the Mides Canyons before enjoying a local lunch at a homestay. In the afternoon, journey over the sand dunes, through the old rally track, and cross the salt lake of Chott El Gharsa to reach the famous village of Mos Espa where much of the Star Wars movies were shot. Take in the intense colors of the sunset and enjoy a walk in the Mos Espa village before getting back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 3 :  Leave Tozeur early in the morning and head to the salt lake of Chott Djerid, the largest salt lake in Northern Africa. Stop to admire the sunrise and see the first rays of sunshine land on a layer of salt stretching as far as the eye can see. Continue to Douz, the gateway to the desert where you will have time to take a camel-ride or go on a quad tour in the dunes. Stroll through the Douz souk before heading to Matmata, an ancient troglodyte village. Visit a local host and enjoy a cup of rosemary tea served with olive oil and honey to tide you over until lunch. Stop for lunch on your way to the amphitheater of El Jem, an impressive Roman monument that rivals the Roman Colosseum. After touring the amphitheater, get returned to your hotel.

From Tunis: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day-Trip with Lunch

7. From Tunis: Kairouan and El Jem Private Day-Trip with Lunch

Explore Kairousan on a day-trip from Tunis, that includes the greatest waterworks of the middle ages, the Aghlabite Basins. Discover the Great Okba Mosque, one of the oldest in North Africa, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off, plus lunch at a local restaurant. Depart from Tunis by getting picked up from your accommodation and head toward Kairouan. Once there, transport back in time to the 9th-century Aghlabite Basins, that are witnessed from the top of the Tourist Information Building. Take this first visit as the introduction to the foundation of Kairouan and its glorious age. Next, proceed to the 7th-century Great Okba Mosque, the oldest in all of North Africa. Appreciate the powerful and beautiful expression of faith inherent in the 9th-century building. Find next the nearby Sidi Sahbi, and explore the building with its minaret and stunning courtyards, lined with green-blue tile work and white plaster stucco. Upon the entrance to the Medina, enjoy a guided walk through the main street of this mystical place. Take advantage of the free time available to embark on a quest for individual discovery and shopping nearby. Stop at a local restaurant and taste new flavors at a local restaurant. Relax during the hour and fifteen-minute drive toward El Jem's amphitheater. As one of the main attractions in Tunisia, this monumental site is the most commonly visited by tourists from around the world. Learn its ancient history, from its construction in the mid 3rd-century AD to understanding how it became the largest Roman monument in Africa. As of the last large amphitheaters built during the Roman era, its architectural design is an improvement over that of the Coliseum of Rome. After fulfilling your thirst for knowledge about this spectacular place, ride back to Tunis in a comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle.

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What people are saying about Mahdia Governorate

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 69 reviews

I highly recommend this tour. Our guide Mohammed was very knowledgable, kind and spoke good English. Also the driver was very kind and helpful. The places with visited were very interesting and of much importance in Tunisian history - must see, if you travel here for the first time.

This guided tour was a fantastic way to see some culturally, and historically significant cities and sites in Tunisia. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and made it seem as though you were a friend or relative visiting from a far.

The tour was very interesting, and I learned a lot. We covered a lot of area and got to see some amazing sights. Mohamed, the tour guide, was very knowledgeable and kind. I highly recommend this tour!

We loved the experience ! Both our guide and driver were nice and very attentive to our needs !

Both driver Emir and guide Yaya were extremely kind and helpful! Highly recommended!