So, I just got back from Tunis, and wow, let me tell you—if you're looking for the best things to do in Tunis, you're in for a real treat. You know how sometimes you're kind of unsure about a place before you go? That was me. I had this vague mix of excitement and doubt lingering in the back of my mind. Like, was this a place that would really resonate with me, or would it just be another tick on the bucket list?
Honestly, when I arrived, I wasn't expecting much. But the moment I stepped off the plane and into those warm, sun-drenched streets, everything shifted. The sights, sounds, and smells? They're all so… vibrant. It felt alive in ways I hadn't anticipated.
This spot? Total surprise.
So, picture this: it's my first afternoon wandering around the Medina, and I'm completely lost. I mean, really lost. My sense of direction is terrible, so as I zigzagged through the narrow alleys, I turned a corner and stumbled onto this tiny café, Café des Nattes. The sign was almost hidden; I'd almost walked right by it. But that was the moment my whole trip took a turn.
Inside, it felt less like a café and more like an extension of people's living rooms. Locals were chatting away, laughter bouncing off the walls, and the scent of fresh mint tea wafted through the air like an affectionate hug. I decided to take a seat, mostly because my feet were killing me, but then I found myself immersed in an experience that felt really genuine.
The waiter—who, by the way, had this huge mustache that seemed to have a personality all on its own—brought me a glass of mint tea playing the role of a peace offering. I didn't even know I was thirsty until that zesty sweetness hit my lips. I ended up chatting with the guy sitting next to me, who turned out to be an artist showing me photos of his work on his phone. It's wild how these little detours can lead to such unexpected connections.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
I also had this afternoon that just kind of flipped everything on its head. I took a train to Carthage, because I thought it would be cool to see the ruins. However, I didn't really check the schedule properly before heading out, and that almost derailed my whole trip. When I got there, the ticket office was closed for a break, and I was left standing there looking around, feeling a bit deflated.
But, being the optimist that I like to think I am, I just decided to wander around the area. I didn't know what I was going to find, but honestly? Sometimes the best things happen when you simply let go of plans. I ended up walking down to the water, and oh my goodness, the view was just breathtaking.
The blue of the Mediterranean was sparkling under the sun, and there was this little beach where families were enjoying the day. I just sat down and let it soak in, the waves rolling in and out. It felt like the kind of moment I'd blog about later, but then I was just living it. This whole serene scene washed over me, and in that moment, I knew that this trip had some magic to it.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
I had a couple of moments where I could feel my own bad sense of direction playing tricks on me—like, I missed the Bardo National Museum initially. I wandered around for a bit, convinced I was heading in the right direction. Then, after half an hour of walking, I ended up in some neighborhood that didn't look even remotely like a tourist spot, which made me second-guess my entire life. But it led to this cute street market where I found the most beautiful ceramics, some of which I probably could have haggled for if I hadn't been entranced by just looking.
While I was there, I struck up a chat with a couple of locals selling spices. Their enthusiasm was infectious. They waved their arms wildly, describing their goods with a fervor as though they were revealing some ancient secret. I walked away with a couple of spices and a newfound respect for what goes into Tunisian cuisine. And that's the kind of thing I will remember most—a moment I didn't plan but ended up being one of the highlights.
Not to mention the food—I can't even begin to describe the flavors. I had this dish, a kind of couscous with seafood, that my friend insisted I try. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but I went for it. When it arrived, steam rising, looking like a work of art, I joked about taking a picture but decided against it. It was too beautiful to reduce to pixels. The first bite? It knocked my socks off. Who knew something so simple could taste so luxurious?
Reflections over coffee
As I wrap this up, I sit here reflecting on the multitude of tiny surprises that popped up every single day. Tunis was like a labyrinth with little treasures hidden around every corner. I would encourage anyone to dive into this place, knowing that sometimes the best things to do in Tunis aren't the typical highlights, but those unplanned, messy moments.
So much of travel is like that—uncertainty, a bit of misdirection, and the joy of stumbling into a corner of the world that speaks right to your soul. I guess that's what makes it real.
Ah, I can almost taste that mint tea again as I finish my coffee here, still buzzing from the colors and sounds of another world. Until next time, right?
