Tunisia's resorts usually have a ‘Zone Touristique', which has all the major tourist hotels together in a specially constructed quarter. More characterful (but usually less luxurious) hotels are often to be found in the town centre.

Grading: Hotel accommodation inspected by the government is classified by a star system ranging from deluxe (5-star) to simple (1-star). Places that have not been inspected are designated nonclassifié (NC; non-classified).

Several splendid mansions have been converted into hotels in Tunis, while on Jerba, there are converted funduqs (traditional inns). In Matmata, in Southern Tunisia, you can stay in troglodyte hotels, and farther south, even camp in the desert, which you can arrange locally, or for more luxury, head to Pansea Ksar Ghilane (website: www.pansea.com).

Tents can be pitched or trailers parked on beaches and in parks with permission from the property owner or the police. Some good campsites include Camping Les Jasmins (website: www.hotellesjasmins.com), Les Beaux Rèves (website: http://beauxreves.koi29.com) in Tozeur; Camping Desert Club in Douz; and Camping Ghilane in Ksar Ghilane.

There are two types of hostel. Auberges de jeunesse are part of Hostelling International (website: www.hihostels.com), of which you have to be a member. They offer excellent accommodation in Tunis, Djerba, Bizerte and Nabeul. Maisons des Jeunes are government-run and generally Spartan, though some, such as the Hammamet hostel, have good locations.