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World Travel Guide > Guides > Africa > Tunisia > Tunis

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Shopping in Tunis

Tunis is great for shoppers. Popular souvenirs include traditional ceramic bowls, babouches (leather slippers) and djellabas (ankle length robes). Tunisian dates are justifiably famous, while jasmine perfume is a true scent of the country.

Key areas

The main drag in Tunis is the rue Jemaa ez-Zeytouna with shops selling mainly tourist souvenirs. Traditionally, each souk is dedicated to a craft, so there is the Souk el-Attarine (perfumes and spices), Souk de la Laine (now silver jewellery), Souk des Étoffes (fabrics and clothes), Souk el-Trouk (tailors and some good antique shops), and the Souk des Chéchias (traditional felt skullcaps). To get an idea of the range of crafts and prices outside the medina, visit the government shop Société de Commercialisation des Produits de l'Artisanat at La Palmarium, avenue Habib Bourguiba. Mains des Femmes, 1F, 47 avenue Habib Bourguiba, sells crafts produced by women's cooperatives in the countryside. Slightly more expensive but quite unique is Hanout, 52 rue Jemaa ez-Zeytouna, in the medina, which offers the best of Tunisian crafts.

Markets

The souks in the medina are the best places to shop for local flavour, but bargaining is essential in Tunis - there's a lot of theatrics involved in getting the best price, so it's best to treat haggling as much as a performance as a financial transaction.

Opening hours

Shops in the medina and in the New Town are usually open Monday to Saturday 0900-1900.

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Featured Hotels

Hotel Maison Dorée

A modest yet pleasantly welcoming hotel in Tunis, well located for both the medina and the train station. Rooms are quaint, although some have nice wrought-iron balconies to add to the charm. Clean, and great value for the price.

Dar el-Medina

This small luxury boutique hotel, the first in the medina, is located in the grand Belouahane family mansion, and still run by the family. It blends traditional architecture with contemporary tastes and amenities, with individually styled rooms to make you feel like you're in a jewel box, plus a lovely courtyard and roof terrace for relaxing.

Grand Hôtel de France

This old-fashioned French colonial hotel in Tunis has immaculate and comfortable rooms oozing character and period detail. Rooms at the back are quieter and overlook a pleasant courtyard.

Hotel Africa

This recently refurbished business-oriented hotel is one of the city's landmarks right in the middle of avenue Habib Bourguiba. The rooms are spacious, well-furnished and command great views over Tunis. The location is superb and there is a well-equipped business centre.

Villa Didon Carthage

This futuristic designer hotel on Byrsa Hill offers 10 ultra-spacious rooms immaculately furnished by Ron Arad and Philippe Starck. The rooms with large windows and balconies have plunging views over ancient Carthage, the Med and the city of Tunis, and the service is excellent. There's a great spa, bar and restaurant to round out the experience.

Dar Fatma

Overlooking the whole of Sidi Bou Said, Dar Fatma is a small and welcoming traditional house in Tunis, scrubbed clean and decorated with great style and care, with modern furniture against bare walls and Tunisian woodwork. Glorious yet intimate.

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