Visiting The Ancient Carthage Ruins
If you’ve touched down in Tunis, Tunisia it’s more than worth it to take a day trip and visit Carthage. In fact, it’s my favorite thing that we did while in Tunisia’s capital city. Founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C. on the Gulf of Tunis, the archaeological sites were once home to a great trading empire, later occupied and rebuilt by Romans on the ruins of an ancient city. Now visitors from across the world can see traces of Punic, Roman, Vandal, Paleochristian and Arab presence; which makes sense once you realize how much of a melting pot Tunisian culture really is.
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How To Get To Carthage From Tunis
Carthage is an easy day trip from Tunis. You really don’t need more time than that; languorously spread across the town, the ruins are accessible by foot, bike tour, or car and easily seen in an afternoon. The major site of Carthage are:
- Thermes d’Antonin (Baths of Antonin)
- Quartier Magon (Magon Quarters)
- Musée Paléochretien (Paléochretien Museum)
- Punic Port
- Tophet de Salambo
- Musée de Carthage (interior closed for renovations as of 2025)
- Amphithéâtre (Amphitheatre)
- Théâtre Romain (Roman Theatre)
- Villas Romaines (Roman Villas)
Arriving in the morning by Bolt (similar to an Uber) is a sure way to see these sights as peacefully as possible. You can also arrive to Carthage via metro or taxi, but after having some pickpocketing troubles in Tunis we opted for the Bolt instead, costing us 16.6 dinar ($5.15) each way.
Taking The Metro From Tunis To Carthage
The cheapest way to get there is by far using the metro, in which case you can hop on the 1 TMG line that costs around $2 USD and takes around 40 minutes. The metro stops at multiple points in Carthage, so your ride will be around five to seven stops. The Carthage ruins can be seen in any order, but I recommend starting with the Thermes d’Antonin (Baths of Antonin).
What To Do In Carthage
From Thermes d’Antonin you can lay eyes on the map of Carthage highlights before exploring your first stop, which was one of my favorites. There you can also purchase your multi-site ticket for 12 dinar, or a little less than $4 USD. Thermes d’Antonin is a spread out seaside location, hosting ruminants of lavish pools and ocean views. When we visited in January, part of the off-season, we saw few other tourists making it a quiet and beautiful place to wander, ponder, and take photos. Unlike many other ruins in the world, those in Carthage can be touched and trodden upon, so take your time and get a feel for the pulse of the place before advancing to your next stop.
How To Get Around
We worked our way further down the coastline, which timed out well because we hit our lunch spot as soon as our bellies began to grumble. The stops in Carthage are somewhat in a circle with signs pointing the way. We walked from place to place, consulting Google Maps via our eSim, when the directions were slightly unclear. This allowed us to move at our own pace and simmer in our favorite spots.
Take A Bike Tour
Though it’s easy to take a taxi (yellow cab drivers will be lingering at each stop) or Bolt from site to site, walking is a great way to get some fresh air and extend your visit. Additionally, taking a bike tour of the place sounds like a wonderful way to get to know Carthage in full color, pedaling back through ancient history. Though I’m glad we got to explore bits of Carthage at our own pace, I would have loved to have a guide to enlighten us with the significance of monuments and details along the way.
If you’re a quick traveler you can also hop on a day tour that stops at the Tunis Media, Sidi Bou Saïd, and Carthage, though I recommend dedicating a full day to Carthage.
The Best Stops In Carthage
Out of all the stops, Thermes d’Antonin, Villas Romaines, and Tophet de Salambo were my favorites. Though unsuspecting at first, Tophet de Salambo is a quiet site that’s home to a cave that blocks out city sounds and filters in low light. Pausing to dwell inside engulfs the senses in a serene, almost soundless experience. Though you’ll want to visit Carthage for the beauty and history, walking into almost each place felt like entering a calm, private park — a welcomed break from the chaos of Tunis.
Where To Eat In Carthage
Vegan food options can feel limited in Tunisia overall, so stopping in Les Indécis was a breath of fresh air. The atmosphere of the cafe is almost as colorful as its food, and the servers were full of energy, more than happy to share 100% plant-based options with us. Our waiter recommended the vibrant hummus dish and falafel dish (minus the dairy, plus mushrooms) that came with a side of bread, of course. We also ordered the hibiscus and pineapple tea that I now catch myself daydreaming about. I had low hopes that they had vegan-friendly desserts, and not to my surprise, I was right. But because Les Indécis strives to go above and beyond, they insisted that I take a free banana with me instead.
If you’re looking for an early dinner spot after leaving Carthage consider visiting Inward, the only documented and purposely vegan restaurant in all of Tunisia. You’ll pass it to and from your way to Carthage from Tunis.
Carthage Day Trip Packing List
Spending a day in Carthage is sure to be one of your highlights in Tunis. Here’s what to considering bringing with you on your day trip:
- Portable water filter bottle or portable water filter
- Credit card with no international fees — I used this credit card while traveling (sign up for a $100 bonus!). Though most things require cash in Tunisia, some historical sites and more touristic restaurants accept card.
- Rain-resistant lightweight backpack and clothing — the lighter you pack, the more joyful your overall experience will be, and the less you’ll worry about being pick-pocketed. During our Carthage visit we got caught in the rain, and I was happy to be in some of my go-to items like the Barrage Technical Shell and the Trailhead Pants by CoalaTree.
- For those who want to use internet internationally, I highly recommend purchasing an eSim over roaming with your regular provider. It’s a big money saver and will come in handy while exploring Tunisia.
- Travel insurance. A trip to Carthage is pretty low-risk, but anyone can step off a sidewalk wrong and twist an ankle or spend the night hugging the toilet thanks to food poisoning. To avoid hospital bills in another country compare travel insurance via InsureMyTrip.
- Camera, of course! You’ll want to capture the feelings and sights in Carthage, and this is a place where you can more freely and safely wield your camera in public.
