Q: I am visiting Tunisia for a few days next year on my way to Morocco. Are there any spots that I MUST SEE as a tourist, and any good gay spots/hangouts that I can visit? I have never been to Tunisia, so will not be able to see everything. I will most probably have to stay in a city close to an international airport (due to short stay) and do not want to travel too muc. Any suggestions of a city where I can experience local cuisine, culture, relax a bit and then fly our again.
A: ****EDIT**** All of Tunisias airports are international, meaning they all service flights that go beyond Tunisian boarders. I am guessing that you were talking about Tunis-Carthage airport though since for now that is the main airport. Here are some things to do in Tunis: THE BARDO MUSEUM. 4 km/2.5mi west of Tunis is the suburb of Le Bardo, famed for the Bardo National Museum, which has the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics and other antiquities of interest from Ancient Greece, Carthage and from the Arab period, and it ranks with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as one of the two great museums of North Africa. http://www.di.com.tn/museebardo/ CARTHAGE. It is the famed capitol of the ancient world and is located on the eastern side of Lake Tunis across from the center of modern Tunis. Now there is a museum there where you can view the ruins and ancient artifacts. SIDI BOU SAID. The town is a tourist attraction because it is known for the extensive use of blue and white colors (the traditional colors of Tunisia) all over the town. All kinds of souvenirs can be bought in the main street. There is the traditional High Coffee there which is worth a look. My favorite is a coffee that overlooks the marina. It has fantastic views and a wonderful ambiance. THE MEDINA. Just going there you can feel the history come to life. The streets are buzzing with shoppers and sellers. The medina itself contains around 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from the Almohads and the Hafsids periods. DAR BEN ABDALLAH. A small but interesting museum within an 18th-century palace in the medina, covering the everyday life of a rich merchant in the Ottoman era. ZITOUNA MOSQUE. The largest mosque in Tunisia. This Aghlabite mosque dates back to the 9th century. Modest dress is essential, and non-Muslims can only enter the courtyard, not the mosque itself. PORT DE FRANCE. It is comprised of architecture and decoration from many different styles and periods and is believed to stand on the remains of a Roman theater as well as the tenth century palace of Ziadib-Allah II al Aghlab. CATHEDRAL OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL. It is located in downtown Tunis. It is a grand church situated in between shops and coffees. DOWNTOWN TUNIS ITSELF. Here you can see the French influence on Tunisia as many of these old buildings are built in French style. It also is home to a beautiful giant clock tower that is illuminated at night. Those are just some of the highlights of Tunis. If you walk around you will be able to see a lot more. I also do advise walking as much as possible instead of taking a cab because streets can get pretty crowded and taxi fares can be high. Plus when you walk, you can truly experience what Tunisia has to offer. **** For must see spots in Tunisia, you must either tell us what area you will be visiting, or what types of attractions would interest you the most. Please update your question to include this information. As for gay spots, Tunisia is a Muslim country and does not have anything that is catered to homosexuality.