Things to Do in Tunis in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Tunis
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
63°F (17°C)
High Temp
48°F (9°C)
Low Temp
2.7 inches (69 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hits the mark for exploring Tunis medina without soaking your shirt, temperatures sit around 18°C (64°F) midday, cool enough to savor the spice-scented alleys around Zitouna Mosque
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40% from October peak, and you'll find riad courtyards in the medina open for same-week bookings
- + The rain pattern holds steady, brief afternoon showers around 3pm that clear by sunset, leaving the ochre walls of Dar Ben Gacem glowing in golden light good for photography
- + Local life shifts indoors to cafes along Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the mint tea ritual at Café de Paris turns into a cultural performance where Tunisians debate politics over strong espresso
- + Olive harvest season brings fresh-pressed oil to souks, the peppery green liquid at stalls near Souk El Attarine tastes nothing like supermarket versions
Considerations
- − The Mediterranean wind strengthens, beach days at La Goulette are finished, and that sea breeze cuts through jackets around 4pm when temperatures fall to 12°C (54°F)
- − Some rooftop restaurants shut for 'renovation' (read: too cold for outdoor dining), cutting back those sunset-over-the-medina dining experiences you see on Instagram
- − Shorter daylight hours, the call to prayer from Zitouna Mosque at 5pm happens in full darkness, squeezing your sightseeing window to roughly 9am-4pm
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 8°C | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 16°C | 8°C | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 19°C | 9°C | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C | 12°C | 1.5 inches (38 mm) |
| May | 26°C | 15°C | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
| Jun | 31°C | 19°C | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Jul | 34°C | 22°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Aug | 34°C | 22°C | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Sep | 30°C | 20°C | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C | 17°C | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 21°C | 12°C | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 17°C | 9°C | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Tunis has a quieter rhythm. The air turns crisp. Locals fill cafes along Avenue Habib Bourguiba with steaming mint tea as the light fades early. This is a month for the city's culture, away from the peak season crowds. Two events define the calendar. Early December brings the Festival of the Olive Tree. There, you taste first-press oil, a peppery and vivid green liquid, straight from the grove. Its aroma mixes with bread cooking on saj griddles. Later, the Tunis International Book Fair fills the Parc des Expositions. The murmur of debates in Arabic and French creates a unique winter soundscape. The food is a central draw. Steaming bowls of *lablabi* chickpea soup appear on menus. The scent of charcoal-grilled fish wafts from portside eateries. Exploring the covered alleys of the Medina, a UNESCO world heritage site, feels different now. The filtered light through latticework is softer. The calls of shopkeepers are less frequent. You can hear the intricate patterns tapped out by copper artisans. This is a time for depth. Savor the rich cultural offerings and the warmth of indoor gatherings.
VIP transfer between Tunis Carthage Airport and a hotel in Tunis
otherThe scent of jet fuel and dry earth gives way to organized chaos outside the terminal. A VIP transfer smooths this. It places you directly into a waiting vehicle for the route past silhouetted palms and modern buildings into the city center.
It converts a potentially stressful first moment into an easy, comfortable introduction.
Insider tip: Confirm your driver's meeting point in advance. The pickup area outside Tunis Carthage Airport can be a visually crowded scene of signs and waiting families.
7 Day Guided Tunisia Tour Including Pickup
guided_experienceThis seven-day guided circuit moves beyond Tunis. It captures the country's stark contrasts. See the echoing ruins of Carthage where waves crash against ancient stones. Then, experience the silent, immense expanse of the Sahara with fine grains of sand carried on the wind. The itinerary is a curated passage. It covers Roman mosaics, Berber mountain villages smelling of wild thyme, and coastal cities with blue-painted doors.
It has a complete, paced overview of Tunisia's layered history and dramatic landscapes without the logistical burden.
Insider tip: Pack layers. The interior desert nights in December can be surprisingly cold, while midday sun in the ruins remains warm.
8 Days Tunisia Essential Discovery Private Tour
private_tourAn eight-day private tour allows for a deep, tailored discovery. Linger where you choose. Absorb the intricate geometric patterns of the Zitouna Mosque. Spend an extra hour in the Bardo Museum surrounded by glowing mosaics. The experience is defined by personal access. Your guide decodes the stories behind the sights and tastes, from salty preserved lemons to sweet honeyed pastries.
The complete flexibility and dedicated expertise create a journey shaped entirely by your interests.
Insider tip: Use the private nature to request stops at local cafes not on the standard tourist trail. There, you can taste strong, cardamom-scented coffee.
Half-Day Traditional Tunisian Cuisine Cooking Class in Tunis
foodThis half-day cooking class plunges you into an aromatic Tunisian kitchen. Your fingers will feel the sticky dough for *brik*. You will hear the sizzle as it fries to a crisp. You will smell the complex bouquet of toasted spices like coriander and caraway being ground for harissa paste. The session typically ends with a shared meal. You taste the tangy, savory, and spicy results of your labor.
It delivers the authentic flavors of Tunis through hands-on creation, far deeper than any restaurant meal.
Insider tip: Come hungry. Ask your instructor about regional variations of the dishes, as recipes change from Tunis to Sfax to Djerba.
10 Day Historical and Cultural Tour of Tunisia
culturalA ten-day historical and cultural tour is a profound journey. It traces Phoenician ports, Roman coliseums where you can almost hear the ancient crowds, Byzantine fortifications, and Islamic medinas with cool, shaded narrow streets. This trip connects the dots across millennia. You touch carved stone in Dougga and see the brilliant blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said under soft winter light.
It is designed for the culturally curious traveler who wants to understand the sequential civilizations that built modern Tunisia.
Insider tip: Pay close attention to the mosaic art. Guides can point out how techniques and themes evolved from Roman to Byzantine periods. It is a visual history lesson.
The best of Tunis shore excursion
day_tripThis tour condenses Tunis into a single shore excursion. It efficiently covers the monumental highlights. Visit the cavernous halls of the Bardo Museum, where mosaic faces seem to watch you. Then, explore the labyrinthine Medina, a symphony of hammered copper and the smell of leather. It is designed for limited time. The tour has a vivid, compressed portrait of the city's art and architecture.
It maximizes a short port call to deliver a substantive taste of the capital's top sights.
Insider tip: Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The often-smooth, worn stone steps and alleys within the Medina of Tunis require it.
Where to Stay in Tunis in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Festival of the Olive Tree
Local farmers bring first-press oil to Avenue Habib Bourguiba for tasting, the grassy, peppery liquid is completely different from aged versions. Traditional music groups perform under date palms while grandmothers demonstrate bread-making on saj griddles.
Late December
Tunis International Book Fair
The city's intellectual heart beats at Parc des Expositions, Arabic and French literature mix with political debates that get heated in that Tunisian way. Even non-Arabic speakers can absorb the energy and people-watching.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Tunis Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best brik in Tunis happens at 11am when oil is freshest at stalls behind Souk El Attarine, look for vendors with newspaper-wrapped queues
Café de Paris on Avenue Habib Bourguiba serves the city's strongest espresso at 7am when politicians hold court, eavesdrop on conversations that shape Tunisia
December's olive oil harvest means souk vendors offer tastings, the peppery burn in your throat indicates high quality
The TGM train to Carthage runs every 20 minutes but December's schedule shifts, board before 8am to dodge commuter crowds
Local women shop Souk El Berka for gold between 10am-2pm when natural light through the roof openings is best for judging quality
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming December means beach weather, La Goulette's December water hits 16°C (61°F), locals consider it freezing
Booking rooftop dinners without checking if terraces are winterized, many close despite websites showing open-air photos
Wearing shorts into mosques, December's cooler weather makes long pants comfortable anyway. But security turns away exposed legs
Trying to cram medina shopping into one afternoon, December's shorter daylight means you need two mornings minimum
Brace for the wind at Carthage, the coastal ruins run 5°C (9°F) colder than Tunis center because the sea slaps the stone with every gust.
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