Things to Do in Tunis in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Tunis
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Mild Mediterranean winter means comfortable daytime temperatures around 15-17°C (59-62°F) perfect for walking the medina without the summer heat exhaustion. You can actually explore Carthage ruins for 3-4 hours without seeking shade every 20 minutes.
- Tourist numbers drop significantly after the January school holiday rush. You'll find the Bardo Museum manageable with 15-20 minute waits instead of the 90-minute summer queues, and locals outnumber tourists in cafés which completely changes the atmosphere.
- Winter citrus season peaks in February. Markets overflow with blood oranges, mandarins, and the local maltaise variety. Street vendors sell fresh-squeezed orange juice for 2-3 TND (0.65-1 USD) and the quality is genuinely better than what you'll find in summer.
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak season. Mid-range medina riads that cost 180-220 TND (58-71 USD) in October go for 120-150 TND (39-48 USD) in February, and you'll have better room selection since occupancy runs around 55-60%.
Considerations
- February sits squarely in Tunis's rainy season with 10 days of precipitation on average. Rain tends to arrive in quick, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle, but it disrupts outdoor plans and makes the medina's uneven limestone streets genuinely slippery. The painted tiles in Sidi Bou Said become hazardous when wet.
- Evenings get properly cold at 8-10°C (46-50°F) with that damp Mediterranean chill that cuts through layers. Most restaurants and cafés lack heating, and traditional riads with their open courtyards feel like refrigerators after sunset. You'll see locals bundled in winter coats while tourists shiver in inadequate layers.
- Shorter daylight hours mean sunset around 6pm. This compresses your sightseeing window and limits evening photography opportunities at places like the Carthage amphitheater. Beach towns like La Marsa and Gammarth feel somewhat lifeless since locals don't do beach activities in winter.
Best Activities in February
Medina Walking Tours and Souq Exploration
February's cooler temperatures make this the ideal month for navigating Tunis medina's 3 km (1.9 miles) of covered and open-air souqs. Summer heat makes the enclosed passageways stifling, but in February you can comfortably spend 4-5 hours exploring without heat fatigue. The lower tourist numbers mean shopkeepers are more relaxed and willing to chat rather than hard-sell. Focus on morning walks between 9am-1pm when light filters beautifully through the souq roofs and vendors are setting up. The perfume souq near Zitouna Mosque smells particularly incredible in cooler weather when scents don't get overwhelmed by heat.
Carthage Archaeological Site Visits
The ancient Punic and Roman ruins scattered across 6 km (3.7 miles) of coastline are genuinely more enjoyable in February. Summer temperatures make the exposed Antonine Baths and Byrsa Hill brutal for the 2-3 hours needed to properly see the sites. In February, you can climb the Byrsa Hill museum steps without feeling like you're melting, and the amphitheater's stone seating is actually comfortable to sit on. The light in late afternoon around 3-4pm is spectacular for photography. Occasional rain means fewer crowds but check weather before going since there's minimal shelter.
Bardo Museum Extended Visits
February's lower crowds transform the Bardo experience from a packed shuffle through the Roman mosaic halls to actually being able to study the artwork. The museum holds the world's finest Roman mosaic collection and you need 3-4 hours minimum to appreciate it properly. In summer peak season, the main galleries feel like subway cars. In February, you'll often have entire rooms to yourself, particularly on weekday mornings. The building itself, a former palace, stays naturally cool which is pleasant in February but would be freezing in December-January.
Sidi Bou Said Day Trips
This clifftop village 20 km (12 miles) north of Tunis is famous for blue-and-white architecture and Mediterranean views. February brings a trade-off: fewer tourists mean you can actually photograph the iconic doorways and alleyways without crowds, but occasional rain and grey skies diminish the intense blue-white contrast that makes the village famous. Best strategy is to monitor weather and go on clear days between 10am-3pm when light is optimal. The village is small, walkable in 2-3 hours, but cafés like Café des Délices overlooking the harbor are perfect for extended sitting on sunny February afternoons.
Traditional Hammam Experiences
February's damp cold makes hammam visits particularly appealing, and this is genuinely what locals do to warm up during winter. Traditional public hammams cost 5-8 TND (1.60-2.60 USD) for basic entry, while tourist-oriented spa hammams run 40-80 TND (13-26 USD) with massage and exfoliation included. The experience involves moving through progressively hotter steam rooms followed by scrubbing and massage. In summer, hammams feel excessive, but in February that enveloping heat is perfect after a cold, rainy day exploring. Book late afternoon slots around 4-5pm so you emerge warm for the evening.
Cooking Classes and Food Market Tours
February is citrus and winter vegetable season in Tunisia, making this an excellent month for market-focused food experiences. Cooking classes typically start with market tours through places like Marché Centrale where you'll find seasonal produce: artichokes, fennel, broad beans, and those incredible blood oranges. Classes run 3-4 hours and teach traditional dishes like brik, couscous, or tagines using seasonal ingredients. The cooler weather makes standing over hot stoves more comfortable than summer sessions, and indoor activities provide perfect rainy-day alternatives.
February Events & Festivals
Orange Blossom Season Beginning
Late February marks the start of orange blossom season in Cap Bon region, about 60 km (37 miles) from Tunis. While peak blooming hits March-April, late February brings early blossoms and the beginning of distillation season for orange blossom water used in Tunisian pastries and perfumes. Not a formal festival, but distilleries in Nabeul and Menzel Bouzelfa welcome visitors to see traditional distillation methods. The scent across the orchards is remarkable even in early season.