Things to Do in Tunis in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Tunis
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring shoulder season means 30-40% lower hotel rates compared to peak winter months, with medina riads averaging 80-120 TND per night instead of 150-200 TND in December-January
- Temperature sweet spot of 15-19°C (59-66°F) during midday makes walking the medina's 5-8 km (3-5 miles) of daily exploration actually pleasant, without the summer heat exhaustion that hits by 11am in July
- Orange blossom season peaks in late March, filling the streets of Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa with that distinctive fragrance that locals call 'the smell of Tunis spring' - you'll notice it everywhere from cafes to taxi rides
- Carthage archaeological sites are genuinely manageable in March weather, where you can spend 3-4 hours exploring the Antonine Baths and Byrsa Hill without the 35°C (95°F) summer sun that makes ruins miserable by noon
Considerations
- March sits in that awkward transition period where mornings start at 9°C (49°F) but afternoons hit 19°C (66°F), so you're constantly layering and unlayering - locals joke that March is 'four seasons in one day' weather
- Rain comes unexpectedly about 10 days throughout the month, usually as sudden 20-40 minute downpours rather than all-day drizzle, and the medina's uneven stone streets become slippery enough that you'll see even locals walking carefully
- Coastal wind off the Mediterranean can be surprisingly sharp in early March, particularly at Carthage and La Marsa beach areas, with gusts reaching 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph) that make beachfront dining less appealing than you'd expect for North Africa
Best Activities in March
Medina Walking Tours and Souq Exploration
March weather is actually ideal for spending 3-4 hours navigating the UNESCO-listed medina without overheating. The 15-19°C (59-66°F) midday temperatures mean you can comfortably explore the souqs from Bab el Bhar through to the Zitouna Mosque area, then wind through the perfume sellers and textile markets without that summer exhaustion. The narrow covered passages stay pleasantly cool, and morning starts around 9-10am work perfectly since shops open by 9:30am. You'll want to focus on morning or early afternoon sessions - by 5pm the temperature drops quickly and those stone alleyways get chilly.
Carthage and Sidi Bou Said Day Trips
The archaeological sites at Carthage are genuinely enjoyable in March rather than the endurance test they become by June. You can spend a full morning exploring the Antonine Baths, Byrsa Hill, and Roman villas without seeking shade every 20 minutes. The coastal location means you'll get that Mediterranean breeze, though bring a light jacket since wind can be brisk. Sidi Bou Said's blue-and-white streets are perfect for afternoon wandering after Carthage, and the famous Cafe des Nattes terraces are comfortable in March's mild weather. Plan for 5-6 hours total including TGM train travel time of about 35-40 minutes each way from central Tunis.
Bardo Museum Cultural Visits
March's unpredictable rain makes the Bardo Museum an excellent backup plan, but it's worth visiting regardless as it houses the world's finest Roman mosaic collection. The museum itself takes 2-3 hours to see properly, and March's lower tourist numbers mean you'll actually have space to appreciate the massive floor mosaics without crowds blocking your view. The building stays naturally cool, so you don't need the air conditioning that summer requires. Worth noting that Fridays can be busier with local visitors, while Tuesday-Thursday mornings around 10-11am tend to be quietest in March.
Hammam and Traditional Spa Experiences
March's variable weather and occasional chilly mornings make hammam visits particularly appealing - locals increase their hammam frequency in spring transition months. Traditional hammams offer the full scrub-and-steam experience for 15-35 TND at neighborhood spots, while tourist-oriented spa hammams in the medina or near Avenue Habib Bourguiba run 50-120 TND with longer massage options. The experience takes 60-90 minutes for basic service, up to 2-3 hours for full spa packages. After walking cold, damp medina streets in March morning weather, the steam room heat feels especially restorative.
La Marsa and Gammarth Beach Area Exploration
While March isn't swimming weather with sea temperatures around 15°C (59°F), the upscale beach suburbs of La Marsa and Gammarth offer excellent cafe culture and coastal walks. The beachfront promenade stretches about 3 km (1.9 miles) and makes for pleasant afternoon strolls when central Tunis feels too urban. This is where affluent Tunisois spend March weekends, and the cafe scene rivals anything in the medina but with sea views. The TGM train reaches La Marsa in about 35 minutes from downtown for 1 TND. Wind can be strong, so late morning around 11am-1pm tends to be calmer than late afternoon.
Tunisian Cooking Classes and Food Market Tours
March brings spring vegetables and the last of winter citrus to Tunis markets, making it an excellent time for cooking classes that emphasize seasonal ingredients. Classes typically start with market tours through places like Marche Centrale, where you'll see March specialties like artichokes, fava beans, and bitter oranges that define spring Tunisian cooking. The actual cooking portion takes 3-4 hours total, and you'll learn dishes like ojja with spring vegetables or couscous with seasonal lamb. Indoor activity makes it perfect for those rainy March afternoons, and morning market tours work well before the midday heat.
March Events & Festivals
Orange Blossom Season
Not an organized event but a natural phenomenon that transforms Tunis in late March. The bitter orange trees that line many streets, particularly in Sidi Bou Said, La Marsa, and parts of the medina, burst into fragrant white blossoms. Locals harvest the flowers for traditional orange blossom water production, and you'll see families collecting blossoms in the early morning. The scent is genuinely everywhere - in cafes, on evening walks, even in taxis. This is when Tunisois say spring has truly arrived.