Things to Do in Tunis in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Tunis
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder season temperatures - daytime highs around 26°C (79°F) make walking through the medina actually pleasant, unlike the brutal 35°C+ (95°F+) summer months when exploring old city alleys becomes an endurance test
- Jasmine season is in full bloom - the city's namesake flower fills the air with fragrance, especially noticeable in evening strolls around Sidi Bou Said and the medina. Locals sell fresh jasmine garlands for 3-5 TND and you'll understand why Tunis is called the 'City of Jasmine'
- Pre-summer tourism lull means significantly smaller crowds at major sites like the Bardo Museum and Carthage ruins - you'll actually get photos without tour groups, and entry queues rarely exceed 10 minutes even midday
- Accommodation pricing drops 25-40% compared to peak March-April period - excellent value on boutique riads in the medina that typically run 80-120 TND per night in May versus 150-200 TND during European spring break season
Considerations
- Weather unpredictability peaks in May - you might get three consecutive sunny days followed by overcast drizzle. That 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain tends to arrive in short, inconvenient bursts rather than predictable afternoon showers, making day-trip planning slightly frustrating
- Wind can be surprisingly strong, particularly along the coast and at elevated sites like Carthage - gusts of 25-35 km/h (15-22 mph) are common, which makes beach days at La Marsa or Gammarth less appealing than you'd expect for late spring
- Some coastal restaurants and beach clubs haven't fully opened for summer season yet - the official beach season starts mid-June, so you'll find limited food options at Sidi Bou Said's waterfront and some seasonal venues still operating on reduced hours
Best Activities in May
Carthage Archaeological Site Exploration
May offers ideal conditions for spending 3-4 hours exploring the sprawling Carthage ruins without the oppressive heat or massive cruise ship crowds. The 26°C (79°F) temperatures make climbing to the Byrsa Hill viewpoint actually enjoyable, and the occasional cloud cover at this time of year provides natural shade breaks. The Antonine Baths and Roman villas are spread across several kilometers, so the comfortable weather matters. UV index of 8 means you'll need sun protection, but you won't be desperately seeking shade every 20 minutes like in July. Wildflowers are still blooming around the ancient stones, creating unexpectedly photogenic moments.
Medina Walking and Souk Shopping
The medina is genuinely pleasant in May before summer heat turns the narrow covered souks into saunas. Morning humidity around 70% feels manageable in the shaded alleyways, and by 10am the medina comes alive with local shoppers - not just tourists - which gives you authentic bargaining dynamics. The Zitouna Mosque area and surrounding souks des Chechias (traditional hat makers) and Souk el Attarine (perfume market) are at their most atmospheric. Late afternoon around 5-6pm offers golden light streaming through the covered passages. Worth noting that Friday mornings see heavier local traffic as people shop before midday prayers.
Sidi Bou Said Day Trips
This blue-and-white clifftop village is 20 km (12 miles) north of Tunis and absolutely worth the 40-minute TGM train ride in May. The iconic blue doors and bougainvillea are in full bloom, and the cooler temperatures make the uphill walks through narrow streets much more manageable. That said, the wind can be fierce on the clifftop cafe terraces - bring a light layer for late afternoon. The famous Cafe des Nattes and Cafe Sidi Chabaane offer mint tea with pine nuts for 8-12 TND and spectacular Mediterranean views, though service can be leisurely. May sees far fewer day-trippers than March-April when European tour groups descend en masse.
Bardo National Museum Extended Visits
May is ideal for spending 2-3 hours in this world-class museum without feeling rushed by tour group schedules. The museum houses the world's finest collection of Roman mosaics, and the climate-controlled interior provides perfect refuge during those unpredictable May rain showers. Recent renovations completed in 2024 added new Islamic art galleries and improved lighting on the famous Virgil mosaic. Crowds are minimal on weekday mornings - you'll often have entire rooms to yourself. The building itself, a former Beylic palace, deserves as much attention as the exhibits.
La Marsa and Gammarth Beach Exploration
While not prime swimming weather - the Mediterranean averages 19°C (66°F) in May, which locals consider frigid - these northern beach suburbs offer excellent seafood restaurants and coastal walks. The 8-10 km (5-6 mile) stretch between La Marsa and Gammarth has a pleasant corniche for evening strolls when temperatures drop to that comfortable 15°C (59°F). Locals flock here for weekend family gatherings and fresh fish lunches at beachfront spots charging 25-45 TND for grilled sea bream or calamari. The wind can make beach sitting uncomfortable, but it keeps the air fresh and views crystal clear across to Cap Bon peninsula.
Dougga Roman Ruins Day Trip
This UNESCO site 110 km (68 miles) southwest of Tunis is Tunisia's best-preserved Roman city and absolutely spectacular in May when wildflowers carpet the surrounding hills. The 26°C (79°F) temperatures make the 2-3 hour site exploration comfortable - summer heat here can be punishing since there's minimal shade. The Capitol, theater, and Temple of Caelestis are remarkably intact, and in May you might encounter more grazing sheep than tourists. The drive through wheat fields and olive groves is scenic, passing traditional Berber villages. This is genuinely one of North Africa's most underrated archaeological sites, rivaling anything in Libya or Algeria but far more accessible.
May Events & Festivals
Ramadan Observance Considerations
Ramadan dates shift annually but may overlap with early May in 2026 depending on lunar calendar - worth checking exact dates when planning. During Ramadan, many restaurants close during daylight hours, street food vendors are scarce until sunset, and the rhythm of the city changes significantly. That said, the evening iftar meals create incredible food scenes in the medina with special Ramadan pastries and communal atmosphere. Tourist restaurants in Ville Nouvelle and hotels remain open, but you'll want to eat discreetly in public out of respect.
Carthage Film Festival
The Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage typically occurs in October-November, NOT May, so don't plan around it. However, smaller cultural events at the Carthage amphitheater sometimes pop up in May as venues test summer programming - check local listings closer to travel dates but don't count on major festivals this month.