Things to Do in Tunis in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Tunis
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable Mediterranean temperatures between 13-21°C (55-70°F) make walking the medina and archaeological sites actually pleasant - you won't be drenched in sweat by 10am like summer visitors. The cooler mornings are perfect for exploring Carthage before the midday sun kicks in.
- Tourist crowds drop significantly after October school holidays end. You'll have Bardo Museum galleries mostly to yourself on weekday mornings, and can actually photograph the blue-and-white streets of Sidi Bou Said without a hundred people in your frame. Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak season.
- November brings Tunisia's olive harvest season - you'll find fresh-pressed olive oil at Souk el Blat and can visit working olive presses in the Cap Bon region. Local markets overflow with seasonal produce like pomegranates, quinces, and the first winter citrus. This is when Tunisian home cooking is at its absolute best.
- The Mediterranean is still swimmable at 19-20°C (66-68°F) - chilly but refreshing if you're used to cooler waters. La Marsa and Gammarth beaches are nearly empty, giving you that rare experience of having North African coastline to yourself. The light in November is spectacular for photography, with lower sun angles creating dramatic shadows in the medina.
Considerations
- Rain becomes unpredictable in November - you might get three dry weeks or face sudden downpours that flood medina alleyways within 20 minutes. The drainage system in the old city hasn't changed much since Ottoman times, so streets can become impassable after heavy rain. About 10 days see precipitation, but intensity varies wildly year to year.
- Some coastal restaurants and beach clubs in Gammarth and La Marsa close for the season or operate on reduced schedules. The beach scene essentially shuts down, which is disappointing if you were hoping for waterfront dining. You'll need to check ahead rather than just showing up.
- Daylight shrinks to about 10 hours by late November, with sunset around 5:15pm. This cuts into your sightseeing time, especially at sprawling sites like Carthage where you need 3-4 hours minimum. The medina gets dark and less welcoming after sunset, though the Avenue Habib Bourguiba area stays lively.
Best Activities in November
Medina Walking Tours and Souq Exploration
November's cooler temperatures make this the ideal time to spend hours wandering the UNESCO-listed medina without heat exhaustion. The labyrinthine covered souqs stay comfortable even midday, and you can actually focus on the craftsmanship in perfume shops and textile stalls rather than just seeking shade. The 70% humidity sounds high but feels manageable at these temperatures - nothing like the oppressive summer combination. Morning light filtering through the souq archways creates incredible photography conditions. Fewer tourists mean shopkeepers are more relaxed and willing to chat rather than hard-sell, giving you genuine insight into traditional crafts.
Carthage Archaeological Site Visits
The ancient Punic and Roman ruins scattered across the Carthage hillside are miserable in summer heat but absolutely perfect in November. You'll need 4-5 hours to properly see the Antonine Baths, Byrsa Hill, and Roman villas - totally manageable at 18-20°C (64-68°F) but brutal in July. The UV index of 8 still requires sun protection, but you won't be seeking shade every 10 minutes. The site sprawls across several kilometers, so the cooler weather makes walking between sections reasonable. Crowds are minimal on weekdays, giving you contemplative time at the Tophet sanctuary without tour groups rushing you along.
Bardo Museum Extended Visits
November is perfect for spending a full morning in the Bardo Museum without fighting crowds or needing outdoor breaks. This former palace houses the world's finest Roman mosaic collection, and you genuinely need 3-4 hours to appreciate the major galleries. The museum can feel stuffy in summer but is comfortable in November. Weekday mornings see very light crowds - you might have entire rooms of 3rd-century mosaics to yourself. The building itself, a 19th-century beylical palace, deserves attention beyond just the exhibits. Rain days make this an ideal backup plan, and the location just 4 km from central Tunis means easy access.
Sidi Bou Said Day Trips
The clifftop village of blue-and-white buildings overlooking the Mediterranean is stunning in November light. Lower sun angles create dramatic contrasts between the whitewashed walls and cobalt blue doors that photographers dream about. The famous Cafe des Nattes terraces are actually pleasant to sit on without summer's scorching heat, and you can enjoy mint tea while watching the sea without sweating through your shirt. The 20-minute walk up to the lighthouse viewpoint is comfortable rather than grueling. November's occasional rain makes the bougainvillea more vibrant, and you'll avoid the cruise ship crowds that overwhelm the village in peak season.
Olive Oil Tastings and Cap Bon Agricultural Tours
November is olive harvest season in Tunisia, the world's fourth-largest olive oil producer. The Cap Bon peninsula, 90 minutes from Tunis, comes alive with harvest activity. You can visit working olive presses, watch traditional harvesting methods, and taste fresh-pressed oil that hasn't even been bottled yet. This is insider Tunisia that most tourists never experience. The agricultural landscapes are greenest in November after early autumn rains, and temperatures make rural exploration comfortable. Local farms also harvest pomegranates and quinces this month. This activity is impossible in summer and pointless outside harvest season.
Traditional Hammam Experiences
November's variable weather and occasional rain days make hammam visits particularly appealing. After walking rain-soaked medina streets, the traditional Turkish bath experience feels restorative rather than excessive. The multi-room steam baths, scrub treatments, and massage sessions are perfect for travelers dealing with the 70% humidity that makes your skin feel grimy by afternoon. Traditional hammams in the medina offer authentic local experiences, while upscale hotel versions provide more privacy. This is what Tunisians actually do for self-care, especially as weather gets cooler and damper. Budget 2-3 hours for the full experience.
November Events & Festivals
Carthage Film Festival
The Journees Cinematographiques de Carthage, held every two years in odd years, won't occur in November 2026. However, Tunis maintains an active cinema culture year-round with screenings at Cinema Le Colisee and other venues showing French, Arabic, and international films. Worth checking local programming if you're interested in North African cinema.
Olive Oil Festival Season
While not a single organized event, November marks the beginning of olive harvest celebrations throughout Tunisia. Local markets in Tunis, particularly Souk el Blat, feature fresh olive oil tastings and seasonal produce displays. Small towns in Cap Bon region host informal harvest festivals on weekends - these are community gatherings rather than tourist events, but visitors are generally welcome. Check with your hotel about specific weekend harvest celebrations happening during your visit.