Tunis - When to Visit

When to Visit Tunis

Climate guide & best times to travel

Monthly Climate Data for Tunis Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview 3°C 12°C 21°C 30°C 39°C Rainfall (mm) 0 34 68 Jan Jan: 16.0°C high, 8.0°C low, 58mm rain Feb Feb: 16.0°C high, 8.0°C low, 56mm rain Mar Mar: 19.0°C high, 9.0°C low, 46mm rain Apr Apr: 22.0°C high, 12.0°C low, 38mm rain May May: 26.0°C high, 15.0°C low, 23mm rain Jun Jun: 31.0°C high, 19.0°C low, 13mm rain Jul Jul: 34.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 5mm rain Aug Aug: 34.0°C high, 22.0°C low, 15mm rain Sep Sep: 30.0°C high, 20.0°C low, 58mm rain Oct Oct: 26.0°C high, 17.0°C low, 56mm rain Nov Nov: 21.0°C high, 12.0°C low, 53mm rain Dec Dec: 17.0°C high, 9.0°C low, 69mm rain Temperature Rainfall
Tunis sits at the northern tip of Africa, facing the Mediterranean. Its climate follows that geography closely: long, hot, almost rainless summers. Mild winters that can turn wet. And two shoulder seasons most visitors discover too late. The city runs on a Mediterranean rhythm. Roughly six months of cooperative weather, then a brief hot season peaking in July and August before easing into autumn warmth. For a destination this far south, winters are surprisingly forgiving. The distinguishing feature of Tunis in summer is not just the heat but its consistency. July and August typically reach 34°C (93-94°F) by day. While that is not record-breaking by North African standards, the 70% humidity means the heat feels heavier than in drier inland cities. Nights cool only modestly, settling into the low 20s Celsius (low 70s Fahrenheit). The relief you would expect after dark does not always arrive. Rainfall in those months amounts to almost nothing, a few millimetres at most. Clear skies. But also a certain relentlessness to the sun. Winter in Tunis is the wet season by default, though "wet" is relative here. December is the rainiest month, bringing around 69mm, spread across the month in short Mediterranean downpours. January and February settle into a cool, somewhat unpredictable pattern: highs around 16°C (61-62°F), lows that can drop to 8°C (46°F) overnight, and enough cloud cover to make the medina feel quite different from its summer self. Spring arrives quickly. By April, temperatures climb to a comfortable 22°C (72°F). This is when Tunis tends to be at its most liveable.

Best Time to Visit

Recommended timing for different travel styles.

Beach
For beach and relaxation, the window runs from late May through early June, and again from September into October. July and August have guaranteed sun but also peak-season crowds at coastal areas near La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said. The midday heat makes lounging more endurance than pleasure.
Cultural
For cultural exploration, spring is the clear choice. April and May offer 22-26°C (72-79°F) temperatures that make walking the medina of Tunis comfortable for hours at a stretch, without summer pressure. October is a close second: the light is excellent, the heat has broken, and the city has returned to its own unhurried pace.
Adventure
For adventure and hiking around the surrounding hills and the Cap Bon peninsula, March and April are the months to plan around. Temperatures average 19°C (66°F) by day and 9°C (49°F) at night. Warm enough to move. Cool enough to sustain effort.
Budget
Budget-conscious travelers tend to find the best conditions in the November-to-February window. Crowds thin considerably. The city's food scene and cultural life carry on regardless of the quieter tourist calendar.

What to Pack

Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Tunis.

Year-Round Essentials
A light scarf or shawl
handles double duty as sun protection in summer and warmth on cool evenings.
Sunscreen rated for high UV
is worth carrying even in January. The Mediterranean sun at midday catches people off guard in every season.
A small day bag with an interior zipper
suits the medina's narrow lanes well.
Comfortable walking shoes that can handle cobblestones and uneven paving
are non-negotiable; smooth-soled footwear struggles on the old city's surfaces.
A reusable water bottle
matters more in summer but earns its place throughout the year.
summer
Clothing
lightweight linen or cotton
Accessories
a sun hat with a full brim, sunglasses with genuine UV protection
winter
Clothing
a mid-weight jacket
Accessories
a waterproof layer
spring and autumn
Clothing
a light jumper
Layering Tip
layering is the only sensible strategy. Do not commit to any single temperature register.
Plug Type
Type C and Type E plugs, the European two-round-pin style
Voltage
230V at 50Hz
Adapter Note
North American electronics need both an adapter and a voltage converter unless the device is already rated for dual voltage.
Skip These Items
heavy hiking boots are overkill for most Tunis itineraries. Most trips skew toward city walking and day trips. Any single-voltage North American appliance without a converter is more trouble than it's worth. Excessive formal wear tends to go unused. The city is more relaxed than its regional reputation sometimes suggests. Large quantities of sunscreen brought from home take up luggage space unnecessarily. It's widely available locally. And it's generally worth packing lighter than instinct suggests. Tunis has good shopping. Most visitors arrive carrying more than they need.
Full Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.

View Tunis Packing List →

Month-by-Month Guide

Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.

January

January brings Tunis into its coolest stretch: highs around 16°C (61°F) and lows near 8°C (46°F), with 58mm of rain spread across the month. It is the kind of weather that rewards a wool layer and turns the medina into a slower, more local experience. Crowd levels are low. The city feels at ease with itself.

High 16°C (61°F)
Low 8°C (46°F)
Rainfall 58mm
Crowds low
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February

February is nearly identical in feel: highs of 16°C (62°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), 56mm of rainfall, with perhaps slightly more optimism in the air as the days visibly lengthen. Cafes fill on sunny afternoons and the city starts shaking off its winter tempo. Crowd levels remain low.

High 16°C (62°F)
Low 8°C (46°F)
Rainfall 56mm
Crowds low
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March

March is the month Tunis begins to show what it is capable of. Temperatures rise to highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows of 9°C (49°F), rainfall drops to 46mm, and the parks and promenades fill again. Crowd levels stay low. A good time to move without competition.

High 19°C (66°F)
Low 9°C (49°F)
Rainfall 46mm
Crowds low
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April

April confirms the transition: highs reach 22°C (72°F) and lows settle at 12°C (53°F), rainfall falls further to 38mm, and the city is arguably at peak liveability. Crowd levels tick up to medium as European visitors begin arriving. But it has not yet reached summer intensity.

High 22°C (72°F)
Low 12°C (53°F)
Rainfall 38mm
Crowds medium
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May

May is the month most travelers do not book early enough. Highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), only 23mm of rain, and a quality of light that rewards any amount of time outdoors. Crowds are building toward medium-high as the month progresses.

High 26°C (79°F)
Low 15°C (59°F)
Rainfall 23mm
Crowds medium-high
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June

June marks the start of summer proper: highs of 31°C (87°F), lows of 19°C (66°F), and just 13mm of rain. Tunis is warm and sunny throughout. Crowd levels are high and the pace picks up noticeably.

High 31°C (87°F)
Low 19°C (66°F)
Rainfall 13mm
Crowds high
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July

July is the peak of summer: highs of 34°C (93°F), lows of 22°C (71°F), and barely 5mm of rain across the entire month. The heat is consistent and the crowds are at their densest, around coastal areas. Plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning, when the light is also considerably more interesting.

High 34°C (93°F)
Low 22°C (71°F)
Rainfall 5mm
Crowds high
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August

August matches July almost exactly: highs of 34°C (94°F), lows of 23°C (73°F) and 15mm of rain, with perhaps a slightly higher chance of a brief afternoon thunderstorm as the season begins its long wind-down. Crowd levels remain high.

High 34°C (94°F)
Low 23°C (73°F)
Rainfall 15mm
Crowds high
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September

September is a revelation for travelers who time it right. The heat softens to 30°C (86°F) by day, nights drop to a more manageable 20°C (69°F), and the 58mm of rainfall arrives in short sharp bursts that cool things down without disrupting plans. Crowds begin to thin noticeably.

High 30°C (86°F)
Low 20°C (69°F)
Rainfall 58mm
Crowds medium
View Details →
October

October continues the trend: highs of 26°C (80°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), 56mm of rain, and delivers some of the year's most agreeable days for walking the Bardo Museum district or the old city. Crowds are medium and falling.

High 26°C (80°F)
Low 17°C (63°F)
Rainfall 56mm
Crowds medium
View Details →
November

November brings Tunis back toward its quieter self: highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 12°C (55°F), and 53mm of rain that can catch you out if you are not watching the forecast. Crowd levels are low. The city rewards unhurried exploration.

High 21°C (70°F)
Low 12°C (55°F)
Rainfall 53mm
Crowds low
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December

December is the rainiest month, with 69mm of rainfall and highs that settle around 17°C (63°F) and lows near 8°C (48°F). The medina's covered souks and hammams make more sense in this weather than at any other time of year. The city has a certain closed-in warmth that suits a slower kind of visit. Crowds are at their lowest.

High 17°C (63°F)
Low 8°C (48°F)
Rainfall 69mm
Crowds low
View Details →