Must See Tunisia - Tunis

Compared with most mega-cities elsewhere in the world, Tunis comes across as little more than a large country town. The city centre is compact and easy to navigate, with almost everything important to travellers within the medina and the compact ville nouvelle.

The medina is the historical and cultural heart of modern Tunis and a great place to get a feel for life in the city. Built during the 7th century AD, it lost its status as Tunis Central when the French took over and raised their ville nouvelle around the turn of the 20th century.

One of the oldest of the medina's sights, the Zitouna Mosque was rebuilt in the 9th century on the site of the original 7th-century structure. Its builders recycled 200 columns from the ruins of Roman Carthage for the central prayer hall. Your nose will help you translate the name of the nearby Souq el-Attarine - the Perfume Makers' Souq.