Tunisia family holiday with children. Where to go with children in Tunisia. When is the best time to go?

For some parents, the idea of traveling with their child to a sultry African country for a vacation will seem crazy. “There’s no baby food there, they have no idea what diapers are!” - they will exclaim. But all these fears are generated by myths about the elitism of Europe and the “underdevelopment” of countries on other continents. In this article we will try to cover as fully as possible a holiday in Tunisia with a child. Reviews from parents who were not afraid to travel to this African country with their child served as an information base for us. Which resort should you choose for your holiday? Are there any hotels in Tunisia that specialize in welcoming young and very young travelers? When is the best time to travel to this country? What to do with your child when he gets bored with the beach and sea? We will try to answer these questions in our article.

Pros and cons of Tunisia

The absence of visas for short-term stays, a short flight, kilometers of wide sandy beaches, a long holiday season - all this makes the country in northwest Africa very attractive for family holidays. But, if we compare Tunisia with such leaders in the tourism industry as Egypt and Turkey, then this state has some disadvantages. The Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northwestern Africa, although warm, is not abundant in species of underwater inhabitants. Divers may find it boring there. And turbulent waters often throw algae ashore. Egypt with its Red Sea is far ahead of Turkey and Tunisia. The latter country is taking its first steps in the tourism business. There are fewer hotels with children's animation in Tunisia than in Turkey. But nothing compares to the amazing Barbary exotica. It is present everywhere in Tunisia. And this is why the country’s resorts are so different from the impersonal Turkish and Egyptian Antalya and Marmaris, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.

When to go to Tunisia with a child?

The climate of this country is similar to the Anatolian Riviera in Turkey. Therefore, the beach season there lasts from April to November. But this is for adults. The deep Mediterranean Sea is still cold in April, and seasoned people dare to dive into its waters. In November the water remains warm, but the mornings and evenings are quite fresh. And the winds - a sign of the approaching winter - begin to chill to the bones. In July-August, it is in principle possible to travel to Tunisia with a small child. Reviews claim that the sea warms up to temperatures that are very comfortable for a child’s delicate body - +26-28 degrees. But in the summer months, tourists recommend bringing your child to the beach in the morning and evening. The period from eleven to sixteen hours should be spent, if not in an air-conditioned room, then at least in deep shade. But if you want your baby to splash around in the sea to his heart’s content and be able to freely build sand castles from morning to evening, then you need to wisely choose the time when to go on vacation with your child to Tunisia. The best time for children is from May to mid-June and September-October. But even then, do not forget to use sunscreen with a high SPF level at home.

Choosing a resort

A place to relax is of paramount importance. In Tunisia, unlike Turkey, there are no youth resorts or quiet seaside villages intended exclusively for families with children. In every town of this African country you can find hotels that specialize in welcoming young tourists. Reviews about holidays in Tunisia with children recommend choosing a resort based on the time of vacation and the age of the child. For example, if your child is still too young to be interested in excursions, go to Djerba. This island is the warmest place in Tunisia. You can bathe your child in the sea here from the second half of April. Clean sand and smooth entry into the water are also available in Mahdia. But if your child has grown up, is no longer satisfied with sculpting Easter cakes from sand and craves other entertainment, do not take him to resorts such as Nabeul, Tabarka or Gammarth. There is absolutely no entertainment for children outside the hotels.

How to choose a hotel for families with children in Tunisia?

Hotels in this country have long mastered “narrow specialization.” And if there are no “children’s” resorts in Tunisia, then there are hotels for family holidays. But when choosing a hotel based on this parameter, you should clarify several important points. Firstly, the mini club. They are available in all hotels that specialize in children's holidays. But Tunisia is a favorite holiday destination for the French, British, Germans and Dutch. Therefore, some mini-clubs will not accept a child if he does not speak English or another European language. And the nannies in such hotels do not speak Russian.

Other mini-clubs have a strict age limit, and you will be forced to take care of your three-year-old or 13-year-old yourself. But there is a choice: you need to contact Russian tour operators that cooperate with hotels in Tunisia. For families with children (reviews mention this more than once), such hotels attract Russian-speaking teachers and animators. You should also make sure that the hotel has a large green area with a shallow pool. It would also be nice to have well-shaded playgrounds. You should not choose a city hotel on the third or fourth line, so that trips to the sea do not turn into complete torture for your child.

Tunisia, holidays with children, best hotels: reviews

Particularly scrupulous parents who do not trust African exotica should think about booking a chain hotel. In this case, you always know what level of hotel services awaits you. Of the five-star hotels, reviews recommend the Iberostar Royal, which is located in Mansoura. This hotel even has a children's menu, which is rare in Tunisia. Of the “fours”, “Palm Azur 4” is ahead of all. This hotel specializes in children's holidays. Not only that: it has Russian-speaking animators in the mini-club. Reviews claim that the All Inclusive system at this hotel provides excellent food. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are served for breakfast. Palm Azur 4 has a large area with a well-shaded garden. What should those tourists do who cannot afford a five- or four-star holiday in Tunisia with a child? Reviews recommend choosing the Dar Khayam hotel. Guests of this three-star hotel are allowed to use the entire infrastructure of the neighboring, more expensive one. "Dar Khayyam" is located on the first line from the sea and has a very good and clean beach, which is praised by many tourists. There are three swimming pools on the perfectly landscaped hotel grounds. It works according to the All Inclusive system.

Nutrition

There is no need to worry about this point when going on holiday in Tunisia with a child. Reviews claim that the national cuisine of this country is replete with fruits and desserts. Main courses can be spicy for a child's delicate stomach. But in hotels in Tunisia, which have long been welcoming tourists with children from Western Europe, they are ready to serve boiled rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, chicken breast or fish fillet for their little guests. Even in three-star hotels you can choose dishes for your child. For breakfast they serve pancakes, yoghurt and muesli. If your child is very young, you should not take a bunch of jars of baby food with you on the road. Pharmacies in Tunisia sell local or French analogues, which are many times higher in quality than Russian ones.

Entertainment for children. Hammamet

Every parent wants to make their holiday in Tunisia with their child more emotional. Reviews assure that Hammamet has plenty of such entertainment for both schoolchildren and very young children. You can plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Carthage and at the same time ride 18 water slides at the Carthage Land water park. This place has a worthy competitor. Flipper Water Park has 13 adult and six children's water attractions. At the Friger Park Zoo, visitors will see various animals that seem to have stepped out of the pages of the fairy tale about Doctor Aibolit. And then you can go to the children's amusement park "Fabiland". There is also a skating rink with real ice in Hammamet.

U holidays with children in Tunisia there are many positive aspects. In addition to the obvious advantages that will appeal to people who do not want to choose between wallet and comfort - low prices, opportunity, a dry climate that makes it easy to tolerate the heat, municipal sandy beaches, where sun loungers and umbrellas are provided free of charge to vacationers, on holiday in Tunisia there are other advantages, especially important for those who plan to conduct vacation with children.

From the article you will learn

What makes Tunisia attractive for families?

Tunisian resorts provide wide range of entertainment for children for all ages: playgrounds, water parks, camel rides and ATV rides. It will also probably not go unnoticed that the design of the attractions takes into account children's interests and tastes: a trip on a pirate ship can be a much more memorable adventure than a sea voyage on an ordinary yacht!

Children's nutrition older than one year is rarely a problem: in hotel cafeterias you can order vegetable puree, pancakes and egg dishes. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about younger children - it is better for them to take food with them.

When to go: best time to travel with children

The sand on the beaches of Tunisia is good for children's games

In May It is better to refrain from visiting Tunisia: the water warms up slowly and is not suitable for children to swim in, and the weather is usually windy and changeable.

In July and August Due to the proximity to the desert, the heat sets in and lasts for days on end - the temperature rarely drops below +30°C. The sea in these months also becomes not very attractive due to algae and jellyfish.

June, September, first half of October- ideal for holidays with children in Tunisia. In June the water already has time to warm up, in September and October it does not have time to cool down. Its average temperature is +23…+25°С. The air temperature during these months remains at a comfortable level of +26…+29°C.

Where to go: the best resorts for families with children

Not too far behind in terms of amenities and range of entertainment provided and Sousse. There are, again, only two equipped beaches, but children will certainly be attracted by the Ice Cream Palace and the rope park. It also offers horse riding and shows, part of a large attraction complex 25 km from Sousse. And, as with Hammamet, this resort has a twist that makes the experience unique: a laser show that is rightfully considered one of the best in the world.

If the family is not too interested in active recreation and is determined to spend most of its time on the beach, or if the family has very young children- then a better choice would be Monastir or Mahdia.

Mahdia's beaches are ideal for children

Mahdia Beach It is distinguished by unusually white sand and is landscaped along its entire length - and it stretches along the seashore for 10 kilometers. The descent to depth occurs gradually, so children of almost any age have the opportunity to frolic in shallow water. Of course, there are also water attractions here, but their choice is not nearly as wide as in Sousse or Hammamet.

Beaches of Monastir also attractive for holidays with children. Unlike Mahdia, there are several of them: Kariaa, Eddhil, Skines and Marina Beach. Kariaa holds the palm in popularity. Being the central beach of Monastir, it is under special supervision and therefore its cleanliness is carefully monitored. You can always rent sun loungers and umbrellas here, and the sea here is rarely rough or unfriendly.

The island deserves special mention Djerba, harmoniously combining the advantages of large and developed resorts like Hammamet or Sousse with the advantages of a relaxing beach holiday in Mahdia and Monastir.

Beaches of Djerba island They are clean and comfortable, and the weather here rarely deteriorates, which allows vacationers to count on daily swimming in the sea.

Little adventure lovers will certainly be interested in the crocodile farm or the Star Wars theme park. All traditional types of water entertainment are also developed here, from water parks to diving.

For a beach holiday with your beloved child, Tunisia is suitable in all respects: the flight is short, a visa is not needed, the sea is excellent, the beaches are sandy and long, the swimming season lasts a long time. So it is not surprising that every year an increasing number of families with children choose this Mediterranean country - the youngest tourists have complete freedom here. Tour operators could not help but pay attention to this fact - and for several years now, Russian mini-clubs have been operating in a number of Tunisian hotels, where children are entertained in their native language almost from dawn to dusk. To help you decide on a resort, hotel and entertainment for your children's holiday, we present a brief summary of holiday opportunities in Tunisia with children.

When to go?

Choosing the right time to relax in Tunisia with a child is the key to a well-spent vacation and pleasure for both parents and children. Let’s define the ideal time for children’s holidays as follows: it’s no longer cold, but it’s not hot yet.

It is best to go on holiday to Tunisia with a child from April to the twentieth of June and from September to the first of November. During these months, the air temperature is comfortable from +18 °C to +27 °C, and the sun is not yet overly active - so the risk of sunstroke or sunburn is minimized. Of course, it is still necessary to apply sunscreen with a high SPF factor to the child’s skin and do not forget about a hat, as well as spend time at least from noon to four o’clock in the afternoon in the shade.

This is not to say that July and August in Tunisia are categorically unsuitable for holidays with children - it’s just that during this period you need to treat the sun with special “respect” and leave the sun no later than 11 am. The sea warms up to the most comfortable temperature for sensitive baby skin just in July - August: +26...+28 °C.

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Which resort should you choose?

In Tunisia, there are no specific resorts “tailored” for children’s holidays - in almost any resort you can find several hotel options for a quality holiday with an emphasis on children. You should not immediately focus on Tabarka, Gammarth and Nabeul - these are rather intimate, “local” resorts, and it will be a bit boring here with children. But the popular resort coast: Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia and the island of Djerba offers excellent conditions for a fun time in the company of children.

Yasmine Hammamet

The highlight of Yasmine Hammamet is the Carthage Land entertainment complex with a lot of interesting attractions, including those aimed at the youngest tourists, as well as the stylized New Medina with its colorful markets, fountains and houses from different regions of Tunisia, as well as the Crossroads museum civilizations and cultures" - this will be interesting for older children. There is a water park in northern Hammamet; Among other things, a number of hotels have water slides on site - for example, Movie Gate Miramar, Samira Club, Caribbean World Hammamet.

Sousse

In Sousse, you should choose a hotel closer to the Port el Kantaoui area - there is a mini zoo, a botanical garden and a ranch where you can ride horses. In addition, the sea in Porto is cleaner than in the city, and your child will be able to splash in the amazingly clear blue water in shallow waters. Hotels popular among Russian tourists have children's mini-clubs and hotels with water slides.

Monastir

Monastir's child-friendly hotels cluster in the tourist area of Skanes. There is practically no entertainment outside the hotels, but on the hotel premises there are water slides (Eden Club, Caribbean World), a mini-ranch, and a playground with swings, sandboxes and other places for children's leisure. Some hotels here also have Russian mini-clubs.

Mahdia

Mahdia is suitable for children's holidays due to the magnificent cleanliness of the sea and long beaches with fine white sand and a gradual decrease in depth - in this parameter Mahdia easily outshines other Tunisian resorts. Caribbean World has water slides and Cap Mahdia has a mini ranch. Also, children will not be bored at Mahdia Beach - this is a family hotel popular among Europeans. There is practically no entertainment for children outside hotels.

Djerba

The island of Djerba is the warmest resort in Tunisia; you can safely come here with children starting from the first days of April (although the sea, of course, will still be cold). There are two long tourist areas in Djerba with hotels for every taste, including a lot of options for children's recreation - with water slides, a mini zoo, mini ranches, Russian mini clubs, etc. In addition, little tourists can be taken out to the Djerba Explore Park, where the only crocodile farm in Tunisia is located, as well as many interesting museums for those who are older.

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Features of hotels - what to pay attention to

When choosing a hotel for a children's holiday in Tunisia, focus primarily on the territory, the availability of children's animation (including in Russian) and the general focus of the hotel on family holidays with children.

What should a hotel have?

There is no need to mention that the territory should be as large and green as possible. It is important to pay attention to the children's "land" corner - swings, carousels, benches and sandboxes - as well as the presence of a children's pool, preferably with a nice "trick" such as a fungus or fountain sculptures. At the same time, he should not be “on the outskirts” - after all, it will be convenient for you to sit on a sun lounger next to the pool and control the child’s activity.

Where to swim?

When choosing a place for a sun lounger on the beach, you should not chase the first line - a lot of vacationers and working people walk along the surf line: pareo sellers, camel riders and mounted policemen. It is better to choose a place further away, but quieter, with good shade and close to the lawn. Your child will be able to dig in the sand everywhere, whether at the water’s edge or on the last line of sun loungers, and he will still have to take measured sea baths, under your careful supervision.

How to entertain?

The second important point is the mini-club.

Some Tunisian hotels do not accept children who do not speak English or other European languages into the mini-club - this issue must be clarified when booking.

The ideal choice would be a Russian mini-club, where Russian-speaking animators and specialists in the field of children's pedagogy work with children. However, hotels with this option may not be suitable for “adult” parameters - here it’s up to you to weigh all the pros and cons.

Nanny services are available in almost every Tunisian hotel, but she will almost certainly be English-speaking at best.

Mini club in a Tunisian hotel

What to feed?

Suitable nutrition is another important component of holidays with children. To the credit of Tunisian hotels, they offer a wide variety of dishes, including those aimed at children's stomachs. Boiled rice and mashed potatoes, stewed or baked vegetables, baked fish and stewed chicken, as well as all kinds of salads and, of course, an abundance of fruit will feed even the most capricious child. If your child is still on baby food, you don’t have to take kilograms of jars with you - Tunisian pharmacies sell a lot of local and French analogues, often of better quality than the range of Russian stores.

The secret from "Subtleties"

Finally, it will be useful to study foreign language forums. Citizens of enlightened Europe do not hesitate to take even newly “hatched” babies on vacation, and foreign tour operators have long ate the dog when it comes to selecting tours for vacations with children of all ages.

Excursions in Tunisia for children

It’s a rare parent who will refuse the opportunity not only to show their child the sea, but also to plant grains of knowledge in a young head - and Tunisian excursions are the best way to do this.

No. 1 - zoo

Excursions to the Phrygia Zoo and the light and music show Medinat Ezzahra are suitable for the youngest tourists. The closest places to the zoo are Hammamet (about 20 minutes drive) and Sousse (about 40 minutes). The visit lasts about three hours, during which you can see representatives of African fauna, listen to African songs performed by Zulu musicians and watch a show in the dolphinarium. The mini-zoo is home to goats, sheep, donkeys, horses and poultry - you can touch and feed all of them.

No. 2 - light and music show

The light and music show “Medinat Ezzahra” will be interesting for children of all ages, and adults always respond enthusiastically to the performance. Before the start of the performance, you can walk around the Berber village, look at domestic animals and camels, try delicious homemade bread with traditional tea and draw some pattern with the national version of a washable tattoo - “harkus”. Then you will enjoy horse riding and a fire-eater performance to the accompaniment of Tunisian music, followed by a re-enactment of a Tunisian wedding and a dinner of national cuisine. And only then the audience is invited to an open-air amphitheater, where, using fountains, lasers and photo projections, actors and animals, the three-thousand-year history of Tunisia is fascinatingly told.

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No. 3 - excursion to the Sahara

A two-day excursion to the Sahara will be tiring for young children, but starting from the age of 6-7 years, children stare enthusiastically out the window, imagine themselves as gladiators in the arena of the Colosseum in El Jem, try to climb into the Berber rooms dug into the yielding rock in Matmata and trying on a Bedouin costume during a camel ride in Douz. They will also find the real home of Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, mountain oases and waterfalls.

It makes sense to take children of middle and high school age on the Tunisia - Carthage - Sidi Bou Said excursion. It is full of historical facts, and the little ones will find it a little boring.

When entering Tunisia for up to 90 days, you will not need a visa - this makes holidays in the North African state even more attractive and affordable. But when traveling with children, do not forget to prepare the following documents.

International passport. According to Russian legislation, if parents have an old-style international passport, it is possible to enter a child under 14 years of age into it. In this case, there is no need to obtain your own document from a minor family member.

Having a biometric passport with parents excludes this possibility. This means that separate documents will have to be issued for children.

If a minor family member goes on vacation with his mother, then the father’s consent to travel is not required. On the Russian side, a restriction on travel can be imposed only if the second parent declares this in writing. For the Tunisian side, the lack of agreement is also not an obstacle.
If a child goes on a trip not accompanied by close relatives (mother, father), it is necessary to issue a notarized power of attorney. Russian border guards do not need it, Tunisian border guards check it very rarely in practice - nevertheless, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, we recommend sticking to the letter of the law. A power of attorney is issued with the signatures of both parents even if the child is traveling accompanied by strangers (coaches, teachers, etc.).

It is worth noting that seasonal temperatures in Tunisia are influenced by the Sahara Desert. In addition, a lot depends on the resort in which part of the country you choose. In July and August the heat here reaches 40°C, so if you prefer a summer vacation, try to plan it for mid-to-late June. Or, if this is not possible, postpone it to mid-September - late October.

The rather late start of the summer beach season is due to the fact that the sea, due to the presence of several cold currents, warms up here rather slowly, reaching a comfortable +25 degrees only by the end of June. In autumn, on the contrary, it has not yet had time to cool down, and you are guaranteed to have 1-1.5 months of a soft velvet season on the Tunisian coast.

Choosing a resort for a children's holiday at sea

For a family holiday in Tunisia, you can choose from at least four of the most popular resorts. Let’s make a reservation right away - all the beaches in the country are sandy.

Among the main resorts of Tunisia, the following are worth noting.

Hammamet. A great range of entertainment and a great beach holiday - this combination is ideal for children of middle school age. In addition to the sea and sun, they also have water parks at their disposal, and adults can take advantage of the services of wellness centers. Hammamet is one of the main resorts in Tunisia, where thalassotherapy (algae treatment) is practiced.

Sousse. Brighter, more active and lively, Sousse, despite its explosive nature, is quite popular among families with children. The reason is lower prices and the same quality of beaches. There are many interesting attractions here, but in terms of water parks and other children's entertainment infrastructure, there is still more to be built.
Monastir. Perhaps the most calm and quiet Tunisian resort, which is perfect for a holiday with very young children. A measured tourist life flows here without the hustle and bustle typical of entertainment-filled resorts, and there are good and safe beaches.
Djerba. A separate island, on which, due to its location, the climate is warmer than on the mainland of Tunisia. The resort has many hotels with well-equipped amusement complexes and water parks - if you choose a place to relax with the whole family here, you definitely won’t regret it.

The best hotels in Tunisia for children with a water park and all-inclusive system

Hotels in Tunisia have good infrastructure and a level of service traditional for resorts with a classic beach holiday. Many hotels operate in an all-inclusive format, and on their territory there are entertainment complexes with water slides, which will be interesting for both children and adults.

Djerba

Caribbean World Djerba 4*. The hotel is located on the first line, has direct access to a large sandy beach, where there are always free sun loungers and umbrellas. The territory is not very large, but tastefully stylized as a Caribbean one - figured pools with blue water, palm trees, greenery. Children can have fun in the playground, mini club and animation. Caribbean World is the optimal combination of price and quality for a family vacation.
Hotel Club Palm Azur 4*. Among the undoubted advantages of the hotel is its own beach, which has direct access directly from the territory. The large pool has a highlight in the form of water sprays, which periodically water bathers in five jets. Plentiful cuisine (all inclusive) and well-kept green spaces are included - children have somewhere to run and where to play.

Sousse

Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa 5*. An excellent hotel complex that belongs to the famous Swiss chain Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. The standards of service and food are at the highest level; there is a special swimming pool, playground and mini-club for children. It is possible to order dishes from a specialized children's menu. The beach is clean, well-groomed, within walking distance.
JAZ Tour Khalef Thalasso & Spa 5*. On a territory with a total area of 10 hectares there is not only a palm grove, but also a thalassotherapy center. For the youngest guests of the hotel there is a special play pool with safe slides. The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis.

Marhaba Beach 4*. The hotel was opened recently - in 2012, but has already earned an impeccable reputation among tourists who come on vacation with families and children. The beach is a 2-minute walk away, and there are two swimming pools with safe play areas for younger guests. Catering is at a high level: a wide variety of natural cereals, soups and dairy products will provide not only a tasty, but also a healthy diet for your child on vacation.

Hammamet

TUI Magic Life Africana 5*. The hotel complex includes five swimming pools, offering guests a full range of resort activities. For younger guests, there are water slides and a playground on site, while for older children there is a mini-football field, a tennis court, and the opportunity to do archery, play billiards and darts. And don't forget about your own beach, which is just steps away.
Holiday Village Manar 5*. One of the most famous hotels in Tunisia, which has been welcoming guests since 1987, is located on an area of 130 thousand m2. The complex is literally surrounded by greenery: there are two large swimming pools with water slides under the palm trees, and there is a playground nearby. Meals are all inclusive, there is a children's menu.

Palm Beach Club Hammamet 4*. A strong “four” with two swimming pools (including a children’s), a playground, well-kept grounds and a calm environment. Suitable for a quiet family holiday on the beach, which is literally a few minutes' walk away.

Monastir

Caribbean World Monastir 4*. The highlight of the hotel is a large (3500 m2) swimming pool with a cascade and slides, which children are simply delighted with. In addition, there is also a swimming pool for learning to swim, as well as a mini-club and an entertainment area for active games with a soft surface. Kitchen - all inclusive: with this set of services you will forget about the hassle and worry for the entire period of your vacation.
ONE Resort Aqua Park and Spa 4*. A large area, the opportunity to stay in a bungalow, water slides, animation, a mini-disco and games in a palm grove, a private beach - a complete set of everything you need for a bright holiday with a child. The restaurant has a special menu from which you can always order delicious and healthy food for children.

It is perhaps the most significant and popular resort.

Why go to Tunisia with children?

This small country, located in northern Africa, washed by the Mediterranean Sea, is increasingly winning the hearts of tourists who love to combine beach holidays, excursions and active entertainment.

Tunisia attracts tourists with children with its long, well-kept beaches with magnificent sand, the gentlest and cleanest on the African coast, a warm, calm sea, and a mild, comfortable climate.

Other advantages are an interesting excursion program, thalassotherapy (an effective set of procedures to improve health, based on the use of sea mud, algae, silt and sea water), entertainment, impeccable oriental service, good hotels with spa centers, relatively cheap shopping and reasonable cost services, visa-free entry.

Hotels in Tunisia mainly operate on a “half board” or “full board” basis, however, “All inclusive” is also not uncommon.

If the goal of a vacation with children is an active pastime, including outside the hotel, you can consider regions such as lively Sousse with the resort area of Port el Kantaoui and respectable Hammamet (Yasmine district), where amusement parks are located. But other Tunisian resorts are also quite suitable for a family holiday: Mahdia, Djerba, Nabeul, Monastir.

A little history and geography

Tunisia is a small piece of territory in North Africa with partial location of the Sahara Desert.
This is a country whose history is full of significant events. From time immemorial, European conquerors have tried to establish their dominance in Tunisia (it was only in 1956 that the country ceased to be a French colony). For this reason, echoes of Turkish, Roman and European cultures are so closely intertwined in the history, art, architecture and literature of Tunisia. And French is studied in schools, and it is considered official, along with Arabic.
The summer season in Tunisia lasts from May to November (the best months for a beach holiday are not so hot May and June and comfortable September). But even in the heat of the day (July, August), thanks to the dry air, the heat is much easier to bear. This climatic feature is useful for bronchopulmonary diseases and asthma.
The national currency is the Tunisian dinar.
The time difference with Moscow is 3 hours.
The air temperature in summer ranges from +24 to +35 degrees (sometimes the southern wind from the Sahara Desert raises the temperature to +50 degrees). The water warms up (this also depends on the month) from +17 to +28 °C.
All resorts have sandy beaches and convenient access to the sea.
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and quite safe.
The best time to travel to the Sahara Desert is September-November. In the fall, the date harvest ends, and big celebrations are held in the oases.

Visa to Tunisia

A foreign passport is sufficient for tourists from Russia if they enter the country for no more than 90 days. You will also need to present a return ticket, and fill out a migration card at the airport upon arrival. When leaving, you need to pay a fee by purchasing an exit stamp.

How to get to Tunisia?

The flight time from Moscow will take just over 4 hours. Russian flights (charter) land at several airports in the country:

at the airport of the capital Tunis-Carthage (the resort of Hammamet is about an hour's drive away);
at the modern airport of Tunisia Enfidha-Hammamet (located in the middle of the road from Sousse to Hammamet, from which it is convenient for tourists to get to any resort);
in a small, old, not very comfortable airport in the city of Monastir (but from it it is most convenient to get to the resorts of Sousse, Mahdia, Monastir).

There is also the Djerba-Zarzis airport on the island of Djerba, but charter flights here from Russia are irregular. Regular flights from Moscow fly to Tunisia only with transfers through Istanbul, Paris, Frankfurt and Rome.

Excursion program

Tunisia cannot be classified as a country with a very large number of attractions. Nevertheless, there is something to offer tourists, both adults and very young.

Those interested in the history of peoples and countries can go on a tour of the country's cities. Almost each of them has historical centers with ancient buildings, mosques and oriental bazaars (called medinas).

Tunisia (the capital of the country) at first glance resembles one of the cities in Europe with a main wide avenue, socialites and brand stores. But if you go a little deeper, the East still takes its toll. In the medina, on the narrow streets, in the endless labyrinths of the oriental bazaar with persistent sellers of silk, ceramics, sweets and stuffed camels, life does not stop for a minute. It is difficult to resist their onslaught and not be tempted to buy some trinket that has suddenly become extremely necessary.

The ancient city of Carthage is a great city, once founded (according to legend) by a Phoenician queen, about which we all heard something in history lessons. Today it is an open-air history museum with the ruins of an ancient city stretching for several kilometers.

Not far from Carthage are the Baths of Anthony Pius. Or rather, what remains of them is the preserved first tier of Roman baths.

Sidi Bou Said is a blue and white city favored by artists and artists. It is interesting to visit the house-museum, where you can learn more about how Tunisians live.

The city of Kairouan (Caravan) is considered the holiest city among Muslims of the Maghreb countries (a group of Arab states located in northern Africa). It houses the oldest and most important mosque in the Islamic world, Sidi Sahib (“Barber Mosque”). However, there are a lot of religious buildings in the city. It is not for nothing that Kairouan is also called the city of “three hundred mosques”.

You can also visit the small town of El Jem with a perfectly preserved ancient Colosseum (3rd century AD), in the arenas of which gladiator fights were once held, and now films are shot here, and symphony orchestras perform concerts.

The alluring Sahara attracts tourists from all resorts of Tunisia. During an excursion through the desert, lovers of oriental culture and authenticity can visit the cave city of Matmata, where you can get acquainted with the life of the Berber tribe, and also visit a place where, on a small island of buildings with decorations for the film “Star Wars”, you can try on a Darth Vader mask or a Jedi outfit .

The best time to visit the Sahara is May-June. The heat in July and August truly becomes unbearable.

Getting to know the Sahara can be limited to a short one-hour walk. Travelers who want to conquer the hot sands and overcome the dry dunes will have to go deep into the great desert on camels or jeeps.

There are sandstorms in the Sahara, so you need to have a large scarf for your face and head and sunglasses.

And now more about the resorts of Tunisia.

Beaches, resorts and hotels in Tunisia for family holidays

The beaches of Tunisia are municipal (although there are also private ones) and are completely safe for children: soft fine sand everywhere, comfortable entry into the water, certain sections of the beach area, assigned to some hotels, are carefully guarded. In five-star and four-star hotels, guests are usually given umbrellas and sun loungers free of charge; in “three rubles” you will have to pay for beach equipment. Towels are provided on the beach against a deposit.

Resort Sousse

Sousse is located in the Bay of Hammamet on the coast, half an hour from the airport and 1.5-2 hours from the capital of the country.

This largest resort in Tunisia is divided into two parts: Sousse itself and its satellite suburb intended for tourists - Port el Kantaoui. There are approximately 10 kilometers between them.

Port el Kantaoui was built in the 80s of the last century literally from scratch. Of course, no real antiquities can be found here. But in the end, embodying the architects' plan, a settlement was erected here, stylized as an antique in the form of a Tunisian fishing village, designed in a traditional style, with white stone buildings and narrow streets.

This new part of the city seamlessly connects with the historic center of Sousse, a beautifully preserved example of fortified ancient Islamic cities with an 8th-century fortress that once housed a military garrison.

The weather at this resort is warm all year round and the climate is mild. You can relax here not only by sunbathing and swimming, but also by actively doing scuba diving, windsurfing, and having fun on the water.

During a boat trip on a boat, pirate ship or yacht, you can observe and get acquainted with the life of marine inhabitants, and fish in the open sea.

There is plenty to do in Sousse. With children you can visit the Aqua Palace Water Park, the rides in Hannibal Park, try delicious ice cream at the Italian ice cream palace Casa del Gelato (the menu includes more than 100 types of sweet treats, as well as tea, various cocktails and coffee).

50 kilometers from Sousse is the Phrygia Zoo, where you can see fennecs - miniature foxes (the symbol of the country in a certain sense), predators, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes and other interesting animals.

The beaches of Sousse are sandy and wide. The main beach, Boujaffar, stretches in a wide strip along the coastline. It is open to everyone and within the city limits is usually crowded with vacationers. Moreover, it is not clean.

It is much more comfortable to relax with children on the snow-white beaches of Port el Kantaoui. Entrance to the sea is either from a hollow shore or from a pontoon.

Most of the hotels in Sousse are located right by the sea. The best of them are located in fashionable Port el Kantaoui. Hotel complexes often include their own beaches, parks, golf courses, thalassotherapy centers and spas, and water parks.

A special feature of Sousse hotels is the large green areas of the hotels, which can be visited by anyone who wishes. Hotels with a large number of stars have animation; there are practically no water slides in the pools. Hotels with fewer stars are in no way inferior in the variety of entertainment programs to more expensive accommodation options.

Sousse hotels for families with children:

Moevenpick Resort & Marine Spa 5*
JAZ Tour Khalef Thalasso & Spa 5*
Thalassa Sousse 4*
Abou Sofiane Resort 4*
Marhaba Royal Salem 4*
Marhaba Beach 4*
Riviera Resort 4*
Marhaba Resorts 4*
Eden Club 3*
Soviva Resort 3*.

Hammamet resort

Hammamet is a resort for a respectable and relaxing holiday. It is located in the very north of the country. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to get from the airport.

Its name means "bathing place" in Arabic. Probably because the beach line here is the longest and widest on the coast. This is the greenest resort in Tunisia with centuries-old cypress trees, date palms, olive groves and special air saturated with the aromas of jasmine and olives.

The summers here are hot and dry, the climate is mild. It is best to come on vacation in May-July or September-October. The houses and hotels in Hammamet are built in the Arabic style: they are all white, low, with small windows framed by blue shutters, which additionally creates a feeling of coolness.

Hammamet is divided into the old city with the Great Mosque and the fortress of the 13th-14th centuries) and Yasmine Hammamet (a resort area built specifically for tourists). Its territory contains numerous hotels, the Cartage Land entertainment park, a 4-kilometer embankment, bicycle paths, restaurants and bars, and a port from where you can go on a sea voyage on a pirate schooner or yacht.

This resort has the most thalasso centers. Entertainment options include a water park, a huge botanical garden, a zoo, a 5D cinema, an equestrian club, Batuta Park, and an indoor skating rink.

The beaches of the resort have snow-white sand, a gentle entrance, and shallow depths during low tides.

The hotels are mostly “five”. Among them there are hotels with olive groves on the territory. It is in Hammamet that the most hotels suitable for accommodation with children in Tunisia are located. For example:

TUI Magic Life Africana 5*
Mehari Hammamet (Golden Yasmin) 5*
Holiday Village Manar 5*
Palace Hammamet Marhaba Hotel 5*
Vincci Nozha Beach & Spa 4*
Palm Beach Club Hammamet 4*
Hammamet Garden Resort 4*
Le Hammamet Resort 4*
Magic Life Venus Beach Aqua Splash 4*
Nahrawess Thalassa Palace 4*
Dar Khayam Novostar Club 3*
Club Marmara Hammamet Beach 3*
Novostar PrimaSol Omar Khayam Resort & Aquapark 3*
Le Zenith 3*
Mediterranee 3*
Hotel Club President 3*.

Mahdia Resort

The resort of Mahdia is located in the very south of Tunisia. This small town is now the most important fishing port. In the past it was known as a pirate haunt. Today it is a place for a secluded, relaxing holiday.

Mahdia has the best beaches in Tunisia with white fine sand, a smooth entrance, and shallow depth. There is practically no algae here. The air temperature is usually a little higher (compared to other resorts).

This resort is recognized as the birthplace of thalassotherapy. You can come here to the Elyssa Thalasso center from any hotel.

The resort has many restaurants, cafes, a diving school, discos, a mini-zoo, and a bowling club. Among the attractions, the ancient fortress on the cape and the Medina with the fortress gates are interesting.

Hotels are scattered along the entire coastline on the first line, among which “threes”, “fours” and “fives” are represented in approximately the same number.

Mahdia hotels for families:

Iberostar Royal El Mansour Hotel & Thalasso 5*
Mahdia Palace Thalasso 5*
Caribbean World Mahdia 4*
LTI-Mahdia Beach 4*
Topkapi Beach 3*.

Resort Monastir

Monastir is the resort closest to the airport. But such proximity does not disturb the silence in this calm resort town with an almost complete absence of nightlife (airliners take off in the direction opposite to the city). In addition, a short transfer is convenient when traveling with children.

This large port city and the birthplace of the country's first president, Habib Bourguiba, is located 162 kilometers from the capital and 20 kilometers from Sousse.

This resort, like Sousse, is divided into the city itself with its historical center, with a magnificent promenade, restaurants and cafes, wide avenues, and the resort area of Skanes Monastir, surrounded by golf courses and olive groves, with many hotels.

The beaches are a coastal strip, the narrowest in the resorts of Tunisia, covered with light sand. Sometimes there is algae on the beach. The hotels have their own equipped area on the beach.

The main attraction is the mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba (the country's first president) with a small museum section with personal belongings, photographs of the president and a rich sarcophagus. It is interesting to visit the Museum of National Art with children.

The hotels in this resort are of a good standard, with prices sometimes lower than hotels of the same class in other resorts. They have a green, large and well-groomed territory.

For accommodation with children, you can consider the following objects:

Caribbean World Monastir 4*
Skanes Family Resort 4*
ONE Resort Monastir 4*
ONE Resort Aqua Park and Spa 4*
Eden Club 3*
Sahara Beach 3*
Houda Golf & Beach Club 3*.

Nabeul Resort

The resort of Nabeul is located near the capital of the country and the resort of Hammamet. This is a calm place with a small range of entertainment (there is a water park and an amusement park) - a good option for families with children.

In the summer it is quite hot here (the air warms up to +30-35 degrees, the water - up to +25-27), but the heat and heat are well tolerated due to the cool wind blowing from the sea.

The beaches at this resort have light sand, a gentle entrance, beach equipment, but are not always clean.

Hotels (mostly “troikas”) are scattered chaotically along the coast (1st and 2nd line).

For a family holiday, you can consider the Novostar Khayam Garden Beach & Spa 4* hotel.

Resort Djerba

This resort is located on an island in the Gulf of Gabes. It is connected to the mainland by road, air and ferry services.

A mild, moderately humid climate, excellent beaches and a wonderful sea, beautiful nature, olive groves, a relaxing holiday - all this is ideal for families with children.

The climate on the island is warmer than on the mainland. The water warms up faster and better. Therefore, you can safely go here at the beginning and end of the beach season.

The Djerba Lagoon is adored by pink flamingos, which are not at all afraid of the presence of vacationers. They calmly walk along the beach, relaxing in the shade of date palms and cypress trees (beautiful birds fly to these places for the winter in October and November).

The island of Djerba (as well as other Tunisian resorts) is famous for its excellent thalassotherapy centers.

The beaches are well-groomed, with fine, powder-like sand. Entry into the sea is convenient and safe for children everywhere. It is very comfortable to sunbathe and swim here.

Among the minuses, it is worth noting the accumulation of algae on almost all the beaches of the island in June (especially in the first half of the month). But by mid-summer, the process of cleansing the sea is completed and the algae disappears (removing algae from the surf line is completely prohibited by the country’s authorities, as this can harm the environment). Jellyfish are also found in the sea (they appear in different places at different times), but they do not pose a serious danger.

The hotels at the resort are modern. Most of them are represented by “fours”. There are approximately equal numbers of three- and five-star hotels.

You can stay with children at:

Club Marmara Palm Beach Djerba 4*
Hotel Club Palm Azur 4*
Seabel Rym Beach 4*
Fiesta Beach 4*
Caribbean World Djerba 4*
Magic Life Penelope 4*
Odyssee Resort 4*
SunConnect Djerba Aqua Resort 4*
Welcome Meridiana Djerba 4*
Cedriana Djerba 3*
Meninx 3*
Jerba Sun Club 3*.

Many family-oriented hotels in Tunisia have mini-clubs, animation, and for children under 2 years old - babysitting services and a children's menu. It should be taken into account that they do not always have Russian-speaking representatives in animation and mini-clubs. A standard set for children (not referring to infantas) is available in all hotels, except those that operate according to the “adults only” concept.

There is certainly a reason to go to Tunisia with an oriental flavor. This North African country with a wonderful sea, amazing sand, many kilometers of beaches, rich culture and history, and oriental hospitality is a real find for a family holiday.

Have a nice rest! For now, for now...