What to pack and wear if you are going to Tunisia? What is the dress code in Tunisia? What to wear to a specific destination that you are visiting?
If you want to be informed about those and many other questions, here you can find the answers! Whether it’s because you want to travel there or for other reasons.
So let’s start!
Get to know Tunisia
Tunisia is one of North Africa’s nations.
The Mediterranean Sea coastline and strategic location of this country have drawn tourists throughout history, and easy access to the Sahara has allowed its citizens to interact with people from other parts of Africa which is impressive.
If we take a look at the history and what consequences it left on this land, we would see that the long periods of Ottoman and French rule, as well as the fact that Jews and Christians have long coexisted with a Muslim majority, have all contributed to Tunisia’s extremely diversified culture.
From history to this day, Tunisia has made a lot of progress.
The country’s capital, Tunis, is one of the most alluring and vibrant towns in the region thanks to its unique blend of modern office buildings and old mosques and souks, and that combination of history and present time makes this country very interesting for everyone to see.
Along with Tunis, other cities in the country are Kairouan, El-Kef , Sfax , Sousse, and Gabès.
If we talk about demographics, Arab Berbers are the ones that make up the majority of the people of Tunisia.
But over the years, Tunisia has also had several waves of immigration, including Phoenicians, sub-Saharan Africans, Jews, Romans, Vandals, and Arabs.
Many would say that Tunisia is a Muslim country in name at least because some Islamic laws are not applied.
And there is one more piece of information about this country that you should know, and that is, traveling to Muslim countries, in general, is very different from traveling to Europe or America because of the different cultures and religions and living generally, but don’t be afraid of that, allow yourself to learn something new, because, when you meet those differences you’ll going to love them.
So, keep reading and get all of your questions answered!
Tunisian Fashion
It can be a little challenging to choose the ideal wardrobe in Tunisia.
Considering that Tunisia is a Muslim nation, it means that people there blend traditional and modern cultures in their attire, which makes the wardrobe very unique for this country.
But nowadays in Tunisia, people wear different styles, and if we can pick some wardrobe that is mostly worn statistics would show that men usually wear jeans, and shirts, and at the office some wear suits.
And women wear skirts, jeans, scarves, and dresses.
And in the next paragraph, we are going to see what are some traditional wardrobes of this country, because those traditional clothes are still worn all over Tunisia.
Traditional Clothing in Tunisia
The national identity of Tunisians is still present.
Besides so many other things, they kept their traditional clothing too.
The majority of the time, traditional clothes are worn during religious celebrations, weddings, and other customary occasions.
So let’s see some of them.
Jebba
Traditional Tunisian clothing known as jebba is composed of silk and wool for both men and women. It is a ceremonial outfit with long sleeves that reaches the calf region.
It is complete clothing that resembles a suit and can be worn with a vest (farmla).
A sirouel, pair of loose pants, and the Montane jacket complete the look.
Barnous
The older generation is particularly drawn to this clothing.
Due to its long, hooded, wool coat with no sleeves, it is usually used in the winter.
It is regarded as a distinguished outfit.
Blouza and Fouta
It comes in two pieces.
Women frequently draped the long, cotton, and silk fouta dress from their waist to their ankles.
The same fabric is used to create a blouza, a strapless bustier top.
Both were influenced by conventional bridal dresses.
Sefsari
It is a long, white or yellow silk Tunisian scarf that covers women’s entire bodies, usually from head to toe.
Some older women from out of town love it, but young women find it unattractive.
Kontra and Balgha
Although they are unisex, males wear them more frequently than women do.
They are half-closed leather shoes with a pointy or round tip.
It is delicate and mixes well with siroual and jebba.
What to wear in Tunisia?
Tunisia is a very popular destination where from year to year so many people come to visit its beauties.
Visitors to this country are free to wear however they like, while the locals may be subject to stricter dress codes.
You can wear whatever you like, but if you want to fit in and feel like a local in Tunisia, you must stick to certain of the country’s dress codes.
Depending on where you’re going in Tunisia, you should dress differently because every place has different rules.
Cities like Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba are well-liked tourist attractions.
Tourists and locals alike dress quite freely in these locations, wearing shorts, bikinis, skirts, and tops.
The dressing is a mixture everywhere throughout the capital.
Both visitors and some residents are wearing whatever they want.
However, you will also notice that the locals dress more conservatively.
If we talk about Tunisia’s south, is more traditional than its northern regions, so it is best to dress more modestly and follow local customs when visiting the south.
So let’s continue this topic and see what is the dress code of this country!
Dress code in Tunisia and what not to wear
Even though it’s a Muslim country they are not obliging you to wear anything so the dress code is very easygoing.
However, it is advised to wear modest clothing as much as possible when you are in public places.
Because most Muslim women cover their entire body, including their heads, so, you should respect the local religion while visiting, but if you’re at a resort, that’s up to you of course.
Another thing advised to do is to cover the shoulders, wear knee-length slacks or dresses, or cover the head with a scarf, when visiting traditional communities, holy places, and mosques.
Here are some tips for men and women about what to avoid wearing when you travel to Tunisia:
women should avoid wearing shorts and tank tops, as well as shirts and blouses with low necklines or that expose the majority of the shoulders, and men should avoid wearing short shorts, tank tops, and muscle shirts.
Is Tunisia a safe country?
Even If Tunisia is considered a very safe country with a low crime rate, it is nevertheless advisable to use caution when traveling alone or to remote locations.
Be on the lookout for salespeople in the marketplace.
Avoid making unnecessary small talk with strangers.
Even while common sense measures are advised, the country’s overall crime rate is undoubtedly lower than anywhere else in the globe.
Clothing for women
The way Tunisian women dress varies widely.
Some Tunisian women dress in traditional attire and headscarves, while others choose to wear t-shirts and jeans or tiny dresses and high heels.
Undoubtedly, it is a lovely combination of many dressing styles.
However, you surely have a choice to make a decision for yourself and feel free to wear whatever you want.
Here are some clothes that we suggest you pack for your trip to Tunisia:
Shirts
T-shirts
Knee-length skirts
Pants and jeans
Knee-length shorts
Tunics
A hat
A scarf
Clothing for men
Jeans and a short-sleeved shirt are the most typical ensemble for a Tunisian male.
Even while that may be a generalization, it still illustrates how casual the men’s clothing code is.
Here are some clothes that we suggest you pack for your trip to Tunisia:
T-shirt
Jeans
Slacks
Knee-length shorts
A cap
Other things to pack
So here are some additional stuff that we suggest you pack for your trip to Tunisia:
Cash
There are many places where you can’t pay with a card so you would need cash.
Wet Wipes
You are surely going to need these for long, hot days in the Tunisian desert or just to wipe off sweat.
Whether you’re hiking, sightseeing, or just have a long day ahead of you, the wipes are a great refresh.
Nail clippers
These are unquestionably necessary, especially given how dry Tunisia can be.
Sunscreen
Be sure to pack sunscreen because the weather in Tunisia is mostly sunny and hot, so be prepared.
Hand-sanitizer
It is always good to have hand sanitizer particularly in restaurants and during spontaneous snacking.
Medication
It would be best to carry medications if you have some medical problem, food allergy, or something else.
Tourism in Tunisia
Tunisia gets so many tourists every year, which makes it one of the most visited countries in Africa.
Though Tunisia is frequently assumed to be only a beach resort, visitors who walk ashore will find a wealth of unexpected tourist sites and activities.
In the towns, there are little alleys lined with pastel-colored homes and bustling souks; in the countryside, there are historic ruins to explore; and in the huge desert region of the Sahara, to the south, there are secret oases with palm trees and sweeping dunes.
In the next paragraph, you have a chance to see what are the most popular destinations of Tunisia and what to wear if you’re planning to go there.
Tunisia’s most popular locations and what to dress there
DJERBA
The largest island in North Africa, Djerba, is situated in the Gulf of Gabes.
158,941 people are living there, and the average daily temperature is 20 °C all year long, but temperatures in the summer can reach 30 °C.
The ancient town quarter of Houmt Souk, the island’s largest settlement, is a labyrinth of whitewashed homes.
It is a draw in and of itself, offering a variety of shopping options for those who choose to leave the beach.
The island’s most well-known feature, though, is the sandy stretches of coastline outside of town.
The beaches are spectacular, and there are many palm trees.
You can spend your afternoon perusing the downtown souvenir shops, the historic Houmt Souk neighborhood, or the museums and historical sites that have recorded the passing of numerous civilizations.
The clothes you need for this place are: long-sleeve shirts or blouses, a scarf (for women), and pants or trousers that cover your knees.
HAMMAMET
Hammamet is tucked away in a bay on the Cap Bon Peninsula in a delightfully charming position.
This is Tunisia’s first resort destination.
The beaches in Hammamet have beautiful sand and a well-preserved Medina (historic center).
Starting from Hammamet, you can travel to Nabeul.
This city is famous for its traditional pottery.
Also the souks of Tunis’s Medina, the renowned village of Sidi Bou Said, and the Bardo Museum.
Here, you don’t have to worry about a dress code.
People wear whatever they like.
Some Tunisians wear traditional dresses and many other people wear western dresses.
SOUSSE
Sousse is a city 140 kilometres away from the capital Tunis and a resort area that is particularly well-liked by Europeans.
The city is home to several intriguing monuments, including the magnificent mosque from the ninth century, and its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Clothes you should wear in this place are: light jacket (depends on the weather), light skirts, dresses, sneakers, jeans, pants or jeans, long sleeve shirts, and blouses.
TUNIS
Tunis is the capital and at the same time the largest city of Tunisia.
Tunis stretches to the Mediterranean Sea shores from the old town (Medina) to the ruins of ancient Carthage, and it offers visitors the allure of its seaside suburbs (Sidi Bou Said and Gammarth), while the Bardo Museum houses priceless treasures, including the largest collection of mosaics in the world.
Visitors can enjoy the peaceful appeal of Tunisia’s largest city’s seaside districts.
La Goulette to Gammarth, Sidi Bou Said, and La Marsa are just a few of the several beaches that make up the historic shoreline of mighty Carthage.
In Tunis, during the day it’s hot so here is some advice about what clothes you should pack if you want to go there: shirt, T-shirt, light-weight pants, sandals, sunglasses and sunhat.
SAHARA DESERT
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert.
The Sahara is bounded by the Sahel in the south, the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Red Sea in the east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.
The Sahara Desert, a distinctive terrain that spans much of North Africa, conjures up thoughts of dunes and starry skies.
When exploring a desert, wearing the appropriate gear will assist you to avoid heatstroke, sunburn, and dehydration, so here is a list of clothing that can save you from that: headwear, loose and light clothes, clothes with long sleeves, sunglasses and sneakers.
Weather in Tunisia
So, what is the weather like in Tunisia?
In Tunis, the summers are short, hot, humid, dry, and clear and the winters are long, cold, windy, and partly cloudy.
The temperature in Tunisia is around 16-18 °C in winter and 32-33 °C in summer.
Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate that is generally pleasant.
However, the weather can vary throughout the year.
May, June, July, August, September, and October are the hottest months and in these months it is recommended that you avoid synthetic fabrics as they will be uncomfortable in the heat.
And January, February, March, and December are the cool ones, so be sure also for that weather and prepare yourself for that with some warm clothes.
September, October, November, December, and January are the wettest months when we advise that you pack a lightweight raincoat just in case you don’t get yourself soaked.
What clothes to bring for specific weather
In Tunisia, weather is generally warm.
But, given that each season has its unique traits, you should change how you dress accordingly.
You get the most out of your trip when you have dressed appropriately so it makes a significant difference to dress right for the weather.
What to wear in summer
When the weather is too hot, it can be really difficult to dress.
The objective is to remain as comfortable and cool as possible while yet getting sun protection, so light-colored, loose-fitting clothing composed of cool materials like cotton, jersey, and linen works well for hot weather.
And you should avoid wearing constricting clothing made of synthetic materials including wool, silk, nylon, and polyester since they can keep you warm.
The clothes we recommend for this season are:
Lightweight shirt
loose-fitting linen slacks
cotton T-shirt
flip flops
shorts
mid-length dresses,
a bikini
a swimsuit
sunglasses
a scarf,
a hat
What to wear in winter
Even If it’s mostly hot and people often visit this country in summer, if you are going to Tunisia in winter you should know that it gets cold during the winter season and it’s even colder because of the humidity.
Also, the winter months are the rainiest.
The clothes we recommend for this season are next:
a light winter jacket
sweater
jeans
slackers
blouse
a long-sleeved shirt
socks
sneakers
raincoat
What to wear on a day
If you are going there in summer, as we mentioned there could be hot, so it is best to pack loose-fitting, light clothing made of natural materials like cotton, linen, and silk because it will help you stay cool.
These kinds of materials are also simple to wash and dry.
Use sunscreen, take your favorite sunglasses and be sure to have a sunhat!
What to wear at night
Especially when the winter season comes you would want to have a sweater or jacket on you, maybe some jeans, socks or anything else that you think is appropriate for this time of day, so don’t forget to prepare yourself with some of that clothes if you are planning on visiting Tunisia.
It is always good to have them because you never know where the night will take you!
National customs
There are some national customs that you should get to know before you travel to Tunisia.
Keep reading and find out!
Clothing
In an Islamic nation, respect for the local traditions is expected of visitors.
Women in particular should be mindful of appropriate attire.
Long pants are also advised for men outside the hotel zones, and beachwear is prohibited outside the bathing zone.
Taking photos
Since it is generally forbidden in Islamic nations to take pictures of individuals, you must never do so.
Ramadan and alcohol
It is preferable to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking in public during the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast.
On Fridays and during Ramadan, alcohol sales and service are not permitted outside of hotels and restaurants that cater to tourists.
In many Islamic nations, being intoxicated in public is severely forbidden; alcohol should only be consumed in public settings where it is offered.
Additionally, it would be incredibly rude to persuade a local to drink.
Tunisian holidays and celebrations
Islamic festivals are determined using the lunar calendar, therefore their dates change every year.
Like every other nation, Tunisians have their holidays and days when they celebrate something, and here are some of them with examples of what wardrobe should be worn on these days.
NATIONAL DAY OF THE TRADITIONAL DRESS AND CRAFTS
The creation of Tunisian handicrafts provides insight into the cultural identity of the nation.
These goods are a crucial component of Tunisia’s cultural riches since they exhibit the impacts of historical empires.
On this day, men wear the Tunisian Jebba, a traditional suit.
Though influenced by Turkish and Andalusian fashion, the Jebba has maintained its underlying Arab aesthetic. It’s made of wool, silk, or flax.
Except for the forearms and calves, it covers the entire body.
It can be worn with both what we refer to as a Badia and a Farmla, which is a vest.
Sirwel, a pair of baggy pants, and Balgha, a pair of pointed or rounded leather shoes, complete the look.
Also we need to mention sefseri and chechia, a common circular cap.
EID AL-ADHA AND EID AL-FITR
The “Feast of Sacrifice,” also known as Eid al-Adha, Eid ul-Adha, Id-ul-Azha, Id-ul-Zuha, Hari Raya Haji, or Bakr-id, is the most significant holiday in the Muslim calendar.
The phrase “Grand Eid” (Al Eid Al Kabeer) may also be used to refer to the celebration.
Even though most nations observe roughly the same number of public holidays for both Eids, this Eid has a higher prominence in terms of religion because it lasts for four days as opposed to Eid Al Fitr’s one day.
The end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, is commemorated by Muslims around the world with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking of the Fast.
The occasion marks the end of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting that were observed throughout the whole month of Ramadan.
There may be differences in the precise date that is observed worldwide because the date of Eid relies on the moon’s sighting.
It’s possible that the announcement of Eid Al-precise Fitr’s dates won’t come until just before Ramadan officially begins.
Abayas and headscarves are known to be a major choice of many women during Eid.
Jubbah is also the main choice to wear on this holiday.
The interesting thing about these holidays is that on these days people from Tunisia wear new clothes visit each other to give congratulations.
And finally – A trip to Tunisia!
Tunisia may only make up a tiny portion of North Africa’s enormous horizontal width, yet it is packed with many cultural and natural beauty that would leave you indifferent, so pack your stuff and go on a trip that you will never forget!
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