Tunisia’s rich cultural fabric has been woven through centuries of co-existence, and its Jewish heritage stands as a profound testament to that legacy. This 8-day private tour offers a rare and meaningful opportunity to explore the history, traditions, and enduring spirit of Tunisia’s Jewish community. From the ancient ruins of Carthage to the iconic synagogues in Djerba, you’ll trace the stories, traditions, and daily life of Tunisia’s Jewish community.
Designed to offer an authentic and meaningful journey, this Jewish heritage tour of Tunisia provides exclusive access to remarkable sites, local families, and cultural exchanges that set it apart from other experiences. Discover the history, resilience, and beauty of Tunisia’s Jewish legacy in this exclusive tour.
Throughout this excursion, you’ll uncover the influence of the Jewish community on Tunisia. Including stops at the Tunis Medina, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Berber villages, you’ll be able to piece together the cultural mosaic of this country.
This Jewish heritage tour in Tunisia is fully private and customizable, allowing you to alter the itinerary as you wish. You can take inspiration from our range of Multi-Day Tours of Tunisia or start from the beginning with our Custom Tunisia Tours Builder.
When you are ready to begin your journey, feel free to get in touch with our team.
Start with an exploration of Carthage, where remnants of this ancient city set the scene for Tunisia’s multicultural roots. Continue to the Andalusian-inspired village of Sidi Bou Said, a hub of art and local craftsmanship. After lunch in La Goulette—a neighborhood once home to Jewish and Italian communities—visit the Bet Mordechai Synagogue, where you’ll learn about its role in the early 20th-century Jewish community. Conclude with a guided tour of the Medina of Tunis, stopping at the Grand Synagogue, a symbol of Tunis’s Jewish legacy, and the historic Bourjel Jewish Cemetery. Dinner and overnight stay in Tunis.
Travel to Testour, a town founded by Jewish and Muslim refugees from Spain, known for its unique mosque with Stars of David on its minaret, representing centuries of cultural blending. At the local cheese market, discover traditions introduced by early Jewish settlers. Then, explore the ruins of Dougga, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning about its importance in the ancient world. Enjoy a glimpse into local culinary flavors during lunch in Teboursouk. Head to Kairouan in the late afternoon, once a gathering place for Jewish artisans and scholars, for dinner and an overnight stay.
Begin with a guided walk through Kairouan’s Medina, where historic mosques and bustling souks reveal Tunisia’s cultural layers. Visit the Great Mosque, the Aghlabid Basins, and carpet workshops, key pieces of Kairouan’s craft heritage. Journey onward to Tozeur, where Jewish families once resided, and explore the ex-Jewish quarter within the Medina, uncovering the architecture and community stories. Optional carriage rides through Tozeur’s lush oasis are available before dinner and an overnight stay in Tozeur.
Set off to explore the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza, hiking through scenic trails dotted with springs and waterfalls. Visit Ong Jemal (Camel’s Neck), known for its Star Wars scenes, and learn about Tozeur’s date cultivation practices, an industry with deep ties to local Jewish merchants and growers. Cross the vast Chott El Jerid salt flats, famous for their unique reflective landscapes, before arriving in Douz, the “gateway to the desert.” Settle into a desert camp, where you’ll enjoy an optional camel ride or ATV experience before dinner and stargazing overnight.
Travel to the ancient Berber village of Tamezret, where rock-hewn homes and hillside views provide a look into Berber life that Jewish settlers once influenced. Continue to Matmata, where you’ll explore its unique troglodyte dwellings, offering insights into life within this semi-desert region. Arrive in the afternoon on Djerba Island, home to Tunisia’s oldest Jewish community, where you’ll visit Houmet Souk’s bustling markets and enjoy dinner in the Jewish district. Overnight in Djerba.
Start the day at El Ghriba Synagogue, a site of pilgrimage for Jewish visitors from around the world, said to be founded by those fleeing the destruction of the First Temple. Continue to Hara Kbira, Djerba’s main Jewish district, where you’ll connect with local residents who uphold ancient traditions and visit a selection of synagogues. After a hosted lunch with a local family, visit Hara Sghira, home to smaller synagogues and the vibrant murals of Djerbahood, a celebrated street art project. Return to your accommodations in Djerba for dinner and an overnight stay.
Depart Djerba, traveling to El Jem to see its famed Roman amphitheater, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. Following lunch nearby, continue to the coastal city of Sousse, where you’ll explore the historic Medina. Known for its blend of influences over centuries, Sousse’s Medina offers a final immersion in Tunisia’s historical blend of communities. Settle into your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Conclude your journey with a visit to Sousse’s Ribat and Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site that reflects Tunisia’s fortified history. Continue to Nabeul, a former Jewish community hub on the Cap Bon peninsula, where you’ll explore preserved synagogues, a museum, and a Jewish cemetery that offer lasting insight into Tunisia’s Jewish heritage. In the afternoon, return to Tunis, where the tour concludes, marking the end of your cultural exploration into Tunisia’s rich Jewish legacy.
This tour is designed to offer a unique and respectful exploration of Tunisia’s Jewish heritage, with exclusive access to significant sites, historical neighborhoods, and opportunities to engage with the local Jewish community.
Yes, we offer flexibility to adjust activities and pacing to suit your needs. Let us know any specific interests, and we can tailor the itinerary accordingly.
We select quality accommodations that enhance the cultural experience. In Djerba and other key areas, we aim to provide lodging that reflects the region’s unique heritage and comfort.
