Sfax
★★ Sfax — The Underrated Economic Center
Tunisia's second-largest city (approx. 330,000 inhabitants) is often overlooked by tourists — and that's precisely what makes it appealing. Sfax is an authentic working city: no hotel resorts, no tourist shops, but a beautifully preserved Medina, great restaurants, and real Tunisian everyday life.
★★★ Medina of Sfax
The Medina of Sfax is considered the best-preserved medieval city wall in Tunisia. The massive walls (from the 9th century) are almost completely intact and form a perfect rectangle. Inside: a labyrinth of alleys, mosques, and souks that have changed little over the centuries. Here, Sfaxians shop — not tourists.
- Bab Diwan: The imposing main gate in the south, fully restored. Next to it, the archaeological museum.
- Dar Jellouli: A magnificent 17th-century townhouse, now a museum of traditional art and folk culture. The wood carvings and tile work are masterful.
- Souks: Authentic and unspoiled. Especially the Souk el-Jemaa (Fridays) and the perfume merchants near the Great Mosque.
Kerkennah Islands
An hour by ferry from Sfax are the Kerkennah Islands — an archipelago of two main islands, flat as a pancake, with traditional fishing, palm gardens, and absolute tranquility. Kerkennah is the opposite of Djerba: no resorts, no tourists, just fishermen and palm groves. Ideal for travelers seeking true seclusion.
Ferry from Sfax: 1h, several times daily, 2 TND. On the island: few simple hotels and guesthouses.
Arrival in Sfax: Louage from Sousse (2h, 4€), train from Tunis (4h, 5–8€). Sfax is a good stopover on the route Sousse → Gabès → Djerba.
