Welcome to Tunisia, in all honesty, I see it as a dirty, over-rated and disorganised nation, so much so that our friends there and couchsurfing hosts also admit it, and dream of escaping their native land to earn money abroad. After enjoying the wonders of Monastir, the chaos of Tunis, the history of Carthage, the inland appeal of Kairouan and the touristic Sidi Bou Said, we headed on a train on the east coast, south to the town of Mahdia.
To visit Mahdia, you can easily do it as a day trip! To get to Mahdia from Teboulba (or Monastir/Sousse) I recommend taking the train and handily Mahdia is the last stop on the line.
Once you arrive at the train station in Mahdia, everything is walkable. Mahdia is actually on a peninsula with juts out into the Mediterannean Sea. Although you are in Africa, you could just as easily mistake it for Greece, Italy or Montenegro. Work your way through this easy seven sights then get on the next train or bus out.
Mosque of Mustapha Hamza: Mosques become a way of life when you backpack through Islamic countries and Tunisian towns and cities are no different. The Call to Prayer rings out eloquently for sunset and there are a few first class Mosques in Mahdia to check out. Starting with the green, white and biege coloured Mosque of Mustapha Hamza.
The Mosque of Mustapha Hamza was built in 1722 during the Turkish times and sits opposite the main square and on the edge of a dirty cobbled market street.
Mosque of Mustapha Hamza
Borj el Kebir (Fortress): Right by the sea sits the ancient Borj el Kebir fortress.
Borj el Kebir Fortress, Mahdia
Borj el Kebir Fortress, Mahdia
Place du Caire: Place du Caire is an outdoor main square in the town which is full of trees and has a few tea shops and restaurants….though eerily quiet when we were there with just a few kids playing football.
Place du Caire, Mahdia
Grande Mosquee: the main Mosque may not be as obvious as the Mustapha Hamza Mosque but it’s definitely the most important one for Muslims. It doesn’t actually look like a Mosque from the outside!
The front entrance to the Grande Mosquee in Mahdia, Tunisia, which is located near the Place du Caire, a few simple easy steps down. The Grande Mosquee is housed inside a courtyard, beyond the outer walls. No photos in the Mosquee part, but the courtyard is fine.
The courtyard of the Grande Mosquee
Mahdia Medina: probably the easiest tongue twister of all time is the Medina in Mahdia. It’s also a very small Medina. A few poky streets, once you enter the entrance arch to the city and some scattered restaurants, carpet shops and general stores.
The entrance arch to the Medina in Mahdia.
Through the Medina in Mahdia
Cafe Sidi Salem: After touring the town’s main sights, it was time for an afternoon coffee to watch the sunset. Cafe Sidi Salem is recommended as it sits right on the sea and has great views. It’s about a 3 minute walk from both the Borj el Kebir and the Grande Mosquee.
Sunset at Cafe Sidi Salem in Mahdia, Tunisia
Avenue 7 Novembre: this sweeping avenue runs alongside the Mediterranean Sea and makes a perfect place for a leisurely stroll.
Views along Avenue 7 Novembre
As well as these seven easy sights, there are also of course beaches, restaurants and even a Hammam in Mahdia Medina so I’d say it’s worth at least a day trip or if you want a lonely night away from tourists and locals.
A Hammam in Mahdia Medina
You might have guessed that Mahdia was not the most inspiring town of my travels so far and despite the fact we toured most of it, we didn’t feel there was anything special here.
The post Backpacking in Tunisia: Top 7 Sights in Mahdia appeared first on Don’t Stop Living.
Jonny Blair is a self confessed traveling nomad who founded and blogs at Don’t Stop Living. He sees every day as an adventure. Since leaving behind his home town of Bangor in Northern Ireland ten years ago he has traveled to all seven continents, working his way through various jobs and funding it all with hard work and an appetite for travel. Don’t Stop Living, a lifestyle of travel’ contains over 1,000 stories and tips from his journeys round the globe. He wants to show others how easy it is to travel the world, give them some ideas and encourage them to do the same but most of all he aims to constantly live a lifestyle of travel. He is currently based in Hong Kong and on Twitter @jonnyblair.
